HIGHLANDS OF PERU, AUSANGATE TREK

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HIGHLANDS OF PERU, AUSANGATE TREK (6D/5N)

A mountainous area dominated by the Andes, where Mount Huascaran soars to 6,768 meters.

In the Peruvian highlands, there are two well-defined seasons: the dry season (from April to October), marked by sunny days, cold nights and the lack of rain (the ideal time for visiting); and the rainy season (November to March), when there are frequent rain showers (generally more than 1000 mm). A characteristic of the mountain region is the drop in temperature during the day: temperatures commonly range around 24°C at midday before plunging to -3°C at night.

The central highlands of Peru include some of the most beautiful mountain scenery in the country, as well as many of the country?s liveliest traditions and festivals. The cities of Ayacucho and Huancayo, and the surrounding towns, have some of the finest craft traditions in Peru, with many villages dedicating themselves to ancient crafts, still carried out in the ways of the villagers? forefathers. These towns also celebrate festivals throughout the year, with dancing and music never far off. And as the area still receives relatively few tourists, many of these places are virtually unspoilt.

The area is a must for any lover of nature, with superb mountain scenery around Ayacucho and Huancayo, and the second largest lake in Peru, Lago Junín, located here. Possibly the most spectacular scenery in all of Peru is to be found in the descents into the jungle from the central mountains, with the incredible road from Tarma to Chanchamayo descending almost 2,500m in less than 70km. Here, there are beautiful waterfalls with tropical pools for bathing, winding rivers and deep caves waiting for exploration.

The central highlands of Peru is probably the least visited area of the country by travellers. Much of this is due to the terrible history of the area in the 1980s and early 1990s, when terrorism gripped the area making it very dangerous to visit cities, let alone towns and villages, in the area. The rise of the Sendero Luminoso started in Ayacucho as a protest against the terrible poverty suffered by the majority of the inhabitants of the area. This quickly descended into a full-scale war between the Sendero and the army, with most ordinary people caught in the middle suffering terribly. However, the decline of terrorism throughout Peru includes this area, and it is now free from problems in all but a couple of isolated spots. Although the area has also been used to grow coca, and parts of the high jungle were under the control of drug traffickers, this activity has also declined, and it is now safe to travel throughout virtually the whole of this amazing area. However, it is still best to check up on the current situation before heading out to a remote area.

Most local inhabitants do not speak Spanish, only the ancient Quechua tongue. They dress in beautiful hand woven ponchos and take care of their herds of llamas and alpacas.

You will also have close encounters with native fauna, such as the marmot like Vizcacha. You will catch sight of a herd of rare Vicuña, a wild relative of the Llama, high Andean birds such as geese, puna ibis, caracara hawks, torrent ducks and the majestic Andean Condor.

HIGHLANDS OF PERU

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Higlands of Peru, Ausangate Trek Trip Itinerary

DAY 1 : CUSCO /TINKI / UPISPAMPA: Morning, drive to the head of the trail at the town of Tinki, 3,800 meters. Here we join our pack animals for a 5 hour trek to the hot springs of Upispampa, just below the Ausangate glacier and camp.(L+D)

DAY 2 : UPISPAMPA/FINAYA/PACCHANTA : You start your trek around Mt.Ausangante, with a spectacular view of the highest peak in the Vilcanota Range. , maybe close encounters with Vicuñas, but for sure herds of Alpacas and llamas grassing (B+L+D)

DAY 3+4+5 : After a hearty breakfast, we continue our trek around this great mountain, regarded as an Apu (Great Spirit) by the local natives. These highlanders speak ´´quechua´´ the Incas dialect and dress in traditional colorful costumes taking care of their herds of llamas and alpacas. You'll pass pristine lakes, sparkling glaciers and a couple of 5,000 meter passes. The day before the end of the trek you will camp by the hamlet of Pacchanta where we can relax in the local hot Springs.(B+L+D)

DAY 6 : TINKY / CUSCO : After a 3 hour walk we arrive back to Tinki, where our transportation will be waiting to take us back to Cusco. Dinner on your own. (B+L)