Attention women who seek wild and off-the-beaten -path places, let us introduce you to Peru's Ausangate Trek.  The Ausangate Mountain is considered by the Quechua people to be one of the most holy mountains in all of the Andes. While a visually stunning, high-altitude adventure, it is also a spiritual pilgrimage.  With minimal foot traffic, it is a trek many people have never heard of… let us take you there!  

The Ausangate trail offers an ‘off the beaten track’ experience with glaciers, turquoise lakes, snow-capped peaks, starry nights (think “snow globe”), rainbow mountains, herds of llamas, alpacas, and wild vicuñas, picturesque villages, and traditionally dressed Quechua people.  This is your chance to disconnect with the world, connect with yourself, nature, , and a group of like-minded women adventurists.

It is hard to explain, but the real highlight of this adventure is not Machu Picchu, it’s the incredible journey into the wilderness of the Andes, trekking for 7 days, while resting for 6 nights  amongst glaciers, and the clearest night skies you will likely ever experience.

Unlike popular hikes in the region, the Ausangate trail is not about Inca ruins, it’s all about beautiful scenery, quiet paths, and old-world vibes. You will see more llamas and alpacas on the trail than humans and find yourself fascinated with the local Andean villages we’ll pass through, with locals still richly living their old world traditions.  

Ausangate Mountain is considered by the Quechua people to be one of the most holy mountains in all the Andes. As a result, it will be something like a spiritual pilgrimage as we circumnavigate the massive granite glacier capped peak. You will feel Pachamama (earth god) and Inti (sun god) as you pass through golden valleys with grazing alpacas, cross meandering streams flanked with green moss, feel cool breezes brush against your sun-kissed skin, and ground yourself with breaths and steps as you ascend steep alpine trails. Your guides will introduce you to Quechua traditions including a coca leaf ceremony, agricultural practices, and mythology. 

Throughout the journey you will be well cared for by your guides, camp crew, and porters. Each day, you carry only your trail comforts. Camping gear and luggage is transported by our porters to each evening’s camp.  When you arrive at the next camping site after a long day of trekking, you’ll be able to focus on reflecting, relaxing, and enjoying the company of your fellow hikers before a night of rest.

All meals are included on the trek and are fresh and prepared by a local Peruvian chef. Boiled water is provided for drinking water and hot beverages. Each day starts with a "knock" at your tent followed by a steaming hot cup of coca leaf tea, and a hearty breakfast. Hot, delicious lunches are typically served midday with a break at a beautiful resting spot.    Hot tea, cocoa, and snacks start at camp around 4:30 followed by another delicious hot meal before going to bed.

At the end of the hike, we will go out for a celebratory dinner in Cusco to share stories of our adventure and talk about how much we want to go back!! 

This trip is for women ages 21+.  Anyone with a good level of fitness can manage this hike, but it is recommended that trekkers have experience with multi-day hikes at high elevations. Solo female travelers, friends, family, partners. We travel as a multi-generational group. The typical age range of women on our trips is 35-55. 

• Altitude – 13,000 ft to 17,000 ft
• Terrain – glacial, rocky trails and high passes
• Acclimatization – 2 to 3 days in Cusco is recommended prior to trekking & diamox altitude medication
• Distance – 7 day trek 45 miles + Machu Picchu Hike 8 miles
• Difficulty – strenuous, lengthy, and high altitude
• Weather – rain, wind, snow, hail, and sunshine 
• Food – all food and drinks are included during the trek, along with porters and chefs. All meals from dinner on day 1 to dinner on day 10 included EXCEPT one lunch.
• Accommodation –  Trek: 6 nights in Mountain Hardwear tents (double occupancy) and foam pads included. Single tent upgrade option +$200 per person, sleeping bag rental available. 4 nights in 3-star hotels double occupancy. Single upgrade available. 

$200 Deposit is due by March 26, 2024

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Terms & Conditions

Cancellation Policy

Contact

Tara Short

Green Edventures Tours

1-888-622-4911

tara@greenedventures.com 

www.greenedventures.com 

Trip Leader

Tracey Seward

This trip is for women ages 21 and older who are seeking high altitude, challenging hiking experience in a group (6-10) participants.  with a good level of fitness can manage this hike, but it is recommended that trekkers have experience with multi-day hikes at high elevations.

