Ausangate Trek to Rainbow Mountain – 5 Days

The Ausangate Trek to Rainbow Mountain – 5 Days is the most challenging and fantastic trek in the Cusco region. The path is physically demanding to the maximum; it is considered a high-altitude walk. You walk over 5,000 meters above sea level, and the camps are over 4,400 meters above sea level.

The route of the Ausangate Trek to Rainbow Mountain is very uneven with earth and stones; this trek will offer you a spectacular and beautiful landscape of the Puna region, where glaciers and colored mountains will surround your field of vision, you will border colored lagoons, and Andean camelids will accompany you in parts of the hike.

The prevailing climate will be cold, spending nights below -5ºC, and during the day, the temperature will reach approximately 15ºC. Cold wind most of the day, but we know that the weather is unpredictable, having to wait even for rain and snow, even so, doing this adventure Ausangate trek five days to Mountain of Colors in the Andes of Cusco will be something different and an unforgettable experience.

If you do this adventure with Huaynas Expeditions, we will provide you with adequate camping equipment and highly trained staff to exceed your expectations.

On this day, our expert trekking guide will pick you up at 5 am from your hotel in Cusco, and then, we will drive in our private vehicle for approximately 3.5 hours to the trailhead of Ausangate trek. We will pass through different colorful villages following the highway to Puerto Maldonado along the journey. After driving for 3 hours, we stop at Tinque (3815mt. 12513ft.) to use a bathroom and buy something we forgot to buy in Cusco and then continue driving for 30 minutes on a dirt road to reach the beginning of the trail.

Our trek to Ausangate begins on a small path that winds through the Andean potato and grain fields. The first three hours of hiking run over hilly pampa crossing some streaming and slight rise where you see some Andean row of houses built like in their ancestor’s time. As we hike through the spiky ichu grass of the pampa, we will have a chance to see some Andean gulls hovering in the wind; also, we hike nearby small ponds around Upis, a perfect habitat for the Andean bird. Just before the community of Upis (4,600mt. / 15,088ft.), we will enter by broad valley heading towards the glacier where we’ll enjoy our lunch just right at the base of Ausangate Mountain (6,372 m. 20,900 ft.).

After eating the delicious lunch, we will continue ascending for 2 hours to Arapa Pass (4,800mt./15,748ft.). At the top of the pass, we will have stunning views of eroded mountains, highland valleys, and a fantastic view of the Ausangate Mountain behind it. From the pass, we trek across an arid hillside for 20 minutes, and then we descend, sometimes quite steeply, for 1 hour and 30 minutes to get to the first campsite, called Yana Qocha (4,650 mt / 15,256 ft.), which is a place with amazing views around of the Ausangate mountain. Once we get to the Yana Qocha camp, we will have free time to rest or walk around the campsite before the happy hours (afternoon tea), followed by dinner. Durant the dinner, the trek leader, will tell you the scheduled wake time for the next day.

Our staff will wake us up, and then we will enjoy the nutritious breakfast. After breakfast, we will hike along a gently sloping trail (up and down) into a valley of blue glacial lakes and waterfalls. This section of the Ausangate trail is one of the most picturesque ones, located along the impressive Ausangate Mountain (6,384mt. / 20,945ft.). After hiking for one and a half hours along these beautiful and colorful glacial lakes, called Yana Qocha (black lake) and Puca Qocha (red lake), we will start hiking up on a switchback trail to Puka Qocha Pass (5,000mt / 16,404ft.).

At the top of the pass, we will be impressed by the beautiful views of Ausangante Mountain, the lagoons below formed by a melting glacier. In front of us, we will have a great vantage point to look down and see the snow-capped mountains going in different directions and the red valleys of the highlands with colorful mountains and an untouched landscape. Afterward, we will take advantage of some great photographic opportunities and begin our descent into the valley, walking close to freely grazing llamas and alpacas.

Then we will climb to reach our lunch spot called Ananta (15,092 feet), located in a highland valley with incredible views everywhere and some llamas grazing nearby. Following lunch, we continue trekking uphill for 2 hours to reach the Warmisaya Pass (16,404ft.); from this pass, we will spot the Rainbow Mountain in a further distance views are still very impressive. After witnessing the sights and taking some pictures, we will walk the last 30-45 minutes downhill to reach the second camp located at Qomer Qocha, 15,354ft. At the camp, we will enjoy afternoon tea and dinner and then go to sleep because we will get up early to explore the amazing Vinicunca Rainbow Mountain the next day.

This morning, the wake-up time will be very early to go and explore the painted hill or Vinicunca “Rainbow Mountain Peru,” beat the large crowds, explore in solitude, and take pictures. We only take what we need. Typically, the sky is clear and full of stars. The hiking path is uphill for about 1 and 30 minutes before reaching the famous Rainbow Mountain.

When we arrive at the epic Rainbow Mountain, we will soak up incredible views of the Painted Hills or Vinicunca, also called the 7-Color Mountain, in the Vilcanota range. We will receive information from your tour guide about why these mountains are unique! After exploring for approximately 45 minutes (depending on your trekking speed and weather conditions), we return to our camp by the same path we took; along the way, we will have the opportunity to see some farmers who still use llamas as in the time of the Incas.

Once we arrive at the camp, we will have time to rest and enjoy a delicious lunch. In the afternoon, we will walk for 3 hours to the third camp, called Ausangate Qocha, following the path along with the skirt of the colorful mountains. Subsequently, we will arrive at the camp, enjoying afternoon tea before being served a fantastic dinner.

