Nevado Ausangate

Nevado Ausangate | Nevado Auzangate | Ausangate | Auzangate

Scenic views en-route to Ausangate glacier, Peru | IntoTheWorld\

🏔️ Overview

Nevado Ausangate is a vast, glacier-covered mountain rising above the high plateaus of southeastern Peru. Reaching a commonly reported elevation of 6,384 meters (20,945 feet), it is the highest mountain in the Cordillera Vilcanota, the highest summit in the Cusco Region, and one of the loftiest peaks in Peru.

Ausangate is more than an impressive geographic landmark. For the Quechua communities living around its slopes, the mountain is a powerful Apu—a sacred mountain spirit associated with water, fertility, livestock, weather, and protection. Traditional beliefs remain deeply connected to everyday life in the surrounding pastoral communities.

The mountain also anchors one of Peru’s great high-altitude trekking areas. The Ausangate Circuit passes beneath glaciers, crosses windswept passes above 5,000 meters, and visits turquoise lakes, hot springs, wetlands, and remote villages. The summit itself, however, is a serious technical mountaineering objective requiring glacier experience and advanced climbing skills.

Ausangate’s combination of exceptional elevation, isolation, cultural importance, glacial scenery, and challenging approaches makes it one of the defining mountains of the Peruvian Andes.

⚡ Fast Facts

Fact	Details
Continent	South America
Country	Peru
State/Province	Cusco Region
County/Region	Canchis and Quispicanchi provinces
Mountain Range	Cordillera Vilcanota, Andes
Parent Peak	Nevado Coropuna
Elevation	Commonly reported as 6,384 m / 20,945 ft; Peru IGN-based data lists 6,372 m / 20,905 ft
Prominence	2,085 m / 6,841 ft
Isolation	245.69 km / 152.67 mi
Nearest Higher Neighbor (NHN)	Nevado Coropuna–Casulla
Coordinates	13.788311° S, 71.228884° W
First Ascent	1953 by Heinrich Harrer, Fritz Mörz, Heinz Steinmetz, and Jürgen Wellenkamp
Classification	Ultra-prominent peak
Traditional Significance	Sacred Apu of the surrounding Quechua communities

Lagoon Below Glacier On Ausangate Trek | juni samos

📍 Location

Nevado Ausangate stands approximately 100 kilometers southeast of the city of Cusco in southeastern Peru. Its massif lies along the boundary between the Pitumarca District of Canchis Province and the Ocongate District of Quispicanchi Province.

The mountain forms the highest point of the Cordillera Vilcanota, a major range within the eastern section of the Peruvian Andes. This range rises between the high Andean plateau and the humid watersheds descending toward the Amazon Basin.

Several communities provide access to the wider Ausangate region:

Tinki, sometimes written Tinqui, is a traditional starting point for the complete Ausangate Circuit.
Pacchanta is known for its hot springs, community tourism, mountain views, and access to the Seven Lakes hike.
Upis provides another common entrance to the circuit and nearby thermal springs.
Ocongate is the principal town connecting the highland communities with Cusco.

The landscape around Ausangate is exceptionally elevated. Many settlements and trailheads already stand above 4,000 meters, while trekking routes regularly cross passes approaching or exceeding 5,000 meters.

Ausangate as a Sacred Mountain

In the Andean worldview, prominent mountains are not simply physical landforms. They may be understood as living spiritual beings that influence the health of people, animals, crops, water, and weather.

Ausangate is among the most important Apus of the Cusco region. Local families continue to make offerings and conduct ceremonies connected to the mountain, especially before journeys, agricultural activities, or important community events.

The nearby pilgrimage to the Sanctuary of the Lord of Qoyllurit’i combines Catholic traditions with the veneration of pre-Hispanic nature deities. UNESCO has recognized the pilgrimage as part of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

📏 Elevation & Prominence

Nevado Ausangate’s elevation varies slightly among respected sources.

Peruvian tourism agencies, many scientific studies, and numerous mountaineering accounts use an elevation of 6,384 meters (20,945 feet). Peakbagger, using a 1:100,000 map from Peru’s Instituto Geográfico Nacional, lists the summit at 6,372 meters (20,905 feet).

This article uses 6,384 meters as the commonly recognized elevation while acknowledging the lower topographic-map figure.

