Ausangate Trek with Rainbow Mountain

IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR AUSANGATE TREK

Please read the following information carefully; it will help with your questions about our services and the Ausangate trek

ARRIVAL TO CUSCO

We will pick you up from the Cusco airport and take you to your hotel in Cusco. Please let us know your flight details at least 14 days before arrival. Our representative will be holding an orange sign reading ORANGE Nation outside the arrivals. You must exit the terminal to find our representative as they cannot enter. (Please let us know if your hotel is in the Sacred Valley so we can make the necessary arrangments). 

THE BRIEFING

The Briefing takes place in our office the night before the trek at 6pm at our office which is located at Garcilaso Street 210 , Office Nº:213 (2and Floor) in the la CASA DEL ABUELO shopping center.

CAN I STORE MY LUGGAGE AT YOUR OFFICE?

ABSOLUTELY! During the Salkantay trek to Machu Picchu your main luggage can be stored at our office or at your hotel, both are for free.

HOW TO BOOK THE AUSANGATE TREK

FIRST, to book your Ausangate Trek, we need you to fill out our booking form by clicking on BOOK NOW on our homepage or click here – BOOK NOW.

Please be ready with the following information (FROM EACH PARTICIPANT in your group).  We cannot purchase Ausangate Trek entrance tickets without the following information:

• Personal information (your full name, exactly as on your passport):
• Gender
• Passport number
• D.OB. (dd / mm / yyyy)
• Nationality

SECOND, we require a deposit of $211.00 USD per person ,in order,to purchase a permit for the Ausangate Trek.  You can make you deposit by clicking on the PAYPAL symbols on the top of our home page, or you can click on the PAYPAL symbols on our booking page.

WHAT ABOUT THE BALANCE?

It would be greatly appreciated if you pay in cash at our office (US dollars or Peruvian soles) here in Cusco. We have many ATMs within the historical center to withdraw money.  You can also pay by PAYPAL online but you will have to pay a 5.5% service charge, charged by PAYPAL.  To pay your balance through PAYPAL, you need to log into your PAYPAL account using our email address of orangenationperu@gmail.com. 

MAY I CHANGE THE DEPARTURE DATE AFTER BOOKING?

Yes, but with some restrictions. 

  Please contact the office as soon as possible if you need to change your date.
If you cancel your Ausangate Trek, the deposit is not refundable at all!

WHAT IS THE WEATHER LIKE ON THE AUSANGATE TREK?

The expected weather in the area of Ausangate Mountain Peru usually is divided in two seasons: dry and wet. As the zone of Ausangate  forms part of the Cordillera Vilcanota in the Peruvian Andes, the dry season is considered from May to November mostly sunny days, with minimum percentage of rain. During the winter season (June- August) the places in the proximity of the Mountain get warmer days but cold at night. But the rainy season usually is from December to April with hail storms, snowy, cloudy days and not much visibility on the mountains. Summer season (December- March) usually the trail gets wet, muddy and difficult to walk. Travelers visiting Ausangate should be prepared for the quick change of temperatures and climates even in winter, also in summer season.

WHAT ABOUT ALTITUDE SICKNESS ON AUSANGATE TREK?

For some visitors, the first hours in Cusco can be summarized as: shortness of breath, a discomfort in the body, dizziness, headaches, stomach aches, even vomiting. As great connoisseurs of natural medicine, the Incas used coca leaves to counteract soroche, quechua for high-altitude sickness.

Don’t do anything other than rest

If you travel from Lima to Cusco, offen times the effect can be immediate. This lack of oxygen, scientifically known as hypoxia, begins to manifest itself at 7,874 ft (2,399 m) above sea level. That’s why right after landing in Cusco, visitors can feel fatigued and have difficulty walking. It is advisable to take it easy on the first day and, if possible, rest the first few days to help the body acclimatize to the altitude.

Stay hydrated

How do people feel after a night of drinking? Thirsty. That’s how you’ll feel when you arrive in Cusco. As already stated, the body dehydrates quickly in high altitudes. It is recommended you drink lots of water before and during your trip to Cusco. Avoid heavy meals since your stomach takes longer to digest food at high altitudes. A diet of low proteins and high carbs is advisable.

Discovering coca

Who would know better the effects of high altitude than indigenous peoples of the Andes. Coca is the best natural medicine to combat altitude sickness. It was even considered sacred because of its curative powers and is still used in the same way now as it was in the time of the Incas. It contains iron, vitamins A, B1, B2 and calcium, among other nutrients. Coca makes it easier for your bloodstream to absorb oxygen, suppresses hunger, combats fatigue, headaches and can ease your stomach. Try drinking coca tea, which is found in the lobbies of most hotels in Cusco.

HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE THERE PER GROUP?

The maximum group size is 10 people. Our groups are usually between 2-6 people. Orange Nation Peru specializes in SMALL, PRIVATE groups and provides a personalized service.

HIKING AUSANGATE TREK 

The evening before you start your trek, you will be given a SMALL DUFFEL BAG to pack your clothes for the next four days. Your weight allowance is up to 7kg/14p. Your team of pack horses will carry your duffel bag for you, together with the food and camping gear. You will not have access to your items in the duffel bag until the end of each day, as the pack horses will always be ahead of the group. During the Ausangate trek, you need a day backpack big enough to carry your personal belongings such as a warm jacket, a rain jacket, your camera, sunscreen, snacks, water, etc.  A 30 to 50L backpack is sufficient.

IS THE TREK DIFFICULT, DO I NEED TO BE FIT?

Yes, it is a challenging trek with most of the you are over 4,000 meters or 13,123 feet.  You need to be in good physical condition and used to hiking.

In preparation: try walking 15kms a day or go to the fitness club in the months leading up to the trek. It is also important to be well acclimatised to the altitude. Try to spend at least 3 days in Cusco (3,350m/11,047ft) prior to starting the trek.

WHAT HAPPENS IF I AM UNABLE TO FINISH THE AUSANGATE TREK?

In the unlikely scenario that you are unable to finish the trek due to a health issue, Orange Nation Peru will assist you to the nearest town for help with transportation. We always carry oxygen on the trek for any respiratory problems. In extreme cases, a helicopter pick up can be arranged at your own expense. (Travel insurance required). There are no refunds in the unlikely situation that you are unable to finish the trek.

ARE WE GOING TO BE DROPPED OFF AT OUR HOTEL AFTER THE TREK?

OF COURSE!! Included in the package and on the last day we will drop you at your hotel in Cusco! If you have booked your hotel in the Sacred Valley like Ollantaytambo or Urubamba, we will drop you there too!

TIPPING

If you’re happy with the services provided, a tip – though not compulsory – is appreciated. While it may not be customary in your country, it’s of great significance for the people who will take care of you during the trek. It inspires them to give excellent service and is an entrenched feature of the tourism industry across many SAM Travel Peru destinations. Of course you are free to tip as much as you feel appropriate, depending on your perception of the quality and the length of your trip.

ARE WE SUSTAINABLE? 

Yes, we are a local, sustainable & responsible tourism operator for that we incorporate the universal principles of tourism: protect the environment and benefit the local communities by respecting their culture and religion. With this in mind, we have trained all our local staff to know and understand, respect the places and the local people.