Written by:
peru.travel
Monday, September 7, 2020
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In the heart of the Cusco, in the district of Ocongate, a majestic mountain looks imposing over the rest of those that shape the Cordillera de Vilcanota. With its 6384 meters above sea level, Ausangate is the fifth highest mountain in Peru and is considered the most representative of the region. Its size is such that it can be seen even from the Sacsayhuamán Fortress, very close to the center of the Cusco capital.
Ausangate is surrounded by turquoise lakes like the Sibinacocha, as well as stone forests, glaciers and vast plains that impress with their magical landscape. Reaching the top of Ausangate involves a journey of 5 days and 4 nights along 70 km, which is why it is considered one of the most challenging trekking routes in the Peruvian Andes. However, during the hike, the traveler witnesses incredible postcards: multi-colored mountains, cliffs and alpacas that create an incredible experience.
Since the first expedition in 1950, under the command of the Italian Piero Ghiglione, many explorers and hikers have tried to conquer the top of Ausangate. It was not until three years later that a German expedition achieved the desired goal of scaling the mountain by its southern slope. Later, new routes were opened to make the ascent more accessible and less difficult.
The legend of the Ausangate and Salcantay brothers
Inca tradition tells that Salkantay and Ausangate were two brothers who lived in Cusco. After a terrible dry season, the two ventured to strange lands to save the town from crisis. Salkantay left for the north and found the jungle, and Verónica's forbidden love. Instead, Ausangate went south, to the highlands, and in that place he found a large quantity of Andean food, such as camelid meat, corn and potatoes, which he sent to the population.
The Chillca community, made up mostly of llama and alpaca farmers and shepherds, is known as the guardian of these beautiful places. Every year on the slopes of the mountain the festival of Qoyllur Ritti - "nieve de estrella" ("star snow") in Quechua - is celebrated before the Corpus Christi festival, during which thousands of people pilgrimage to the temple of Sinakara where the painting of the Crucified Christ appears engraved on a rock. This pilgrimage has been named Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2004.
Inca tradition tells that Salkantay and Ausangate were two brothers who lived in Cusco. Credit: Daniel Silva / PromPerú.
Getting there
There are two ways to get to the mountain: by tour operator or on your own. If you prefer the last one, you can take a bus from the city of Cusco to the town of Tinki, with a duration of 3 hours. Then, you must take another car that will take you to the town of Pacchanta. Most of the walks start from there
On the other hand, you can also hire the service of a travel agency. This is the most advisable option, because the company takes care of your safety and will assist you at all times; just make sure that it is an authorized operator for adventure tourism.
Sources: Turismo ipe / Y tú qué planes / Andean Lodges / Cusco Vacations
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