Overview
Ausangate Trek & Rainbow Mountain 4 days. Cusco with a great variety of phenomenal walks in the Andes of Peru. Ausangate trek & rainbow mountain. They are the famous colorful mountains that can only be seen in 3 parts of the world (Vinicunca, Cusco – Peru / Pumamarca, Argentina and China). This spectacular newly discovered mountain landscape, officially called Vinicunca.
It offers a majestic variety of landscapes, with turquoise lakes, high points, trails that make this route unique in the region. The favorable season for walking is the whole year. In addition to the landscape, you will appreciate animals such as alpacas and llamas, as well as the vicuna habitat (which has the most expensive wool in the world). Ausangate Trek & Rainbow Mountain 4 Days.
This hike is an alternative to the classic Inca trail. Here the trail is very quiet, you can see few groups during the trek, Ausangate trek & rainbow mountain, it is a tour for the body and the spirit.
On this trail you can enjoy the traditions and customs of local people, exchange experiences and most importantly enjoy your vacation, Ausangate Trek & Rainbow Mountain, is a path that awaits you.
GROUP SIZE: Please note that this is a private trip, we are responsible for our groups and our programs, we do not share with other travel agencies, our trips are available all year round. However, due to weather conditions, the recommended period for this trek is from April to November.
*Difficulty level depends very much on your fitness and acclimatization
Useful Information
- Start- altitude of 2800m / 9186ft.
- Higher altitude – 4780m / 15,682ft.
- Total distance – 34km / 21 miles
- Larges – day – Day 2-12 km / 6.7 miles.
- Coldest night- 1 about 0 ° C
- Meals – Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
- Acomodation – campament
- Difficulty: Moderate
Overview Day to Day
- DAY 1: CUSCO – TINQUI – UPIS THERMAL WATERS.
- DAY 2: UPIS – PASO ARAPA – PUCACOCHA.
- DAY 3: PUCACOCHA – PASO MINASNIYUQ – SURINE COCHA
- DAY 4: SURINE COCHA – RAINBOW MOUNTAIN – CUSCO
Itinerary
DAY 1: CUSCO – TINQUI – UPIS THERMAL WATERS.
Ausangate trek & rainbow mountain. We will pick you up early at your hotel in Cusco, for a trip of approximately 2 hours to the town of Tinqui. On the way we will observe the impressive mountain range of Vilcanota, and we will pass through several traditional Andean villages, here we will have time to stop and take some photos.
When we arrive at Tinqui (start of the ausangate trek 4 days), we will have a delicious breakfast prepared by our chef, here our support staff will organize the group’s enpaque list for the horses and our walk will officially begin. We begin our tour of the local communities and enjoy the breathtaking views of the mountains.
We will walk for approximately 3 hours and arrive at the place of our lunch. Then we will continue for another 2 hours until we reach Upis (4,100 m). Our camp will have the opportunity to bathe in the hot springs before dinner. Overnight.
- Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner + snack
- Minimum height: 3,800 m / 12, 464 feet
- Maximum height: 4,400 m / 14,432 feet
- Walking distance: 12 km / 7 ½ miles
- Approximate walking time: 6 – 7 hours
- Level of difficulty: moderate
DAY 2: UPIS – PASO ARAPA – PUCACOCHA.
After a good breakfast, we are ready to leave our camp and start our trek. We will ascend through the pass of Arapa (4,850 m). From here we will enjoy the contrast between the dry road like the hills and the impressive snow-capped mountains.
Ausangate and Pucacocha. This area also has three beautiful lakes with shades of red, green and turquoise are, the best ones (Pucacocha, Hatun Pucacocha and Qomercocha). Our second camp is near the Ausangate glacier.
- Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner + snack
- Minimum height: 4,100 m / 13,448 feet
- Maximum height: 4,850 m / 15,908 feet
- Walking distance: 12 km / 7 ½ miles
- Approximate walking time: 7 – 8 hours
- Level of difficulty: Challenging
DAY 3: PUCACOCHA – PASO MINASNIYUQ – SURINE COCHA
This day, you will be awakened with a “room service” (a cup of hot coca tea). This is going to be one of the most beautiful days of the walk. We will see rainbow mountains in the distance. Also, in today’s trip, we will pass through the city of Alccatauri.
The day begins with an uphill climb of 1 hour and a half until you reach the Ausangate Pass (4,930 m). In this step, we will see red mountains and we will also have the opportunity to see vicuñas, chinchillas and alpacas.
After enjoying, we descend an hour and a half to reach the town of Alccatauri (4,400 m). Here we will observe the customs and the traditional life of the Andeans. There are no trees in the area, so there is no wood to make houses. The residents are very enterprising and build their houses with stone and clay and the fire is with natural fuel, animal manure.
Here we will carry out an Andean barter. In exchange for your generosity and hospitality, we will offer you the coca leaves, this is very valuable for the Andean people because at this point it can not be cultivated because of the climate. in this incomparable experience, we will walk about 30 minutes uphill to our lunch place in a rustic hostel.
After a delicious lunch, we will start our journey uphill to the second step, after 1 hour and a half, we will follow the path to the Minasniyoq pass. Here we will have our first views of the Rainbow Mountains (5,020 m / 16,469 ft). In this step, we will make a small offering to the Pacha Mama (Mother Earth). To reach our campsite on the side of the Surina Cocha lagoon (4800m).
- Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner + snack
- Minimum height: 4,400 m / 14,435 feet
- Maximum height: 5,023 m / 16,479 feet
- Walking distance: 12 km / 7 ½ miles
- Approximate walking time: 8 – 9 hours
- Level of difficulty: Demanding
DAY 4: SURINE COCHA – RAINBOW MOUNTAIN – CUSCO
We will get up very early and after breakfast, we will start our walk, gradually for 2 hours until we reach the famous Rainbow Mountain and we will have finished our 4-day ausangate trek (5,020 m). Here the guide will look for the best places to take photos, since we will be the first to reach these incredible mountains.
Here your Guide will explain to you what it is that makes these mountains so unique: they are composed of several minerals, which produce different colors of streaks of stone, not only is it one of the most impressive places in Peru and South America, but this type of mountains are seen in Argentina and China on the other side of the world.
Taking pictures and enjoying the scenery, we will continue the walk towards Quesiuno. This is a 2 and a half hour descent walk. Where we will have lunch, here our private transport will be waiting for us to pick us up after lunch. It will be a 3 hour trip to Cusco.
After a rewarding experience in your life, we will leave you at your hotel. The approximate time of arrival is at 6 o’clock in the afternoon.
- Meals: Breakfast / Lunch
- Minimum height: 5,020 m / 16,469 feet
- Maximum Altitude: 10 km / 6.2 miles
- Approximate walking time: 5-6 hours
- Level of difficulty: moderate
- Group size: A customer’s choice
- Fixed departures: Depends on the client
PLEASE SEE: OUR TERMS AND CONDITIONS AND F.A.Qs
Includes
WHAT IS INCLUDED
- English speaking bilingual guide (additional guide for groups of nine or more)
- Pre-Departure Briefing at your hotel 1 or 2 days before your trip.
- Private transfer from your hotel from Cusco to Tinqui (the trail)
- Private transfer from Quesiuno Village to your hotel Cusco
- Tent of four people for every 2 people.
- Thermarest inflatable mattress
- Kitchen tent.
- Professional chef and kitchen assistant
- Dining room with tables and chairs
- Arriero and horses to carry the whole equipment (food, tents, chairs, table, etc)
- Horse to carry 7 kg of his personal equipment
- Emergency horse in case we need it
- Four breakfasts, four lunches and three dinners
- Hot water for personal hygiene.
- Boiled water and cold water to fill the bottles / cantinfloras
- Emergency oxygen bottle and medical equipment.
- Entrance to the hot springs of Upis
- All meals, 3 meals a day, tea and snacks every afternoon
- Tickets to the park.
- Extra oxygen bottle and first aid kit
- * Options Vegetarian / special diet available.
DOES NOT INCLUDE:
- Breakfast the first day
- Sleeping bag
- Extra Expenses (tips)
- Trekking poles (can be rented from us)
- Travel insurance
More Information
WHAT YOU NEED TO TAKE.
- Small backpack
- Original passport
- Sleeping bag suitable for temperatures up to -5
- Rain jacket or poncho
- Comfortable shoes
- A complete change of clothes
- Sweater and jacket (something warm)
- Water bottle
- Flashlight and batteries
- Hat or cap for sun protection
- Sunscreen (cream of protection- 70)
- Insect repellent
- Toiletries, towel and toilet paper
- Snack bars, chocolate, nuts, cookies, energy, etc.,
- Cash in soles and US $.
- Swimsuit (if you plan to visit the hot springs after the hike)
- Flashlight with extra batteries
OPTIONAL ITEMS TO TAKE:
- Shorts
- Walking stick
- bandages
- Sandals
- Extra money
OPTIONAL SERVICES (NOT INCLUDED):
- Hire of sleeping bag U.$25
- Walking sticks U$.20
- Daypacks U$.15
- Single Tent U$.35
PLEASE SEE: OUR TERMS AND CONDITIONS AND F.A.Qs
Price & Add – ons
Group: U$: 550
Private: U$: 750
Group versus Private Treks: What’s the difference?
- Depending on the number of people in your booking, additional people may join the trek to make a full group.
- If you choose “private”, no additional people will be joining your group, no matter the size.
- Minimum booking size is two people; one person may book a group trek if Pacha Expeditions Travel Peru, is able to join that person with additional groups.
Rentals
- Hiking poles – U$: 10 (pair)
- Extra Horse – U$: 100
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Acomodation
Map
Reviews
gracias por la organización fue una experiencia inolvidable, siempre estaremos agradecidos muy recomendable
May 7, 2022
Hice los paseos a Machu Picchu, Vale Sagrado y Montañas Coloridas, y el apoyo de la empresa y del guia Javier fue excelente... Recomiendo.
January 1, 1970
El Valle Sagrado tiene un encanto particular, pueblos tradicionales y puntos arqueológicos importantes, es interesante conocer las huellas que dejaron nuestros antepasados.
Excelente la atención y cuidados recibidos por Javier... read more
August 21, 2021
Positive Impact Travel
By joining this trip, you are directly supporting a project with a positive impact, with the Goal of Sustainable and responsible Development for future generations.
The earnings that Pacha Expeditions receives, for each of our tours, a percentage is destined to support various Andean communities. Pacha Expeditions organizes activities for the benefit of the local community, for children and adults, throughout the year.
Our projects are backed by local authorities and with internationally recognized standards and are audited by third parties. Which imply positive impacts on the beneficiaries
