Ausangate Trek To Rainbow Mountain 2 Days

CUSCO - ALCATARI - ANANTA - RAINBOOW MOUNTAIN - CUSCO

8 PER GROUP

Group Size

Demanding

Difficulty level

Hiking

Trip styles

CAMP

Accommodation

Ausangate Trek 2 days

The 2-day Ausangate trek is the shorter version of the Ausangate trail, but at the same time rewarding because you will be able to appreciate the most outstanding views of the 3-day tour, and it is also revered as the deity of Cusco. Since the pre-Incan period, the mountain has served as a place of worship and offerings, and this practice continues today. Typically, you need to undertake a trip lasting at least 2 days to catch a glimpse of the Rainbow Mountains.

This new program changes that. We have planned this trek so that it can be completed in just two leisurely days! As you progress on this trek, you will witness charming communities, impressive adobe-style buildings, herds of llamas and alpacas, and breathtaking views of the Ausangate glacier, the highest mountain in the Cusco region at 6,385 meters (20,945 feet). Hikers looking for an authentic outdoor adventure will find on this trip nothing less than magnificent, untouched beauty and total isolation.

Itinerary of Ausangate Trek To Rainbow Mountain 2 Days:

Day 1: CUSCO – ALCATARI – AUSANGATE – ANANTA

We start at 4:00 a.m. (pick-up at your hotel) and leave the City of Cusco via bus. Heading to the Trailhead called alcatara(4,000 m/16.464 ft.).gonna be 3 hours there. Will meet with our horses and cowboy. And our cook, Wil, prepared a delicious breakfast and then

We begin with a light to moderate climb crossing “The Puna” (a high dry area with little vegetation) and arrive at the first pass on the way will see a lot of llamas and alpacas and stunning views sure you can take some pictures, from here Will hike for 1 / 30 minutes dawn Hill until reaching our lunch after that Will keep hiking for another 1/30 minutes to reach the first high point of the trek call warmisaya (5000 masl -16400 fts) and then just gonna be dawn Hill until getting our first campsite call qellwacocha

Details:

Hiking Distance: 9 km/4 miles
Hike Time: 4-5 hours
Highest Altitude: 4,400 – 14,435 ft.
Lowest Altitude: 3,800 m/12,467 ft.
Level of Difficulty: Moderate

Day 2: ANANTA – RAINBOW MOUNTAIN – CUSCO

Wake up, gonna be with coca tea. After breakfast, we hike gradually uphill for 1 and 45 hours until we reach the Georges Ausangate Trek to Rainbow Mountain 2 Days(5,030 m / 16,480 ft). Your guide will hike to the best spots to get amazing pictures of these incredible Vinicunca rainbow mountains and the other surrounding mountains. Your tour guide will explain why the colors of these mountains are so unique: in this área but also in some parts of the world like China, Argentina

After taking pictures and enjoying the view, we will continue on the hike until we reach the end of the trek. This is a 1-hour downhill hike. We will have lunch there.

After lunch, Will takes us to our transportation to getto Cusco and your hotel.

Details:

Hiking Distance: 10 km
Hike Time: 5-6 hours
Highest Altitude: 5,030 m/16,076 ft.
Lowest Altitude: 4,410 masl
Level of Difficulty: easy

Wranglers and horses to carry all the equipment (food, tents, chairs, table, etc)
Horse to transport 7 kg of your personal gear
Duffle bag for your personal gear
Four breakfasts, four lunches, and four dinners
Emergency oxygen bottle and medical kit.
Trek briefing with your guide
Professional guide
All entrance tickets to the attractions
Private transport and professional driver (round-trip transfer from the hotel to the starting point of the trek)
Spacious tent/Sleeping mat.
Horses or mules and indigenous horsemen to carry camping equipment: client tents, dining and cooking tents, table, stools, cooking gear, stoves, gas containers, cutlery, plates, food, and fresh vegetables
Personal items to carry: 10 kg/22 lb. (So you just need to carry your day backpack with everything you will need during the day.)
We provide a duffel for personal items.
One cook and assistants
Food includes pancakes, omelets, soups, fresh fruit, avocado, pasta, chicken, fish, meat, and rice, foods that are rich in carbohydrates and suitable for trekking. (Vegetarian, vegan, or special diet meals upon request)
Tea time before dinner (tea, coffee, cocoa, biscuits, popcorn).
Boiled water provided from the 1st day (for drinking)
Wake up to coca tea in your tent
Buckets of hot water for washing in your tent every day
Biodegradable soap and hand cleansing gel
Oxygen Tank & First Aid Kit

