Ausangate
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The Ausangate and rainbow mountain Trek 6 days is one of Cusco’s best options for nature and trekking lovers. It’s an epic journey through the foothills of the most important sacred mountain south of Cusco: The incredible Ausangate glacier that sits at 6,372 m / 20,905 ft.
On this amazing journey, you’ll visit remote Andean towns, enjoy relaxing hot springs and photograph the turquoise glow of beautiful crystalline lagoons dotted throughout the route. If you’re passionate about hiking in the mountains, learning about local customs and traditions, and are looking for an intense experience in remote areas of Peru, this package is perfect for you.
Whether you’re traveling with a partner or your family or friends, you can join us on this incredible adventure through the mountains of Peru and by the immense glacier Ausangate. This journey is perfect for those who want to get off-the-beaten-path, away from the crowds, and immerse themselves in culture and nature.
The Ausangate glacier is the most sacred in the entire Cusco region, which receives a huge amount of respect, pilgrimages, and offerings from Andean communities. It stands majestically at 6,372 m / 20,905 ft and is Peru’s fifth-highest peak. Being in close proximity to this gigantic Apu will make you feel at peace as you soak up the energy it radiates.
This hike takes you over mountain passes, incredible mountain scenery, remote Andean villages, hot springs, colorful mountains, and different colored lakes. You’ll learn customs and traditions from communities that maintain ancient traditions to this day.
So, what are you waiting for? This epic journey awaits in the remote mountain regions of Peru. Travel in peace with Peru Hike Company knowing that every last detail is planned for you. All you have to do is enjoy your adventure.
Early transfer from your hotel in Cusco with 6:00 am departure. We drive for 4 hours on a new highway to Upis, passing Urcos Pass (4,000 m/13,123 ft) along the way. Upis is a village on the high plains “altiplano” east from Cusco and is where we will start our trek. We follow a wide, gently ascending path toward the northwest face of the impressive Ausangate mountain. We will have a small lunch around noon by the side of the trail. We will continue walking through fields and by scattered stone farm houses, and later in the day we will begin to see llamas and alpacas. We ascend gently to the Upis pass (4,435 m/14,107 ft) and camp at Upis Hot Springs (4,250 m/13,779 ft) where we will be surrounded by snow capped mountains (Ausangate and Maria Huamantilla).There are thermal springs at Upis where we can enjoy a soak at the end of the day. Happy hour at 4:00pm and dinner at 6:00pm.
After an early breakfast we begin our second day of the hike. You will hike very close to the Ausangate Glacier Peak and will have incredible views of this mountain as well as beautiful lakes and waterfalls. We may see some llamas, alpacas and wild vicuñas (the undomesticated ancestor of the alpaca) and perhaps a rare condor soaring above. We will have a 3-hour uphill hike to reach the first pass (4800m/15,748ft) where you will have magnificent views of the surrounding area. After taking a few amazing pictures we continue hiking gradually downhill for another 11⁄2 hours to our
beautiful lunch spot. After lunch we hike for another 21⁄2 hours to arrive at our campsite at Puca Ccocha (Red Lake). This spot is one of the most beautiful campsites located at the skirt of the Ausangate peak and at the bank of the lake.
Wake up early with a hot cup of coca tea to start one of the most beautiful days of the trek, enjoying majestic views of some of the highest peaks in the Andes and depths of the beautiful valleys. This morning we will summit the Pucacocha Pass. After an early breakfast we begin our 2-hour steep climb to the Pucacocha Pass at (5050m/16,568ft). Along the way we have gorgeous views of turquoise lakes and the Ausangate glacier. Once you reach the summit of this mountain, you will be located right in front of the Ausangate Mountain and you can enjoy the views of Chillca Valley, with alpaca grazing along these hills. Also, from this pass you will see the beginning of the Rainbow Mountain range with their strikingly striated colors.
