Customizable private tour with flexible departure dates. Solo travelers are welcome—contact us for availability and a personalized quote.
Ausangate Trek & Wachuma Ceremony in Cusco — Overview
The 3 day trip to Ausangate Trek 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.
Why Ausangate + Wachuma — The Only Experience of Its Kind
The Wachuma ceremony and the Ausangate Trek belong together. This is not a marketing decision — it is a cosmological one.
Apu Ausangate is considered by Andean communities to be “the owner of the entire Cusco region” — the most powerful mountain spirit of the south. For centuries, Quechua pilgrims have made offerings to Ausangate before undertaking any significant life transition: a marriage, a new harvest cycle, a healing, a birth. The mountain is not a backdrop. It is an active participant in any ceremony held in its presence.
Wachuma (San Pedro) is the sacred plant medicine of the Andes — a daytime medicine of the sun, of clarity, of heart-opening, and of direct communion with Pachamama and the Apus. When these two — the sacred mountain and the sacred plant — are brought together in a single ceremony, the result is something that participants consistently describe as impossible to fully articulate: a felt encounter with the living intelligence of the Andean cosmos.
What makes this combination irreplaceable:
Holding a Wachuma ceremony in Cusco city or in a garden setting is meaningful. Holding it at 4,400 meters, at the foot of Ausangate’s glaciers, surrounded by the sacred lagoons the Andean cosmology considers living beings — that is a different order of experience entirely. The landscape amplifies the medicine. The medicine amplifies the landscape. And the Master who guides you is from Pacchanta — this is his home, his mountain, and his tradition.
This is the only experience of its kind offered by any operator in Peru.
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.
Apu Ausangate — The Sacred Mountain of the Cusco Region
Ausangate rises to 6,384 meters (20,945 feet) in the Vilcanota Mountain Range, approximately 100 km southeast of Cusco city. It is the highest peak in the Cusco region and the fifth highest mountain in all of Peru.
In Quechua and Andean cosmology, Ausangate is not simply a geological feature. It is an Apu — a living mountain deity, a protector spirit of immense power and benevolence who governs the water, the weather, the fertility of the land, and the spiritual life of the communities that live under its gaze. Pilgrims have made offerings to Ausangate since pre-Inca times, and the tradition continues unbroken today.
The mountain’s glaciers feed the rivers and agricultural systems of the entire south Cusco region. When the Quechua people of Pacchanta offer gratitude to Ausangate, they are honoring the living source of their water, their food, and their spiritual orientation.
The Qoyllur Riti Festival — held annually at the foot of Ausangate in late May, one of the largest indigenous pilgrimages in the Americas — draws over 10,000 pilgrims who travel for days on foot to honor this mountain. Our trek does not coincide with the festival, but the route passes through the same sacred landscape that those pilgrims walk.
Walking in the presence of Ausangate is, by itself, a ceremony. Adding the Wachuma medicine is an invitation for the mountain to speak more directly.
Prices & Inclusions
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.
Costs (per person, based on double occupancy)
- Starting at:
- $900
Add ons and extras:
- HorseHorses: $50 USD Per day.
How to Book
- Send Your Inquiry Share your preferred dates, number of participants, and accommodation details.
Solo travelers or guests with questions are welcome to contact us before booking. - Confirm Availability We will coordinate availability, ceremony logistics, and the best schedule for your experience.
- Reservation Deposit A deposit is required to secure and confirm your reservation.
- Booking Confirmation Once your reservation is confirmed, we will send all final details including pick-up time, recommendations, and important information for your ceremony.
If you already have planned dates and are 2 or more travelers, you can book directly using the Book Now button.
What’s Included in Your 3-Day Ausangate Trek & Wachuma:
- 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.
