Ausangate and Rainbow Mountain Trek

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4 Days

From

~~$777~~

$755

Ausangate and Rainbow Mountain Trek

4 Days Starting and ending in Cusco

Visiting: Cusco, Ocongate, Vinicunca Rainbow Mountain

Tour operator:

TreXperience

Tour code:

ART0403

Recommended For:

Couples, Singles

Guide Type:

Fully Guided

Group size:

2 - 16

Physical rating:

Medium, MODERATE

Age range:

3-65

Special diets catered:

Vegetarians, Vegans, Meat, dairy free, Gluten free

Tour operated in:

English , Spanish

From:

$777

$755 (USD) WINTER SALE @ Tourhub Discount: $22

Tour Overview

The Ausangate Trek is considered as one of the most stunning and remote hikes in Peru. This majestic natural reserve is full of natural beauty, with crystal clear blue lakes, vicuñas, llamas, alpacas, vizcachas, and condors. Get close to the 20,921 feet (ca. 6,377 m) Ausangate mountain, the highest peak in the Cusco region. On the final day of this incredible TreXperience, you’ll arrive at Rainbow Mountain – one of the most extraordinary natural wonders of Peru.

Highlights

Get off the beaten path and explore remote mountains
Visit the spectacular glaciers and alpine lakes
Bath in the natural hot springs at Upis
Visit the Rainbow Mountain and Red Valley
Support our Social projects while traveling with us

Itinerary

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Day 1: Cusco – Tinki – Upis – Hot Springs

Location:

Cusco

Meals Included:

Breakfast

We will pick you up from your hotel between 5 and 6 am (depending on your location) and drive towards the community of Tinki – arriving around 8:00 am. After enjoying a delicious breakfast we will start your Ausangate Trek with a 4-hour uphill trek to our lunch spot at the base of Ausangate Mountain – the highest peak in the Cusco region at 20 926 ft. After lunch, we will continue for 2 further hours downhill to the community of UPIS – located at 14458 ft. Tonight we will be camping close to the medicinal hot springs so you can take your time to relax and enjoy the hot waters in chilly weather of the highlands in the afternoon.

Distance: :13 km / 8 m

Elevation: 14,458 ft

Hiking time: 6h

Meals: Breakfast, snack, lunch, tea time, dinner

Accommodation: Camping

Day 2: Upis – Pucacocha

Location:

Ocongate

Meals Included:

Breakfast

We will wake you up with a hot cup of coffee or coca tea and leave you to enjoy the stunning sunrise in this secluded location. Today is a relatively easy day with gradual up and downhills throughout, so you can relax and enjoy your surroundings. As we hike we will pass by an abundance of flora and fauna including viscachas (a small rodent similar to a rabbit), birds, llamas, and alpacas. Our campsite is located at the bank of a beautiful lake called Pucacocha. This campsite is extremely beautiful with stunning views of the lake and astonishing sunsets. If you are lucky enough to camp on a clear night, this is the perfect place to stargaze!

Distance: 12 km /7.5 miles

Elevation: 4,300 m / 14,100 ft

Hiking time: 8 hours

Meals: Breakfast, snack, lunch, dinner

Accommodation: Camping

Day 3: Pucaccocha– Chillca – Vicuña Pass - Yanaccocha

Location:

Vinicunca Rainbow Mountain

Meals Included:

Breakfast

We will wake you up bright and early with a hot cup of coffee/coca tea. Today will be the most challenging, yet arguably the most beautiful day of the Ausangate Trek. We will start with a 3-hour uphill hike to Alpaca Pass (16,732 ft), taking in the breathtaking views of the highlands, crystal clear blue lakes, and Andean mountains along the way. From the top, we will descend down into the valley of Chillca, where a delicious lunch will be waiting for you. Chilla is a beautiful and traditional village, with thatched roof houses and locals wearing a typical dress. From Chillca we will hike uphill for two hours to Vicuña pass, at 17,388 ft. Once at the summit, you can take some time to rest and enjoy your majestic surroundings while your tour guide performs an ancient offering ritual to this sacred mountain. We will then continue for another 2 hours to Lake Yanacocha where we will spend second-night camping beside the beautiful lake. Tonight you will have a second chance to stargaze.

Distance: 15 km/9.3 m

Elevation: 4,400 m/ 14,435 ft

Hiking time: 9 hours

Meals: Breakfast, snack, lunch, tea time, dinner

Accommodation: Camping

Day 4: Yanaccocha – Rainbow Mountain – Cusco

Location:

Cusco

The last day of the Ausangate Trek begins with a 3-hour ascent to Vinicunca mountain (16,466 ft / 5,020 m), along the way we will observe llamas and alpacas, traditional houses and breathtaking landscapes of the Ausangate Mountain (6398m/20991ft). Rainbow Mountain, (or Vinicunca) is located in the Southern Region of Cusco. This a remarkable place that will impress even to most demanding of hikers. The high altitude allows for some of the most incredible views in the region and here you feel completely separated from modern civilization. Rainbow mountain is considered one of the most beautiful one-day hikes in the world. Upon reaching the summit and taking some time to explore and enjoy this extraordinary place we will start descending again. We will break for lunch before taking our private bus back to Cusco, arriving at your hotel at around 6 pm.

