Ausangate Trek to Rainbow Mountain 4 Days
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Ausangate Trek to Rainbow Mountain—A renowned adventure for very good reason, this getaway takes us through spectacular mountain regions and geological formations to iconic Rainbow Mountain over four extraordinary days.
This highland and trekking circuit winds its way through this rarely-visited Vilcanota range, on quiet trails, following scenic alpine valleys that are home to traditional Quechua Andean herdsmen and some of Peru’s most rare and spectacular wildlife, including herds of grazing vicuñas and the majestic Andean condor. This 4-day Ausangate trek to Rainbow Mountain takes you to the true off-the-beaten-path, following a trail through the highland valley of Vilcanota mountain range, where the highest peak of Cusco is located: Ausangate (6,389m/ 20,961 ft).
This 4-day trek will treat us with impressive and beautiful landscapes of the Andes, snow-capped mountains, glaciers, azure lakes, cascades, surreal rainbow-striped passes, herds of llamas, and alpacas, massif ice body of Ausangate, and the incredible colors of Rainbow Mountain. This beautiful multi-day hike to get to the ultimate destination Rainbow Mountain is designed for a smoother and leisurely hike in the remote and untouched wilderness of the Ausangate route – a bucket-list trek high in the Andes. At the end of each thrilling day of the trek, our crew will welcome you to our campsite located at dramatic settings, each one featuring private roomy tents, dining tent, toilet tent, and delightful cuisine! Join us.
Why you will love this tour
- Get off the beaten path and explore remote mountains along the Ausangate hike, in a high Andean realm close by to herds of llamas, and alpacas to the iconic Rainbow Mountain.
- Enjoy the stunning and remote hike in Peru, trekking along the untouched wilderness with the view of ice-clad Ausangate mountain.
- Hike the most scenic part of the Ausangate Circuit with spectacular views of glaciers, turquoise lagoons with flocks of birds, and towering peaks.
- A trek designed for a smoother and leisurely experience in the remote part of the Ausangate region.
- Explore the unique natural formations on earth the Rainbow Mountain with a professional guide – some of the most beautiful, natural landscapes in all of South America.
- Camp along remote mountainsides and enjoy the great starry nights.
- Enjoy the comforts of our premium Ausangate Trek camping services—the best on the trail.
- Travel with your own private guide, muleteers, horses, delicious cuisine prepared by your personal cook.
- This is a fully supported trek by a private guide, emergency horse, muleteers, and packhorses (to carry tents, food, cooking gear, and backpacks).
- Small groups and Big adventures (min 2ppl – max 8ppl — average 4ppl).
- Trek this Ausangate Trek 4 days with a local tour operator, managed by expert local guides, accredited by the Peruvian Ministry of Tourism.
Trip Details
- Tour duration: 4 days
- Activities: Hiking, culture, and nature.
- Trek starts from: Cusco
- Trek ends in: Cusco
- Group Size: Small groups for big adventures (min 2ppl – max 8ppl – average 4ppl)
- Good For: Those with a sense of adventure and in good hiking shape
- Physical rating: Moderate – demanding due to the altitude of the trail
- Consideration: Please remember coming prepared for this trek. And allow you at least 2 days to get acclimated in Cusco before the trek begins.
- Hiking time: 7-9 hours every day.
- Trail distance: 42km/ 26.09 miles.
- Highest point: A couple of 5,000m/ 16,404 ft.
- Departure: Daily
ITINERARY
Welcome Briefing
You will have a thorough pre-departure briefing with our guide the night before your trek. This meeting will be at your hotel and you can take this opportunity to ask final questions and make any final preparations for your hike.
Day 1. Cusco – Upis Village – Upis Hot Springs Camp
To start our 4-day Ausangate trek to Rainbow Mountain, our Cusco Local Friend guide will pick you up at 5:30 am from your hotel in Cusco. We will then drive for approximately 3.5 hours to the trailhead. Along the journey, we will pass by quaint villages. After driving for about 3 hours, we will stop in Tinki town (3815m/ 12516ft) for toilets and grab something we forgot to buy in Cusco, next, we will continue driving for 30 minutes on a dirt road to reach the beginning of the trail.
