AUSANGATE TREK – COMPLETE GUIDE TO THE HIGHEST TREK IN PERU

AUSANGATE TREK – COMPLETE GUIDE TO THE HIGHEST TREK IN PERU

There are plenty of routes in Cusco that make a great alternative to the world-famous Inca Trail. If you compare them all, the Ausangate Trek is the highest and probably toughest, too. However, it’s also the most rewarding when it comes to scenery and natural beauty.

You’ll enjoy a large loop around the astounding and very imposing Ausangate mountain on an off-the-beaten-path trek that not many tourists venture on. This trek is perfect for those who like to get away from the crowds and enjoy a real adventure and challenge to see a lesser-visited part of Peru.

OVERVIEW

The Ausangate Trek follows a trail at a very high altitude, and most of the route is over 4,000 masl. The mountain itself is 6,384 masl and the trail goes all around the mountain and tends to start and end in Tinki or Upis. 

There are a few variations of the trek, and we’ll go into more detail about them further on, but 5 days is the average and most hikers will cross the Palomani Pass and the Q’ampa Pass, both above 5,000 masl. You might head over more if you opt for a longer trek.

The trek is challenging but very rewarding, so all your efforts are really worth it. You’ll get some of the most outstanding views of the Andes and surrounding landscape and enjoy the route without bumping into too many, or any, tourists. Without a doubt, the almighty Ausangate mountain is the highlight. 

HIGHLIGHTS

• Off-the-beaten-path trek with little to no other tourists

• Incredible views from a high altitude of the surrounding landscape

• Close up views of the amazing Apu Ausangate

• A real authentic trekking experience in the Andes

• First-hand experience of rural communities in the mountains

AUSANGATE TREK AT A GLANCE

• Difficulty: This trek is very tough in parts, especially when you head up to the highest altitudes. The terrain is mountainous and the air is thin, meaning you have to walk slowly and steadily. This trek isn’t a good idea for beginners and acclimatization is a necessity.

• Altitude: Nearly all the route is over 4,000 masl and you’ll cross at least 2 paths over 5,000 masl. 

• Temperature: You can expect low temperatures of -15°C and even less in the evening. This is due to the high altitude. 

• Weather: The climate is cold up here, and during the wet season (Nov to March) the trail can become slippery and muddy. However, in the dry season (Apr to Oct) it will be hard and dry. 

• Duration: There are a  variety of treks available ranging from 4 to 9 days. 

• Accommodation: You’ll most likely be camping along the route at campsites, but there are some basic huts along the way.

• Permits: For the Ausangate trek, you don’t need any permits.

HISTORY AND CULTURE

The mountain of Ausangate was of great importance in Inca mythology and was seen as a God along with many other of the tall mountains in the area.

Quyllur Rit’i is a festival that attracts thousands of locals each year who go on a pilgrimage and dance up in the mountains about 20 km north of Ausangate at Qullqipunku mountain. It’s always one week before the Corpus Christi feast.

GEOGRAPHY

Ausangate mountain is in the Vilcanota mountain range in the Andes in Peru. It’s in the department of Cusco and about 100 km southeast of the city of Cusco. The elevation is 6,384 masl and it can be seen from the city on a clear day. 

WHAT MAKES IT SO SPECIAL?

This trek is fantastic for those who are interested in seeing how small communities live in such a remote part of the country. You’ll be able to interact with them and spend time with the people there. It’s like no other trek in the region due to the sheer altitude and feelings of isolation from the rest of the world. It’s perfect to get away from daily life and enjoy a real adventure in the mountains. And, of course, the Ausangate mountain is extremely impressive.

WHAT WILL YOU SEE ALONG THE WAY?

This trek is a little different from the majority in Cusco where you see many Inca archaeological sites; you don’t see any here. Instead, you’ll get the most glorious views of the landscape, see a lot of native flora and fauna, and see locals working and living off the land in these remote parts of the country. 

You’ll see some amazing examples of Mother Nature’s work including Ausangate mountain itself, Rainbow Mountain, and some stunning lakes and glaciers.

