The Ausangate Trek is Peru's highest and most demanding trekking circuit, looping roughly 36 km around the glaciated Apu Ausangate at elevations between 4,000 and 5,200+ meters (13,100-17,000+ ft). Because it sits well above the Inca Trail and Salkantay in both altitude and remoteness, it rewards experienced trekkers with turquoise glacial lakes, steaming hot springs, and Andean herding communities that see far fewer visitors than Peru's classic routes. Most itineraries run 3 to 7 days from the trailhead village of Tinqui, about 3 to 4 hours from Cusco, and can be combined with a side trip to Rainbow Mountain. Here's everything you need to plan it: difficulty, timing, cost, and which route length actually fits your trip.
What Is the Ausangate Trek?
Apu Ausangate, at 6,384 m, is the highest mountain in the Cusco region and one of the most sacred peaks in Andean spirituality, so the Ausangate Trek is as much a cultural experience as a physical one. The classic route circles the mountain rather than climbing it, passing turquoise and red mineral lakes, alpaca herding communities, and the naturally colored Vinicunca (Rainbow Mountain) range along the way. Because the trail stays largely above 4,000 m for its full length, and crosses at least one pass above 5,000 m, this is not a beginner's introduction to trekking in Peru. It's the trek experienced hikers choose specifically because it's harder to reach and far less crowded than the Inca Trail.
How Difficult Is the Ausangate Trek?
The Ausangate Trek is difficult to strenuous, and altitude, not technical terrain, is the reason why. The trail itself involves long uphill and downhill stretches rather than climbing or scrambling, but sustained elevation above 4,000 m and at least one high pass in the 5,200-5,400 m range mean that fitness alone won't get you through comfortably. Daily hiking distances run 12 to 18 km depending on the itinerary, with 5 to 8 hours on the trail on the longest days. As a result, we generally recommend the Ausangate Trek to travelers who have already acclimatized in Cusco for a few days and, ideally, have some multi-day trekking experience, even if it's not technical mountaineering.
Ausangate Trek Duration Options: 3 to 7 Days
How many days you need for the Ausangate Trek depends on whether you want the compact highlights or the full circuit around the mountain. Shorter itineraries hit the same core scenery, the rainbow-colored valleys and the Seven Lakes, while longer ones add remote passes and villages that day-trippers never see. Here's how the common lengths compare:
| Duration | What's Covered | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| 3-4 days | Core lakes and valleys, often paired with Rainbow Mountain | Travelers with limited time who still want the classic views |
| 5 days | The full circuit around Ausangate, including the highest pass | Most trekkers; the standard way to experience the trek |
| 6-7 days | Full circuit plus extra acclimatization days and remote side valleys | Experienced hikers who want the least-rushed pace and most terrain |
When Is the Best Time for the Ausangate Trek?
May through September, Cusco's dry season, is the best time for the Ausangate Trek, since clear skies matter even more here than on lower routes, given how much of the trail sits above the cloud line. June through August is peak season and brings the most stable weather of the year, though also the most other trekking groups on the trail. April and October are reasonable shoulder-season options if you want a quieter trail and are willing to accept a slightly higher chance of afternoon cloud. Rain becomes the main obstacle between November and March. When passes can be genuinely dangerous underfoot, so we don't recommend the trek during those months. For a current regional forecast before you travel, Peru's national weather service, SENAMHI, publishes outlooks for the Cusco highlands that are more reliable than a general seasonal average.
Ausangate Trek Altitude and Acclimatization
Because the Ausangate Trek spends nearly its entire length above 4,000 m and crosses at least one pass over 5,000 m, altitude is the single biggest factor in how the trek actually feels. We strongly recommend at least 3 nights in Cusco (3,400 m) beforehand, more than the 2 nights that's often enough for lower routes, specifically because this trek offers little chance to descend and recover once you're on it. The U.S. CDC's guidance on high-altitude travel and altitude illness is a useful reference before you go, particularly if you're considering acetazolamide (Diamox) as a preventive option. Coca tea is a common local remedy for mild symptoms, and our full guide on avoiding altitude sickness in Cusco covers prevention, medication, and warning signs in more depth if you want to prepare further in advance.
What to Pack for the Ausangate Trek
Nights on the Ausangate Trek regularly drop below freezing even in dry season, so a warm sleeping bag rated to at least -10°C (14°F) matters more here than on shorter, lower routes. Beyond that, pack layered clothing for temperature swings between sun and shade, a windproof outer shell, gloves and a warm hat, sunscreen and sunglasses for intense high-altitude sun, and broken-in hiking boots with good ankle support for the longer daily distances. Trekking poles genuinely help on the steeper pass approaches, and most operators, us included, can provide them on request.
