AusangateAusangate at a Glance
About Ausangate
Ausangate is a major Andean mountain in the Cusco Department of Peru and the highest peak in the Vilcanota range, with a summit elevation of 6,384 meters. It is both a mountaineering objective and a center for multi-day trekking in southern Peru.
The area around Ausangate is best known for the Ausangate Circuit, a multi-day trek that passes high mountain passes, glacial lakes and pastoral Quechua communities. The landscape includes snow-capped peaks, seasonal alpaca and llama herding, and striking high-Andean scenery.
Ausangate is an important sacred mountain - an Apu - in local Andean cosmology and has been used in traditional ceremonies by surrounding communities. Modern trekking and climbing activity expanded in the late 20th and early 21st centuries as the routes became popular with international visitors.
The mountain lies in the high Andes southeast of the city of Cusco in southern Peru, within the Cusco administrative region and accessible by road and staged treks from local trailheads.
- Elevation: Summit elevation is 6,384 meters, making Ausangate the highest peak in the Vilcanota range and a major high-altitude trekking objective.
- Trekking notes: Treks around the mountain typically take multiple days and cross passes above 5,000 meters, so acclimatization and altitude experience are important.
What to See#
- Ausangate Circuit: The high-altitude trekking route known as the Ausangate Circuit is a multi-day trek that crosses several passes and skirts glacial lakes and alpine valleys.
- Ausangate summit: The mountain’s main summit reaches the highest point in the Cordillera Vilcanota and is a major target for high-altitude mountaineering and pilgrimage.
Nearby Attractions to Ausangate
Best Time to Visit Ausangate
May-September is the prime season for treks around Ausangate when precipitation is lowest and views are clearest.
Weather & Climate near Ausangate
Ausangate's climate is classified as Ice Cap - Ice Cap climate with consistently warm temperatures year-round. Temperatures range from -16°C to 6°C. Abundant rainfall (1074 mm/year), wettest in January with a pronounced dry season.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | - | -8° - 3° | -7° | 200 mm | - | - | 3.4 m/s | - | - |
| February | - | -7° - 3° | -6° | 192 mm | - | - | 3.4 m/s | - | - |
| March | - | -7° - 3° | -6° | 186 mm | - | - | 2.8 m/s | - | - |
| April | - | -9° - 4° | -6° | 77 mm | - | - | 2.8 m/s | - | - |
| May | - | -12° - 5° | -8° | 32 mm | - | - | 2.8 m/s | - | - |
| June | - | -15° - 4° | -11° | 12 mm | - | - | 3.7 m/s | - | - |
| July | - | -16° - 4° | -11° | 18 mm | - | - | 3.7 m/s | - | - |
| August | - | -15° - 5° | -11° | 17 mm | - | - | 4.1 m/s | - | - |
| September | - | -11° - 5° | -8° | 49 mm | - | - | 3.9 m/s | - | - |
| October | - | -11° - 6° | -7° | 58 mm | - | - | 3.5 m/s | - | - |
| November | - | -10° - 5° | -7° | 90 mm | - | - | 3.7 m/s | - | - |
| December | - | -8° - 4° | -6° | 143 mm | - | - | 3.6 m/s | - | - |
How to Get to Ausangate
Most treks begin from Cusco (approx. 3-4 hours drive to trailheads near Tinqui or Tinki). Organized multi-day treks include transport, guides and camp support; private vehicles to the start points are possible but roads can be rough.
Tips for Visiting Ausangate
- Acclimatize to altitude in Cusco for at least 48 hours before attempting the Ausangate trek - the mountain towers above 6,000 m.
- Hire local, licensed trekking operators who provide mules/porters and respect Pachamama (local mountain) rituals.
- Expect dramatic weather changes: pack for snow, sun and high winds even in the dry season.