CLIMATE

Remember that on this trek you’re going to be at a very high altitude, so you should expect to feel chilly most of the time. The air is usually still but rain can be a little sporadic and it’s always unpredictable when it comes to the weather. 

WHEN’S THE BEST TIME OF YEAR TO VISIT?

The best time of year to do the Ausangate trek is during the dry season (April to October). This way, you don’t risk falling or slipping on wet, muddy trails and you won’t get rained on, probably. However, sometimes it might still shower, so you always need a raincoat. The skies will be clear and you’ll get awesome views of the landscape and Ausangate mountain.

WHAT TREKKING OPTIONS ARE THERE?

We’ve already mentioned there are various trips available, but let’s take a look at the 4 day Ausangate and Rainbow Mountain Route as an example of what to expect. This is one of the most popular trails to visit Ausangate and Vinicunca.

Day 1: Cusco / Upis / Upis Thermal Baths

On day one you’ll begin by heading to Urcos, the capital of the Quispicanchi province, and then continue to Upis (3,799 masl / 12,464 fasl), where you begin walking. You’ll see the Ausangate glacier right away and be swept away by emotions, meet local people in traditional clothing and see herds of llamas and alpacas along the way, have lunch at the Upis thermal baths (4,198 masl / 13,776 fasl) and where we’ll spend the first nice. You can enjoy the afternoon relaxing in the springs and enjoy the surrounding landscape.

Day 2: Upis Thermal Baths / Abra Arapa / Pukaqocha Camp

Today, you’ll begin walking to Abra Arapa in the company of Ausangate. You can observe the incredible landscape and maybe even see a condor or two in mid-flight. You’ll visit the lagoons of Yanaqocha (black lagoon) and Pukaqocha (red lagoon) and see several waterfalls, too. 

You’ll be spending the night in Pukaqocha, so once here you can rest and explore the stunning surroundings and enjoy the lakes.

Day 3: Camp Pukaqocha / Abra de Pukaqocha / Camp Ananta

Day 3 is an exciting one. You’ll be heading to the Pukaqocha Pass (5,050 masl / 16,571 fasl) and get the most wonderful views of the mountain range and colorful lakes. You’ll then head down slowly to camp and take in the landscape, snap plenty of shots, and see plenty more llamas and alpacas.

Day 4: Ananta Camp / Rainbow Mountain / Quesiuno / Cusco

It’s the last day and you’ll be making your way to Vinicunca, or Rainbow Mountain before all the tourists get there. Enjoy the stunning view of the multicolored mountain and then head back to Cusco to your hotel. 

WHAT ALTERNATIVE TREKS ARE THERE?

If you enjoyed this trek and want to do another just like it, or want something challenging but not at quite such a high altitude, the best 2 alternatives are:

The Salkantay Trek 5 Days

The Choquequirao Trek 5 Days

WHAT TO TAKE

Use this packing list when you’re getting ready to leave for the trek to make sure you have everything you need to take with you. There’s no going back once you’re high up in the mountains. 

• Tent – invest in a top-quality tent that isn’t likely to leak if it rains or tears in strong winds. You also want a model that’s quick and easy to put up and takedown. 

• Sleeping bag – you need a sleeping bag that can resist very low temperatures to keep you warm on chilly mountain nights.

• Sleeping mat – if you’re a regular camper, you’ll know that the ground isn’t comfortable, so an easy-to-roll-up mat is essential. Opt for an inflatable mattress for more comfort.

• Thermal underwear – you’ll need it at this altitude to stop the wind from getting to your bones. 

• Thin layers – we recommend thin layers for shirts, pants, and anything else so you can take them off and put them back on as your temperature changes. 

• Thick socks – if your feet are cold, your whole body will feel the chill. Keep them wrapped up warm. 

• Hiking boots/shoes – you need some quality footwear to help you walk on the mountainous terrain and to stop any slips and falls. We recommend worn in shoes or boots because a new pair isn’t always comfy, to begin with. 

