Top Highlights for Upis Hot Springs Soaks in Ausangate Circuit
Upis Hot Springs Soaks in Ausangate Circuit
The Ausangate circuit is exceptional for Upis hot-springs soaks because the experience is woven into a serious high-Andean trek, not separated from it. You reach the pools after climbing into a landscape of glaciers, grassland, and stone, so the water feels like part reward and part ritual. Upis delivers a quieter, more elemental soak than the better-known thermal baths near Cusco. The setting is the point: thin air, big sky, and Ausangate looming above the steam.
The main draw is the first-night soak at Upis, where trekkers can ease tired muscles after the opening ascent from Tinki. On longer circuits, the hot springs at Pacchanta provide a second and often more comfortable bathing stop at the end of the route. Between soaks, the trek threads past lagoons, passes, and broad alpine valleys, so the spring visit becomes one chapter in a much bigger mountain journey. Travelers who want the best version of the experience pair the pools with a full Ausangate loop rather than a quick in-and-out visit.
Dry season is the strongest time for Upis hot-springs soaks, especially from May through September, when trails are firmer and skies are clearer. Nights are cold, mornings are sharp, and bathing is most enjoyable once you have warmed up through the hike or camp setup. Expect basic facilities, limited shelter, and simple community-managed infrastructure rather than polished resort amenities. Bring layers, altitude precautions, and a flexible mindset, because weather and trail timing shape the experience as much as the springs themselves.
Upis and Pacchanta reflect the community tourism model that defines much of the Ausangate region. Local families and muleteers support treks, maintain the bathing areas, and keep the route functioning for visitors moving through their land. That gives the soak a stronger sense of place than a standard spa visit, with everyday Andean life sitting just beyond the pools. The best way to experience it is respectfully, with cash for local fees, patience for rustic conditions, and interest in the people who make the circuit work.
Soaking Up Ausangate
Book the Upis hot springs as part of a guided Ausangate itinerary or a trusted community-based trek, because the springs sit on a remote high-altitude route with limited independent logistics. The best window is the dry season from May to September, when trail conditions are more stable and mountain views are clearest. Arrive with time to enjoy the pools on the first afternoon or after a pass day, when your legs need recovery most. If you want fewer people, choose shoulder months and start early.
Pack for severe altitude changes, not just for bathing. Bring a swimsuit, quick-dry towel, sandals with grip, a warm layer for getting out of the water, sunscreen, lip balm, and a dry bag for electronics. Water can be basic and changing areas simple, so keep expectations practical and carry small cash for entry or community fees. Acclimatize in Cusco first, and do not treat the soak as a casual day trip.