Ausangate Circuit Peru

Overview

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An adventurous trek through Southern Peru's remote Cordillera Vilcanota

Introduction

Ausangate is located in the Cordillera Vilcanota, in Southern Peru. It is reached by flying from Lima to Cusco, the capital of the Inca Empire, then trekking in from the village of Tinke. Ausangate is the highest peak in a range that sees far fewer visitors than the more popular Cordillera Blanca in Northern Peru. Because of this, the area feels a lot more adventurous and this trek may appeal to those looking to get away from the crowds. We first ran a reconnaissance to the region in 2019 and have since sent climbing teams to Ausangate itself. Our itinerary is based on this experience and our first trek, in 2026.

Overall this trek is suitable for active walkers looking to complete one of the finest, most scenic, high-altitude treks in the world. The circuit crosses a number of high passes at around 5,000m, the highest being Palomani Pass (5,200m). Past team members have described it as being even more wonderful than Peruvian treks in both the Cordillera Blanca and Huayhuash.

Trek the Ausangate Circuit with us

• Arguably the best short South American trek
• Cross high passes up to 5,200m and camp beside cool mountain lakes
• Views of snow-capped peaks, including the impressive Ausangate 6,372m
• Optional 5-day Inca Trail and Machhu Picchu extension
• Excellent acclimatisation profile with rest days

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Experience Required

This trek is suitable for fit walkers or those with previous trekking experience, who are used to tough consecutive days of walking in the mountains. If you have climbed Kilimanjaro or are a regular weekend hill walker, you could consider the Ausangate Circuit Trek.

Additional Information

If you wish to discuss any aspect of the trek or your suitability for it, please phone +44 (0)114 276 3322 or contact us.

Dates & Prices

Date	With Flight	or Meeting in	Availability
Sat 8 May – Sat 22 May 2027	UK	Cusco	Available Book now »
1 place left with £100 early booking offer	£3,895 £3,795	£2,895 £2,795
Sat 22 May – Sat 5 Jun 2027	UK	Cusco	Available Book now »
2 places left with £100 early booking offer	£3,895 £3,795	£2,895 £2,795
Sat 6 May – Sat 20 May 2028	UK	Cusco	Available Book now »
2 places left with £100 early booking offer	£4,095 £3,995	£2,995 £2,895

This trek is available to book in GBP, USD and EUR.
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Group size: 3 – 9 people.

For comparison, this trek starts from £207 (GBP) per day (price Without Flights).

With Flight pricing

Our 'With Flight' price includes an Economy class return airfare from the UK. The cost is based on a group fare that we have already reserved, or individual seats that we have budgeted for. Note that in some circumstances, the earlier you book, the less expensive the airfare and the 'With Flight' price.

Know Before You Go

Jagged Globe supports the British Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) 'Know Before You Go' campaign. We recommend that you read the FCDO Travel Advice for Peru on the FCDO Website.

What the price includes

• Economy class return airfares from the UK to Cusco (unless land only.)
• UK Air Passenger Duty (excluded if joining land-only and you make your own international flight arrangements).
• In Cusco 2 group road transfers between Airport and hotel, connecting with flights (excluded if joining land-only).
• 4 nights' hotel accommodation in Cusco, on a bed and breakfast basis.
• 8 nights' accommodation in tents on a full-board basis.
• All road transport by private vehicles as described in the itinerary.
• All porterage costs.
• All costs for leaders, guides and local helpers.
• Jagged Globe kitbag or fleece.

What the price does not include

• Visa fees.
• Overseas airports taxes not paid in advance through the international airline ticket.
• Extraneous hotel bills (e.g. bar and laundry).
• Travel insurance.
• Lunch and evening meals in Cusco.
• Additional hotel nights in Cusco or Lima if the programme is changed.
• Optional sightseeing trips.
• Tips.

Tailor Made Trips

We can organise this trek on a ‘tailor-made’ private basis for groups of friends, families, clubs, charities or any other group. The cost of going private can be surprisingly reasonable. Please contact us to discuss the itinerary and your preferred dates. We will then send you a quote, with no obligation.

