High-Altitude Journeys · Route 2 · 1N/2D

Apu Ausangate

One Night in Ausangate's Hot Springs + Trekking / Horseback Ascent to the 7 Lakes

We created this route for those who want to walk, pause, reflect, and feel—right in the heart of Ausangate (6,384 m), a mountain we experience as the crown chakra of the Cusco region. And for those who want to go even deeper: to stay one night, and truly sink into this powerful field. Apu Ausangate holds a very strong space of nature, culture, and energy.

With a breathtaking view around us, we enter the natural hot springs—Ausangate’s gift to us. Beyond their other healing qualities, these waters are known for being especially good for the skin—something people who closely observe and care for their skin often notice clearly. The point we reach by vehicle is also one of the base-camp zones used by Ausangate climbers.

Among the route’s beauties: sipping tea/coffee/cacao by Lake Urcos, pausing at Cuyuni Mountain Pass, and visiting one of the most original markets in this region—still largely untouched in its culture.

“Ausangate is still considered deeply sacred by the people of this region—so sacred that energy works and even prayers are traditionally done by first asking permission. As Ausangate mirrors us, being here—at such high altitude, in the presence of a mountain so vast and powerful—helps us face ourselves. It gives us a chance to see our connection to the moment, and the point we stand at in our lives, from a slightly higher place.”

The Route

Summary

Details

Sacred Valley—Tinqui Road:

I set out from Vamoss Experience (San Salvador). We meet in Pisac (or wherever you prefer), chew a little coca, load your bags into our vehicle, and begin the road. (3,000 m)

We move through the valley—not toward Machu Picchu this time, but in the other direction—until we reach Urcos. By Lake Urcos (3,156 m) we take a tea/coffee pause. Then we stop at Cuyuni Mountain Pass (4,200 m)—the first point where we stand face to face with Ausangate’s majestic presence.

From there, we descend into the Tinqui Valley and visit the market of Ocongate Village (many small highland communities are connected to it). This is a place where you can see high-altitude life up close—untouched by tourism. Then we arrive at Tinqui (3,780 m), the last town before we begin the next climb toward Ausangate.

This entire road is asphalt. The distance is about 130 km, and in normal conditions—excluding stops—we cover it in roughly 2.5 hours.

Note: If you wish (extra payment + advance notice required), we can do the journey there or back not on the asphalt road, but over the mountain tops. There are dreamlike roads that rise above Pisac or San Salvador and travel through the 4,000-meter range—wild, quiet, and so beautiful that almost no one passes through. In that case, we move through extraordinary views and villages, and depending on your preference the travel time can extend to around 2 to 4 hours. These roads are stony and full of curves—but they are truly, truly beautiful.

Tinqui—Pacchanta or Upis Road:

In our call before the journey, we decide together whether you prefer Pacchanta or Upis.

From the moment we enter the community road, Ausangate’s magnificent presence begins to grow—bigger and closer with every curve. Both communities are reached by a demanding stone road. Although it’s only 15 km, it takes about one hour—and on both roads we pass through multiple streams and right through the living spaces of people who make their home high in the mountains.

Walking & Hot Springs in Pacchanta or Upis—Ausangate (1 Night)

Both options are truly beautiful and carry a similar essence. The first is a little closer to “tourism,” while the second offers a much more isolated experience. In our call, it will be easy to feel which one is for you.

1. Option One: Pacchanta

At the end of the road we arrive in Pacchanta (4,315 m)—a place travelers choose more often than Upis. (When we say “touristic,” we mean this: we might come across 5–30 other travelers, but we will barely see them during the day.) Compared to Upis, Pacchanta has more developed hot springs (large pools at different temperatures), small local shops for basic needs, and relatively better accommodation options.

After dinner prepared by our local auntie (Sra. Brigida), we warm up in the hot springs at 4,315 meters, facing Ausangate’s peak—held by the stars.

