Ausangate Trek to Rainbow Mountain 5 Days

To start our 5-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 (4,200mt./ 13,800ft). 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, a lovely place with Ausangate Mountain (6,389m/ 20,961 ft) at backdrops.

After eating succulent lunch, we will continue ascending for 2 hours to Arapa Pass at 4,800mt/ 5,748ft, here we will have stunning views of eroded mountains, highland valleys, and a wonderful view of the Ausangate Mountain behind. From the pass, we will hike across an arid hillside for 20 minutes and then we will descend for 1 hour and 30 minutes to get to the first campsite, called Yanacocha (4,650m/ 15,256 ft), which is a place located at the foot of wondrous Ausangate with amazing views around. Once we get to the Yanacocha camp, we will have free time to take a rest or walk around the campsite before the happy hour (afternoon tea), followed by dinner. Lunch and dinner included.

• Hiking Distance: 12 km / 7.46 miles
• Hiking Time: 7 – 8 hours
• Lowest Point: 4,200mt/ 13,800ft
• Highest Point: 4,800mt/ 15,748ft.
• Meals: Lunch, snacks, afternoon tea time, and dinner.

A fresh and great breakfast will make us ready for today’s hike.  After breakfast, we will follow a trail with its cascading waterfalls and onwards past the turquoise Pukacocha lagoon, which lies at the foot of the western icefall of Ausangate. This section of the Ausangate Trek is one of the most picturesque ones because of the gorgeous glacier lagoons nestled at the skirt of Ausangate mountain and the Ausangate itself with great massif ice body. After hiking for 1 and a half hours along this beautiful section of the trail, we will start hiking up on a switchback trail to Pukacocha Pass (5,000mt / 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.

• Hiking Distance: 12 km / 7.45 miles
• Hiking Time: 8 – 9 hours
• Lowest Point: 4,600mt. / 15,092ft.
• Highest Point: 5,000mt. / 16,404ft.
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, snacks, afternoon tea time, and dinner.

This morning, we’ll wake up very early to visit the iconic Vinicunca Rainbow Mountain, the idea to start early is to beat the large crowds and enjoy it in solitude and take pictures with no people around, what a cool!

We’ll only take what we need, typically, the sky is clear and full of stars. The hiking path is uphill for about 1 and 30 minutes. When we arrive at this long-awaited place, we will soak up incredible views of Rainbow Mountain, you will receive information from your tour guide as to why this place has these features. After enjoying the place for 45 minutes (depending on your trekking speed and weather conditions) we’ll return by the same path we took the day before until Ananta, where we’ll have time to rest and enjoy just made delicious lunch. Next, we will still hike for 3 hours to reach the third camp, called Ausangatecocha. Once at the campsite, we’ll enjoy afternoon tea before being served an amazing dinner. All meals included.

• Hiking Distance: 15 km / 9.32 miles
• Hiking Time: 9 – 10 hours
• Lowest Point: 4,600mt. / 15,091ft.
• Highest Point: 5,050 m / 16,568 ft
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, snacks, afternoon tea time, and dinner.

Today, we’ll reach the highest point on the entire trail, for this, a great nutritious breakfast will make us ready. From the campsite, we’ll hike up to the Palomani pass at 5,130m / 16,831ft, this section of the trail is steep uphill for 3 hours, the trail ascends between the ravine and apacheta (mound of stones), around this part of the trail, we’ll have high chances to spot the wild vicuñas.

At the highest point, we’ll snap unique pictures and soak up the gratification of our achievement. We’ll enjoy the stunning views and take a moment to leave some little offerings to the mountains and Pachamama (mother earth). After a while, we’ll begin our descent following the trail as it loops across the steep slope passing pens and herds of llamas and alpacas. It’s how we’ll arrive at the next lunch spot. This afternoon, after lunch, we’ll hike over the hilly terrain surrounded by tall mountains, toward a marshy area to reach the upper level of the valley where is our camp called Jhampapampa (4,700 m / 15,420 ft). Upon arrival at the next campsite, we’ll rest and have hot drinks in the evening followed by dinner. As well, around the camp amongst the rock bounders, you’ll see viscachas (Andean chinchilla) muted brown in color. All meals included.

• Hiking Distance: 10 km / 6.21 miles
• Hiking Time: 7 – 8 hours
• Lowest Point: 4,600mt. / 15,092ft.
• Highest Point: 5,130mt. / 16,831ft.
• Meals: breakfast, lunch, snacks, afternoon tea, and dinner.

Wake up hot coca tea in the morning to have another great day, after having breakfast we’ll hike up for 2 hours and 30 minutes to the last pass called Jhampa at 5,060 m / 16,601 ft, where we’ll have amazing glacier peaks right in front of us.

From this last pass, we’ll continue descending to gorgeous Comercocha (green lagoon) located at the skirt of the Puka Moqo (Red Mountain). Finally, we reach Pacchanta town, where we’ll have the last lunch prepared by our chef. In Pacchanta, you’ll also have a chance to soak in the natural hot spring. After lunch and hot springs, we’ll take our private transportation back to your hotel in Cusco. End of the great adventure. Breakfast and lunch included.

• Hiking Distance: 12 km / 6.83 miles
• Hiking Time: 7 – 8 hours
• Lowest Point: 4,300mt. / 14,108ft.
• Highest Point: 5,060mt. / 16,601ft.
• Meals: Breakfast, snacks, and Lunch.