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Ausangate trek 6 days to Rainbow Mountain, offers the opportunity to meet Quechua indigenous people who live at an altitude of 14,000 meters, raising llamas and alpacas. They inhabit an isolated region of the Vilcanota mountain range, amidst glaciers, vibrant lakes, and relaxing hot springs.
During this 6-day trek to Ausangate, there is a high probability of spotting a condor (the largest flying bird in South America). You may also observe Andean wildlife such as vicuñas, marmots (viscachas), geese, hawks, and wild ducks. Although you will be hiking at high altitude, once you have acclimatized, the trek is considered moderately difficult.
This 6-day ausangate trek starts in Cusco, with pickup at 6 am. We’ll travel in private transport to the trailhead at the base of Ausangate Mountain. The hike begins in Upispampa, passing through charming villages, stream crossings, and incredible views until we reach Upis village. There, we’ll have our base camp, enjoy a delicious lunch prepared by our chef, and have a short nap. Later, we’ll hike for 2 hours to Upis lagoon, where we can admire the starry night.
The trail eventually veers away from the road after Upis, allowing us to take in the peace and beauty of the surrounding mountains in relative isolation. The trail is well-defined and simple to follow over this section. In 2 hours, we climbed to the top of Arapa Pass (4850m). The first lake is roughly 30-40 minutes downhill from the pass’s summit. An overlook (Mirador) along the lake is a relaxing spot to have a picnic.
Numerous vicunas were spotted near the lake. (similar to llamas and alpacas, but wild and very shy). The journey begins at Puca Cocha, often spelt Puqa Qocha, the first of several lakes of varying hues and sizes. Here we will have lunch and camp, in the afternoon we will walk a little around the lagoons, and in the evening we will have a snack and dinner
We’ll wake up with a coca tea followed by a very nutritious breakfast. Afterward, you’ll ascend a steep slope to reach Puca Cocha Pass, where you’ll be able to contemplate for the first time the multicolored mountains that surround you, dominated by red. You’ll also likely see several viscachas, or mountain rabbits, native to Peru and Bolivia, but difficult to spot and photograph due to their speed and shyness.
Afterward, we’ll descend for an hour and a half to Ananta, where we’ll have lunch.
A well-deserved rest will allow us to continue the uphill hike for another two hours until we reach Warmisaya (4985 m), where we can appreciate part of the immense chain of reddish mountains that welcomes us to Rainbow Mountain. Finally, we’ll descend for 45 minutes to Surinecocha (4800 m) and camp for the night.
The day begins with breakfast, followed by preparations for the day’s activities. The trek continues over the pass (4500 meters), ascends to the Vinicunca Valley (4300 meters), and then climbs to Rainbow Mountain (5000 meters). There, you’ll have ample time to take photos without crowds. Next, you’ll head to the Red Valley, where you’ll be rewarded with incredible views. Afterward, we’ll descend for approximately two hours to Quesouno, where we’ll have lunch. Then, we’ll ascend for two and a half hours to the Ausangate Cocha campsite, where we’ll spend the night in our tents. Along the way, we’ll pass through small villages and, of course, see llamas and alpacas
The highest point of the trek is at Palomani Pass, at 5200 m, and the climb from the campsite is long and steep. The views from there are breathtaking. Every now and then, take a moment to turn around and admire the stunning panorama of the valley and the pink mountains.
The altitude and a heavy backpack make the ascent strenuous. So take it easy and get plenty of rest. You’ll definitely make it. Fortunately, the climb offers several opportunities to rest and enjoy the scenery. You’ll know the climb was worth it as soon as you reach the summit and take in the view across the pass.
Then we descend for an hour and a half to the community of Huchuy Pinaya for lunch. Afterward, there will be the descent, which is quite steep and takes you to Jampa Campsite, where we’ll spend the night and have dinner.
The previous night was extremely cold, so when we awoke, everything, including our tent, was covered in snow, and it looked magnificent. We needed some steaming coffee to warm up immediately.
The final ascent to Jampa pass is accompanied by more colourful lakes, alpacas, and chinchillas. From the summit, you begin descending to the valley past several aquamarine lakes; you can cool off in one of them, but the water is icy! After approximately 5 hours, we arrived at the Pacchanta village.
Pacchanta has hot springs; if you are exhausted and no longer feel like walking, you can remain here and relax in the springs
Then will have lunch, say goodbye to our cook, horseman, and go back to Cusco
While we provide most of what you’ll need during your trek, there are a few things that are not included. Please make sure to bring or plan for the following:
If you have any questions or need assistance in preparing for your trek, feel free to contact us. We’re here to help!
Our Ausangate Trek is available all year round. Tour prices are based on the number of people in a group. Prices are valid from March 2025 through January 2026. All prices quoted are in $USD.
Transparent Price Guarantee: We offer fair and transparent pricing for our Ausangate Trek Tours. We ensure each service is priced accurately without unnecessary markups.