After another excellent breakfast, we begin another challenging and rewarding day. We will climb steeply for 3 hours along the shores of the lagoon Ausangate Qocha and the glacial moraine to the highest point of the Ausangate Circuit, which is the Palomani Pass 5,130m/16,831feet. Besides, the trail ascends between the red bluffs of apacheta (mound of stones) and peaceful mountains. Where we will walk with our goal of reaching the highest point

At the highest point of the entire Ausangate trek 5-day, we’ll snap the unique pictures and soak up the gratification of our achievement. We look down the stunning valleys and Peruvian Andes (The Andes Mountain Range). After taking photos at the pass, we will begin our descent following the trail as it loops across the steep slope, passing corrals and herds of llamas and alpacas.

After having lunch, we climb over the hilly terrain surrounding the peak of Ausangate toward a marshy area to reach the upper level of the valley where our basecamp is. Upon arrival at the basecamp of Qampa camp (4,750 m / 15,580 ft.), we will rest and have hot drinks. Likewise, around the basecamp amid these rocks and bounders, you will have an opportunity to see viscachas muted brown (rodent in extinsión danger like a rabbit with a long tail). At dinner time, your guide will provide the plan for the next day.

After breakfast this morning, we leave Qampa base camp with beautiful views of Huayna Ausangate Mountain through the Andean typical houses ascending step by step for about 2.5 hours towards Qampa Pass, an altitude of 5,020 m. / 16,380 ft. Along the way, we will be amazed by snow-capped peaks, and it is possible to see an ice-cape in the ravine below.

From the Qampa pass, we continue descending to gorgeous Qomercocha (green lake) located in the skirt of the Puka Moqo (Red Mountain). Finally, we reach Pacchanta village to have the last lunch prepared by our chef; furthermore, at Pacchanta, you will have a chance to soak the natural hot spring before or after lunch, before taking transportation to Cusco. Our Ausangate Trek 5 Days to the Rainbow Mountain will end at your hotel in Cusco.

• Pre trek Briefing (briefing at the hotel).
• Pick up from your hotel on the morning of departure.
• Transportation from Cusco to the trailhead at the beginning of the hike by private car.
• English / Quechua / Spanish professional guide speak.
• Second Tour Guide over 12 people.
• Tents – 2 people in a 4 person tent, which allows for greater comfort and storage of backpacks.
• Thermarest air-inflate comfortable sleeping Mattress.
• Cook and assistance of the Cook.
• Cooking equipment.
• Snacks.
• Daily tea service.
• Dining equipment, including chairs and tables.
• Portable environmental Biodegradable toilet (The Pett).
• Food service in the campsites (5 breakfast, 5 lunches, 4 dinners, 5 snacks) – nutritionally balanced menu.
• Vegetarian and free gluten food for no extra cost.
• Personal trekking food – nutritionally balanced menu (Buffet).
• Horseman and Horses. (to carry our camping equipment, food and 8 kilos of your personal stuff like: sleeping bag and mat as well as clothes) We never overload our horses (well Animal Welfare).
• Ausangate & Vinicunca Rainbow Mountain entrance fees.
• Camping spots fees.
• First-aid kit.
• Emergency oxygen bottle.
• Insurance policy for our Guide, Cook & Horseman.

• Extra expenses.
• Dinner – Day 5.
• Pillows.
• Not detailed meals.
• Travel and health insurance (bring copies with you).
• Sleeping bags (it can be rented from us for US$ 30 for the entire trip).
• Walking sticks (it can be rented from us for US$ 20 for the entire trip).
• Tips (optional).

• Original passport.
• Travel insurance.
• Sleeping bag.
• Walking sticks.
• Rain gear (jacket and pants) or poncho.
• Strong footwear, waterproof trekking boots are recommended.
• Extra socks are a must.
• Sandals or plastic slip thongs are also good to give your feet a chance to breathe at night if you want to take them.
• Warm clothes include jackets, fleeces, gloves, scarf, and knit / tour beanies.
• Thermal clothing is also recommended, especially for sleeping.
• Flashlight and extra batteries.
• Camera, films, and batteries.
• Hat or cap to protect you from sun, rain, and cold.
• Sunblock.
• Toilet paper.
• Snacks: biscuits, energy bars, chocolate, raw fruits, muesli, etc.
• Non-disposable canteen (Nalgene type) and water for the first morning.
• We recommend bringing water purification tablets in case you pick up water from streams.
• Your own special medicines you may need, paracetamol, second skin blisters, etc.
• Small towel.
• Cash – sufficient for snacks, tips, and souvenirs.
• Eager and adventurous spirit to enjoy your hike.

We also offer a special service only for you or your group, you have the power to choose the size of your group and the date of departure, we will never add other people since it will be organized only for you.

Our for Ausangate Trek to Rainbow Mountain – 5 Days private service, includes additional items such as:

Additional Inclusions:

• Extra horse to ride (Only for any emergency).
• North Face 4 season tents.
• 02 waking poles per person.
• 1 duffel bag to carry all your sleeping bags, self-inflating pad as well as your clothes.
• The tour guide is just for you. And of course, we pay a little bit more to our Staff and Guide.
• Private Transportation round trip
• Sleeping bag / Silk Liner included.

Our prices for the Ausangate Trek to Rainbow Mountain – 5 Days are reasonable and are in different packages with the prices that are handled in the city of Cusco, and discounts will apply automatically for groups of over 5 people when booking this tour together at the same time.
We are a local tour operator that never shares service with any other company in Cusco, most agencies in Cusco share their service to save operating costs with poor quality. We guarantee to make the trip even if there are only 02 people in your group.
Our booking process is simple and you can secure your trip with only a 30% deposit and pay the rest at the destination.

We want your vacation to Peru to be as enjoyable and stress-free as possible. This section contains answers to any inquiries regarding going with Huaynas Expeditions. Please read the following information; it will assist you if you have any queries regarding our services.