• Sun gear – even though you’ll feel chilly, you’re very close to the sun, so it’s essential you use factor 50+ sunblock, sunglasses, and a hat. 

• Good camera – this one is a bit of a no-brainer, but you’ll want to capture as much of your mountain adventure as possible, so an excellent quality camera or a phone with a high-quality one will do the job. 

• Plenty of food – if you go with a company, you’ll have all your meals provided for you, but you’ll still need snacks. Think nuts, energy bars, dried fruit, etc, to keep your energy levels up. If you go alone, take lightweight options that are easy to carry. 

AUSANGATE TREKKING TIPS

We’ve compiled some top tips to make sure your trip goes as smoothly as possible and to help you plan the best you can.

ACCLIMATIZATION

We cannot stress enough the importance of getting acclimatized when you’re going to walk at such a high altitude. Failure to do so could mean you suffer from altitude sickness and can’t continue or can’t start the hike, to begin with. 

We recommend you get to Cusco a few days before your trek starts to help acclimate properly. Let your body adjust to the altitude by walking around the city and going on other one-day hikes first. Visiting Humantay Lake is a good option. 

FITNESS

You do need to be relatively fit for this trek. Walking at high altitudes takes its toll on anyone, so the fitter you are the better your body should handle it. We suggest you start a small exercise routine every day before you come and enjoy some hikes over a few days back home before you come to Peru. 

HYDRATION

Drinking enough water is absolutely essential. At high altitude, you’ll tire quickly and need water to recuperate energy. You’re also close to the sun, even if you feel cold, and this will dehydrate you further. You can become ill quickly up here when you don’t drink enough H2O.

CAMPING GEAR

Any equipment you take with you needs to be able to withstand cold temperatures that go much colder than 0°C. Use a thick sleeping bag and a tent that can withstand plenty of wind and rain should it appear.

NAVIGATION

If you plan on going alone on this trek, you’ll need to make sure you have an excellent map and reliable GPS. There’s little to no cell phone reception up in the mountains, and the last thing you want is to be stuck in the middle of nowhere with no one to help. 

TRAVEL INSURANCE

When you plan to go on a trek like Ausangate, you must get travel insurance. If you want to travel with a tour operator, they likely won’t let you on the trip without it. Health care is also very expensive in Cusco, so in the unlikely event you were injured, you might need to spend the rest of your savings on recovery.

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How to Make a Business Plan Template

A good business plan template contains two main parts. A narrative followed by a series of financial worksheets. The narrative part of the business plan template embodies all the details and the strategy of the business plan and is further divided and subdivided into various sections. It is highly recommended that you work on creating a business plan template in a systematic way to avoid missing out on the inclusion of important facts and points.

Answering the question of how to make a business plan template begins by the realization that the first step is the creation of a rough draft, where you end up with a set of notes on each and every topic of the template. The next step is to work on these points and edit them to create a professional narrative that has a smooth flow. The purpose of creating the template is not to speed up the process of deriving the final business report but thinking about your business in an intelligent, smart and planning fashion. While going through the various facts and ideas, you gradually get involved in looking at ideas and business models in a more critical way. Though this process may initially appear to be a waste of time, the process of creating the template also has the power to prevent a poor decision that could prove to be a disaster in the long run, if not properly addressed upfront.

There is a generic template that is available for all types of businesses. To make a business plan template, you need to modify the standard template that is suitable for your industry and business. The style of writing, the overall organization and the presentation of the ideas is what makes a good business plan template. Creating a template involves a significant amount of research, re-thinking and planning. Detailed notes regarding the sources of information and the underlying assumptions that support the financial data and information must be kept carefully for quick and easy reference as and when needed.

To make a business plan template usually begins with the name and the details of the owners of the plan. This is followed by a table of contents that constitutes an executive summary, a general description of the company, the products and services the company offers, the marketing plan, the operational plan, and the management and organizational structures. These elements complete the narrative part of the business template. The financial part of the template should contain a financial statement, startup expenses and capitalization details, and a complete financial plan that encompasses the goals of the company.

The answer to how to make a business plan template is to create an organizational structure that will allow a company to present its assets, ideas, strategies and goals in document form so that a reader will be lead to the desired conclusion.

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So you need to choose a driving school for yourself or one of your family members and you wonder - what driving school would be right for you? While most of driving schools would do their job well, each school however might target their specific audience and support their specific set of services which might not work for you individually.

Below are the main checkpoints to consider when selecting a best driving school for you.

License Types Your Driving School Supports. Check if your school provides training for car drivers, motorcycle drivers, commercial truck drivers and so on. Note, that school bus drivers usually require special training.

Target Audience. Check if your school provides special courses for first-timers, teen-drivers, seniors and drivers with disabilities. Teen-drivers usually require special training approach which is different from training for seniors. If you are a handicapped citizen a car for your driving training might need special equipment as well as instructors skilled in training of that kind of students.

Your School's Total Years in Business. While the longest work history doesn't necessarily translate to the best training services, years in business could be considered as a valuable indicator that your Driving School knows how to adapt to the turbulent market and can withstand competition well.

School Status in DMV. Many states provide up-to-date information about local driving schools, their ratings, customer feedback etc. In Canada, for example, you can get a list of not-recognized Canadian driving schools in provincial DMV web sites, so you could filter out obvious mismatches right away.

Pricing Your School Offers. Compare your school's pricing to the pricing offered by other schools with the similar driving training services. To avoid unexpected expenses pay special attention to the fine-print. Make sure that you understand all hidden fees and charges. Ask for special offers. Many schools offer special packages with discounts which you might find interesting.

Languages of Instruction Your School Supports. We are a nation of immigrants. If you are not the native English speaker getting training in your first language could be crucial for you. Check what languages other than English are supported in that driving school.

Requesting Male or Female Instructor. If your family has strong cultural ties with your back country it might be important for you to request male or female instructor for your kid training. Make sure that the driving school of your choice addresses your needs here.

Formal Training in Classes. Does your school provide formal training in classes? If yes - how many hours of formal training is included into your fee? Note that while being beneficial, in class training is not mandatory and often can be done online.

Behind-the Wheel Training. Check how many hours you will get in behind-the-wheel training with that school. This is very important checkpoint. Too few hours might not be enough to pass the test in DMV. Too many hours might look like a "money-oriented" school.

Free Pick-up and Drop-off Services. Most driving schools provide free pick-up and drop-off services for their students. However these free services normally apply to specific locations only (usually expressed in miles from driving school's main office). If your pickup/drop-off location is outside of the supported area you still can get pick-up/drop-off services but with some conditions - for example, the time an instructor drives from the school office to your location could be counted towards your driving lesson time. Make sure that you double checked this rule with your school of interest.

Success Rate. Most driving schools would proudly state that the success rate of their students is %99.99. Take these statements with a punch of salt. As of today - the success rate statistics is not officially tracked by DMV; hence the most of such optimistic statements are the subject of good faith only. Get a second opinion - ask your friends, colleagues or associates about your school of interest. You can also check on-line resources, forums and web communities to get the broader opinion pool.

Free, No Obligation Initial Driving Lesson. Some schools provide free, no obligation one hour training lesson for new students. Ask if your school has this offer - try it for free and only then make your final decision.

Auto Insurance Discounts. Many driving schools provide auto insurance discounts for their students. Check if your school is one of them.

Car for Driving Test in DMV. By law, it is the duty of the candidate to provide safe, operable car for his test in DMV. Addressing this issue some schools provide discounted or even free car rent to their student for their test in DMV. Ask for this option from your school if you cannot provide your own car for DMV test.

Car Fleet. Ask what types of vehicles your driving school will be using for your training. Old, worn out vehicles decrease the morale and won't help to progress your driving skills in a timely manner. Besides that newer vehicles are usually safer. However don't be over impressed by new cars proudly advertised by some schools - new car alone won't replace instructor's experience and his professional skills. So, use this checkpoint with caution.