When trekking at high altitudes like the Ausangate Trek, your feet need support. Make sure you bring:
The Ausangate Trek takes you through varied weather conditions, from hot, sunny days to cold nights. Pack accordingly:
Due to the altitude and exposure, you’ll need extra protection:
Stay safe during your Ausangate Trek 5 Days with the right safety gear:
Make your experience smoother with the following items:
If you’re trekking independently or the agency doesn’t provide camping equipment, these items are essential:
The Ausangate Trek is a remote and high-altitude adventure, and being well-prepared is key. Having the right trekking gear, the ability to stay hydrated, and being prepared for altitude changes ensures not only a comfortable hike but also a safe one. Be sure to pack light, durable, and functional gear, and keep in mind the importance of respecting the local environment. Using eco-friendly products like biodegradable soap and minimizing waste is a great way to protect the pristine beauty of the Ausangate region.
Put your smartphone on airplane mode. no phone signal, and to save battery life.
Drink enough water, it is very important to hydrate yourself as we will be walking at 4000 masl and during this trek, there are streams where you can recharge water. It is also important to have purifying tablets when walking at high altitude.
Be very attentive to the weather. Conditions can change for hours at high altitudes in the Andes. Always have warm layers and waterproof layers on hand. This is especially important when climbing and traversing high passes.
Carry a first aid kit, an equipment repair kit, and a blister treatment kit in your backpack, but we have them too.
Carry a good amount of your favorite sunscreen, lip balm, and sunglasses, and wear a buffalo to protect your head and neck and help block the wind.
This hike is not recommended for children because they may have trouble walking, but if your child enjoys hiking at high altitudes, you can do it.
The higher altitude also means colder, near-freezing temperatures, so be prepared. If you decide to hike for several days, be sure to bring very warm clothing.
The best time to visit Rainbow Mountain will be in the morning or early afternoon, just after sunrise or before sunset.
Do not go to Rainbow Mountain in the afternoon during the rainy season because of the lighting. Due to the high concentration of minerals. There is a high probability of being affected by lighting.
Medication (Imodium AD or something for your stomach) because some people get an upset stomach on the trek. Also, Ibuprofen
is probably one of the most beautiful and complete trails that Cusco has. It is 55 km in total, which you can do in 4 or 5 days. Along this hike, you can see turquoise lagoons, glaciers, llamas, alpacas running, chinchillas, and the imposing snowy ausangate with an altitude of 6385 meters above sea level.
It is one of the best experiences to connect with nature and its enigma.
The perfect combination is to do this trek with the famous mountain of 7 colors where you will spend 5, 6, and 7 incredible days.
without any doubt, the best recommendation is to do physical exercises before doing this trekking running ravines, going up and down hills if you have it in your country or running at least 10 km per day, and thus be prepared to not have problems, and for people who suffer from the heart is not recommendable to do it because this trail is the highest in Cusco.
To be able to acclimatize is good to be in Cusco for 1 day or 2 days, and also the other option is to start your plans from Arequipa, Puno, and then come more acclimatized to Cusco and be better adapted to the altitude.
the best time for hiking is between the months of April to September, with very sunny days and perfect for taking good pictures and seeing the mountains more clearly in all their glory these months are the high season, and the months of October to March are the months of the rainy season and there are companies that still offer this trail and is not recommended because during the day is cloudy with rain and the road is slippery.
The answer is, of course, yes, having good camping and trekking equipment and a GPS, with maps where they can help you in the right directions where to go, camp, etc.
The Ausangate Trail is not well-marked, and unfortunately, you can get lost when it is cloudy.
The best option is to book with a company expert in this trek and also to have a better experience as GO TREKS PERU has the best professionals.
In general, this trekking is to be able to learn and know more about the Inca culture.
The weather in the Andes is very unpredictable because of the geography that we have. During the ausangate trek trail, during the day, it is sunny days, so you will need to use sunscreen, and at night, temperatures can reach below 0 degrees.
in general, is necessary to have Good trekking equipment to avoid problems with the cold and heat, and it is always necessary to have enough water to drink, the recommendation is to have 2 liters per person to avoid dehydration.
The Ausangate trail is divided into two well-marked categories: short (2-4 days) and long (5-7 days), with colorful mountains. If you have time, we recommend that you choose a 5-7 day route. This option is the most complete because in this trail you will be able to visit beautiful lagoons and the snow-capped Ausangate, and the incredible mountain of colors.
Also known as small Ausangate Treks, these shorter trails are intended to offer hikers a sort of “best of” sample of the Ausangate region in a shorter period of time. These routes usually focus on Lake Puca Cocha, the Ausangate glacier, and the Arco Iris mountain is somewhat complete.
The longer treks will take you through mountains and places that are rarely seen by hikers, a complete circuit so you can appreciate some of the high peaks from multiple angles and take amazing pictures. During the day you will see breathtaking views of glaciers and during the night, the milky way at its best from 4,000 meters to 5,200 meters.
For people who love to take pictures, this amazing trail will give you incredible gifts of turquoise lagoons, snow-capped mountains, llamas, alpacas, and the popular colorful mountain
Different hotels have a place to leave your luggage when you go out for a day trip. The other option is to leave it at the GO TREKS PERU office, and when you come back, you can pick it up without any problem.
The main reason Ausangate is considered difficult is that the entire hike is at a high altitude. This route is probably not suitable for novice hikers. It is considered one of the most difficult; however, if you have done other treks before, you should have no problem.
there are many places to rent in Cusco, the best option is to rent around the square, and the best known for quality and price is the famous speedy Gonzales that is on procuradores street.
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