Peakbagger calculates Ausangate’s topographic prominence as 2,085 meters (6,841 feet), based on its 6,372-meter summit figure and a key col near Lago Matarcocha at 4,287 meters.

Because its prominence exceeds 1,500 meters, Ausangate qualifies as an ultra-prominent mountain. This means it rises with exceptional independence from the saddle connecting it to higher terrain.

Its nearest higher terrain is associated with the Nevado Coropuna–Casulla massif, approximately 245.69 kilometers to the southwest. Ausangate’s considerable isolation helps explain why it dominates views across such a large part of the southeastern Peruvian Andes.

For more information about these measurements, see Mountain Elevation vs. Prominence.

Ausangate mountain in Andes (Cordillera Vilcanota), Peru | rest

🪨 Geology

Nevado Ausangate belongs to a mountain system created by the continuing tectonic forces that raised the Andes. The Nazca Plate is being forced beneath the South American Plate along the western edge of the continent, producing crustal compression, uplift, earthquakes, volcanism, folding, and faulting across the Andean region.

The Cordillera Vilcanota contains a complicated mixture of sedimentary, metamorphic, and intrusive rocks formed during different geological periods. These rocks were uplifted and deformed during the long development of the Andes.

Glaciation later reshaped the uplifted landscape. Around Ausangate, moving ice carved:

Broad U-shaped valleys
Cirques beneath the highest ridges
Sharp arêtes and steep faces
Moraines marking earlier glacier positions
Basins now occupied by alpine lakes
Glacially polished and fractured rock surfaces

Glaciers still cover large parts of the upper mountain. Hanging ice, crevasses, seracs, corniced ridges, and steep snowfields give Ausangate its imposing alpine appearance.

The colorful hills near Vinicunca are part of the broader Ausangate landscape but should not be confused with the main summit massif. Rainbow Mountain’s famous stripes come from exposed mineral-rich sedimentary layers, while Ausangate itself is characterized primarily by its immense glaciated slopes and rugged rock faces.

Glacial Retreat

Like many tropical Andean glaciers, the glaciers of the Cordillera Vilcanota have retreated substantially during recent decades. Reduced ice coverage is altering the appearance of mountain faces, exposing unstable rock, changing climbing routes, and affecting seasonal water storage.

The loss of glacial ice also has cultural consequences. For communities that regard the mountain as a sacred source of water and life, glacier retreat is both an environmental and spiritual concern.

🌿 Flora & Fauna

The lower slopes and valleys around Ausangate form part of the Central Andean puna, a high-altitude ecosystem characterized by cold temperatures, intense sunlight, strong winds, seasonal precipitation, and low oxygen levels.

Vegetation becomes increasingly sparse with elevation. Common plant communities include:

Ichu grasslands, which provide forage for wild and domesticated camelids
Cushion plants, which grow close to the ground to conserve warmth
Bofedales, or high-altitude wetlands fed by springs, snowmelt, and glaciers
Hardy mosses, lichens, and small flowering plants
Traditional medicinal and aromatic plants used by local communities

Bofedales are especially important. These wetlands store water, provide grazing areas, and create habitat for birds and mammals in an otherwise dry landscape.

Llama in high altitudes in South American Andes in Peru, Ausangate | Michal Knitl

Wildlife

Animals found in the Ausangate region include:

Vicuñas
Alpacas
Llamas
Mountain viscachas
Andean foxes
Andean condors
Andean geese
Caracaras
High-altitude ducks and shorebirds

Alpaca and llama herding remains central to the economy and culture of many surrounding communities. Families move animals between grazing areas and use highland trails that have connected settlements for generations.

The Ausangate Regional Conservation Area protects glaciers, high-Andean grasslands, wetlands, wildlife habitat, and culturally important landscapes. The protected area covers approximately 66,514 hectares and includes parts of the Ausangate massif, Quelccaya Ice Cap, Sibinacocha Lake, and associated watersheds.

🥾 Hiking & Climbing Routes

Visiting the Ausangate region can mean anything from completing a demanding day hike to attempting a technical ascent of a 6,000-meter glaciated peak. The Ausangate Trek and the summit climb are entirely different undertakings.

Ausangate Circuit Trek

The classic Ausangate Circuit makes a broad journey around the massif. Depending on the exact route, trailhead, camps, and optional detours, the circuit usually takes four to six days and covers approximately 60 to 70 kilometers.