Conclusion

Go through the selection check list provided above and you will get the best driving school you are looking for.

Note, that many from above discussed questions can be answered without leaving your home.

For example, you can find all driving schools in your location using online driving school directories.

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Pokemon GO Plus and Poke Ball Plus are optional accessories to enhance gameplay. Using a Bluetooth connection, they notify you of nearby Pokémon and PokéStops without having to look at your phone. As long as they're connected, they will also count your steps so you can hatch Eggs and get Candy for your Buddy Pokemon.

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As a proud father to two boys, Ellis (10) and Zach (5), plus boyfriend to long suffering girlfriend Maxine. Angling time requires a constant life balance, with the inevitable working to bring in the valuable income to keep the family fed and watered. My boys also love football, so a few years ago I qualified as an FA football coach. I am head coach for my eldest son’s football team and help mentor future parent coaches at my youngest son’s level. No rest for the wicked, but I wouldn’t have it any other way. Eat, sleep, rave, repeat.

With Covid impacting angling being so open and closed this last year, plus restrictions in place impacting visitors on the bank when open. My family haven’t been able to nip in to say hi to Dad this last year. But at random points in the past, they have dropped by and shared my love for carp angling, and we have made memories together. From a young age, Maxine and I have always tried to induct the boys into why Dad spends time away from the house to chase big carp. Its not getting any easier as the boys get older, but thankfully Maxine gets it and the boys understand it. Having this support is priceless, or Dad feels guilty when sloping off.

I know up and down the country, I am not alone, and a large population of the angling community are juggling with this life balance. But these last few weeks, I have flicked back through and wanted to share some of my favourite pictures and one elaborated story of a few carp I have had along the way with my family present.

Ellis has night fished with me a few times, annually we always try and make the long weekend at Easter and opportunity for a couple of nights on the bank. With Easter falling in the heart of the spring, its favourable for young children with milder weather and even good periods of sunshine. Then as we know, the chance of a bite or two increasing which keeps children more engaged. Ellis has a camo onesie, packs his usual night-time owl clock and a few other essentials. Year on year, he always wants me to cook the same evening meal (pasta and meat balls) and loves breakfast in his bed come morning. In 2016, we had a cracking few days on a private syndicate close to home and bagged a new lake record at 33lb 4oz. The picture of us together went on to win a prize in Carp Talk. The following day after the lake record, Maxine popped in with Zach and we had our second fish of the trip, in the shape of a dark pristine looking common. This was Zach’s first close view of a carp.

April 2019 was our last Easter trip away together, as we didn’t go the year after for one reason or another. But this Easter, was a very special trip. Perfect spring weather and a few carp along the way. I will always remember Ellis waddling out half asleep at 3am one night while I was playing one fish. He was walking around outside the bivvy in the pitch black, no shoes on and muttering “are you ok dad, you won’t catch it without my help”. So cute. If I had known Covid would grip hold like it has, I would have done so much more angling with him in 2020. Never mind, there will soon be plenty of time to make up for lost time.

Between 2016 and 2019, I had three wonderful years on Wellington Country Park. It’s impossible to try and encapsulate in words, just what a special time I enjoyed during my three years, on what I truly believe will one day, rightfully be considered one of the greatest UK history carp waters ever. I initially had an offer for a ticket in 2009 and it was an incredibly tough decision to decline the opportunity to fish there at that time. The sole reason for declining, was that our eldest son, Ellis, was due to arrive in early 2011 and my life priorities had to be focused at home. SO, when the offer returned in 2016, I jumped at the chance. Sadly, and understandably, the fishery had clear rules that anyone under the age of 16 was permitted to stay at the lake overnight with syndicate members. However, daytime visits to the park from the family is permitted all part of the annual syndicate cost. With the park having so much to offer families, Maxine made regular visits to the park and nipped in to see Dad with the boys.

