How Can A Hike Up The Ausangate Improve Your Health?
Nestled in the Peruvian Andes, the Ausangate hike is known for its breathtaking landscapes, shimmering glacial lagoons, and rainbow mountain vistas. Many adventurers and health enthusiasts claim that exploring on this journey can boost your physical and mental well-being. But is there truth to these claims, or is it merely the allure of exotic travel? Let’s break it down.
Physical Benefits: Fact
The Ausangate trek spans around 70 kilometers and typically takes five to seven days to complete. Walking this distance, often at altitudes exceeding 4,000 meters, can provide an intense cardiovascular workout.
1. Your Bones Will Get Stronger
One of the best ways to improve your bone density is to hike or trek in an upwards direction. Because the Ausangate stands at 18,400 feet above the sea, it offers a great hiking journey for people looking to maintain their health while on vacation.
- Improved Cardiovascular HealthThe trek involves significant physical exertion, particularly due to its high altitude. Hiking in this environment forces your heart and lungs to work harder, improving oxygen efficiency and strengthening your cardiovascular system.
- Muscle Toning and Endurance From steep ascents to uneven terrain, the constant movement engages your legs, core, and even upper body, providing an excellent full-body workout.
- Calorie Burn You can burn between 400 to 600 calories per hour of hiking, depending on intensity and pack weight. Over several days, this becomes a significant boost to your metabolism.
2. You Can Sleep A Lot Better Afterwards
The hike up the Ausangate will tire you out in the best way possible, which will help to improve your sleep. This may look like falling asleep faster than you normally do, or it can also put you in deep sleep once you come back to rest for the night.
3. You’ll Experience A Better Mood Overall
Traversing across the Ausangate will significantly improve your mood, especially when you get to explore each of the lakes one by one. It’s hard to resist this place’s beauty, something that will instantly clear your head and fill it with wonder.
4. You Get To Engage With Local Culture
For centuries, the Ausangate has been home to the Quechua community that lives in the foothills of the mountain. On your hike up the Ausangate, you’ll get to see them go about their daily lives, practice some rituals, and also share their cuisine with you. And there’s nothing to worry about because our expert tour guides will be with you at every step of this journey.
To hike up the Ausangate, you’ll need experienced and knowledgeable tour guides to direct your journey. Luckily our experts at Rainbow Mountain Expeditions are well-versed in all hiking and trekking routes of the region and can also give you insight into the local cultures and traditions that have been part of this area for centuries.
Mental Benefits: Fact
It’s not just your body that benefits from the Ausangate trek—your mind reaps rewards too.
- Stress Reduction Being surrounded by the raw, untouched beauty of nature helps disconnect from daily stressors, offering a much-needed mental reset. The rhythm of walking combined with awe-inspiring scenery has been shown to reduce cortisol levels.
- Enhanced Mood Exposure to natural light and physical activity boosts serotonin levels, helping to improve mood and reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety.
- Mental Clarity Trekking provides ample time for self-reflection and mindfulness. The absence of digital distractions makes it easier to focus on the present moment.
Altitude Sickness and Health Risks: Fact with a Caveat
While the Ausangate trek offers health benefits, its high-altitude setting presents challenges. Symptoms of altitude sickness, such as headaches, nausea, and fatigue, can overshadow the positive effects if not managed properly. Acclimatization and hydration are key to avoiding these risks.
Spiritual and Emotional Connections: Myth or Fact?
Many travelers report a spiritual awakening while trekking Ausangate. Surrounded by sacred mountains revered by the Quechua people, some find a sense of deeper connection and purpose. While spiritual benefits are subjective, the emotional uplift from a journey like this is undeniable for many.
Conclusion
The idea that walking along the Ausangate trek improves your health is largely fact, provided you are prepared and take necessary precautions for altitude. From enhanced physical fitness to mental clarity, the rewards are numerous. However, potential health risks like altitude sickness should be taken seriously to ensure the experience is both safe and fulfilling.