After taking some great pictures we continue gradually downhill for another 2 hours until we reach our lunch spot located at Anantapata 4400m/14,435ft with amazing views of green hills and snow-capped peaks. After lunch and a little rest and relaxation, we will hike gradually uphill for 11⁄2 hours until we reach the the Warmisaya (aka Pitumarca) pass 5050m/16,568ft. After enjoying the views at the top we descend for 20 minutes to Yanacocha lake where we set up camp for the night. After dropping our bags we take our gradual 1 hour sunset hike to the Rainbow Mountain Pass and watch as the sun sets over the stunning Rainbow Valley. Once we have finished enjoying the view, we hike 45 minutes back down to camp at Yanacocha to have happy hour (tea and snacks) followed by a hearty dinner.
After a very early breakfast (5am) we hike 1 hour up to the Rainbow Mountains (Vinicunca Mountains or Montañas de Colores) again to see the beautiful Rainbow Valley at sunrise! Enjoy the view for an hour without the crowds as we are one of the first groups to arrive. Your guide will walk you to the best spots to get the perfect postcard pictures of these incredible mountains and the other surrounding peaks. Your guide will explain what makes these mountains so unique: they are composed of various minerals, which make different colors of stone striations. This is definitely one of the most stunning places in South America and one of the most beautiful natural attractions in Peru. There are Rainbow Mountains in only a few other locations in the world. After enjoying the sunrise view we hike downhill for approximately 3.5 hours until we reach Quesouno where we stop for lunch. After a hearty lunch and a well-deserved rest, we hike 2 hours uphill to Ausangatecocha (part of the Ausangate Trail). Along the way you will see beautiful mountain scenery, small streams, herds of llamas and alpacas and snow-capped peaks. At Ausangatecocha we camp by a beautiful dark blue/green lake for the night with views of the Ausangate Mountain.
After breakfast we begin a steep climb for 2 hours on glacial moraine to the Palomani Pass (5,350m/17,552ft). From the pass there are extensive views of all the peaks in the Cordillera Vilcanota. We then descend for 3 hours on a steep trail into the Huchuy Finaya Valley and Qampa where we will stop for lunch, surrounded by beautiful mountain views. From our lunch stop we will have a view of “Las Dos Gemelas” or the two twin mountains. After lunch we hike another 3 hours to our campsite, 2 hours of which is a steep climb and the rest is a gradually flat trail to Qampa pass (5,400 m/17,716 ft). Along the way you see streams and a small waterfall, chinchillas, llamas, alpacas, and snow-capped mountains (the three peaks or mariposa mountain). We camp tonight at Comercocha, or Ninaparayoc 4400m/14,435ft.
After some hot coca tea and a good breakfast we hike for 1 hour on a varied path through the Pampacancha Valley 4,300 m/14,107 ft where you will see wide open spaces and lots of llamas, alpacas, vicuña, colorful lakes or also called the 7 lakes of ausangate, and if we are really lucky a condor. At this place we have incredible views of The snow-capped peak of Ausangate, and the Pacchanta Valley. We then descend gradually through the Pacchanta Valley, walking between Ausangate Mountain and the Two Twin Mountains for 2 hours until we get to our campsite at Pacchanta (4200m/13,780ft). This campsite is near the Pacchanta hot springs where you can take a well-deserved soak with stunning views of the Ausangate Mountain if you wish to (entrance fee – 10-20 soles).
After the thermal baths we will start to have lunch and we will board our private car and travel for 4 hours back to Cusco, our adventure will end by leaving you at your hotel.
We want to make your trip to Peru as memorable and as easy as possible. In this section, you will find speedy answers to all those questions you had about Ausangate & Rainbow Mountain 6 day-trek in one place. Please read the following information carefully – it will help you with any questions about our services.Has another question that we haven’t answered here? Drop us a line, and we will get back to you asap!
All information meetings are held in your hotel at 6:00 p.m., one night before the tour begins. If you cannot attend, you must coordinate another time at the (Peru Hike) offices. These meetings last approximately 30 to 45 minutes and there you will be given a small duffel bag, in which you’ll put all the belongings you intend to bring on the trek that won’t be in your day pack.
ou’ll receive a canvas case or duffel bag during your briefing. The porters will take them on the way and will deliver them to you when you get to each camp. They measure 66 cm / 2 ft. Long x 36 cm / 1 ft. Wide.
A maximum of 5 kg is allowed for each duffel bag that includes the weight of your sleeping bag, mat, clothes and other personal items.
The trek has to be paid for in full by at least 7.30 pm two days before departure. For example, if your tour departs on a Wednesday, then you must come to our office before 7.30 pm on Monday.
It would be much appreciated if you pay the trek balance in cash US dollars or local currency. You can withdraw some money from several ATMs along Avenida Sol (either in US dollars or local Peruvian Soles). You can pay by credit card or PAYPAL online, but you will have to pay an 8% service charge, charged by VISA and PAYPAL. We do not accept bank checks or payment of the balance by traveler’s checks.
Of course! During the travel, your main luggage can be stored at our office(you can organize briefing day or by email) or at your hotel, both free of charge.
Any equipment that you are not going to need on the trek can be stored safely in your hotel. Nearly every hotel will provide this service. Don’t leave items of value with your bags, put them in the hotel safe and obtain an itemized receipt (In the unlikely case of theft many insurance companies require that you have a copy of the receipt itemizing all the items). Best put items such as credit cards inside a sealed, signed envelope for extra peace of mind.
Peru Hike Company can pick you up from your hotel, as long as it’s in the Historic Center of Cusco. The pickup time will be coordinated with your guide in the briefing. The pickup time may vary between 30 and 45 minutes due to traffic. Cusco is a very old city, therefore, it has many narrow cobbled streets. Some hotels and Airbnbs may be located on streets without access to cars or on long, steep slopes, making it difficult to transport luggage. We strongly recommend that you book accommodation with good access.
Group tours are made up of different types of people. Physical conditions and ages can vary. By agreeing to be part of a group tour, you also accept that some people may be faster or slower than you. Therefore, each person can go at their own pace on the route. It may be the case that a group wishes to modify the tour; however, it will be the guide who decides, after consulting with all the participants, if said modifications can be made.
Strikes and demonstrations are usually frequent in Peru and this may interrupt some of our tours. Roads can be blocked and train tracks can be taken over. However, we will try to keep your excursion as planned, even if it means leaving the night before the scheduled date. Under these circumstances, tours may also be cancelled. In case of changes or cancellations, all situations will be coordinated with you by our operations department. Your safety is our highest priority and our decisions will be made to protect it.
You’re responsible for your objects during the tour. Please pay attention to where you leave your things and remember to take everything once you leave our trucks, tents, or restaurants.
Ausangate trek 6 days done with Peru Hike team, we hire a tour 6 days around the Ausangate with the Rainbow mountain, it was pretty trek combines between lakes, mountains, glaciers, and local traditions along the route, our guide was Chino who made a great job leading this trek, even when someone of the group got sick with the altitude but Chino and his team manage it and help to recover and she was fine for the next day, these local people (the guide and his team) know about natural medicine which help a lot to someone who was sick, after to see how does it works I really trust on them. We had some passes which got over 5,000 meters above sea level, that was complicate for some people on the group, fortunately we were only 4 people on the group this was perfect, (we saw another group with 12 people they were struggling with some slower people) the trek itself is very challenging you must to prepare very well specially with the altitude, a few days in Cusco before leaving for this trek with help a lot. Our team was led by Chino, an experienced guide who has been working around these mountains for more than 10 years, he knows the area, culture, traditions and history of the Incas very well. Jorge the cook made incredible food and varied even for vegetarian people. We had three dishes every day and also a cake on the last day, such a big surprise for us. Alberto and Jose were our horse drivers. They took care of our camping equipment, every day when we arrived at our final campsite all our tents were already set up, they also provided us hot water to wash our hands every morning, what I appreciate is they are always smaling 🙂 The Whole trip was very organized and Vidal knew about it. Also we had an air pad for us even without hiring these, Chino told us this was an extra for us because we are in the rainy season. We want to say thank you to everyone on this trip for making one of the best journeys in our life, especially to Peru Hike teamfor his enthusiasm and positive mind about the weather, and Pachamama for amazing views.