Highest elevation: 5,020 m / 16,466 feet

Distance: 7 miles ascent (6 km) / 2 miles descent (3 km)

Approximate duration: 3-hour ascent / 2-hour descent

Level of difficulty: Challenging

What's Included

Entrance Fees

Entrance fees to all places we visit
Local Taxes

All taxes Included
Fully Guided

Professional Tours during the 4 days of tour
Airport Transfers at Destination

Complimentary airport Transfer in Cusco (on request)
Accommodation

3 Nights Camping

What's Not Included

Tipping and Gratuities

Optional
Sleeping bags, air mattress, trekking poles (Can be hired from us) Dinner on the last day Travel insurance (highly recomended) Gratuities (Optional)

Requirements

• Original passport

• Rain gear, rain ponchos

• Sun protection

• Warm clothes, comfortable for hiking

• Personal medication

• Camera, extra batteries

• Headtorch

• Extra snacks, power bars, chocolate

• Extra money for souvenirs, drinks & tips (small change is useful for paying to use the villagers' toilets on the first day)

Videos

Check out our Q&As

When is the tour available?

This tour is available all year round except February
Will there be an escort accompanying this tour?

You will always have a tour guide during our trekkings.
What is the standard of the hotels on this tour?

We use 3-star hotels, based on double occupancy.
What is the fitness level required to do this tour?

Guest must have a moderate fitness leve
Is there a limit to luggage that can be brought on the tour?

You can put up to 7 kilos of your personal stuff in the duffel bag, this will be transported by porters

Is there any free time to explore places during the tour?

During the trek, you will always have time to explore the Inca sites on your own after the tour guide's explanation.
What is the maximum group size?

8 people
Will I know the names and details of all the accommodation before I depart?

Final schedules and hotel names will be provided 48 hours before departure
What is the tipping policy?

Tipping is absolutely optional.
Will passengers from another country be participating in the tour?

During our group tours, you will meet travelers from different countries and ages.
Is there a supplement for solo travellers?

Solo Travelers must pay a 35.USD as a single supplement, you can be pair up with another traveler as well (during this pandemic single supplement is mandatory)
Are all entrance fees included in the price?

All entrance fee to the places we visit is included
What happens if a group doesn’t make its minimum required number of passengers?

Our tours are guaranteed and will depart always on the scheduled dates
Are children permitted to take part in the tour?

Children must be always with their parents,
What currencies are required for this tour?

During our tours, we visit local villages where you can buy souvenirs and you need Peruvian Nuevos Soles

Reviews of this Operator

I-am Gonzo (Google Reviewer)

11-Oct-2023

What can I say, GREAT COMPANY! We booked this 4 day hike to Machu Picchu, glad we did. This company was great all the way around. We had all information in advance, picked us up at our hotel the morning off, porters/sherpas carried all the main gear, you just had to carry your daily pack. This was tent camping. Food was absolutely amazing for being carried up the mountains and prepared in a tent. The chef made great food with vegetarian options, as long as he’s made aware before heading out. The porters, man, these were hard working guys and gals. They made the hike look easy, and trust me, it was anything but easy! The hiking guides were great and knowledgeable. They provided stories at each stop and ruins along the way. If you’re looking for something easy, this isn’t it. If you want to challenge yourself, learn some history, view amazing sites that only those hiking will see, and make some friends along the way…this is for you. The views were just incredible! They provide the tents, sleeping matts, sleeping bags, and hiking poles. However, I recommend you bring your own bag. These bags get used by many people and have a funky smell. Bring change and cash on the hike. You will find people in small towns selling drinks, gloves, caps, and many things you probably didn’t think of in advance. The coins are needed for the bathrooms along the route. Most places charged $1 sol to use the facility. They don’t have much change so bring coins for that. PS: Bring extra money to tip the porters/sherpas well. You’ve never seen harder working people in your life! I was amazed.

