Ausangate Trek and Wachuma
Overview
Highlights
- Travel off the beaten path and hike through the Vilcanota Mountain Range, supporting local communities.
- Discover an authentic side of Peru that few know.
- Acclimate well for your trek in Cusco and the Sacred Valley.
- Enjoy a unique experience with ancient plants.
- Stay in a local homestay.
- Discover an ancestral past still alive in the mountains.
- Enjoy the peace and tranquility of the Ausangate Trek on a private tour.
The 3 day trip to Ausangate gives us the opportunity to learn how people leave in remote areas of our region, and connect with our most powerful guardian – Apu Ausangate, we will be in ceremony with master Wachuma.
Hiking beneath the 6,384-meter-high Ausangate mountain, it’s impossible not to be captivated by the mysticism and magic of the Peruvian Andes. Add a visit to the lagoons to the breathtaking and transformative landscapes of the Ausangate Circuit.
Discover Andean traditions and spirituality that have been shared for generations. Join us on a pilgrimage to the sacred Ausangate mountain and participate in Andean ceremonies. This program is a unique opportunity to connect with ancestral traditions in a personal and authentic way, forging a deeper bond with Pachamama (Mother Earth) and the Apus (mountain spirits). It’s not just a traditional visit; it’s a unique and transformative experience that respects and embraces the Andean way of life and Pachamama. We recommend arriving in Cusco at least 2 or 3 days before the program begins to allow your body time to acclimatize to the altitude.
Our ancestors from the Inca culture left us their secrets, wisdom, and knowledge of the mysterious power of Apu Ausangate, through the legacy passed down by our ancestors.
Itinerary & Prices
All itineraries are subject to change due to seasonal weather conditions (and resultant variations in river and tributary water levels) affecting accessibility to locations. Thus navigation routes, times and excursions may need to be modified at the cruise captain’s or your guide's discretion.
Tour Map
Costs (per person, based on double occupancy)
$900
Add ons and extras:
- HorseHorses: $50 USD Per day.
Included:
- Tour Guide: English, Spanish and Quechua speaking guide.
- 2 nights in Local Homestay.
- Entrance fees to Ausangate.
- Wachuma Medicine: We will have the ceremony on Day 2.
- Private Transport
- Professional cook.
- Emergency horse.
- We carry 7 kilograms of your personal belongings.
- Large duffel bag provided by the company, for your 7 kg personal belongings.
- Clean and safe water, provided every half day, you need your own water for the 1st morning.
- Snack for the second day.
- Meals: 2 Breakfasts, 3 lunches, and 2 dinners.
- Clean and safe water, provided every half day, you need your own water for the 1st morning.
- Vegetarian, vegan, pescatarian options available.
- First aid kit.
- Oxygen tank for emergencies.
Not Included:
- Meals not mentioned on the itinerary.
- Gratuities for Pumadventures team (Guides, Drivers, Cook, porters).
- Souvenirs.
- International or domestic airfare.
- Extra water.
- Original passport
- Good daypack (the smaller, the better)
- Headlamp: essential
- Toilet paper
- Thermal clothing: jackets, pants, hats, and gloves.
- Clothes made with materials like linen or cotton which will allow air to circulate better than synthetic fabrics
- Water storage: 2-3L (water bottles must be reusable, not disposable)
- Quickdry towel. We provide small ones, you might prefer something larger
- Hiking boots that cover your ankles
- Wide-brimmed hats and long-sleeved shirts for sun protection
- Waterproof jacket or poncho for the rainy season
- A fleece or Warm jacket for the cold nights
- Sunscreen
- Wool hat if cold season
- Snacks like chocolate bars, cereal bars or any dry fruit
- Any necessary personal medications
- Cameras, chargers, extra cables, power-bank
- Extra money for souvenirs, drinks & tips
- Swimsuit for the hot springs in Pacchanta (optional)
Itinerary
Journey to Pacchanta
Route: Cusco → Pacchanta.
After breakfast, we depart the Sacred Valley and begin a three-hour trip to the distant Andean village of Pacchanta (3,800 meters / 12,464 feet). Along the way, we pause to visit the stunning Sistine Chapel of Cusco. It’s a hidden masterpiece of both colonial art as well as history. As we continue on, we pass through customary villages such as Urcos, Cattca, and Ocangate, each offering a glimpse into the rich culture of and daily life in the highlands.
The scenic drive then unfolds just like a living postcard, revealing all of the majestic Cordillera Vilcanota, along with its snow-capped peaks plus enormous open landscapes. As we gradually draw ever closer, the large, towering presence of Ausangate Mountain, truly one of the most sacred peaks located in Andean cosmology, majestically dominates all of the horizon.
After getting to Pacchanta (4,400 meters / 14,432 feet), we relax in hot springs, where the warm, mineral-rich waters provide peace. Surrounded by stunning views of Ausangate right at the valley’s edge, we soak in the stillness of the mountains, allowing the energy of this sacred land to fill us with a deep sense of connection as well as tranquility.
Overnight in Pacchanta: Local Homestay
Meals: Lunch, Dinner
Ausangate with Wachuma
Route: Pacchanta → Ausangate → Pacchanta.
We commence our day with a special breakfast, readying both body and spirit for a deep adventure into the core of Apu Ausangate’s holy landscapes.
We walk, following the ancient paths of our ancestors. Mama Coca, a revered plant, has guided Andean travelers for centuries in the company of such paths. Our adventure truly leads each of us to the Apacheta, a sacred passage between mountains and valleys, where we offer prayers and gratitude to the powerful Apus (mountain spirits) and Mamacochas (sacred lagoons), seeking their blessing and protection.
From here, we descend to the crystalline waters of Otorongo Cocha as well as Ancash Cocha, where we take a moment for purification plus renewal. Immersing ourselves in with the energy of these sacred lagoons, we align with the powerful presence of Apu Ausangate, allowing its ancient wisdom to cleanse and revitalize us.
After this truly transformative experience of our lives, we then return back to the community of Pacchanta. In Pacchanta, a nourishing lunch now awaits us all. Here, we also have the chance to appreciate authentic Andean textiles, witnessing the artistry and cultural heritage twisted into each thread.
For those people who feel called, today offers an additional opportunity to work with San Pedro (Wachuma), a revered teacher and healer plant. Used for centuries throughout Andean traditions, San Pedro is known quite well for its ability to heal the heart, bring clarity, as well as guide personal transformation. Under the careful guidance of a truly experienced master, this most sacred ceremony provides a very safe and deep space so as to reconnect with ancestral energies, release any emotional burdens, and embrace a true path of healing and also renewal.
Overnight in Pacchanta: Local Homestay
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Return to Cusco
Route: Pacchanta → Cusco → Thank you Pumadventures.
After breakfast, we proceed onward to Lucio’s Temple, a holy shrine where we will extend our last thanks and say goodbye to Master Ausangate. In this quite deep moment, we surely honor the connection we have forged with the mountains. We honor, too, the waters and the ancient energies that have guided our adventure.
After a nourishing lunch, we begin our return to Cusco, carrying with us the wisdom, clarity, as well as renewal gifted by this sacred land.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
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