Ausangate Trek & Rainbow Mountain 5 Days
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Ausangate, Cusco, Peru.

Ausangate Trek & Rainbow Mountain

5 Days

Starting from US$ 520

Enquire Now
Duration 5 Days
Tour Type Specific Tour
Difficulty Moderate
Group Size Up to 10 people
Languages English, Spanish

Ausangate Trek & Rainbow Mountain 5 Days

Ausangate Trek + Rainbow Mountain 5 Days Snow-clad mountains, coloured hills with alpacas llamas and dramatic vistas color this 5 - days journey around the skirt of wondrous highest peak in Cusco including the stunning Rainbow Mountains. An ultimate adventure which was designed to discover this part worlds charm. So get ready for a mind-blowing experience as you embark on this once in a lifetime trek to the highest mountain in Cusco and the stunning rainbow mountains. Well take your trip to a whole new level with unforgettable experiences unique to the places you trek through. See more, do more, live more go home completely regret-free. This Ausangate trek 5 days lets you discover its snow dusted mountains, great erratic rocks, turquoise glaciers lakes, rainbow mountains, and for sure the Ausangate mountain, as the trail goes through these amazing vistas and right next to the mountain itself. Join us and get ready to hear the most fantastic stories and local legends while exploring this part of Cusco with pure and plain nature. And hike with us to make it an easy trip for even a long weekend. The landscape is like nothing else you will have ever seen – it is truly breathtaking.

Overview

Tour Ausangate Trek + Rainbow Mountain 5 Days

View ice-clad Ausangate and the diverse ecosystems of the Cordillera Vilcanota.

Trek in a high Andean realm close by to herd of llamas, and alpacas. Stay in a mountain 4 season roomy tents (Black Diamond tents and North Face Summit Series tents).

Travel & Trek with someone who hiked the Inca Trail for over 300 times, Salkantay Trek for over 200 times, Choquequirao Trek for over 150 times, Ausangate Trek for over 100 times, Lares Trek for over 50 times, being at Machu Picchu for over 600 times.

Fully supported trek by a private trek Leader, private chef, and private muleteers.

Explore the unique natural formations on earth the Rainbow Mountain with a specialist guide.

Hike at elevations between 13,776′ and 16,400′ with several passes around 16,826′.

Visit remote rural communities preserved in rich Incan culture.

Your own private guide, muleteers, horses, delicious camp cuisine prepared by your personal cook.

Camp along remote mountainsides, where we can savor peaceful nights beneath a star-filled sky.

Small groups, Big adventures (min 2 – max 8 / average 4).

Ausangate Trek 5 days direct & official local tour operator with headquarter in Cusco, accredited by the Peruvian Ministry of Tourism.

Activities:

Trekking Adventure.

Shuttle to Upis:

3½ hour by bus from Cusco.

Difficulty Levels:

4 of 5

Maximum Altitude:

4350 masl. / 14271 ft.

Accommodation:

4 Days Camping

Optional Activities:

Horse Reading, Hotspring.

Locations:

Lares, Ollantaytambo, Machupicchu.

Departures Day:

Daily Departures.

Starts:

Pick up at your accommodation in Cusco around 4:00 AM

Ends:

Drop-off at Cusco around 18:15 PM

Day by Day Itinerary

  • Day 1 Cusco — Upis — Yana Qocha.

    We pick you up from your hotel at 4:30 am to leave the city of Cusco, we will then have three and a half hours driving to get Upis town, along the way we will see picturesque towns, and we will stop for a couple of times to enjoy the sceneries, once we arrive in Upis (the headtrail, 4,350m/ 14,272ft) we will meet up our local muleteers and horses, where we’ll have our breakfast and get ready to start the great adventure, we will hike gradually uphill for about 2 hours and 30 minutes following the highland valley inhabited by llamas and alpacas with dramatic vistas of Ausangate in backdrop to get the lunch spot located in Pamparapa (4,600m / 15,092 feet). Today, we’ll have lunch at a very scenic spot still with Ausangate Mt at the background. After eating the delicious meal, we’ll still hike up for about 3 hours and 30 minutes to get the first campsite, called Yana Qocha 4,650 m / 15,256 ft, from lunch spot well hike for two hours to get the first pass called Arapa pass 4,800 m/ 15,748 ft, at this point we’ll be impressed by stunning views of eroded mountains, and highland valleys. We will then hike downhill for 1 hour and 30 minutes to get the campsite, a place with amazing views around of the Ausangate mountain. All meals included.