Ausangate Trek vs. Salkantay Trek: Which Should You Choose?
Both are alternatives to the Inca Trail, but they suit different travelers. The Ausangate Trek is higher, harder, and more remote, with far fewer other trekkers on the trail, while the Salkantay Trek is more established, slightly lower in average elevation, and ends by connecting directly to Machu Picchu, which the Ausangate route does not.
| Ausangate Trek | Salkantay Trek | |
|---|---|---|
| Highest point | 5,200-5,400 m | 4,650 m (Salkantay Pass) |
| Ends at Machu Picchu | No, standalone circuit | Yes, connects through to Aguas Calientes |
| Crowds | Low, even in peak season | Moderate, Peru's second most popular route |
| Accommodation | Camping (some lodge-to-lodge options) | Camping, sky domes, or mountain lodges |
If reaching Machu Picchu on foot matters to you, Salkantay is the better fit, and our Salkantay Trek accommodation guide breaks down the camping, sky-dome, and mountain-lodge options available on that route. If you'd rather trade the Machu Picchu finish for a quieter trail and a genuinely wilder circuit, Ausangate is the one to book.
Guided Tour or Independent Trek?
The Ausangate Trek can technically be hike independently, since the route isn't gated behind an advance permit system, though a small local community fee (typically just a few dollars, paid on the trail) applies in some sections. That said, we don't generally recommend going without a guide here, and it's a different calculation than on lower, better-marked routes. Trail junctions are poorly signed, mobile signal disappears for most of the circuit, and if altitude sickness or an injury becomes serious at 5,000 m, help is genuinely far away. A guided trek also handles mules, camping logistics, and meals, so independent trekkers should budget significantly more planning time and carry proper navigation and emergency gear if they go that route.
Combining Ausangate with Rainbow Mountain
Because Rainbow Mountain sits on the northern edge of the Ausangate range, several operators, us included, offer a shorter 4-day itinerary that combines both in a single trip. It's a good middle option if the full 7-day circuit is more time than you have, but a standard 1-day Rainbow Mountain tour feels too rushed. If you're weighing this route specifically, our dedicated Ausangate to Rainbow Mountain travel guide covers the combined itinerary, cost, and independent-hiking logistics in more detail than we can here.
Related Guides
- Ausangate to Rainbow Mountain: Travel Guide & Cost Breakdown
- Salkantay Trek Accommodation: Camping, Sky Domes, or Mountain Lodges?
- Cusco Altitude Sickness: Symptoms, Prevention & What to Do
- Best Time to Visit Rainbow Mountain Peru
Ausangate Trek FAQ
How hard is the Ausangate Trek comparing to the Inca Trail?
Harder. The Ausangate Trek reaches a higher maximum elevation, above 5,200 m versus the Inca Trail's 4,215 m Dead Woman's Pass, and spends more of its total distance above 4,000 m. It's the trek to choose after you've already done at least one multi-day route in Peru, not as a first trek.
Do I need a permit for the Ausangate Trek?
No advance permit is required, unlike the Inca Trail's limit daily permits. A small community fee, typically just a few dollars, is sometimes collect by locals on parts of the trail.
How high is the Ausangate Trek?
The trek runs between roughly 4,000 and 5,200-5,400 m depending on the exact route and pass chosen. The trailhead village, Tinqui, itself sits at around 3,800 m.
Can I hike the Ausangate Trek without a guide?
Yes, it's technically possible, but we recommend against it for most travelers. Trail junctions are poorly marked, phone signal is largely absent, and rescue logistics above 5,000 m are genuinely slow if something goes wrong.
What's the best time to do the Ausangate Trek?
May through September, Cusco's dry season. June through August has the most stable weather but the most other groups on the trail, while May and September offer a similar weather window with fewer people.
How much does the Ausangate Trek cost?
Guided itineraries with us start around $590 per person for the 4-day Rainbow Mountain combo route and around $999 for the full 7-day circuit, both including camping equipment, meals, and a support crew.
Is the Ausangate Trek better than Salkantay?
Neither is objectively better, they suit different priorities. Choose Ausangate for a quieter, higher, wilder circuit; choose Salkantay if finishing on foot at Machu Picchu matters to you.
How many people died and been rescued in ausangate trek
No official or centralized statistics exist that track the total number of deaths and rescues specifically on the Ausangate Trek in Peru. In a notable recent case, Ian Thomas Treger was found on July 1, 2026, in the remote Ausangate/Vinicunca region after going missing during a solo trek. Local shepherds and the Peruvian National Police discovered his remains in a high-altitude sector near Pitumarca.
Ready to Take On the Ausangate Trek?
Tell us your fitness level and travel dates, and we'll help you pick the right duration and pace.
Talk to a Local Guide →Private and group departures available.