Gratuities for guides, cook, and drivers (warmly appreciated); personal medications; souvenirs; international/domestic airfare; extra personal snacks; horse hire beyond the included emergency horse ($50/day additional if desired for personal use throughout)
Packing List — Ausangate Trek & Wachuma Ceremony
Clothing (layer system is essential):
- Thermal base layers (top and bottom) — synthetic or merino wool, not cotton
- Mid-layer fleece or down jacket
- Waterproof outer shell (jacket and pants)
- Warm hat covering ears
- Gloves — lightweight for Day 2 ascent, heavier for evenings
- Neck gaiter or buff
- Hiking pants (not denim)
- Long-sleeved sun shirt for daytime
- Ankle-covering hiking boots — broken in, waterproof
- Sandals or camp shoes for hot springs and homestay
- Swimsuit for the Pacchanta hot springs (Day 1)
Gear:
- Daypack 20-30L (the provided duffel carries your overnight gear)
- Headlamp with fresh batteries
- Trekking poles (recommended for the Apacheta ascent)
- Reusable water bottles or hydration bladder — minimum 2L capacity
- Sunscreen SPF 50+ (UV is extreme at altitude)
- Sunglasses — UV protection essential
- Personal first aid basics (blister treatment, ibuprofen, diamox if prescribed)
For the Wachuma ceremony:
- Warm layers for sitting still during the ceremony — you will not be moving much
- A journal if you like to write (the day after the ceremony is rich for journaling)
- Any personal sacred objects or intentions you want to bring into the ceremony
- Open mind and clear intention
Documents:
- Original passport (required for entrance to the Ausangate protected area)
- Printed or downloaded booking confirmation
Itinerary
DAY 1 — Cusco → Pacchanta: Arrival at the Foot of the Apu
Journey to 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
Pacchanta → Ausangate → Pacchanta
Ausangate with Wachuma
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
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
The Wachuma Ceremony — What to Expect
The Wachuma (San Pedro) ceremony on Day 2 is a full sacred ceremony, not a simplified or tourist-adapted experience. It is the same ceremony the Master holds in other contexts — in Cusco, in Chinchero, in the Sacred Valley — with the significant addition of Apu Ausangate as an active participant in the ceremonial space.
Before the ceremony: The Master holds a brief preparation — coca leaf offering, prayer, and the opportunity to share your intention. What you bring to the ceremony in terms of sincerity and openness shapes what the medicine is able to do.
During the ceremony: The medicine works differently for each person. Some experience profound emotional release, others have visionary clarity, others feel a deepening physical and spiritual connection to the land. At these altitudes, in this landscape, the connection to Pachamama is consistently reported as one of the most striking qualities of the experience.
After the ceremony: The Master closes the ceremony with gratitude and prayer. There is no rush to leave. The afternoon and evening in Pacchanta allow for natural integration before sleep.
The Master’s presence is continuous. He does not administer the medicine and step aside. He works throughout the ceremony — singing, praying, offering individual attention — for as long as it is needed.
For a complete overview of the Wachuma experience and what to expect, see our dedicated San Pedro (Wachuma) Ceremony page.
Ausangate Trek Difficulty & Altitude — What You Need to Know
This trek is rated moderate to challenging — more accessible than the classic 5-day Ausangate circuit, but not a casual hike. Understanding the altitude before you arrive is the most important preparation you can do.
Altitude profile:
- Cusco: 3,400 m / 11,150 ft (acclimatize here for minimum 3 days before departure)
- Pacchanta: 4,400 m / 14,432 ft (Day 1 arrival)
- Sacred lagoons and Apacheta: up to 5,100 m / 16,732 ft (Day 2 high point)
- Return to Cusco: 3,400 m / 11,150 ft (Day 3)
Daily trekking distance: Day 2 involves approximately 12-15 km of walking at altitude with 700 m of elevation gain. Day 1 and Day 3 involve minimal walking.
Fitness level required: You should be comfortable walking 5-6 hours at altitude with a daypack. You do not need to be an elite athlete, but you should have some prior hiking or walking experience and a genuine respect for high-altitude environments.
Altitude sickness (soroche): The move from 4,400 m to 5,100 m on Day 2 is significant. We carry an emergency oxygen tank, a first aid kit, and an emergency horse. Your guide is trained in high-altitude first aid. That said, the best insurance against altitude sickness is spending real time in Cusco before departure — we recommend a minimum of 3 days, ideally 4-5.
Horses are available at $50 USD per day for participants who want support with the ascent or find the high-altitude sections more demanding than expected. This can be arranged in advance or on Day 2 morning depending on how you feel.
Combine Your Ausangate Journey with Other Sacred Experiences
The Ausangate Trek & Wachuma is a complete experience in itself — and it opens naturally into other sacred work in Cusco before or after your trek:
- Ayahuasca Retreat Cusco — 1 Day — the nighttime Amazonian medicine; pairs powerfully with Wachuma’s daytime solar work
- Ayahuasca Retreat Cusco — 2 Days — two ceremonies and overnight integration in Chinchero
- Coca Leaf Reading in Cusco — set your intention before the trek with a traditional Andean oracle session
- Offering to Pachamama — Despacho Ceremony — close your time in the Andes with a sacred act of reciprocity and gratitude
- San Pedro (Wachuma) Ceremony — 1 Day in Cusco — if you want a second Wachuma ceremony in the Sacred Valley setting of Quillarumiyoq
- Essence of Cusco — 5 Day Spiritual Retreat — Ayahuasca, San Pedro, Despacho, Coca Leaf Reading, and sacred sites in one guided journey
All experiences can be combined into a single private itinerary. Contact us to design yours.
