Why Hiking Ausangate Feels Like Walking Through Another World

Ever get tired of walking along the same streets, dealing with the hustle and bustle of daily life? We get you! But you know what? There’s somewhere truly special you can visit that’ll transport you far away from everything you know and everything you’re used to. 

Sitting high in the Peruvian Andes and a long way from the noise and movement of the cities, rises a landscape so surreal that many visitors describe it as being like setting foot on another planet. 

​​The Ausangate region is remote, immense, and strangely dreamlike. It’s a place where geology, altitude, culture, and silence merge into an experience that feels both like you’re heading back in time and walking into another world.

Whether you’re drawn by its colorful mountains, icy glaciers, or the sheer vastness of the high-altitude wilderness, the Ausangate Trek offers something rare: the sense of walking through a world untouched by time. 

Let’s dive further into the beauty of this region in Peru and why hiking Ausangate feels like walking through another world.

A Landscape That’s Out Of This World

One of the most striking aspects of this magnificent trek is the contrasting color palette that defines the region. Discover sweeping valleys of red, yellow, and green hues, made up from the mineral-rich soils that have developed over millions of years of tectonic activity.

In some parts, the mountains have clearly defined stripes of color, giving an almost painted appearance. That’s exactly what’s happened to the slopes of Vinicunca, which has been aptly named Rainbow Mountain and is a popular visitor attraction in the region. Along the Ausangate Trek, you experience this site but also witness the colors in a more expansive form across other slopes and valleys. 

And the astounding landscapes don’t stop there. The trail also takes you into the Red Valley, which is often described as being similar to what it would be like to walk on Mars, due to the deep red hues, stretching far into the distance. Don’t forget to bring your camera; you’ll want to remember these views for a lifetime!

Crystalline Lagoons And Shimmering Glaciers

The high altitude of the region means that Ausangate Mountain is surrounded by glaciers that spill down its sides like frozen rivers, shimmering in the gleaming sun. Dotted along the hike are turquoise, emerald, and silvery-toned lagoons and lakes that look awesome in contrast to the milky glacial backdrop.

You get a reminder of the powerful force of Mother Nature when you stumble across natural hot springs that bubble in close proximity to the ice. On your trek, you get a chance to relax your tired muscles in medicinal hot springs. We think you’ll agree that this is a welcome respite after days of challenging walks. 

Free Roaming Wildlife And Unique Flora

Even though the Ausangate road is isolated and far from the closest city, Andean wildlife has adapted to the harsher climate and made it their home.

Learn about vicuñas, llamas, and alpacas who graze on the golden grass and roam the plains in small groups. See Andean geese feeding close to water and vizcachas darting around rocks. You may even spot a condor circling overhead if you’re lucky. Even though they have one of the biggest wingspans of any flying animal, these enormous birds glide silently through the sky.

These unique interactions with the wildlife make it feel like an old, sparsely populated area where animals roam freely, undisturbed by civilization.

Small Remote Communities Following Traditions

We’ve mentioned the remoteness of the route and how the wildlife roam with little interaction from humans, but that doesn’t mean no one lives there. 

As you hike, you come across small Quechua settlements that still herd their livestock across the grasslands and follow ancient, long-standing customs. Discover centuries-old traditions that serve as a reminder that Ausangate is both a religious and natural wonder.

Some mountains are referred to by the locals as “Apu,” a mountain spirit that they think guards both the environment and themselves. They demonstrate their belief that the mountains are alive, strong, and highly respected by telling stories, carrying out ceremonies, and making offerings to Apu Ausangate. 

These fascinating traditions add to the trek’s otherworldly atmosphere by showing that it’s not just physically different from your daily life but also spiritually. 

Altitude, Weather, And Other Environmental Challenges

A lot of the ‘other world’ sensations come from the physical challenge itself. On your trek, you reach altitudes of 5,200 m / 17,060 ft, which can be tough if you’re not prepared. Hikers need to be mindful to walk at a slower pace and stay hydrated. 

The weather is also very changeable, and can quickly turn from being bright and sunny to cold, windy, and sometimes even snowy. The thin air and rapidly changing climate create an almost altered sense of time and place. Distances can seem farther, slopes feel steeper, and even sounds carry differently. 

Spending The Night Under The Starry Sky

The Ausangate Trek is situated far from the big towns and cities, meaning there’s almost no light pollution. This allows the stars to shine spectacularly, with the Milky Way stretching across the sky. When the skies are especially clear, it can feel as though you’re sleeping under a planetarium dome or floating in outer space, reminding you just how remote the region truly is. 

Cosmology plays a big part in the ancient traditions in the region, and it’s easy to see why when faced with sharp, clear constellations.  

The Silence Away From The City

The high altitude and remoteness make for a truly quiet and peaceful experience. With no roads passing through, very few villages and little human presence, the stillness is hard to imagine. It feels as though the world has been stripped back to its elements. Rock. Ice. Wind. Sky.

It’s not just the sound of silence that feels like another world either. The light behaves differently up here due to the thin atmosphere. Expect sharper colors, deeper shadows, and deceptive distances.

Step Into Another World On The Ausangate Trek

Hiking Ausangate feels like you’re walking through another world because every element forms an experience that’s so different to normal life. From drastic landscapes and beautiful natural phenomena to traditional communities and extreme remoteness, this adventure feels timeless.

In this remote corner of the Andes, the familiar falls away, leaving you with a rare sense of wonder. Are you ready to take on the challenging Ausangate Trek and be transported out of this world? This incredible journey awaits you on your next visit to Peru.