The Ausengate Trek is considered strenuous, with a few moderate days sprinkled in. The trek is high altitude between 13,000 and 17,000 ft and 6-7 hours of hiking per day. Many of the days have steep sections that cause rapid altitude gain in a short time. 

Another factor to consider, aside from the steep sections and 16,000 ft+ elevation passes, is the weather. The weather can be quite unpredictable, and blizzard conditions at the higher altitudes are not uncommon. It is important to factor the low temperatures and your tolerance to cold and snow when determining your suitability for this trail. You will need to invest in a view pieces of quality hiking gear such as rain jacket, rain pants, hiking boots, trekking poles, down jacket if you don't already have them.

Travel to Cusco. 

Participants should arrive by 3 pm local time or any time before that is economical and convenient for them. A driver will be waiting outside the airport to pick up participants to take them to the hotel. 

In the evening we will have a short orientation followed by dinner at a nearby restaurant. (B)

Overnight at a Cusco hotel double occupancy. 

Note: participants are highly encouraged to come to Cusco a couple of days early to acclimate to elevation. We can assist you with booking hotel rooms before the start of the tour. 

Private transport picks you up from your hotel very early (4am) and takes you to the Ollantaytambo Train Station. We take the Machu Picchu Train for about 1 hour 45 minutes to the beginning of this Inca Trail Trek, at Km 104 or Chachabamba. After the train ride we cross over the Urubamba river to reach the Control Checkpoint where we will show our permits, tickets, and passports. Once the tickets are stamped we will begin our 4-hour ascent to the Wiñaywayna (forever young) archaeological site (2,700 m/8,858 ft) where we will have lunch. 

After lunch we continue for 1 1/2 hours to reach climb the "monkey steps" to the Sun Gate, the entrance to Machu Picchu where you will get your first glance of the archeological site. from the Inca Trail, and then another 1/2 hour to reach the southern agricultural zone of Machu Picchu city (where the most famous photos of the site are taken). After our arrival in Machu Picchu  we leave the park and take the 25-minute bus ride down to Aguas Calientes Town (2,040 m/ 6,692 ft).  Once in town you will be taken to a hotel for the night and you can visit the local hot springs if time allows before or after our dinner in a local restaurant.

• Walking distance approximately 14 km/8.7 miles (7-hour hike)
• Meals: box breakfast, box lunch, dinner in a local restaurant in Aguas Calientes
• Overnight: local hotel in Aguas Calientes (double room)

After breakfast at the hotel we head back to Machu Picchu to learn more about the archeology. Your guide who will unfold the mysteries of this magical site, explaining the history and flora/fauna. Your guide will spend about 2 1/2 hours relating interesting and amazing stories, explaining temples and special sectors. 

After you are done exploring the ruin site, there are many restaurants to choose from and your guide can also help suggest a nice place to eat. After grabbing a bite to eat you will take the train back to Ollantaytambo where private transport will drive you back to the hotel in Cusco. After checking in, we will have dinner at a nearby restaurant.

• Meals: Breakfast in the hotel, snacks on the tour, dinner.
• Lunch (not included)
• Overnight: Cusco Hotel

Today we go into the wilderness. Early transfer from our hotel in Cusco with 6:00 am departure. We drive for 4 hours on a new highway to Tinqui, passing Urcos Pass (4,000 m/13,123 ft) along the way. Tinqui is a village on the high plains “altiplano” east from Cusco and is where we will start our trek. We follow a wide, gently ascending path toward the northwest face of the impressive Ausangate mountain. We will have a small lunch around noon by the side of the trail. We will continue walking through fields and by scattered stone farm houses, and later in the day we will begin to see llamas and alpacas. We ascend gently to the Upis pass (4,435 m/14,107 ft) and camp at Upis Hot Springs (4,250 m/13,779 ft) where we will be surrounded by snow capped mountains (Ausangate and Maria Huamantilla).There are thermal springs at Upis where we can enjoy a soak at the end of the day. Happy hour at 4:00pm and dinner at 6:00pm.