    • Hiking distance:

      12 Km. / 7.4 mile.

    • Hiking time:

      6½ to 7 hour approximately.

    • Climate:

      hot in the day and cold in the night.

    • Acomodation:

      Camping.

    • Meals:

      Lunch, Dinner.

    • Maximum Altitude:

      4800 masl. / 15748 ft.

    • Minimum Altitude:

      4350 masl. / 14272 ft.

  • Day 2 Yana Qocha — Qomer Qocha.

    In the morning we will have a beautiful sunrise at the top of towering rocks and mountains, we will enjoy this view while having our breakfast, after having breakfast we will start trekking on an uneven trail (up and downs) this section of the trail is one of the most picturesque ones, as the blue and turquoise colored lagoons surround the bottom part of the massif Ausangate mountain 6.384 m / 20,945 ft, the highest mountain in Cusco. After hiking for 1 hour and 30 minutes, we will start hiking up on a switchback trail to the next pass at 5,000 m / 16,404 ft. In which, we will enjoy the very dramatic vistas of Vilcanota range going in different directions, colored hills, and the glacier peaks. From this pass, we will hike downhill to get the valley part and follow up the valley to reach our lunch spot located at the place called Ananta 4,650 m/ 15,256 ft. After lunch, we will continue trekking uphill for 2 hours to reach the next pass called Warmisaya 5,000 m / 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 second campsite located at Qomer Qocha 4,680 m / 15,354 ft. All meals included.

    • Hiking distance:

      12 Km. / 7.4 mile.

    • Hiking time:

      7½ to 8 hour approximately.

    • Climate:

      hot in the day and cold in the night.

    • Acomodation:

      Camping.

    • Meals:

      Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

    • Maximum Altitude:

      5000 masl / 16404 ft.

    • Minimum Altitude:

      4600 masl / 15092 ft.

  • Day 3 Qomer Qocha — Rainbow Mountain — Ausangate Qocha.

    Todays nutritious breakfast makes us ready to go exploring the Rainbow Mountain. After enjoying our breakfast in the very early morning, we will hike up for about 1 hour and 30 minutes to get the famous Rainbow Mountain 5,050 m / 16,568 ft. And we will beat the large crowds for sure and this place will be just for us for about 45 minutes, which is enough time to enjoy the site. After having enough time at this place, we will return by the same trail to Ananta (lunch spot of day 2), where we will have lunch again at about 12:30 pm. This afternoon, we will still continue hiking for 3 more hours to the next campsite called Ausangate Qocha 4,700 m / 15,420 ft, for about. All meals included.

    • Hiking distance:

      15 Km. / 9.3 mile

    • Hiking time:

      7-8 hour approximately.

    • Climate:

      hot in the day and cold in the night.

    • Acomodation:

      Camping.

    • Meals:

      Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

    • Maximum Altitude:

      5050 masl / 16568 ft.

    • Minimum Altitude:

      4600 masl / 15091 ft.

  • Day 4 Ausangate Qocha — Jhampapampa.

    Another great day to enjoy the mind-blowing coloured hills next to the Ausangate Mt (6,384m/ 20,945 feet), the highest mountain in Cusco, and see more glacier lagoons, after having breakfast we will begin again with our trekking, the trail takes us to the next pass called Palomani that is at 5,130m / 16,831 feet the highest pass on the whole trail; where, we will start to take a glance the massive mountain and some other colored hills which are still close by, then, we will walk downhill to get the valley part, where we will eat our lunch, in the late afternoon we will walk up for 2 more hours to the next camp spot located at an elevation of 4,700 m / 15,420 feet. Where in the evening we will have tea time, subsequently dinner. All meals included.

    • Hiking distance:

      10 Km. / 6.2 mile

    • Hiking time:

      7-8 hour approximately.

    • Climate:

      hot in the day and cold in the night.

    • Acomodation:

      Camping.

    • Meals:

      Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

    • Maximum Altitude:

      5130 masl / 16831 ft.

    • Minimum Altitude:

      4600 masl / 15093 ft.

  • Day 5 Jhampapampa — Pacchanta Town — Cusco.

    Wake up hot coca tea in the morning to have another great day, after having breakfast well hike up for 2 hours and 30 minutes to the last pass called Jhampa 5,060 m / 16,601 ft, where well have amazing glacier peaks right infront of us. We will then trek downhill to get our last scenic lunch spot. After lunch well trek for 2 more hours to get the Pacchanta Town. Where well have a chance to swim at hot springs which is optional, and at this place well say goodbye to our muleteers, we will eventually drive back to hotel in Cusco for about 3 hours and 30 minutes. End of our adventure.

