Ausangate and Rainbow Mountain Trek in Peru, from Cusco (5 days)
Join a local certified guide from our team as he leads you on this truly spectacular and awe-inspiring 5-day Ausangate and Rainbow Mountain Trek in Peru, from Cusco, a wondrous journey entailing high mountain passes, mesmerizing lakes and glaciers, and the world famous Rainbow Mountain.
Private
5 Days
May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov
Fit
Intermediate
Highlights
* Trek to the world famous and gorgeous Rainbow Mountain!
* Hike past and admire the awe-inspiring mountain of Ausangate
* See massive lakes and glaciers, vast valleys and plenty of animals
* Relax in hot springs at the end of the trip!
Description
This 5-day Ausangate and Rainbow Mountain Trek in Peru, from Cusco, is one of the most beautiful and stunning trips imaginable, and I will guide you as we discover and explore all of the natural delights, sights and sounds this region has to offer, including the snow-capped mountain peaks, tranquil and idyllic lakes and glaciers, countless species of flora and fauna, and the vivacious and richly coloured Rainbow Mountain.
Ausangate (6384m) is a mountain in the Peruvian Andes, approximately 100km Southeast of Cusco, and it holds great prominence in Incan culture. The nearby Rainbow Mountain, standing at 5200m, has increasingly become an immensely popular tourist destination, owing to its fascinating colourful sand and silt on its slopes.
Our tour begins on the first morning when we meet in Cusco, and from there we head to the Upis community high up in the hills, with awesome views over Ausangate. After this stop we set up camp at Yana ccocha.
The subsequent 2 days are spent hiking long distances, with highlights on the way including admiring the myriad of exquisite and gorgeous lakes, the Pucacocha Pass (4900m) and the massive and jaw-dropping glacier del Inca.
The 3rd day involves a trip to Rainbow Mountain (Vinicunca), the best part of the trip for many, as the wide array of extraordinary colours in the silt and sediment is a truly memorable sight, and there will be ample time to take as many photos as possible.
The penultimate day is devoted to reaching the highest mountain pass of the trip, at 5100m, which provides sweeping panoramic views of Ausangate and the valleys below, and afterwards we descend past several glaciers to areas containing alpacas, lamas and condors.
Our final day is when we head to Campa pass (5050m), before the trip finishes with a nice relaxing and refreshing bath in hot springs, to rest our weary muscles.
We then head back to Cusco with our heads and hearts full of love for this sensational and special region.
Trekking to Ausangate and Rainbow Mountain is a once-in-a-lifetime experience – book now so you don’t regret missing out!
For those looking for an easier and shorter trip to Rainbow Mountain, try our Day Trip to Rainbow Mountain from Cusco, here!
Price includes
- Guiding fee
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Transportation start and back
- Luggage transfer
- Permit and entrance fees
- Group porters
Price details
Price does not include a sleeping bag.
Itinerary
Day 1: Cusco – Urcos – Tinqui – Upis – