→ Ausangate Trek and Rainbow Mountain, Vinicunca 4 Days

The Ausangate trek is a high altitude 70km hike in Peruvian mountains near Cusco with an average altitude of over 4000m. Unlike most other hikes in the region Ausangate is not about Inca ruins, it's all about beautiful scenery; snow peaks, glaciers, colorful mountain lakes, and the Rainbow mountain.
The Ausangate (6398m/20991f) is considered one of the most beautiful snow-capped mountains of the Andes.

The areas surrounding this mountain offer extraordinary sceneries of mountains, glaciers and lagoons. Moreover, the Andean people are very welcoming and friendly and preserve the respect for the nature. They also have an excellent knowledge of farming vicuñas, alpacas and lamas, being the first two appreciated for their fine quality of wool and alpaca for its meat. We will drive for 4 hours from Cusco and get prepared for a cold temperature and high altitude.

Day 01: Cusco – Tinki – Upis - Huayna Ausangate Lake
Day 02: Upis campsite – Arapa Pass – Hatun Puca cocha
Day 03: Hatun Puca cocha – Anantapata – Surine cocha
Day 04: Surine cocha to Rainbow Mountain – Red Valley – Lactoc – Cusco

Itinerary

Day 1 | Rainbow Mountain

Cusco – Tinki – Upis - Huayna Ausangate Lake

Our trek begins at hotel at 5:00 am, then we will drive for 3 hours to get the Upis town (12,464ft), where we will meet up our muleteers and get ready our rucksacks to start the great adventure. We will hike up through the highland valley inhabited by herds of llamas and alpacas.

Upon our arrival to Upis hot springs (13,776ft) we will enjoy our first just made lunch, and we will camp at this place, in the afternoon you will have a chance to plunge into the thermal pools whose cost is 10 PEN, or just walking around trying to shoot the best sunset on the summit of Ausangate. All meals are included.

Hiking Time: 5 hours approx
Hiking Distance: 10 km / 6.21 miles

Day 2 | Rainbow Mountain

Upis campsite – Arapa Pass – Hatun Puca cocha

Hiking Time: 6 – 7 hours
Hiking Distance: 11 km / 6.83 miles

Day 3 | Rainbow Mountain

Hatun Puca cocha – Anantapata – Surine cocha

A nutritious breakfast makes us ready for today, we will start hiking up on steep switchback trail to reach the second pass located at an altitude of 16,404 ft, from this point we will start to see snow-capped mountains going in different directions and highland red valleys with red hills. Our hike continues downhill to the valley part, we will then hike up to reach the next lunch spot called Ananta 15,092 ft, set in a highland valley with amazing views around.

After lunch, we will continue trekking uphill for 2 hours to reach the next pass called Warmisaya 16,404 ft. from this place, we will be able to spot the Rainbow Mountain in a further distance and views are still very impressive. The last section is downhill for 30 minutes to get the third campsite located at Qomer Qocha 15,354 ft. All meals are included.

Hiking Time: 7-8 hours
Hiking Distance: 11 km / 6.83 miles

Day 4 | Rainbow Mountain

Surine cocha to Rainbow Mountain – Red Valley – Lactoc – Cusco

A great day awaits us as we hike one of the most beautiful trails in Cusco region! From our campsite we will hike up for 1 hour and 30 minutes to reach our last destination–Rainbow Mountain.

Upon our arrival we will take enough time to savor this unique place, after that, we will walk down the valley to reach our next lunch spot, we will say goodbye to our muleteers, cooks and we will eventually drive back to your hotel in Cusco.

Hiking time: 3-4 hours
Hiking distance: 6 km / 3.72 miles

What's Included?

