High-Altitude Journeys · Route 1 · Day Trip

Meeting with Ausangate

Hot Springs of Ausangate and Trekking / Horseback Ascent to the 7 Lakes

This route offers a powerful one-day journey for those who want to walk a little, pause, reflect, and feel—right in the heart of the Ausangate 7 Lakes area, beneath Ausangate, the highest mountain in the Cusco region. Apu Ausangate holds a very strong field of nature, culture, and energy.

Along the way—surrounded by breathtaking views—we also enter the natural hot springs that Ausangate gifts to us. Beyond their other healing qualities, these waters are widely known for being especially good for the skin—something many people who carefully observe and care for their skin say they can clearly notice. The point we reach by vehicle is also one of the base-camp areas used by Ausangate climbers.

Among the route’s beauties: having breakfast by Lake Urcos, taking a tea/coffee/cacao pause at Cuyuni 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 life, and the point we are standing at within it, 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.

After a beautiful breakfast by Lake Urcos, we begin climbing by car. We pass through Cuyuni Mountain Pass (4,200 m), and at the first point where we meet Ausangate’s powerful presence face to face, we can take a tea/coffee pause if you wish.

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 clearly feel the life of people living at altitude—and where tourists simply don’t pass through. Then we arrive at Tinqui (3,780 m)—the last town before we begin the final 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.

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 turn. Both communities are reached by a demanding stone road. Although it’s only 15 km, it takes us about one hour—because along the way we cross many streams, and pass right through the living spaces of people who make their home high in the mountains.

Walking & Hot Springs in Pacchanta / Upis—Ausangate

Both options are beautiful, and they offer a similar essence. The first is a little closer to “tourism”; the second is a much more isolated experience. In our call, it will be easy to feel which one suits 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.

From here, 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 truly breathtaking. In my own view—among all the places in South America—this route belongs in the top three, alongside Patagonia’s W Trek and the Uyuni–San Pedro crossing.

In Pacchanta, we are accompanied and supported by a beautiful local family we feel deeply connected to—who help us with food, horses (if needed), and presence along the way.

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

We return to Pacchanta before dark. After dinner prepared by our local auntie (Sra. Brigida), we warm up in the hot springs at 4,315 meters—held by silence, sharp mountain cold, the Ausangate view, and the stars.

2. Option Two: Upis

At the end of the road we reach the Upis community (4,450 m)—and in the final part 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. From there we walk up to Upis Lake. The climb is not steep and takes only about one hour—bringing us even nearer to Ausangate’s ice.

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. After dinner prepared by our local auntie (Sra. Calletano), we warm up in the hot spring at 4,450 meters—again with silence, sharp cold, the Ausangate view, and the stars—then we begin the return road.

Return Road

We return the same way. We usually set out around 7–8 pm. While you rest—often sleeping with a beautiful playlist in the background—I drive with quiet joy. We are usually back around 10 pm.

Sample Program

Our program is not fixed — it shapes itself on the road. Still, to help you feel the flow, here is a sample outline.

Pacchanta Option

05:00
Depart from the Sacred Valley
06:00
Breakfast at Lake Urcos
07:00
Pause at Cuyuni Mountain Pass
08:00
Ocongate Market
08:30
Begin the climb from Tinqui
09:30
Arrive in Pacchanta
10:00
Start trekking (or horseback)
10:30
Mirador Ausangate
12:30
Ausangate Seven Lakes
16:30
Dinner
17:15
Natural Hot Springs
19:15
Return road
22:30
Back in our beds

Upis Option

05:00
Depart from the Sacred Valley
06:00
Breakfast at Lake Urcos
07:15
Pause at Cuyuni Mountain Pass
08:30
Ocongate Market
09:30
Begin the climb from Tinqui
10:30
Arrive in Upis
11:00
Trekking
12:00
Upis Lake
16:30
Dinner
17:30
Natural Hot Springs
19:15
Return road
22:30
Back in our beds

What to Bring
  • Sunglasses (polarized if you have them), sunscreen
  • Two warm layers, a beanie
  • Walking shoes or hiking boots, a rain/wind jacket, and a plastic rain poncho for heavy rain (especially Dec–Feb)
  • An extra pair of socks
  • Towel, swimsuit
  • Water bottle, a few snacks
  • Small gifts for children and for people we meet (coca leaves, pencils, crayons, fruit, toothbrush, toothpaste, soap, 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.

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

Breakfast (by Lake Urcos)

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, eat fruit and nuts—and it’s usually more than enough.

Dinner

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.

Participation Fee
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Price per person ($)350240200180165150140

Extras

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.

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