Talk about trekking in Peru and people immediately think of the Inca Trail to Macchu Picchu. That’s certainly a well-known hike, but there are others, and some more challenging than the Inca Trail.

Southeast of Cuzco, the awesome Cordillera Vilcanota includes a number of peaks of which Ausangate is the highest at 20,945 feet (6,384 meters). On a clear day, the peak is visible from Cuzco. The snow-capped peaks of this area are the second largest Peruvian glaciated system after the aptly named Cordillera Blanca.

On one side of the cordillera is the Andes and altiplano, on the eastern side, the slopes give way to Peruvian amazonia. See this interactive map from Expedia. The first ascent of Ausangate was made by the German expedition of Fritz Morz, Heinz Steinmetz, Jurgen Wellenkamp and Heinrich Harrer in the summer of 1953, on the south face. This is still the usual route, but climbers may ascend from any side of Ausangate. All routes are technical in nature and climbers must be properly experienced and outfitted.

Ausangate is considered an apu, a holy mountain, traditionally a place of worship and offerings from pre-Inca times. The Apu Ausangate is also famous for the celebration of El Señor de Qoyllur Ritti. held annually in June. (Photos.) Celebrated in Cuzco and Ausgangate, the celebrations merge Christian and ancient rituals in homage to Corpus Christi and the ancient cult of the sun. Shamanic pilgrimages are made throughout the year to the mountain.

Using Cuzco as a base, travelers can visit Machu Picchu, the fortress of Sacsayhuamán, the Sacred Valley and other nearby attractions, acclimatizing to the altitude, before heading for Ausangate.

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Tours

Six days is the norm for the Ausangate trek using a combination of trekking and horse riding, but it is possible to do it in five days excluding travel to and from Cuzco if you are experienced and used to the altitude. Be prepared to climb up and down with decided changes of altitude during the course of the day. Average height is 3800 m, the tallest is 5100 m. The trek is classified as Grade C, which involves a longer trek, generally at altitude with crossing mountain passes. Fitness and stamina are required.
It is better to trek with a tour group. There aren't that many, but check into the ones in Cuzco, either ahead of time or while you are there. Most offer the same arrangements, but you'll want to verify reputations. Be aware that some tour operators will cancel a trip if there are too few signed up. The tour group will provide:

local, experienced guides and porters. Some will speak English

pickup from your hotel or hostel

transportation to and from Cuzco, guides and meals

perhaps one night stay at the hostel in Tinqui

meals prepared by a cook

horses (for equipment and for each person) including horsemen to care for the horses - some tours use llamas for packing instead of horses

camping gear - tents, mattress, cooking equipment. Some tours provide a toilet tent

first aid & emergency oxygen bottle You should be prepared to provide your own:

backpack

rain jacket or poncho

strong footwear

warm clothes, including jacket, fleece and sweaters. Buy woolens in Cuzco and help the economy while you get your souvenirs

sleeping bag, rated for 0 F - 20 F, the warmer the better

flashlight

camera, films

extra batteries - they fade faster in the altitude and cold

hat or cap to protect you from the changeable weather

sun block

insect repellent

toilet paper - please don't litter

snacks

non-disposable canteen and sterilizing tablets (ie. Micropur)

cash in soles and/or US$

walking sticks or poles (optional) Climbers and cyclists also enjoy the trails through the Cordillera Vilcanota. They have their own equipment and travel arrangements.

When to Go / Getting There

April to November, some say May to October. even though this includes the winter months, when snow and inclement weather is the norm.
Fly to Lima, and from there to Cuzco. Then by bus, taking about seven hours, to the small village of Tinqui, near Ocongate, southeast of Cuzco. From Tinqui, using mules or horses to carry camping equipment, the route is counter clockwise, beginning and ending from the same spot.

The Trek

The paving of a road between Cuzco and the village of Tinqui, to the southeast, has opened up the area to tourism. Remote as it has been, the residents of the area still maintain their Quechua and colonial heritage and customs. There are a number of small villages and households where residents wear traditional clothing and tend their flocks of alpacas and llamas as their elders did.