    • Hiking distance:

      12 Km. / 6.8 mile

    • Hiking time:

      7-8 hour approximately.

    • Climate:

      hot in the day

    • Meals:

      Breakfast.

    • Shuttle to Cusco:

      3½ hour by bus from Pacchanta.

    • Maximum Altitude:

      5060 masl / 16601 ft.

    • Minimum Altitude:

      4300 masl / 14108 ft.

Trip Info & Details

Included

Pre-departure briefing

Collection from your hotel in the morning and transfer in private transportation to Tinki (starting point of the trek)

Personal tents: 2 people in each 4-people-capacity tent, to allow for higher comfort and a safe keeping of backpacks. Our tents are 3-season, highly maintained to ensure an excellent performance in field. Kailas, Pro aconcagua and Rei 4 Outfitter tents are employed when double accommodation is requested.

One sleeping pad per person

1 Blanket or Liner

One pillow per person

Dining tent with tables and chairs

Kitchen tent

English speaking professional and official tourist guide (2 guides for groups of over 10 people)

Chef and cooking equipment

Pack animals (to carry tents, food and cooking equipment) – days 1 to 5

Pack animals to carry personal gear up to a maximum of 7kg per person (including sleeping pad and sleeping bag) – days 1 to 5

Accommodation for all our staff

Meals (04B, 04L, 04D + daily morning snack + daily tea service except last day). Vegetarian or special menus are available upon request at no extra cost

One textile snack bag per person, to avoid the usage of plastic bags that contaminate our environment

Filtered boiled water from lunch time on 1st day onwards

Bio-degradable personal hand soaps

Bio-degradable dishwashing detergents used by our kitchen staff

Others: hot water every morning and evening for washing purposes / boiled water to fill in your water bottle every morning and night, and at lunch time if requested with enough time ahead

First-aid kit including emergency oxygen bottle.

Private transport from Tinki to Cusco, including transfer to your hotel in Cusco

Not included

Sleeping bag

trekking stick

First Aid kit

One foamy sleeping pad per person

Inflatable Mattress

The last Dinner, beverages are not included in the pax.

Tips and extra cash

Others not mentioned

What Should I Bring for the Tour?

Original passport

For students: ISIC card

Insurance card/certificate

Walking stick ( Highly Recomemded )

Hiking boots

Waterproof jacket or rain poncho

Warm jacket

Hat and gloves

2-4 t-shirts

2 pairs of pants (1 for hiking, 1 for camp)

Long underwear for sleeping

Hand sanitizer

Comfortable trousers

Sun hat or cap

Sunscreen

Insect repellent

Water

Toiletries/ Toilet paper

Personal medication

Camera

Flashlight or headlamp

Extra money for tips/snacks/beer.

How difficult is the Ausangate Trek?

You just need to remember that you are able to go at a speed that is comfortable for you. Take your time, pace yourself, and enjoy. Ausangate Trek is considered as a moderate hike; not a technical hike but high altitude may affect some people.

Are trekking poles or sticks necessary?

We recommend the use of trekking poles, especially for those passengers with known knee problems. There are multiple times during the trek that a trekking poles is handy, be it ascending a mountain or walking along the rough trails.

Is altitude sickness common? And how high is the Ausangate Trek?

It's impossible to predict who will be affected by altitude. Your ability to adapt to high altitude is determined by your genetic makeup and has little to do with fitness or health. Most people will have no problems as long as they take the time to acclimatize properly. A full 2-day trip spent in Cusco (3,399 masl), taking it very easy and drinking plenty of water is enough for some people but if you can arrange to have minimum 2-3 days in case of any travel disruptions as well, then this is what we recommend as there is also so much to do here! The highest point you will get to while hiking Ausangate reaches 5,280 masl on the 2nd day.

Do I Need A Permits?

The Lares Trail does Not require permits as the Inca Trail, but it is important to reserve in advance do to the trip requires train tickets and entrance to Machu Picchu which once are limited.

Will I need to bring water?

We recommend that you purchase a 1.5 – 2 liter bottle of water to take with you on the first day. Every night during the trek, we will boil water so you can refill the same bottle every morning before setting out. If you are planning to drink from any streams or waterfalls, we strongly suggest you bring water purification tablets or filters. Also, you will be able to buy water along the way on Day 1, for the first few hours of Day 2, then again on the afternoon of Day 3, and of course at Machu Picchu.

Is the Ausangate Trek still good during the rainy season?

