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Ausangate Trek to Rainbow Mountain – Horseback Riding Experience is one of the most unique and unforgettable ways to explore the Peruvian Andes. Unlike traditional hiking routes, this incredible journey is designed to be experienced mostly on horseback, allowing you to discover the beauty of Ausangate Peru in a more comfortable, exclusive, and immersive way.This extraordinary experience takes you deep into the heart of the Andes, where you will ride through breathtaking landscapes surrounded by glaciers, turquoise lagoons, and vast high-altitude valleys. Along the way, you will admire the majestic Ausangate Mountain (6,372 m / 20,900 ft), the highest and most sacred peak in the Cusco region, while passing through remote Andean communities where llamas and alpacas roam freely.
Riding through these spectacular landscapes offers a completely different perspective compared to classic trekking routes. You can fully enjoy the scenery without the physical effort of long hikes, making the experience ideal for travelers seeking adventure with comfort.
One of the main highlights of this experience is reaching the world-famous Rainbow Mountain (Vinicunca). Thanks to our early departure, you will arrive before the crowds and enjoy the vibrant colors of the mountain in peaceful conditions, with the best light for photos.
Please note that horses are allowed only up to Rainbow Mountain. From this point, the journey continues on foot toward the spectacular Red Valley, as horseback riding is not permitted in this protected area. This short hike is absolutely worth it, as the Red Valley offers one of the most dramatic and less-visited landscapes in the region.
This horseback experience is the perfect alternative to the traditional Ausangate Trek, offering the same incredible scenery but with significantly less physical effort. Whether you are looking for a different way to visit Rainbow Mountain from Cusco or a more comfortable way to explore Ausangate Peru, this experience offers the perfect balance of adventure, comfort, and authenticity.
Your adventure begins very early in the morning in Cusco. At 3:30 AM, our professional guide will pick you up directly from your hotel. We then begin a private drive of about 3 hours toward the beautiful Ausangate region.
During the journey, you can rest comfortably in our vehicle. We provide warm blankets so you can relax or sleep, allowing you to arrive well rested before starting the experience.
Upon arrival in the Upis area, we reach our private campsite near the Upis Hot Springs, located at about 4,400 m (14,435 ft). Here we meet the rest of our team and enjoy a delicious buffet breakfast with spectacular views of Ausangate Mountain (6,372 m / 20,900 ft).
After breakfast, instead of hiking, we begin our horseback riding adventure. Each traveler is provided with a well-trained horse, allowing you to explore the stunning landscapes of Ausangate in a comfortable and unique way.
We ride along our exclusive private trail toward Arapa Pass (4,800 m / 15,748 ft). This route offers incredible views of Ausangate and Upis Lake, and unlike other companies, we follow a quieter path that allows us to fully enjoy the scenery without crowds.
From Arapa Pass, we admire panoramic views of glaciers, valleys, and colorful Andean landscapes. We then continue riding along a scenic route to Hatun Pucacocha (4,500 m / 14,764 ft), where we stop for a delicious buffet lunch beside a beautiful lake with the impressive Ausangate glacier rising in front of us.
After lunch, we continue on horseback toward Pucacocha Pass (approx. 4,900 m / 16,076 ft), where some of the most spectacular views of the entire Ausangate region await us, surrounded by glaciers and turquoise lakes.
From there, we descend on horseback for about one hour to reach our campsite at Anantapata, a peaceful valley often called the paradise of alpacas, where hundreds of alpacas graze freely.
At camp, you can relax during happy hour with hot tea and snacks while enjoying the quiet beauty of the Andes. Later, we share a delicious dinner prepared by our trekking chef before resting for the night.
The day begins very early in the morning when our staff wakes you with a hot cup of tea or coffee delivered directly to your tent. This is a traditional service during the Ausangate experience. Afterward, we enjoy a hearty buffet breakfast before starting the day’s adventure.
After breakfast, we begin our journey on horseback, riding through the stunning landscapes of the Ausangate region. The horses provide a comfortable and unique way to reach high altitudes while enjoying the incredible scenery.
We ride for approximately 40 minutes uphill to Warmisaya Pass (4,985 m / 16,354 ft). From this spectacular viewpoint, we will have our first incredible view of Rainbow Mountain, also known as Vinicunca.
From the pass, we descend on horseback toward the beautiful Comercocha Lake, surrounded by dramatic Andean scenery. After passing the lake, we continue riding for about one more hour until we reach the world-famous Rainbow Mountain (5,036 m / 16,522 ft).
Please note that horses are only allowed up to Rainbow Mountain. Due to local regulations, it is not permitted to ride horses into the Red Valley.
Thanks to our carefully planned itinerary and early start, our groups arrive very early, allowing us to be among the first visitors of the day and enjoy the magical moment of sunrise at Rainbow Mountain before the crowds arrive.
After exploring the colorful landscapes and taking photos, we continue on foot toward the impressive Red Valley. This section is done hiking, as horseback riding is prohibited in this area. The Red Valley is one of the most spectacular hidden landscapes of the region, known for its deep red mountains and dramatic scenery that few visitors experience.
After visiting the Red Valley, we continue hiking through a beautiful valley filled with alpacas until we reach Llactoc, where our trekking chef will be waiting with a delicious final lunch.
Following lunch, we say goodbye to our team and begin our private drive back to Cusco, arriving at your hotel at approximately 4:00 – 4:30 PM.
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 Horseback Riding to Rainbow Mountain 2 Days 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 6% 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 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.
Note: If you plan to leave your luggage at our office, please do so at least one day in advance. On the day the tour begins, we will not be able to receive any luggage, as our office remains closed until 9:00 a.m..
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.