Tips: Guide, Cook, Horseman.
Water on Day 1
First breakfast
Hiking Sticks
Sleeping bag

Packing for your Ausangate Trek To Rainbow Mountain 2 Days

Permits are needed for your chosen start date. Tour prices are based on the number of people in a group. Prices are valid from March 2026 through January 2027. All prices quoted are in $USD

group service: $250 per person

Important: Price includes up to 7 kilos of your personal belongings to be carried by the mules (NO need of extra Porter hire!).

Discounts:

Student Discount 20$ dollars
Under 15 years will pay as a student: US$20.00
Under 7 years Discount: US$35.00

As a Professional Direct Local Tour operator, we provide you with a duffle bag at your briefing and INCLUDE an extra porter who will carry up to 7 kgs or 14 pounds including your 2.5kg sleeping bag, mattress, and extra clothing.

2 t-shirts
3 hiking pants at least
4 sets of undergarments
3 sets of hiking socks
Bathing Suit for the thermal waters
Couple Fleece/ Thermals
Warm clothes, down jacket — 2nd campsite temp around 3º Celcius.
Waterproof gloves (even if they are ski gloves, take them)
Comfortable shoes for camp
Quickdry towel. We provide small ones, you might prefer something larger.
A small bottle of soap: we provide warm water each day to wash.
Battery Charger: No electricity along the trek
Large plastic bags will be provided at the office — Please ask for them.

Whats is the Ausangate Trek To Rainbow Mountain like?

is probably one of the most beautiful and complete trails that Cusco has, there is 55 km in total that 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 trekking with the famous mountain of 7 colors where you will spend 5, 6, and 7 incredible days.

Ausangate Trek To Rainbow Mountain 2 Days preparation

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.

Best time to hike Ausangate Trek To Rainbow Mountain 2 Days

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.

Important Information

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 and important to have purifying tablets is important 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.

What To Bring

A good day pack: such as Eagle Creek Afar Backpack (An appropriate pack to carry your personal belongings.)
Original passport (International Student Identity Card “ISIC” if applicable)
Travel insurance (strongly recommended but not required
Lighter trekking boots (with good ankle support)
3 pairs of trekking pants (not jeans), 1 hiking, 1 cotton–which is just enough. Please spray both pairs with an insect repellent spray before the trip.
Layers for variable temperatures especially at night.
1 rain jacket: The first night the temperature can be as low as – 5 degrees Celsius/23 degrees Fahrenheit. A rain jacket can be helpful because there are rainy days even in the dry season!
1 warm/winter jacket (Thermals: wool socks/gloves, scarf, and woolen hat for cold nights).
4 pairs of underwear, and 6 pairs of socks (Bamboo or cotton/nylon-blend socks dry faster than 100 percent cotton, which lose their softness when air-dried.) It is nice to have a couple of extra pairs of socks to change into at night when you’re not hiking. Also, we recommend bringing both really heavy hiking socks and lighter socks, as well as the weather, which is variable, so you want to make sure you’re not too cold or too hot.
4 t-shirts, 2 long sleeve shirts
1 good sleeping bag liner which is super lightweight and easy to pack. This definitely does its job!
Travel-size tissues and wet wipes.
Iron tablets and pills for altitude sickness. Several people on the hike have varying degrees of altitude sickness and both of these remedies (in addition to the coca tea) are very helpful in alleviating the symptoms.
Sun protection cream (SPF 45 or higher recommended).
Bug spray with 30% DEET in it–which you need, but it doesn’t work very well. The issue with Cusco outdoor is that most of the bugs are not mosquitoes. They are these small flies you can’t even see that leave weird bites that first look like you pricked your finger and then blow up into itchy red bumps. Unfortunately, these bugs seem to bite you no matter what kind of spray you put on, so bringing some anti-itch ointment could be helpful.
Re-usable plastic or metal water container or a hydration pack such as Camelback
Water (Only for the first day of the hike, as we will provide you with water throughout the rest of the hike).
Camera
A headlamp to navigate camp in the evenings and pre-dawn mornings with spare batteries
Bandages or moleskin
Flip flops to change into at night. Your toes will thank you!
Toiletries