• Walking distance approximately 16 km/9.9 miles (6 hour acclimatizing hike)
• Camping Elevation: 4,250 m/13,779 ft
• Meals: box breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks on the trail, boiled water at lunch and camp
• Overnight: Mountain Hardwear Tent (double occupancy)

After an early breakfast we begin our second day of the hike. You will hike very close to the Ausangate Glacier Peak and will have incredible views of this mountain as well as beautiful lakes and waterfalls. We may see some llamas, alpacas and wild vicuñas (the undomesticated ancestor of the alpaca) and perhaps a rare condor soaring above. We will have a 3-hour uphill hike to reach the first pass (4800m/15,748ft) where you will have magnificent views of the surrounding area. After taking a few amazing pictures we continue hiking gradually downhill for another 11⁄2 hours to our

beautiful lunch spot. After lunch we hike for another 21⁄2 hours to arrive at our campsite at Puca Ccocha (Red Lake). This spot is one of the most beautiful campsites located at the skirt of the Ausangate peak and at the bank of the lake.

• Approximate walking distance: 12km/7.5 miles (7-8 hours)
• Campsite elevation: 4300m/14,100ft
• Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks on the trail, boiled water at breakfast, lunch and camp
• Overnight: Mountain Hardwear Tent (double occupancy)

Wake up early with a hot cup of coca tea to start one of the most beautiful days of the trek, enjoying majestic views of some of the highest peaks in the Andes and depths of the beautiful valleys. This morning we will summit the Puca Pass. After an early breakfast we begin our 2-hour steep climb to the Puca Pass at (5050m/16,568ft). Along the way we have gorgeous views of turquoise lakes and the Ausangate glacier. Once you reach the summit of this mountain, you will be located right in front of the Ausangate Mountain and you can enjoy the views of Chillca Valley, with alpaca grazing along these hills. Also, from this pass you will see the beginning of the Rainbow Mountain range with their strikingly striated colors. After taking some great pictures we continue gradually downhill for another 2 hours until we reach our lunch spot located at Anantapata 4400m/14,435ft with amazing views of green hills and snow-capped peaks. After lunch and a little rest and relaxation, we will hike gradually uphill for 11⁄2 hours until we reach the the Warmisaya (aka Pitumarca) pass 5050m/16,568ft. After enjoying the views at the top we descend for 20 minutes to Yanacocha lake where we set up camp for the night. 

4:30 pm  happy hour (tea and snacks) followed by a hearty dinner.

• Approximate walking distance: 17.7 km/11 miles (about 7.5-8 hours)
• Campsite elevation: 4400m/14,435ft
• Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks on the trail, boiled water at breakfast, lunch and camp
• Overnight: Mountain Hardwear Tent (double occupancy)

After a very early breakfast (5am) we hike 1 hour up to the Rainbow Mountains (Vinicunca Mountains or Montañas de Colores) again to see the beautiful Rainbow Valley at sunrise! Enjoy the view from nearly 17,000 ft for an hour without the crowds as we are one of the first groups to arrive. Your guide will walk you to the best spots to get the perfect postcard pictures of these incredible mountains and the other surrounding peaks. Your guide will explain what makes these mountains so unique: they are composed of various minerals, which make different colors of stone striations. This is definitely one of the most stunning places in South America and one of the most beautiful natural attractions in Peru. There are Rainbow Mountains in only a few other locations in the world. After enjoying the sunrise view we hike downhill for approximately 3.5 hours until we reach Quesouno where we stop for lunch. After a hearty lunch and a well-deserved rest, we hike 2 hours uphill to Ausangatecocha (part of the Ausangate Trail). Along the way you will see beautiful mountain scenery, small streams, herds of llamas and alpacas and snow-capped peaks. At Ausangatecocha we camp by a beautiful dark blue/green lake for the night with views of the Ausangate Mountain.