Pre-departure briefing: You will meet your Ausangate Trek to the Rainbow Mountain guide and group in our office for an orientation before your trek. The meeting will be at 6:00 PM, the evening before the trip begins. In case you can’t come at this time “please let us know” to coordinate another time.
Touristic Transport: You will be picked up from your hotel in Cusco in the morning and will travel by private transportation to Tinki Village the starting point of the trek to Ausangate trail and the Rainbow Mountain.
Adventure Experienced Ausangate and rainbow Mountain trek Tour Guide: English speaking, professionally educated, and official tour guide with tourism certification. They all grew up in this region and have a true passion to teach others about their heritage. Your guide will explain the culture and surroundings along the entire route, including leading your group in ancient ceremonies! He or she will keep you safe, sound, and comfortable on your trek so that you can enjoy your time along the Inca path and will ensure you are safe and happy.
Private campsites: Each campsite is carefully choosed for having a very local experience.
- Night 1: Enjoy the 1st night in Upis campsite on the route Ausangate- Vinicunca trek and sleep in our 4 season Pro Aconcagua Doite tents. All our tents are 4-man tents, but ONLY sleep 2, leaving lots of room to spread out comfortably and store your duffel bags. They also include a little vestibule in front, giving you some extra outdoor space to leave your boots and walking sticks so you don’t have to bring in dirt.
- Night 2: Enjoy the 2nd night in Puca cocha campsite on the route Ausangate- Vinicunca trek and sleep in our 4 season Pro Aconcagua Doite tents. All our tents are 4-man tents, but ONLY sleep 2, leaving lots of room to spread out comfortably and store your duffel bags. They also include a little vestibule in front, giving you some extra outdoor space to leave your boots and walking sticks so you don’t have to bring in dirt.
- Night 3: Enjoy the 3rd night in Comer cocha campsite on the route Ausangate- Vinicunca trek and sleep in our 4 season Pro Aconcagua Doite tents. All our tents are 4-man tents, but ONLY sleep 2, leaving lots of room to spread out comfortably and store your duffel bags. They also include a little vestibule in front, giving you some extra outdoor space to leave your boots and walking sticks so you don’t have to bring in dirt.
- Note: It is not usual that the campsites, lodges or hotels change after the confirmation, however it can vary per government regulations and authorization, also for bad weather conditions and maybe because physical condition of our visitors: any changes in this matter ITEP travel will be informing you previously and as soon as possible.
Camping equipment: Dining and kitchen tents, tables, chairs, and cooking equipment (all carried by our porters and horses).
Entry ticket to the Ausangate trail
Entry ticket to the Rainbow Mountain trail
Professional Trekking Chef: A professional chef specialized in cooking on the trail, with an assistant, will prepare all of your delicious meals along our journey on the Trail to replenish your energy every day. You will never go hungry!
Meals: 3Breakfasts, 3 Lunches, 3Dinners (Vegetarian, vegan, or special menus are available at no extra cost) Please be in mind (1st breakfast and last lunch is not included”
Boiled Water: Beginning from your first lunch until your last breakfast, Inka Trail Expeditions will supply all the water needed. This water will be boiled, filtered and then cooled, before distributing. You must supply your own water bottles or camel back. We recommend carrying about 3L worth. We will refill our waters at each meal.
Wake up tea: Every morning at the campsite, you will wake up with a cup of coca tea! Our staff will bring the tea to your tent so that you will be warmed from inside out before you start your day.
Tea time daily during the Trek: Every afternoon before dinner, the cooks will provide our tea time with popcorn, biscuits, coffee, hot chocolate, teas, hot water, etc. After a long day of hiking, you will not have to wait until dinner to relax, warm up, and enjoy a bite to eat!
Products for hygiene: You will be provided with a small towel before each meal to clean your hands and every morning will be also a bucket with warm water for washes your personal hygiene.
Medical kit and Oxygen bottle: Our crew will bring a first-aid kit, including emergency oxygen bottle.
Transfer back to Cusco: Private touristic transport from Chillihuani to your hotel in Cusco (Day 4)
24-hour guest service: We have telephone service available 24 hours/day for ease of communication and preparation with the agency leading up to your trek.

What's not Included?

Sleeping Bags: You can rent one from our company if you do not have your own. Our sleeping bags are effective and durable to protect from temperatures as low as -18ºC (0ºF). They are mummy form and include a sleeping liner. The bags are cleaned after every use.
Walking Sticks: You can rent a set from our company if you would like.
Day 1: Breakfast: Approx. Usd5 to usd 10.00, Price can vary according your selection.
Last Day: Lunch and Dinner in Aguas Calientes. Approx. Usd 20 to 25.00, Price can vary according your selection.
Personal clothing and gear
Travel Insurance
Tips for our staff: Please note that our agency staff is well paid so please feel free to tip or not as you wish “Recommendation: usd 6 to usd 8 per day per traveler for all the trek staff”- Once again it is optional and can vary according your satisfaction.
Additional costs or delays out of control of the management (landscape, bad weather condition, itinerary modification due to a safety concern, illness, change of government policy, political instability/strike, etc.)