Medication (Imodium AD or something for your stomach) because some people get an upset stomach on the trek. Also, Ibuprofen

Frequently asked questions about the Ausangate Trek To Rainbow Mountain 2 Days

I can do this trail on my own?

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 trekking 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.

Weather on Ausangate trail

The weather in the Andes is very unpredictable because of the geography that we have, in the Ausangate Trek To Rainbow Mountain 2 Days trail during the day are sunny days so you will need to use sunscreen, and during the night can reach temperatures below 0 degrees.

in general, is to have Good trekking equipment to not have 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.

Incredible views every day?

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

Where to leave the luggage during the trek?

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.

How hard is Ausangate Trek To Rainbow Mountain 2 Days?

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.

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$250.00

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USD $ 250.00
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Why Choose Go Treks Peru

100% Locally Owned by a Tour Guide
Go Treks Peru was founded by Elisban Condori, a local tour guide with years of experience leading treks to Machu Picchu. His goal is simple: to offer top-quality, authentic experiences led by passionate professionals who truly know the Andes.

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We believe in ethical tourism. That means no exploitative working hours and fair pay for all our staff. We work with trained, freelance professionals who have the flexibility and respect they deserve.

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At Go Treks Peru, we don’t believe in one-size-fits-all. We tailor each tour to your preferences, always focusing on small groups to ensure a flexible, high-quality experience. For us, personal means unforgettable.

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All of our treks are 100% eco-friendly. We follow a strict “leave no trace” policy and encourage our travelers to protect nature and respect local communities at every step of the journey.

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What Our Adventurers Say: Real Reviews

Discover why adventurers love traveling with Go Treks Peru. Read client reviews and explore top adventure destinations in Peru. Check our reviews on Tripadvisor or Google.

    
 
 
       Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   William K 
 
 
 
 Verified Wonderful Sulkantay Experience
I went on the Sulkantay Trek, a wonderful experience . It comes with a guide, a chef and a horseman. The guide was very knowledgeable and answered all questions. The chef accommodated vegetarian/pescatarian eating habits and made different food for every lunch and dinner. The hike is medium difficulty, you will need to adapt to the altitude before you go on this hike so please, spend 5 days adapting before the start date. I paid roughly 550$ for a 5-day 4-night accommodation. And you should also bring soles for the bathrooms along the hike (2 soles each), if you want to buy any snacks, coffee at the farm. And bring some to tip the staff at the end of the trip. Very peaceful atmosphere. The hike is a great place to connect with people, and in the evening you can get some well needed rest.
  
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   Janet 
 
 
 
 Verified Machu Picchu 2026
I met up with my son in Aguas Calientes for a planned Machu Picchu visit. Go Trek Peru organized everything from the hotel accommodations to the roundtrip bus to Machu Picchu, to an excellent guided tour of circuit 2 (approximately 3 hours) by Nilo. He has been a tourism expert for years, which is evident as he shares his knowledge of Inca history. Go TREK Peru also organized the train tickets to Ollantaytambo with private transport to Cusco. I highly recommend Go Trek Peru! They are a newer tour company who provides an outstanding tour experience. Thank you to everyone at Go Trek Perú who made this experience memorable for my son and I. ¡Gracias por todo! ~ Janet
  
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   Paulo P 
 
 
 
 Verified Salkantay Trek
It is 5 days of tracking. There has to be some experience because some parts are difficult. You may have to walk for 10 hours in one day. Everything was well organized. The Nile guide speaks fluent Spanish and English. It is 4 nights, with 3 of them sleeping in Domes, comfortable but sometimes there is no electricity and the bathroom is outside. It is recommended to have a portable charger and appropriate rain gear. The cook Santiago who made us food during the journey is very attentive and professional. The horseman who was in charge of carrying the bags was also very professional. I recommend
  