Insurance

You will need a travel insurance policy that caters for the activities you will undertake on your trip with Jagged Globe. It is a requirement of our booking conditions that you have such a policy. For a list of insurers who specialise in mountaineering, trekking and skiing, please see our Travel Insurance page »

Itinerary

Here is an outline itinerary for this trip. A more detailed day-to-day itinerary is available as a downloadable PDF »

Typical Itinerary

Day 1 - 2:	Fly to Cusco (3,300m) Overnight hotel.
Day 3:	Acclimatisation in Cusco, walk to Saqsaywaman (3,700m) Located on a steep hillside that overlooks the city, sections of the fortified complex of Saqsaywaman may have been built as early as 900 CE. You'll have a gentle walk around the fortress, taking in the views of the valley to the south-east. Overnight hotel.
Day 4:	Acclimatisation, visit the ruins of Moray (3,500m) Moray is an interesting archaeological site an hour's drive away. The terracing at Moray looks like a Roman amphitheatre and whilst the full purpose of these concentric terraces isn't fully known, it's widely believed that they were used by the Incas as an agricultural laboratory. Overnight hotel.
Day 5:	Cusco to Pachanta Camp via Tinke (4,300m) The transport will meet the team at the hotel and you will start the journey to Pachanta campsite, where you stay for the next two nights. You'll stop for lunch in Tinke en route. Overnight in a beautiful and quiet camping ground, with a natural thermal bath.
Day 6:	Acclimatisation Day Full day of walking, unless you would prefer to rest.
Day 7:	Pachanta to Pacchaspata camp (4,800m) It's another 500m of altitude gain today, which is why it has been necessary to acclimatise slowly over the past two days. Pacchaspata camp is located by some lagoons to the north of Jampa Peak.
Day 8:	Cross the Jampa Pass (5,100m) to Surapata camp (4,600m) This is a stunning, yet steady walk over the Jampa Pass (5,100m) to our campsite on the far side. The views from the top of the rocky pass include the other famous peak in the range, Salcantay (6,271m).
Day 9:	Rest day at Surapata campsite (4,600m)
Day 10:	Surapata to Ausangate Base Camp (4,800m) A steady day of walking, crossing a couple of ridges and swinging around to the south to arrive at Ausangate Base Camp. There is a permanent hut/lodge in base camp, which we camp near to. The huge bulk of the SE Face of Ausangate is above us.
Day 11:	Trek over Palomani Pass (5,200m) to camp at Anantapata (4,700m) The team will walk over the Palomani pass, the highest point on the trek, through a beautiful and different landscaped valley, to arrive at a camp in Anantapata.
Day 12:	Upis via the Apachata pass (4,900m) and Arapa pass (4,800m) You will head back the way you’ve come for a short while before turning north towards the Apachata Pass. You’ll walk by the scenic Puccacocha Lakes and make it over the last steep climb of the trip, the Arapa Pass (4,850m).
Day 13:	Upis to Cusco via Tinke A short walk to the roadhead where you're met and driven to Cusco. Overnight hotel.
Day 14:	Fly home
Day 15:	Arrive UK

PLEASE NOTE: Please note that this itinerary is a guideline only. Although every effort will be made to adhere to it, unforeseen circumstances may force changes to be made at the last moment. Please be prepared to be flexible if necessary.

Optional Inca Trail Extension

Day 14	Sacred Valley of the Incas day trip. Visit Pisac Ruins, Pisac Andean market and Ollantaytambo. Overnight Cusco.
Day 15	The day starts with a spectacular early morning drive to the trailhead at Piskakucho (also known as Km. 82). Check-in and begin to hike through Inca farmland to the archaeological site of Llaqtapata. Continue to the camp at Wayllabamba (2,931m). 6 hours walking.
Day 16	A steep ascent takes you over the high pass of Warmiwanusca (4,194m). Overnight camp in the bottom of the forested valley of Pacaymayo (3,587m). 7 hours walking.
Day 17	Steep Inca steps take you to Winay Wayna (2,681m) via Runkuracay pass (3,954 m) and Phuyupayamarca pass (3,656m). Overnight camp. 8 hours walking.
Day 18	A morning traverse through forest leads to the heart of the ancient city of Machu Picchu (2,420m). After a guided tour, you take a bus to Aguas Calientes and a train back to Ollantaytamo. Overnight Tunupa Lodge. 3 hours walking.
Day 19	Transfer to Cusco airport. Fly home.
Day 20	Arrive home.

Prices based on twin-sharing, two people taking part.

Price £1450 per person

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Reports & Reviews

First Trek: May 2026
Total: 1 trip

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Team Member Reviews

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