On one spring Saturday in April 2017, Maxine was in the park with the boys and I was in the middle of my inaugural 5-nighter at the lake. On this occasion, I was set up and already doing well in one of my favourite pegs on the lake. My first bite a few days earlier in the shape of the magnificent ‘Small Tail Mirror’ at a jaw-dropping 53lb 6oz. But it was the Saturday that will remain with me forever. After spending an hour with me on the bank, jumping around on my bed chair and eating through all my food provisions. The boys went off to play in the park and I decided to stay behind my rods, because I felt my chances were 50/50 of a daytime bite and they desperately wanted to see Dad catch a big fish. They came back to my peg around 4pm to pretty much say goodbyes. I kissed them all and Maxine was literally about to start the walk back to the car when my faithful left-hand rod let out a one-toner. I lifted into what went on to be another personal best, in the shape of the Big Sutton at a colossal 54lb 6oz. This was one very special, very sought-after carp that didn’t grace the bank frequently, and for my family to witness the whole thing from start to finish made the whole experience ten times better.

Soon, life surely will return to normality. I am keen to get the boys back down with Dad, but it might be time to start looking around for a three-man bivvie ha-ha.

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Internet gambling or gambling online has gained much of its popularity in the last ten to twelve years tentatively. In 1994, a Caribbean nation was the first to apply for an online casino. Microgaming and CrytoLogic are the two pioneer figures who mark the commencement of gambling online and ensuring security which consequently enabled safe financial transaction on the online casino front. By 1997 to 1998 the online gambling has already gained a momentum and was growing in an outstanding manner. A considerable increase in the number of online websites from a mere 15 to 200 was noticed within one year that boosted up the market for online casinos. By 2008, according to H2 Gambling Capital estimations, the revenue earned through online gambling is a whopping $ 21 billion.

Online gambling considering casino games are very much exiting and unpredictable game activities, essentially involving quite an exorbitant amount of cash. Any country having online casinos are bound to have a jurisdiction agency who verifies the license of such casinos. A license from the designated authority of the respective countries is essential for the online casinos or gambling agencies to maintain in order to ensure a legal and legitimate way of functioning. Generally there exist two kinds of jurisdiction authorities depending upon the evaluation. Some are famous for their methods involving the entire checking process. A casino having such a carefully assessed jurisdiction certificate can be trusted with the cash but the ones claiming the careless variant of jurisdiction authority should be avoided just in case.

While choosing a casino that is trustworthy enough to invest an amount which along with providing useful and professional services would also keep the player out of legal scams, a thorough investigation and scrutiny has to be done. For a beginner it is very important to identify a reputable online casino amongst the thousands which are available out there.

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Fast House Sale - Some Information

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Shifting from one city to another is a tough task and this is truer for people, who have their own property in the currently living city. In most of the cases, people are forced to leave from one city to another mainly because of their job requirements and even some businessmen do this for ensuring that their home is located close to their business establishment. Irrespective of the reason, people are worrying about how to sell house fast since they will have to sell the property in which they are presently living before actually making their move to another place. This situation of fast house sale arises only when they will have to make their move immediately, but if the move is going to take place in another six months or one year, they can seek the help of their local real estate agent.

There are good companies accepting to purchase houses from the seller quickly and they are also offering immediate cash for the property they purchase. These companies are able to offer this service because they have huge network of property buyers, who can afford to pay immediate cash for any residential property that is offered on sale by the homeowners. Best thing about contacting these companies is that sellers need not have to pay any valuation or legal fee towards their property. All that is to be done by sellers looking for fast house sale is to contact these companies via the online form provided in their websites. For finding the appropriate value for any property these firms will be conducting an external survey and market assessment.

Irrespective of whether a homeowner wishes to sell his property for relocation purpose or due to their financial difficulty or for any other reason for that matter, they can get quick cash for their house and these companies ensure sale within as less as 7 days to maximum 28 days and within this period, the sellers can get cash payment for their property so that in case they are forced to sell the house for financial difficulty, they can be benefited.

The process of selling a property is generally long and tedious even though, when the sellers seek the help of real estate agent. But, when seeking the help of companies offering to sell house fast, they take just a few weeks as compared to traditional method of seeking the help of real estate agent for selling the property.

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