Upon arrival to the trailhead, called Upis Village (4,150mt/ 13,615ft). We will have time to organize our rucksacks and duffle bags, our tour guide will introduce you to our crew that will be in the Ausangate Loop Trek with you. Our trek begins on a small path that winds up through the Andean potato and grain fields. The first three hours of hiking run over hilly plain crossing some streaming and slight rise where you see some Andean row of houses built like in their ancestor’s time. As we hike through the grassy highland valley, we might spot some Andean geese hovering in the wind, also we hike nearby of small ponds, which is a perfect habitat for ducks. After over 3 hours of hiking, we will reach the place for lunch and our campsite, a lovely place with Ausangate Mountain (6,389m/ 20,961 ft) at backdrops. Once at the campsite camp, we will have free time to take a rest or walk around before the happy hour (afternoon tea), followed by dinner. Lunch and dinner included.
- Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
- Hiking Distance: 10 km / 6.21 miles
- Lowest Point: 4,150mt/ 13,615ft.
- Highest Point: 4,550mt/ 14,928ft.
- Physical rating: Moderate
- Meals: Lunch, snacks, afternoon tea time, and dinner
Day 2: Upis Hot Spring – Arapa Pass – Pukacocha Camp
Today, we will start with hot drinks in our tent, we will then enjoy freshly prepared breakfast, which will prepare us for the second thrilling day. After breakfast, we will begin the hike through a beautiful green high alpine valley and on a winding path with phenomenal views of Ausangate peak to the first Arapa Pass (4,800mt/ 15,748ft). At the pass, we’ll enjoy dazzling views of the Vilcanota mountain range with its massive spire peaks. If we are lucky, we might see some wild vicuñas grazing freely close by, Andean condors, and chinchillas.
After having a good at the highest pass, we’ll continue hiking downhill to get to our lunch spot located at an impressive spot, right next to the glacial lake of Yanacocha with backdrops of stunning snow-clad of Ausangate mountain. After lunch, our trek continues through the highland plain to the second campsite, called Pukacocha (4,600m/ 15,088ft), which lies at the foot of the western icefall of Ausangate with glacial lagoons. In the evening, we will enjoy the afternoon tea, followed by dinner. All meals included.
- Hiking Time: 6-7 hours
- Hiking Distance: 11 km / 6.83 miles
- Lowest point: 4,150mt/ 13,615ft.
- Highest point: 4,800mt/ 15,748ft
- Physical rating: Moderate – Challenging
- Meals: Breakfast, lunch, snacks, afternoon tea time, and dinner
Day 3: Pukacocha – Warmisaya Pass – Comercocha Camp
Today’s hike will be very stunning since we’ll hike the most picturesque part of this 4-day Ausangate Trek to Rainbow Mountain. After a nutritious breakfast, we’ll start hiking up on the steep switchback trail towards the second pass called Pukacocha Pass (5,000m/ 16,404ft). Once at the pass, we will have an extraordinary vantage point to look down and see the snow-capped mountains going in different directions, lagoons formed by melting glaciers, and the reddish hills of the highlands with colorful mountains and an untouched landscape. After this pass, the trail comes downhill until getting to the valley part, on this section will see a lot of freely grazing llamas and alpacas, we will still hike up the valley to reach the lunch spot located in Ananta (4,650m/ 15,256 ft) located in a highland valley with incredible views everywhere and more llamas grazing nearby.
Following lunch, we continue trekking uphill for 2 more hours to reach the next pass called Warmisaya Pass at 5,000 m / 16,404 ft, from this pass, we will have the first sights of the iconic Rainbow Mountain in a further distance and more stunning views. After witnessing the views and taking some pictures, we will walk the last 30-45 minutes downhill to reach the second campsite located at Comercocha (4,680 m / 15,354 ft). At the camp, we will enjoy afternoon tea and dinner and then go to sleep because the next day we will get up early to visit the amazing Vinicunca Rainbow Mountain. All meals included.
- Hiking Time: 7-8 hours
- Hiking Distance: 11 km / 6.83 miles
- Lowest Point: 4,600mt. / 15,092ft.
- Highest Point: 5,000mt. / 16,404ft.