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   Lian T 
 
 
 
 Verified 5 day Salkantay Trek
We did the 5 day Salkantay Trek with Nilo as our guide and it was amazing. He was very knowledgeable and considerate with how our energy levels were throughout the hike. We had a small group of 3 travelers (us and one solo traveler), Nilo, chef Santiago, and horseman William. I loved traveling with everyone and it felt like a little family by the end! This was the most beautiful hike I’ve been on and I cannot recommend it enough. Each night you will be briefed on the next days activities/itinerary and it was so nice to just show up and have Nilo lead the way. It ended up being a little pricier because 2 people dropped out and to operate the company needs 4 travelers - so the original $500 turned into $667 each. For a practically private hike I think it was still a great deal. I just wish we had known ahead of time that 4 people is a requirement and we would have to offset if people dropped out.
  
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   Dylan L 
 
 
 
 Verified Salkantay 5-day
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Best Trek of Our Lives – Salkantay 5-Day with Nilo! Choosing Go Treks Peru for the 5-Day Salkantay Trek was the absolute best decision we could have made—this was, without a doubt, the best trek of our lives! We basically had a private experience (one other person accompanied us on the hike.) We did have to pay a little more since a few people backed out, so if this happens to you just pay the extra bit- because it is 100% worth it!!! Our guide, Nilo, was incredible. He was so nice, deeply knowledgeable, and his passion for the trail and Andean history made every mile unforgettable. He took amazing care of our entire group, kept us motivated through the tough passes, and truly felt like a friend by the end of the journey. We were also blown away by the campsites. The accommodations were above and beyond what we ever expected for a high-altitude mountain trek. Falling asleep in such comfortable setups after a long day of hiking made the physical challenge so much more enjoyable. From the seamless organization to the hard-working crew, everything was handled flawlessly. If you are planning to do the Salkantay Trek, do yourself a favor and book with Go Treks Peru. We cannot recommend Nilo and the team highly enough!
  
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   Alejandra Garcia 
 
 
 
 Verified One of the most unforgettable hikes I've ever done
The Ausangate Trek exceeded all my expectations. The scenery is simply incredible, with beautiful glacial lakes, snow-capped mountains, and peaceful trails far from the crowds. The trek is challenging but completely worth it. Everything was well organized from start to finish, and the guide was knowledgeable, supportive, and made the whole experience even more enjoyable. The food, camping, and overall logistics were much better than I expected. If you're looking for an authentic trekking experience in Peru, I highly recommend this adventure. It was definitely one of the highlights of my trip.
  
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   William Z 
 
 
 
 Verified Great value
The tour company took care of us well, especially in our group. The food and the guide were amazing. Had heaps of fun
  
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   Ralph Marcus 
 
 
 
 Verified A unique experience
Everything very good, very good organization and coordination, everything was according to the plan, there were no unforeseen events. It is a physically very tough experience (due to the altitude above all) but rewarding and unique.
  
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   Weronika P 
 
 
 
 Verified Would highly recommend
We had an amazing experience with Go Treks! We went for a short Inca trail which was perfect as we were short on time. Everything was planned very well and we didn’t have to worry about absolutely anything during the tour. Our guide was very knowledgeable and friendly. We were lucky to be the only people on the tour so we got a very personalized experience. We also booked the extra circuit 2 for Machu Picchu which was definitely the right choice. I’d definitely recommend this tour to anyone!
  
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   Yamile Sanchez 
 
 
 
 Verified Totally worth doing the 2 Day Inca Trail
I had been wanting to visit Machu Picchu for a long time, but I wanted something more than just arriving by train, so I decided to try the 2 day Inca Trail and honestly, it was such a good experience. It’s demanding at moments, but very manageable and completely worth it. The landscapes along the route are amazing, and getting to Machu Picchu after walking part of the trail makes the experience feel much more special. The guide was friendly, organized, and explained a lot about the history during the trip. If you’re planning Machu Picchu and want something a bit different, I’d definitely recommend it.
  
 
  
  
 
 
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