Ausangate
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Get ready to discover the magic and the impressive colours of the Rainbow Mountain of Peru, also known as Vinicunca. This great spectacle of nature is located in the Vilcanota mountain range, near the highest snow-capped peak in the Cusco region, the Apu Ausangate (6,350 masl / 20,833 fasl) considered an important sacred deity for the Andean cosmovision. From pre-Inca times until today, this mountain has been a place of worship and offering.
The Ausangate and Rainbow Mountain to Machu Picchu 4 days, offer you an unforgettable experience relatively quickly. You will travel deserted roads and deep valleys. You’ll enjoy the company of herds of alpacas and llamas while you contemplate crystalline lagoons at the foot of this imposing sacred mountain. In addition, you’ll challenge your physical resistance to reach the majestic Rainbow Mountain.
Let yourself be enveloped by this surreal landscape in the Andes of Peru in the company of the best adventure travel specialists in the city. Imagine that a mountain covered in intense colors appears in front of your eyes: magenta, turquoise, yellow. It’s not a dream, it’s a true natural wonder! So get ready for an amazing trip on a route not yet saturated by travelers.
Your exciting experience begins today at 5:00 am. We’ll stop by your hotel to pick you up and transfer you in our private transport for 3 hours to the starting point of our trek in the small town of Upis. There you’ll enjoy the first breakfast prepared by our talented chef, and you’ll be able to look out in wonder at an amazing landscape. This meal will give you all the nourishment and energy you need to get hiking.
After a short time, we’ll be on our way, and the adventure begins. We’ll gradually ascend over 3 hours towards the place where we have lunch. During this part of the journey, we’ll be able to observe the majestic Ausangate Mountain in the distance, so be sure to have your camera to hand. Our team will be waiting for you at our first stop with a hot herbal tea before you indulge in a delicious lunch. You’ll have time to enjoy a short rest and recuperate your energy before continuing the day’s hike.
After lunch, we’ll start a two-hour uphill hike towards the Arapa Pass (4,800 m / 15,748 ft). Then we’ll descend for three and a half hours to Hatun Pucacocha lake, where our camp is located. On the way, we’ll appreciate Yanacocha Lake as well. You’ll be at the very foot of the mighty Ausangate Mountain! You’ll be amazed at the size and sheer beauty of this icy peak.
Once in the camp, you can serve yourself some hot chocolate or coffee, and then a little later, dinner will be ready. It’ll then be time to retire to your bed for some well-earned rest.
We’ll wake you up this morning with a hot cup of coca leaf tea to help you acclimatize and start the day in the best way possible. Did you know that this leaf has been used for centuries for the same purpose? As soon as you open your tent, you’ll get to observe the magical lights of dawn on the huge glacier that glistens and sparkles in the sunlight. Then we’ll enjoy a delicious and nutritious breakfast to help us on our way.
Our walk will start with a two-hour uphill climb towards the Puca Pass (4,870 m / 15,978 ft). Along the way, you’ll be able to spot an amazing eroded mountain, beautiful high Andean valleys, and, if you’re lucky, the majestic flight of the condor, the largest flying bird in the world. You’ll also witness the beauty of several glacial lagoons, such as Huchuy Pucacocha and Hatun Pucacocha. Make sure you capture some memorable photos of these picturesque sights.
A little later, we’ll descend for one hour and a half to Anantapata, our lunch spot, for another delicious meal and then ascend for two hours to the Warmisaya Pass (4,985 m /16,355 ft). From here, you’ll be able to appreciate the sacred mountain of Ausangate from a new angle and the Rainbow Mountain, as well as the endless Vilcanota mountain range.
Then we’ll descend for 1 hour to Surinecocha (4,800 m / 15,748 ft), where our camp is located. When we arrive, you’ll be greeted with a hot drink to warm you up. Before a highly-deserved night of rest, you’ll enjoy the dinner prepared by our chef and his assistant. You’ll definitely be amazed at the delicacies they prepare so far up in the mountains!
You’re in for another early start today as our trek reaches a climax. After having an energizing breakfast, we’ll head out to explore the famous Vinicunca or Rainbow Mountain. We’ll start ascending for two hours to the pass located at 5,100 m / 16,732 ft. From here, you’ll get a beautiful view of the spectacular Rainbow Mountain, which you’re sure to feel as though you’re in a dream when looking at this creation of Mother Nature!
Our guide will explain why these mountains are so special. Its impressive display of colors is all due to sedimentary layers of minerals that were exposed by erosion. Remember that this type of phenomenon can only be seen in two places around the world: Peru and China. Make the most of your time to connect with the energy of the mountains and enjoy this truly unique landscape.
After spending plenty of time looking out over the surreal landscape, we’ll walk for an hour to Llacto, where a tasty lunch awaits us. We’ll finish our day and epic adventure with a 4-hour drive in our private transport to drop you off at the door of Ollantaytambo train station.
Then you will travel for 1 hour and 40 minutes to the town of Machu Picchu, where our staff will be waiting for you to take you to your hotel and then to dinner, where our guide will explain everything about the tour in Machu Picchu.
After a well-deserved night of rest, the day you’ve been so excited for has arrived: Today, you’ll stroll through the magical and mysterious streets of the Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu.
Our day begins bright and early at dawn to make sure we beat the large crowds so you can enjoy the site in peace. We’ll board a bus that’ll take around 25 minutes to get to the entrance of the Inca city, and we’ll enter just before the sun begins to paint this impressive place with a golden hue.
Take some time to soak up the vibes and impressive view of one of the 7 Wonders of the World and feel how its powerful energy vibrates. You’ll spend approximately two hours on a guided tour of the most important sites. If you have the extra entry ticket, you can hike up to the imposing Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain for a spectacular panoramic view of the entire complex.
Then, you’ll take a bus back to Aguas Calientes and have the afternoon free to have lunch at the restaurant of your choice and take a walk around the rest of this pretty town. Your train will leave for Ollantaytambo at sunset, but don’t forget to be at the station 30 minutes earlier than the departure time! From Ollantaytambo, we’ll take you back to your hotel in Cusco.
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 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.
Returning from Machu Picchu requires quite a bit of logistics, but don’t worry. Everything is included in your tour!
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.
Incredible service duruing my hike to Ausangate!! My guide was Sergio who been excellent in these 4-day hike, very patient and informative, he made a lifetime experience of this trip in Cusco. Since the beginning the were incredible, pre-briefing departure was clear and on time, they pick up from our hotel the first day in the morning. We were only 3 people in the group plus Angel our cook and jose as our horse driver, they were native from the Pacchanta village located around the Ausangate mountain. Food and Camping gear were great and in good conditions, they always take care about everyone of the group. We have the full package which includes everything on your tour, so you don’t need to pay extra. Thank you Sergio and Peru hike company for this experience, definitely we will recommend you!
Just completed this hike over 4 days/3nights. An absolute must do if you like walking and camping! Scenery is spectacular. I am from New Zealand and have done a few hikes but this was next level. The altitude makes it challenging. Most of the hike is over 4500m and my friend and I both had mild altitude sickness. We had been over 3000m for several weeks so it was unexpected that we felt so tired and had headaches. We did the full loop including Rainbow mountain. Our guide and the food was superb. Absolutely freezing in the evenings and bring a book or cards as not a lot to do once it gets dark.