Brendan Kent (Google Reviewer)

05-Aug-2023

Myself and a mate absolutely loved our 6-day Salcantay/Inka Trail combo for his 40th birthday! Led by super puma & experienced tour guide Leo and the team assisted us in having us a seamless trip from booking enquiry through to dropping us back at our accomodation. We can’t recommend Trexperience more highly for your adventure tour operator based in Cuzco. Our trip commenced with a hotel pickup by private transport to the start of our trek. From there we were supported by horseman Mario who carried our gear, food and kitchen equipment. Masterchefs Augusto & Esteban creatively entertained our tastebuds for breakfast, lunch & dinner in the comfort of a shared kitchen-dining tent. The 3 course meals were perfectly paired to the temperature and that of our energy requirements ahead. Most importantly cleanliness and hygene was of a high standard & our tummies were in tip top shape. The salsa garnish is a must try while in Peru, although this may result in additional exhaust emissions! Tour guide, Leo was an Inca race champion back in the day with over 1000 Inca trail runs and is a walking encyclopedia on the Inca history, flora and fauna of which you will pass a great variety. Leo’s experience enabled us to make the most of the trip, see more, rest a little at times & drink Momma’s beer by optimising the schedule to suit our interests & the weather when the “super kangaroos” were ahead of schedule. Our first stop to Humantay Lake was serene and a good walm up for the following days. Camp sites were in some amazing places, a highlight was overlooking the snow capped Salcantay mountain and witnesssing a couple of avalanches from a more than safe distance but could still hear and feel the power of the event. This camp site was at an altitude of about 15,000 feet and we woke to a powdering of snow in the morning. The treks in the whole area are rocky and at times steep and my Keen ankle boots looked after my ankles and feet. Walking poles are an option which we would recommend taking up to assist with uphill and downhill step downs. Upon entering the Inca trail horses are forbidden so we were joined by a fantastic porter crew consisting of Cerilo, Santos, Ruben, Fortunato, Marcelino, Porfedio. We had a great time with our chefs and porters and if you include them in your trip it will really make the experience better. So dont be snobby - we shared plenty of laughs, music, food and stories with them sometimes through translation as we didnt speak fluent Espanol. Along the way there are the occasional stall to buy drinks or if things workout you may get to stay in a village and try some locally made Inca beer of which we helped make the night before. Tipping is optional but don’t be a tight arse - the support team work in exceptionally hard conditions, carry up to 25kgs on their backs compared to your 6kgs if that and run a fantastic operation. Tipping was by separate envelope to ensure funds go directly to the chef, porters & to guide. On weight keep your packing to a minimum - spare jocks and socks for each day & you’ll get a number of days out of pants and shirts, a couple of sets thermals/compression gear, warm jacket, rain jacket - follow the packing instructions provided and you’ll be fine. I bought a garmin watch which lasted 2 days GPS tracking our route, heart rate & O2 saturation & charged with a powerbank. There are some opportunities for showers but most are cold and most camps are next to a crystal clear creek to ice bath your legs in and make things easier for crew. Altitude sickness wasnt an issue although we could feel the effects of the thin air. A mate put us onto Diamox tablets(sourced through your doctor) which assisted with this, otherwise just taking it easier and focussing on solid breathing helped get us through without having additional things to deal with. Its an incredible trip which you will have a great time if you do a little homework and preparation. If an 80 year old can do it or a guy with a kevlar knee im sure you can do it too! Thank you for a once in a lifetime experience, Trexperience 😘

Brock Simon (Google Reviewer)

25-Sep-2023

Highly recommend TreXperience. We did the four day / three night trek as a family guided by Vincent. The trek was beautiful and the trip was fun and incredibly well organized. Greatly appreciate how knowledgeable and helpful Vincent was especially with our children. We would love to do another trek with them in the future.

Audrey L (Google Reviewer)

19-Sep-2023

We were lucky to have Sutta as our guide for the Inca Trail. He is a passionate and knowledgeable guide who made us live an extraordinary adventure. He told us the history and culture of the Incas with a lot of details and enthusiasm. He was always smiling and attentive to our needs and questions. He accompanied us with a lot of caution and kindness, motivating us and helping us to overcome the difficulties. It is thanks to him that we were able to fully enjoy this beautiful and unforgettable trek. He is a guide that we will not forget and that we strongly recommend to anyone who wants to do the Inca Trail.

Te Ko (Google Reviewer)

06-Sep-2023

This was an unforgettable and absolutely unexpected great experience. Pepe and Ali were our guides and did an absolutely great job! They were super carrying, took time to explain the whole history of the Inkas and in addition were funny and motivated! Especially Pepe’s knowledge and excitement about the Inka history is incredible!!! Our porters were amazing, as well. Everyone of the treXperience team did their best and put 100% in this trip! There might be cheaper options, but I can totally recommend spending the money to avoid any disappointments and to enjoy the time, as best as possible! Go X Team!!!! ♥️

Dates & Availability

Dec
2023 Jan
2024 Feb
2024 Mar
2024 Apr
2024 May
2024 Jun
2024 Jul
2024 Aug
2024 Sep
2024 Oct
2024 Nov
2024 Dec
2024

Thursday - Sunday

Dec 14, 2023 - Dec 17, 2023

~~$777~~ $755 (USD)