- Physical rating: Challenging
- Meals: Breakfast, lunch, snacks, afternoon tea time, and dinner
Day 4: Comercocha – Rainbow Mountain – Red Valley -- Cusco
Probably the most important day has arrived, the day to witness the colors of the iconic Rainbow Mountain and the Red Valley, for this a great fresh prepared breakfast will make us ready. Next, we will have a brief farewell to our muleteers because our transportation will reach this last campsite to pick up our gear. We will then hike up for 1 hour and 30 minutes to reach Rainbow Mountain. Once we arrive, we’ll have enough time to enjoy this unique place, located in the high and remote mountains of the Peruvian Andes. After witnessing the striking colors of the Rainbow Mountain, we’ll head out to the Red Valley for 45 minutes, this is another breathtaking place that fewer hikers go to; we’ll be treated by the fascinating colors of the reddish valleys, reddish striped hills. We’ll hike through this valley down to the end of the trail for 2 more hours. We’ll eventually arrive at our lunch spot for our last meal made by our cook. We will then drive back to your hotel in Cusco. End of the adventure.
- Hiking Time: 5-6 hours
- Hiking Distance: 10 km / 6.21 miles
- Lowest Point: 4,200mt. / 13,800ft.
- Highest Point: 5,050 m / 16,568 ft
- Physical rating: Moderate — Challenging
- Meals: Breakfast, lunch, snacks.
Note on itinerary
Although we do our very best to adhere to the schedule listed above, this itinerary is subject to change for numerous reasons beyond our control. Reasons which may include incidents in the location where the trip will be operated, strikes, political disputes, entry or border difficulties, extreme bad weather, flight cancellations, and other unpredictable or unforeseeable circumstances which are beyond the reasonable control of Cusco Local Friend and that Cusco Local Friend is not liable for such changes or amendments. On some occasions, these conditions may demand us to deviate from our original schedule, in which case we will provide the best available alternative options. And we’ll make a great experience of it! However, some extra expenses may be incurred, these extra expenditures will be covered by the client in their totality and not by Cusco Local Friend.
Included
- Private transportation for all transfer services.
- Camping Equipment (tents, sleeping pads)
- Other camping equipment like a dining tent with table and chairs; and a kitchen tent.
- Entrance tickets to the park.
- Tour guide.
- Meals: Breakfast (3), lunch (4), dinner (3), and snacks. If you’re veggie? no problem! we have great options.
- A professional cook.
- Horses, and muleteers; horses carry your 8-kg / 16-pound personal items.
- Emergency horse to escort us during the trek.
- Oxygen tank.
Not Included
- First breakfast on day 1.
- Sleeping bags.
- Hiking poles.
- Extra expenditure during the trek.
- Tipping for the trek leader, porters or muleteers, and other staff.
- Travel Insurance.
Book this Experience
Prices are based on semi-private service (small group), our treks are limited to 8 participants on a group led by experienced tour guides.
What to Expect
Impressive views, cold temperatures at night and in the mornings; mostly sunny days during the months of May, June, July, and August; very high altitude points every day so you need to have enough time in Cusco to get acclimated before your trek begins.Food is amazing from vegetables, just made soups, pasta, to Peruvian delicious cuisine, desserts, and buffet options. All this, prepared by our experienced cook.
Accomodation
Premier Camping
Our campsites are the best
Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo
The best hotel in peru
Why Travel with us
Local Knowledge & Expertise
It's great to travel with professional experts from the same destination you are going, that's how you get first-hand information. With deep in-country knowledge, We know the ins and outs of all the logistics, we will ensure you can make the most of your time away.
Personalized Experiences
Your time is precious - we know that. Your experience is our top priority. No big bus groups, No flags to follow! Traveling with a private guide and driver you’ll do what you want, when you want with the freedom to change your plans on the fly.
Friendly Local Guides
Great sights don’t make an amazing tour. Great guides do! Our guides don’t read from a script, we give them the freedom to make each tour their own, and your experience unique. We love what we do and it shows. From the moment you arrive, you'll feel the buzz and excitement that Cusco Local Friend to offer.
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Trip Reviews
Cusco Local Friend has been awarded the TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence due to the most consistent 5-star reviews in Cusco, the Sacred Valley & Machu Picchu for exceptional levels of service and care.
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