Sleeping at this altitude, in a place like this, has its own taste. After a night of silence, sharp cold, stars, and hot springs, we get the chance to enter the waters again in the morning.

After breakfast, we climb to Ausangate 7 Lakes—either on foot, or (if you prefer) by horse (extra payment + advance notice required; no riding experience needed).

The ascent (4,315– ~4,850 m) is not steep, but it is about 6 km and takes around 3 hours. As we get closer to Ausangate’s glacier, the landscape becomes breathtaking. Among all the views in South America, I would place this route in the top three—alongside Patagonia’s W Trek and the Uyuni–San Pedro crossing.

We stop whenever we wish, and refresh ourselves with the flowing glacier water.

We return to Pacchanta as the light begins to fade. We enter the hot springs once more, and then begin the return road.

2. Option Two: Upis

At the end of the road we reach the Upis community (4,450 m)—and in the final section there are barely even 10 houses. Almost no tourists come here. The hot spring is very simple and small. There are no shops, and accommodation is truly minimal.

We will be with an Indigenous family we are deeply bonded with, living right at the edge of the glacier—extraordinary people. Besides them, we might meet only 3–5 other locals, and that’s all. The Upis option offers a much closer contact with local highland life.

The point we reach by vehicle in Upis is very, very close to the glacier. After dinner prepared by our local auntie (Sra. Calletano), we warm up in the hot spring at 4,450 meters, with Ausangate’s presence and the stars above us.

Sleeping at this altitude, in a place like this, has its own taste. After a night of silence, sharp cold, stars, and hot springs, we get the chance to enter the waters again in the morning.

After breakfast, we walk up to Upis Lake (4,560 m). The climb is not steep and takes only about one hour—bringing us even nearer to Ausangate’s glacier.

By the lake, we stay 2–4 hours, depending on your preference. The silence and the view here are powerful. From that point on, it’s between Ausangate and us. We have spacious time—for meditation, preparing an offering for Mother Earth, a mapacho and rapé ritual, even swimming in the cold water where pieces of ice drift… if that is what you feel called to.

We return to Upis before dark. We enter the hot springs—of course—one more time, and then begin the return road.

Pacchanta / Upis—Sacred Valley Road:

We return by the main road. We usually set out around 7–8 pm. While you rest—often falling asleep with a beautiful playlist in the background—I drive with quiet joy. We’re usually back around 10 pm.

Sample Program

Our program isn’t fixed—it shapes itself on the road. Still, to help you feel the rhythm, here is a sample flow:

Pacchanta Option

Day 1

09:00
Depart from the Sacred Valley
Note
If you prefer the mountain-top road, it’s better to leave around 7:00–8:00.
10:00
Stop at Lake Urcos
11:30
Tea / coffee pause at Cuyuni Mountain Pass
12:30
Ocongate Market + Lunch
13:30
Begin the climb from Tinqui
14:30
Arrive in Pacchanta
15:00
Natural Hot Springs
18:00
Dinner
Note
We can enjoy the hot springs all night long.

Day 2

07:00
Breakfast
08:30
Start trekking (or horseback)
09:30
Mirador Ausangate viewpoint
10:30
Ausangate 7 Lakes
11:00
A little more hot-spring time + Food
17:00
Depart for the return road
20:00
Back in our beds

Upis Option

Day 1

09:00
Depart from the Sacred Valley
Note
If you prefer the mountain-top road, it’s better to leave around 8:00.
10:00
Pause at Lake Urcos
11:30
Pause at Cuyuni Mountain Pass
12:30
Ocongate Market + Lunch
13:30
Begin the climb from Tinqui
14:30
Arrive in Upis
15:00
Time with the locals
16:00
Natural Hot Springs
18:00
Dinner
Note
We can enjoy the hot springs all night long.