Common highlights include:

Upis and Pacchanta hot springs
Arapa Pass
Pukaqocha and other glacial lakes
Palomani Pass
High grasslands filled with alpacas
Views of Ausangate, Callangate, and surrounding glaciers
Remote Quechua settlements
Optional extensions toward Vinicunca

The highest passes rise above 5,000 meters. Although the trail does not require technical climbing, the altitude, cold nights, strong winds, exposed terrain, and limited services make it a serious trek.

Most hikers travel with local guides, cooks, horse handlers, and pack animals. Community-supported trips can provide employment while helping visitors understand the cultural importance of the landscape.

Seven Lakes of Ausangate

The Seven Lakes route begins near Pacchanta and provides a shorter introduction to the mountain. It visits a series of differently colored glacial lakes beneath the northern side of the massif.

The hike can usually be completed in one long day, but it remains physically demanding because much of the route lies well above 4,000 meters. Pacchanta’s hot springs are a popular stop after the hike.

Vinicunca Extensions

Some itineraries connect the Ausangate Circuit with Vinicunca, or Rainbow Mountain. These routes allow hikers to approach the colorful mountain through quieter backcountry terrain rather than using the busiest day-tour trailhead.

The additional distance and high passes make these combinations more strenuous than a standard visit to Vinicunca.

Normal Summit Route

Ausangate’s normal climbing route approaches the mountain from its southern or southwestern side. Historical accounts describe the first ascent as following the southwest glacier, while modern variations respond to changing glacier conditions.

A summit attempt may involve:

Crevasse navigation
Steep snow and ice
Bergschrunds
Serac exposure
Corniced ridges
Mixed rock-and-ice climbing
Unstable snow bridges
Extreme altitude
Complicated route-finding

The normal route is commonly graded around Alpine AD, although difficulty can change considerably as glaciers retreat and ice formations evolve.

This is not a trekking summit. Climbers need previous glacier experience, strong acclimatization, technical equipment, sound judgment, and a qualified high-altitude mountain guide.

North Face

In 2023, Japanese climbers Yudai Suzuki and Kei Narita completed the first route directly up Ausangate’s great north face.

Their route, Japonés Directo, rises approximately 1,100 meters and was graded 5.10a WI6. The climb required several bivouacs and included difficult rock, vertical ice, mixed terrain, and sustained exposure at elevations near 6,000 meters.

Japonés Directo is an elite alpine route rather than a practical option for ordinary expeditions, but its completion marked an important event in modern Andean mountaineering.

🏔️ Field Guide Tip: The Ausangate Circuit begins at elevations higher than many famous mountain summits. Spend several days acclimatizing in Cusco and, ideally, complete progressively higher hikes before starting the circuit. Carry the Ten Essentials and consider a satellite communicator because cellular coverage is unreliable.

Mountains with a lagoon as seen from the Ausangate Trek in the Cordillera Vilcanota, Andes Mountains, Peru | Nils Knopf

🌤️ Best Time to Visit

The most dependable season for trekking and climbing around Ausangate is generally May through September, during the drier Andean winter.

May

May marks the transition from the rainy season. The landscape may still be relatively green, and snow can remain on surrounding ridges. Trail conditions tend to become more stable as the month progresses.

June to August

These are usually the driest months and the most popular period for high-altitude trekking. Days can be clear and sunny, but nights frequently fall well below freezing.

Strong solar radiation makes sun protection essential even when air temperatures feel cold.

September

September can offer good trekking conditions with somewhat fewer visitors. The likelihood of afternoon cloud, snow, or rain generally begins increasing as the wet season approaches.

October to April

The wet season brings more frequent rain, snowfall, thunderstorms, cloud cover, muddy trails, and reduced visibility. January and February are typically among the wettest months.

Weather at 5,000 meters can change during any season. Clear mornings may give way to snow, hail, strong winds, or whiteout conditions with little warning.

🧭 Nearby Mountains & Attractions

Callangate

Callangate, also known as Collpa Ananta or Chimboya, is one of the highest neighboring summits in the Cordillera Vilcanota. Its steep, glaciated profile forms a dramatic companion to Ausangate.

Huasacocha

Huasacocha is another high summit and lake area within the Cordillera Vilcanota. The surrounding landscape contains glacial lakes, wetlands, and remote trekking terrain.

Vinicunca

Vinicunca, internationally known as Rainbow Mountain, lies southwest of Ausangate. Its colorful sedimentary layers have made it one of the most photographed natural attractions in Peru.

