Ausangate Trek 7 Lakes tour

ESSENTIAL INFORMATION FOR THE TRIP TO AUSANGATE TREK 7 LAKES

Acclimatize before starting your trek to Ausangate, spend at least 3 days in Cusco before your trek to Ausangate.

June and July are the busiest seasons for Ausangate.

Our Ausangate trek is based on an occupancy of 2 people. 

It is not recommended to hike Ausangate from December to March.

There is no wheelchair access to Ausangate.

Ausangate trekking is flexible.

WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO VISIT AUSANGATE?

Weather is one of the most important factors to consider during an Ausangate trek. You can check the weather forecast, but it is almost impossible to predict it accurately. Tourists, professional guides and locals hike Ausangate all year round. However, there are ups and downs throughout the seasons. The best time to hike Ausangate is the dry season (March to December). Normally, during these periods, the skies are clear from sunset to sunrise. The clear blue skies provide the most spectacular views of Ausangate.

The dry season (March to December) is one of the best for hiking Ausangate. As the hail and snow cease, perfect hiking weather emerges, and most hikers head to Ausangate during this time. The temperature rises to 20 degrees during the day and drops to – 0 degrees at night. This is the best season to enjoy the views. From December to February the weather turns frigid, and it starts to hail and snow. The weather in Ausangate is unpredictable, and the temperature can change very quickly, often in a few hours.

ACCLIMATIZATION

Acclimatization before high altitude treks in Ausangate is very crucial. As a general rule, you are at risk of altitude sickness if you go above 2438.4 m (8000 ft). Please reserve 3 days in Cusco for acclimatization. Altitude sickness on high altitude trips is a common problem, but it is preventable and needs immediate treatment. However, if you ignore the symptoms of altitude sickness, it can get worse. Altitude sickness usually starts from 3,500 m altitude. Our trekking guides are very experienced and use oximeters to monitor your oxygen level and detect altitude sickness early.

Please take into account the adaptation time necessary to prevent altitude sickness and allow time for acclimatization. As a precaution, we also recommend that you drink plenty of water. However, you should not worry about altitude sickness, as our team takes care of your health and suggests ways to take precautions. In case of serious illness, the only effective remedy is to descend immediately.  The group leader will decide whether to stop the trip depending on the general condition of each team member.

WHAT TO EXPECT FROM THE AUSANGATE TREKKING

The Ausangate trek is not difficult at all, all it requires is endurance, a previous adaptation to the altitude and physical condition, it is a high altitude trek and the altitude sickness changes are quite high, but with proper hydration, rest, and a well planned itinerary taking into account the acclimatization criteria will help you to counteract these problems. 

The Ausangate route starts from Upispama and, to reduce the risks of being at higher altitude for some time, we hike at a moderate pace and try to cover short distances each day. Although the Ausangate hike is not dangerous, various factors added to the difficulty of the route, such as the terrain and the elements of nature, will test hikers.

Be prepared for extreme weather conditions, as the weather at high altitude is unpredictable. Dress appropriately to regulate body temperature and stay comfortable during the hike. When it is sunny, the weather can get quite hot and you may even have to shed a couple of layers on the first day of hiking, so even if you are having a good time during the day, be aware that sunburn can also be a problem, get the right gear to avoid it. However, from 16.30 onwards, the temperature drops rapidly.

A TYPICAL DAY ON THE AUSANGATE TREK

Each day will provide you with a unique trekking experience that includes: enjoying the trek and the scenery, taking pictures and exploring local communities.  During the expedition, your tour guide will share information and historical facts about Ausangate.

Our horses and riders will carry most of your luggage, but you may need to carry a small normal bag for your valuables. In the morning, after breakfast, we depart for that day’s trek around 4am until noon or 1pm, depending on the length and nature of the trek. After three to four hours of hiking, we have lunch and rest for an hour before continuing on to the local family’s home. The afternoon hike is usually shorter, about two to three hours. Once you arrive at your local family’s home, you can enjoy a snack and then you are free to explore the nearby sites.

Dinner is served between 18:00 and 19:00. After dinner, you will have time for a friendly chat. The guide will brief you on the next day’s plan. After the briefing. Most of our guests are engaged in learning common Quechua words or reading books before going to sleep.

DIFFICULTY OF THE AUSANGATE TREK

The level of difficulty of the Ausangate Trek is challenging, but also rewarding. This physically demanding trek requires some proactive preparation to succeed. Exercising and running regularly for a couple of weeks prior to departure is a good idea to build endurance.

Novice hikers with normal fitness can do the route. However, the fitter you are, the more you will enjoy the trip. Previous hiking experience would be an added advantage, but no experience or technical knowledge is necessary. Participants who can walk 4 to 6 hours a day at a reasonable pace with a light backpack can complete this route. The trekking route traverses rocky mountains, with steep ascents and descents. To participate in the trek, all participants must be in good health. They should be in normal physical shape, have a positive attitude, self-confidence and strong determination. People suffering from heart, lung or blood diseases should inform us or consult their doctor before booking the trip.

BIGFOOT MACHU PICCHU TRAVEL – AUSANGATE TREKKING EQUIPMENT

During the Ausangate trek, our well-trained and experienced tour guide and Quechua team will accompany you to make your trip joyful and memorable. 

AUSANGATE TREK LAST MINUTE TREK IN PERU

It is best to book in advance, but if you are unable to do so Bigfoot Machu Picchu travel has a special arrangement for a last minute booking. In the case of a last minute booking, we must receive 100% of the trek payment 24 hours prior to the departure of the trek. We do our best to operate treks at any time. However, please note that delays may occur for reasons beyond our control. If you would like more information, please contact us by calling +51950378824 (Andrew) or emailing bigfootmachupicchu@gmail.com.

HOW MUCH LUGGAGE CAN I CARRY DURING THE AUSANGATE TREK?

For the 7 Lagunas del Ausangate trek you only need to carry a day pack containing the essentials.

CURRENCY EXCHANGE IN PERU USD TO PERUVIAN SOLES 

Sol or Peruvian soles is the local currency. 1 USD = 3.50 Peruvian soles, the exchange rate varies daily. You can exchange most foreign currencies through a legitimate local money exchange around the city of Cusco. We recommend that you bring cash and then exchange them in Cusco. You can also withdraw cash USD$ in Cusco from one of the many ATMs around the main square. ATMs in Cusco operate 24/7. On the trekking routes there are no banks or exchange houses, so you will need to change your money in Cusco.

Please note that if you use a foreign card, the maximum withdrawal limit will be determined by your bank. Most established businesses in Cusco accept foreign currency. Please make sure you have new bills, torn or discolored bills will be refused.

DIETARY NEEDS

We are able to cater to any dietary restrictions, we work with different dietary requirements; vegetarian, vegan, gluten free, and more options are available at.

STRIKES

Strikes in Peru can interfere with the Ausangate trek, when this happens, people block the main roads for a period of 24 hours, or more. If this happens during your trek. We will inform you in advance and do our best to change the itinerary. This may involve additional expenses