Places to Visit: CUSCO - UPIS - AUSANGATE COCHA -AUQUI RAINBOW MOUNTAIN - CUSCO

Ausangate Trek To Rainbow Mountain 4 Days

4-DAY AUSANGATE AND RAINBOW MOUNTAIN TREK

If you are a hiker, nature lover, or want to live an adventure that almost no other destination can offer you, the Ausangate trek is just the experience you need because this snow-capped mountain south of Cusco has a height of 6,384 m where you will find beautiful Andean villages, part of its culture and history, crystal clear lagoons, its peculiar stone forest, the beautiful view of its colorful mountain.
hot springs and views that you will never forget.

Another experience that you will undoubtedly treasure on your trip with us will be at the end of each tour; you will enjoy delicious meals with elements grown in the area, as well as outdoor camping and the diversity of flora and fauna of the Apu Ausangate that is simply magical.

If you want to embark on an unprecedented journey, live a rewarding experience, know one of the most beautiful places on the planet, and discover part of the rituals, beliefs, and how the Vilcanota Valley is today, do not miss our 4 days and 3 nights trekking to Ausangate!

AUSANGATE  TREK  4 DAYS TO RAINBOW MOUNTAIN  HIGHLIGHTS

  • Lakes with different shades of blue, including Puca Cocha and Japu Cocha
  • Multiple waterfalls and incredible views.
  • a variety of fauna (such as foxes, alpacas, llamas, and the majestic condor)
  • Camps in secluded places with views of lagoons and snow-capped mountains
  • Nevado Ausangate: considered the highest in the Cusco region
  • The ascent to the pass, 500 meters above the Puca Cocha camp, is arduous.
  • Exquisite food: You will taste these 5 days of a variety of Peruvian cuisine
  • The unique Mountain of Colors
  • Pacchanta thermal baths

Trip Itinerary

Customize this itinerary by adding extra days to any location. Please contact one of our expert travel advisors for advice.

Day 1: Day 1: CUSCO – TINKI – UPIS

AUSANGATE TREK 4 DAYS ITINERARY

Ready for a 4-day adventure on the Ausangate trail, we will pick you up from your hotel in Cusco and then head south passing through the town of Urcos where we will appreciate the lagoon of the same name.

Then we will pass through CATTCA, an agricultural community. Here we will appreciate several spectacular views of the region and finally, we will pass through Ocongate.

After 3 hours of travel, we finally arrived at “Tinki”. We will start with a slight to moderate ascent crossing “La Puna” (a high and dry area with little vegetation) and arrive at our lunch area (3 hours of walking). While enjoying lunch we will have a wonderful view of Ausangate Peak (6,372 m/20,900 ft).

After lunch, we will continue on the trail for 2 hours until we reach the Upis camp at an altitude of 4400 masl – 14400 ft. Here in the afternoon, we will have tea time and dinner right in front of Ausangate Mountain.
DETAILS:

Walking distance: 7 km/4 miles.
Walking time: 4-5 hours
Maximum altitude: 4,400 – 14,435 ft.
Minimum altitude: 3,800 m/12,467 ft.
Difficulty level: Moderate

Day 2: Day 2: UPIS – PASO LA ARAPA – AUSANGATE COCHA

After an appetizing breakfast served by our chef, we ascend hiking for two hours to reach “La Arapa Pass” (4,850 m/15,908 ft.). Then descending to reach our lunch area.  We’ll view Falcons, Vizcachas or Andean squirrels and three beautiful lakes with shades of red, green, and turquoise (“Pukacocha”, “Hatun Pukacocha” and “Qomerqocha”).  Let’s not forget the spectacular landscape of the snow-capped peaks.

After lunch, we continue a slow steady climb (2 hours) taking us to the footstep of the “Abra de Apuchata” (4,900 m).   Where we will finally descend to our camp in” Ausangate Cocha” (4,440 m).

DETAILS:

  • Hiking Distance:            17 km/10.5 miles
  • Hike Time:      8-9 hours
  • Highest Altitude:          4,900 m/16,076 ft.
  • Lowest Altitude:           4,440 m/14,566 ft.
  • Level of Difficulty:        easy

Day 3: Day 3: AUSANGATE COCHA-AUSANAGATE PASS-AUQUi

Today, you will be woken up with (coca tea). This is gonna be one of the most amazing days of the trek. We will see Rainbow Mountain from far away. Also, on today´s journey, we will pass through Alccatauri Village. This is where we will see their traditional local life., so there is no wood to make houses or build fires. The residents are extremely enterprising and make their adobe houses out of mud and build fires with nature´s fertilizer,

The day begins with a 2-hour descent until we reach the Ausangate pass (4,930 m / 16,170 ft). At this high point, we will see red Vinicunca Rainbow Mountain and also have the opportunity to see Vicuñas, chinchillas, and alpacas. originally from this área.

After a while, we descend for 1 ½ hour until we reach the Alcatauri Village (4,410 m / 14,455 ft). During our time in the village, in return for their generous hospitality, we will give them some presents (toys, books some pencils). This is extremely valuable because this treasurable Peruvian staple can not be grown in this climate.