Palccoyo

Palccoyo offers another colorful mountain landscape in the Cusco Region. It generally involves a shorter approach than Vinicunca and provides distant views toward Ausangate during clear weather.

Pacchanta Hot Springs

The community of Pacchanta has thermal pools with remarkable views of the glaciated mountain. It also serves as the principal trailhead for the Seven Lakes of Ausangate.

Sibinacocha Lake

Sibinacocha is a large high-altitude lake southeast of the main massif. It is surrounded by puna grasslands, glaciers, wetlands, and isolated communities.

Qoyllurit’i Sanctuary

The Sanctuary of the Lord of Qoyllurit’i lies north of Ausangate near Qullqipunku. The annual pilgrimage brings together thousands of participants representing different communities and cultural traditions.

Cusco

Cusco is the principal transportation and logistical center for visiting Ausangate. The city also provides valuable time for acclimatization before traveling into the higher Cordillera Vilcanota.

Ausangate trek views in Peru, South America | IntoTheWorld

💡 Fun Facts

Ausangate is the highest mountain in both the Cordillera Vilcanota and the Cusco Region.
Its prominence of 2,085 meters makes it an ultra-prominent peak.
The nearest higher terrain is more than 245 kilometers away near the Coropuna massif.
Ausangate is frequently described as the fifth-highest mountain in Peru, although rankings can vary with elevation datasets and the treatment of subsidiary summits.
An Austrian-German expedition made the first ascent in 1953.
The first direct route up the north face was not completed until 2023.
The Ausangate Regional Conservation Area was established in 2019.
Meltwater from the Vilcanota glaciers contributes to watersheds serving communities far beyond the immediate mountain valleys.
Ausangate is revered as an Apu rather than viewed solely as a physical mountain.
The classic trek circles the massif without approaching the technical summit.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

How high is Nevado Ausangate?

Ausangate is commonly listed at 6,384 meters, or 20,945 feet. Peru IGN-based topographic data used by Peakbagger gives a slightly lower elevation of 6,372 meters, or 20,905 feet.

Where is Nevado Ausangate?

The mountain is in the Cordillera Vilcanota of southeastern Peru, approximately 100 kilometers southeast of Cusco. It lies between the provinces of Canchis and Quispicanchi in the Cusco Region.

Is Ausangate the highest mountain in Peru?

No. Huascarán is Peru’s highest mountain. Ausangate is generally described as the country’s fifth-highest summit and is the highest mountain in the Cusco Region.

Can you hike around Ausangate without climbing it?

Yes. The Ausangate Circuit is a nontechnical trekking route around the massif. It provides close views of the glaciers without requiring a summit attempt.

How difficult is the Ausangate Trek?

The trail is physically demanding because it remains at high elevation and crosses several passes around or above 5,000 meters. Cold weather, remote camps, steep ascents, and limited emergency access add to the difficulty.

How long does the Ausangate Circuit take?

Most itineraries take four to six days. The distance and duration vary according to the starting point, campsites, side trips, and whether the route includes Vinicunca.

Can beginners climb Nevado Ausangate?

No. The summit ascent requires technical glacier and alpine climbing experience. The normal route can include steep ice, crevasses, seracs, and mixed terrain at extreme altitude.

Can beginners complete the Ausangate Trek?

Fit hikers with previous multi-day trekking experience may be able to complete it with suitable acclimatization and support. It is not an ideal first trek for someone unfamiliar with camping, cold weather, or high altitude.

What is the best month to visit Ausangate?

June, July, and August normally offer the driest weather. May and September can also be good, although conditions are somewhat less predictable.

Why is Ausangate sacred?

Quechua communities regard Ausangate as an Apu—a powerful mountain spirit connected to water, animals, agriculture, weather, and the wellbeing of surrounding communities.

Is Rainbow Mountain part of Nevado Ausangate?

Vinicunca lies within the broader Ausangate and Cordillera Vilcanota landscape, but it is a separate mountain rather than part of Ausangate’s summit massif.

Do you need a guide for the Ausangate Trek?

Independent trekking may be possible for experienced and well-equipped travelers, but local guides are strongly advisable because of the altitude, changing weather, route variations, remoteness, and cultural considerations. A professional mountain guide is essential for a summit attempt.

🔗 Related Articles

📚 Sources

Rate this post