Some people actually like to go during the rainy season because there are fewer tourists but we say please be prepared for wet weather and have suitable clothes and equipment. Possibly snow, so be prepared for a possible change of route if a pass is deemed impassable by the guide. We do not recommend this trek in the months of January, February and March.

Will I be able to witness the sunrise at Ausangate?

You first encounter Machu Picchu as the sun rises over the high mountains encircling it. It is already dawn but this impressive moment of Machu Picchu coming out of the shadows of the looming mountains is awesome.

Will I need any extra money?

Yes or yes we recommend taking extra money, tips for the trekking staff, souvenirs, snacks, bottled water, drinks, etc. You should take at least 300 soles as emergency money.

What Type Of Food Will We Get On The Ausangate Trek?

Our cooks prepare excellent high-energy meals appropriate for a trek of this nature. The menu usually includes pasta, rice, chicken, fresh fruit and vegetables and a variety of oatmeal, eggs and other breakfast foods. Vegetarian alternatives are available upon request at the time of booking.

Do Tour guides speak English?

Completely fluent in English. Our guides are also one of the most popular aspects of our tours some of them being historians and archaeologists and all demonstrate a great passion for their culture and heritage.

Is This Recommended For Children?

This tour is not recommended for children because they may have trouble walking, but if the child enjoys hiking at high altitudes, they can do it.

Can People With Medical Problems Make This Trip?

If you have medical problems, you should consult your doctor and indicate that you want to or are planning a hike in the Peruvian Andes and the height is 5040 m (16,400 ft) above sea level. If you have medication, you must bring it with you to continue your treatment.

Horse Rentals?

Horseback is available as an option at an additional cost of $20usd per day for those who have not built up stamina for long distance hiking or who may not have time to acclimatize. (This option requires advanced notice)

Where Do I Store My Luggage?

All luggage not needed for the hike should stay in Cusco. All hotels are very accommodating and quite used to storing luggage on site. But we have storage in Cusco where we can keep all your belonging.

Essential

  • Valid passport
  • Extra money (recommended soles)
  • Water bottle or CamelBak
  • Sunblock: factor 70 or more
  • Insect repellent
  • Personal Care Products
  • Hiking boots or shoes (preferably waterproof)
  • Trekking pants (*)
  • Trekking socks
  • Shorts
  • Warm jacket
  • Waterproof jacket
  • Raincoat or rain poncho
  • Waterproof or wool gloves
  • Sun hat to protect neck and face
  • Trekking poles
  • Medium trekking backpack (15 - 25 liter)
  • Camera and charger
  • Power bank

Customer Reviews

Inca Jungle Trek 100% Recommended with Local Trekkers Peru

I did the Inka Jungle Trail to MachuPicchu with Local Trekkers Peru and it was like embarking on an odyssey that mixed the excitement of cycling, the adrenaline of rafting and ziplining, the beauty of nature and the richness of Inca culture. Every day on the trail revealed landscapes impressive and ending up in MachuPicchu after 4 days of adventure, is something that cannot be explained in words. The agency not only provided impeccable logistics, but also injected a dose of authentic adventure into every moment. I thank Daniel our guide for converting This trip in an unforgettable experience. The Inka Jungle Trail with Local Trekkers Peru is an experience that I will always recommend to all those looking for a reliable company.

Eddie S.

Published at 10th Jannuary, 2025 on Tripadvisor

You can't miss the 4 day Inca Jungle tour!

On the recommendation of a friend we did the 4 day Inca Jungle tour with Terra Qechua Peru and it was a memorable experience. The trip started with a thrilling downhill bike ride and we did other activities such as rafting and zip lining, which added an extra adrenaline rush, followed by a hike through the rainforest full of fascinating flora and fauna, guided by a very knowledgeable expert. In addition, the natural hot springs in Santa Teresa were the perfect relaxation after active days. The final visit to Machu Picchu was the finishing touch, offering breathtaking views and a total immersion in Inca history.

Osric Woolvett

Published at 6th August 2024 on Tripadvisor

The Inca Jungle is highly recommended

With my university classmates we did the 4-day Inca Jungle with Terra Quechua Peru and it was a great experience. We did a lot of adventure sports and the safety measures for the zip line, rafting and cycling were top notch. It was more fun than the Salkantay and much cheaper than the official Inca Trail. In general the whole experience is excellent, it has no waste, adventure tourism at its best, warmth of all the people who attended us and excellent guide, very professional, he answered all the questions we had and gave us a history lesson, HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!

FRANCESC S

Published at 20th May 2024 on Tripadvisor