Following this amazing  experience, we will walk a further 30 minutes uphill to our lunch spot at a rustic spot

After enjoying lunch, we will begin our hike uphill to the second pass. After 2  hours, we will follow the Llama trail to Minasniyuq Pass. Here we will have our first views of the Vinicunca Rainbow Mountain(5,023 m / 16,489 ft). At this pass, we will make offerings to Pacha Mama (our universe).

The remainder of the day´s hike is a 1 hour downhill hike to our camp, Surine Cocha (4,800 m / 15,748 ft). The camp is on the best of the gorgeous Surine Lake

DETAILS:

  • Hiking Distance:            17 km/10.5 miles
  • Hike Time:      8-9 hours
  • Highest Altitude:          5,000 m/16,076 ft.
  • Lowest Altitude:           4,410 masl
  • Level of Difficulty:        easy

Day 4: Day 4: AUQUi-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 (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 is the colors of these mountains so unique: in this área but we have 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 2  hour downhill hike. We will have lunch there.

After lunch Will takes our transportation to get 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

Inclusions

Ausangate Trekking 4 Days

  • Bilingual English-speaking tour guide (additional tour guide for groups of nine people or more)
  • SLEEPING BAG
  • HIKING POLES
  • BLANKET
  • EMERGENCY horse
  • Pre-Departure Briefing at your hotel 1 or 2 days before your trek.
  • Four-person tent for every 2 people.
  • Chef
  • Wranglers and horses to carry all the equipment (food, tents, chairs, tables, etc.)
  • Horse to transport 8 kg of your personal gear
  • Duffle bag for your personal gear
  • Four breakfasts, four lunches, and four dinners
  • Emergency oxygen bottle and medical kit.
  • One-night hotel accommodation in Aguas Calientes (double occupancy)
  • Entrance to Machu Picchu
  • Round trip bus from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu
  • Choquequirao Machu Picchu Hiking Tours 9 days
  • 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 trek)
  • 1 train ticket service from Hydro to Machu Picchu Pueblo
  • 1 train ticket service from Machu Picchu Pueblo to Ollantaytambo Village (Expedition Tourist Train)
  • 2 bus tickets from Aguas Calientes Village to Machu Picchu.
  • 7 nights camping/1 night hotel
  • Choquequirao guided tour
  • Machu Picchu guided tour
  • Spacious tent/Sleeping mat.
  • Horses or mules and indigenous horsemen to carry camping equipment: client tents, dining and cooking tents, tables, stools, cooking gear, stove, gas container, cutlery, plates, food, and fresh vegetable
  • 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 duffle for personal items.
  • One cook, and assistants
  • Excellent meals: 8 Breakfasts, 7 Lunches, 7 Dinners
  • 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, coca biscuits, popcorn).
  • Boiled water provided from 2nd 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 and first aid kit

Ausangate Trekking 4 Days

  • tips for the stuff
  • water 1 day
  • 1 breakfast, last lunch

 

 

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
  • 2 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

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 2022 through January 2023 All prices quoted are $USD

  • group service:  $360 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

AUSANGATE  TREK 4 DAYS FAQS

What is the best time to visit the Ausangate Glacier?

The best time is from May to October, which is the dry season in Cusco, and therefore on this mountain. For the rest of the months, it is usually a colder climate, unexpected rains, and cloudiness; therefore, if you decide to go on these dates, we invite you to take your forecasts.

How can I prevent altitude sickness before the tour to Ausangate?

We recommend you arrive in the city of Cusco a day before, in order to help you acclimatize. Likewise, if possible, avoid eating fatty foods or alcoholic beverages, and, finally, you could try a drink widely used by the Incas (coca leaf tea) which will help you minimize and avoid dizziness, nausea, or fatigue that causes altitude sickness.

Is the trek to Ausangate difficult?

This route is considered somewhat difficult and demanding; since it has a high altitude, as well as ascents and descents that require good physical condition on the part of the tourist.

How can I physically prepare for the Ausangate route?

Regardless of whether you are a physically active person or not, we advise you to consider the following aspects to prepare for your tour of the Ausangate mountain:

  • Before the trip, try to walk for several days, long and irregular sections, as well as do some activity with a cardiovascular impact to start conditioning your body.
  • If possible, try to arrive in Cusco 1 or two days before the trek to Ausangate so that you can familiarize yourself and get used to the weather and altitude and not suffer from altitude sickness during the trek.
  • Maintain a healthy, nutritious diet that gives you energy, and rest so that you have good energy for your expedition to the snowy Ausangate.

How is the food they serve for the Ausangate tour?

One of the aspects that we take care of the most for this trip is food. During each day that the activity lasts, you will try a variety of dishes, typical of Peruvian cuisine, with local ingredients, created by nutritionists and chefs, which will provide you with all the necessary nutrients to enjoy the walk to this Apu every day.

Can I bring the children to the tour?

Due to how challenging the 5-day rainbow mountain hike and Ausangate can be, it is recommended not to take small children; since they are usually long walks and areas that must be traveled with caution. However, this trip is allowed for children over 12 years of age who are in good physical condition to complete the walk without problems.

 

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