Ausangate Llama Trek 6 Days / 5 Nights Cusco Peru

Ausangate Llama Trek 6 Days / 5 Nights Cusco Peru
Itinerary

Description: Share the trail with Quechua-speaking llama herders beneath some of Peru's tallest snow peaks. Massive Nevado Ausangate (6,384 m/ 20,950') is the sacred summit at the heart of the spectacular Vilcanota Range - a pristine region of towering peaks, ice fields, and sparkling lakes. In the Andean tradition, llamas carry our camp gear on this exhilarating 6-day, 30-mile/48-km trek, while you hike carrying only a day-pack.

The Vilcanota remains true to cultural traditions stretching back into history. The age-old methods of alpaca herding which sustains the population are everywhere in evidence. Tightly-knit Quechua communities maintain extensive, complex irrigation systems delivering glacial melt water to the valley bottoms for the year-round moisture required to sustain the alpacas' favourite forage crops. At higher elevations, you may glimpse the rare vicuña (cousin of the llama and alpaca), pairs of Andean geese, flamingos, and soaring condors.

A recently completed access road has opened up for us a vast and exciting new area of pristine lakes and dramatic snowfields. Be among the first to explore this remote back country!

To participate in this exciting trek, you need at least three days of acclimation in Cusco (3,310m/ 10,857') or similar elevation. An even better way to acclimate is to participate in one of our weekly treks (for example, the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, or Moonstone to Sun Temple Trek.) We can arrange your hotels, airport transfers, flights and other touring in Lima and Cusco according to your specifications.

Itinerary

Day.- 1 To tinki

From Cusco we travel east, over a high pass to the traditional highland town of Ocongate. Just beyond is Tinqui, the trailhead for the Vilcanota Range. We camp by the Mapoche River at 3,800 m/ 12,464'. BLD

Day . - 2 Pacchanta

With the camp gear and personal equipment carried by llamas, we climb steadily through rolling hills dotted with herds of llamas and alpacas. The snows of 6,384 m/20,906' Nevado Ausangate dominate the skyline directly ahead of us. We eat lunch near Upis, then cross a low ridge beneath the west face of Ausangate to our camp at a hot springs in the hamlet of Pacchanta (4,330m / 13,202'). 13km. BLD

Day . - 3 Jampa Pass

We trek past glacial tarns and isolated shepherds' huts toward the magnificent Jampa Pass (5,081 m/16,666') the trail follows a moraine above a glacier flowing down from the snow peaks east of our route. On most treks we see troops of vicuñas (the wild, graceful relative of the llama) amid the rugged screen and glacial ice. We camp beneath the towering west face of the Jatunjampa peaks, at Tiqlliacocha (4,840m/15,875'). 13 km. BLD

Day . - 4 Acero

We ascend a lateral moraine and drop down into our spectacular Acero camp at the head of the broad Jampa valley. You can take the afternoon off, or join the guide for an optional hike up the drainage to enjoy breathtaking views from a tarn directly beneath the glaciers at the head of the Acero valley. 4,860 m/15,905'; 4 km to camp. BLD

Day .-5 Finaya

This morning we offer a challenging scramble, up to the 5,300 m/17,384' cool east of the camp, for spectacular views east toward massive Sibinacocha Lake and the icecap beyond. While we are on the mountain, our crew moves camp a couple of hours down the valley, up a side valley above the hamlet of Finaya, with views toward the east face of Nevado Ausangate. 9 km camp to camp. BLD

Day.- 6 Return to Cuzco

We enjoy a gentle 9-km. hike down along the Chillca River to the village of Chillca, the first sizeable community since the start of the trek. Our vehicle awaits; we load up, return to Cuzco and transfer to your hotel. BL

Tour Leadership: We pride ourselves on the quality, experience, and wide-ranging skills of our trekking guides. They are Peruvians, born and raised in the Cusco highlands, who have combined their love of the mountains of their homeland with years of professional training. They are fluent in English, and bring to their groups a variety of personal interests ranging from birding to astronomy. Most of all, they are caring individuals. They make it their personal goal to see that you have the trip of a lifetime.

Departure Dates.- may to octuber

Prices:

Private Service
Ausangate Llama Trek

8 Day / 7 Night
1.- people.- $ 1020.00
2.- people.- $ 8900.00
4.- people.- $ 830.00
6.- people.- $ 780.00

Includes :

Professional, bilingual Tour Guide
Collection from hotel
Return transportation (local transport )
*6 breakfasts, 6 lunches, 6 afternoon snacks (hot drinks, biscuits and popcorn) and 6 dinners (
breakfast on day 1 and dinner and lunch in Sicuani town are not included)
Dining tent with tables and chairs
Cook
2-people tents
Sleeping mattresses
Horseman and mules (they carry cooking and camping equipment and up to 12 kilos of tourist's
belongings)
Extra oxygen
First Aid kit
*Vegetarian/special diet options available

What you need to take:

Original passport and Student card
Travel Insurance is essential
Sleeping bag (not included)
Walking boots
Waterproof jacket/rain poncho
Warm jacket
Hat and gloves
T-shirts
Comfortable trousers
Sun hat
Sun protection cream
Insect Repellent
Re-usable plastic or metal water container or camel bags.
Water (only for first 4 hours of trek, then we will provide you with drinking -previously boiled- water).
Toiletries
Personal medication
Camera and films
Torch with spare batteries
Optional items to take:

Shorts
Walking stick
Plasters and bandages
Sandals
Extra money
Optional services (not included):

Hire of sleeping bag – 5 season
Walking sticks
Day packs
International and internal airfare, airport departure taxes; gratuities for trekking staff; hotels and tour services in Cusco (we can handle these reservations for you;) personal clothing and trek equipment (you receive a detailed equipment list in our pre-departure packet); sleeping bag (you may rent winter-weight, mummy-style sleeping bags from us, subject to availability - please ask!); immunizations, insurance, laundry, telephone, other personal items.

Additional Expenses: airport departure taxes of about US$5 for domestic flights in Peru, and US$28 for international departure. Meals in mainstream restaurants are similar in price to what you'll pay at home in modest restaurants. 19% government value-added tax plus service charges of up to 10% are added to the bill.

Tipping your trek staff is optional but customary.

Please note that this is a high altitude trek with night temperatures typically below freezing for the duration of the trek. Bringing a ski hat, gloves, a winter-weight sleeping bag and parka will greatly enhance your enjoyment of the trek.

We require that you arrive in Cuzco three days or more prior to the trek. ;

Joining Your Group: Once we have received your final payment, we will send a Confirmation of Service voucher with your arrival details, plus any pre-paid transfers, and hotel arrangements. Services in Incas journey adventure. On the day prior to the trek, there is an important orientation meeting with your guide and other group participants at noon in the Incas journey adventure office at flor de la cantata b-2 san sebastian tel. (51-84) 275-97301, Cusco. We review trek arrangements, discuss clothing, health and diet, and distribute trail duffels, sleeping pads, and rented sleeping bags. Passengers who have not contacted the office by noon on the day prior to trek departure will be deleted from the roster. In such cases no refund is payable.

Misc.

To participate in this exciting trek, you need at least three days of acclimation in Cusco (3,310m/ 10,857') or similar elevation. An even better way to acclimate is to participate in one of our weekly treks along the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. We can arrange your hotels, airport transfers, flights and other touring in Lima and Cusco according to your specifications.

Please Note: We will attempt to adhere to this itinerary, but reserve the right to make minor changes where necessary for the safety and comfort of tour participants. Where changes result in increased costs, such costs will be the responsibility of the tour participant.