• Approximate walking distance: 16 km /9.95 miles (about 6.5 hours)
• Campsite elevation: 4300m/14,108ft
• Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks on the trail, boiled water at breakfast, lunch and camp
• Overnight: Mountain Hardwear Tent (double occupancy)

After breakfast we begin a steep climb for 2-3 hours on glacial moraine to the Palomani Pass (5,350m/17,552ft). From the pass there are extensive views of all the peaks in the Cordillera Vilcanota. We then descend for 2 hours on a steep trail into the Huchuy Finaya Valley where we will stop for lunch, surrounded by beautiful mountain views. From our lunch stop we will have a view of “Las Dos Gemelas” or the two twin mountains. After lunch we hike another 2 hours to our campsite, 45 minutes of which is a steep climb and the rest is a gradually uphill trail. Along the way you see streams and a small waterfall, chinchillas, llamas, alpacas, and snow-capped mountains (the three peaks). We camp tonight at Comercocha 4400m/14,435ft.

• Approximate walking distance 16 km/ 9.9 mi (7-8 hour hike)
• Campsite elevation: 4400m/14,435ft
• Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks on the trail, boiled water at breakfast, lunch and camp
• Overnight: Mountain Hardwear Tent (double occupancy)

After some hot coca tea and a good breakfast we hike for 1 hour on a varied path through the Pampacancha Valley 4,300 m/14,107 ft where you will see wide open spaces and lots of llamas and alpacas. Once we pass through this valley we begin climbing up to the highest point of the trek, the Qampa Pass (5,400 m/17,716 ft) for 2 hours. At this pass we have incredible views of The Three Peaks, the Pacchanta Valley, and will hopefully get a glimpse of some wild vicuña and deer, and if we are really lucky, a condor. We then descend gradually through the Pacchanta Valley, walking between Ausangate Mountain and the Two Twin Mountains for 3 hours until we get to our campsite at Pacchanta (4200m/13,780ft). Along the way we see glacial moraines, beautiful lakes, and snow- capped peaks. This campsite is near the Pacchanta hot springs where you can take a well-deserved soak with stunning views of the Ausangate Mountain if you wish to (entrance fee – 10-20 soles).

• Approximate walking distance: 15 km/ 9.3 mi (6 hour hike)
• Campsite Elevation: 4200m/13,780ft
• Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks on the trail, boiled water at breakfast, lunch and camp
• Overnight: Mountain Hardwear Tent (double occupancy)

After a good breakfast we begin hiking on a wide dirt trail (village road) for 3-4 hours until we reach the small town of Tinqui (3600m/11,811ft). Along the way you will see a lot of local people, farms, farm animals and many children will come running up to greet you. 

At Tinqui we enjoy a nice lunch, after which we take our private transport back to your hotel in Cusco (arriving around 4pm) – about a 2.5 hour drive that provides nice views of the Andes, passing some traditional villages along the way. Tonight we’ll enjoy a celebration dinner together in Cusco!

• Approximate walking distance 9 km/5.6 mi (3-4 hour hike, 2.5 hour drive)
• Meals: breakfast, lunch, and snacks on the trail, boiled water at breakfast, lunch, dinner at a Cusco restuarant
• Overnight: Cusco Hotel (double occupancy)

Participants will have breakfast at the hotel. Check out is 10am. Those with later flights can leave luggage at the hotel storage while they explore Cusco. 

Participants can choose any flight that is economical and convenient for them. Airport transfer is $20 USD for a taxi and can be shared with others to offset the cost. The hotel front desk will arrange. 

As a corporate executive for the last 30 years, Tracey has always found true joy in helping others find their voice, realize their purpose, and achieve their passions and dreams – whether inside or outside of the corporate environment.  Through her professional journey she has had the privilege to experience beautiful places, people, and cultures around the world… leaving her with a continued yearning to share the world’s wonders with other adventurists.

Tracey is excited to continue to ignite the spark of adventure in fellow adventurers, help them embark on their own transformative journeys, and realize their dreams.  With an unwavering commitment to safety, health and wellness, and a deep respect for the environment and local cultures, Tracey will be your trusted companion every step of our adventure.

Read more about Tracey here.