Day 2

08:00
Breakfast
10:00
Trekking begins
12:00
Upis Lake
15:00
Food
16:00
A little more hot-spring time
17:00
Depart for the return road
20:00
Back in our beds

What to Bring
  • Sunglasses (polarized if you have them), sunscreen
  • Three warm layers, a beanie, gloves, warm socks
  • Hiking boots, a rain/wind jacket, warm pants, and a plastic rain poncho for heavy rain (especially Dec–Feb)
  • Spare items: socks, underwear, pants, an extra pair of shoes (any kind—just in case)
  • Towel, swimsuit
  • Water bottle, a few snacks
  • Simple gifts for children and people we may meet (coca leaves, pencils, crayons, fruit, toothbrush + toothpaste, soap, a notebook, hair clips, small toys, etc.)
  • A musical instrument (if you wish)
  • Your adventurous spirit—and that beautiful smile

If you don’t have some of the items above, let us know—we may be able to lend them.

If we are more than 5 people, we place suitcases and backpacks on the roof. In that case, please keep only the essentials with you inside the car.

Food

We’d like to say this clearly: preparing in harmony with your diet (if you have one) is a pleasure for us. Please let us know in advance.

To support the journey, we bring plenty of coca leaves, cacao beans, maca, different teas, coffee, fruit, peanuts, and raisins—so the road stays steady and well held.

Day 1

Lunch

We eat from the day’s lunch menu at the Ocongate Market.

Dinner (in Ausangate)

A filling quinoa soup with plenty of vegetables, fresh trout from Ausangate’s lakes, served with native-seed potatoes and salad. And if you have a preferred dish, please tell us—sometimes we can arrange it in advance.

Day 2

Breakfast

Homemade muesli (oats, pumpkin seeds, coconut oil, chia seeds, walnuts), homemade yogurt or almond milk, fruit, gluten-free or sourdough bread, avocado, Peru’s lovely green olives and beautiful olive oil, farm eggs from the valley, goat cheese, butter, honey from a community we know, a variety of teas, coffee, and hot chocolate.

Lunch

Because we are climbing, simple is best: we chew coca leaves and eat the fruit and nuts we carry with us—and it’s usually more than enough.

Dinner

Vegetable soup, village chicken cooked in a pan, and fries. And if you have a preferred dish, please tell us—sometimes we can arrange it in advance.

Participation Fee
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Price per person ($)450340300250230210200

Extras

If you prefer to travel over the mountains instead of the main road, we share the $75 cost among the participants.

If you’d like to do the ascent on horseback (Pacchanta option only), it’s $25 per person.

Horseback riding here is quite different from what many people imagine—simpler, gentler, and surprisingly easy. The horses are small and very calm. Each horse is led by a local person walking beside it, holding a rope. Even those who have never ridden a horse before usually find they can do the ascent comfortably on horseback.

If you’d rather camp by the lake up above instead of staying in rooms near the hot springs (Pacchanta or Upis), it’s $70 per person. In that case, we leave early on Day 1, climb up during the day, and spend the night by the lake, up high.

A gentle note for those who wish to do a Huachuma (San Pedro) ceremony in this powerful place: when these two forces come together—Huachuma and Ausangate—the effect can be deeply shaking. The journeys can be very beautiful and healing, yes, but they also tend to be strong, deep experiences.

Accommodation

If you choose Upis, we should gently prepare you: accommodation here is very basic. There are three rooms in total—one with one double bed, one with two single beds, and one with five single beds. There are plenty of blankets, so we can sleep warm, but the sheets and mattresses are well below standard. If you prefer, we can provide a sleeping bag (and clean thermal base layers that we wash after every use).

If you choose Pacchanta, you will most likely sleep with cleaner, newer sheets compared to Upis. We usually stay in five-person rooms, though if you wish, it can sometimes be possible to arrange a two-person room. And again, if you prefer, we can provide a sleeping bag (with clean thermal base layers washed after every use).

If you’d rather stay in a tent—either beside the hot springs or up by the lakes—instead of sleeping in local rooms, we have all the equipment. Please just let us know in advance.

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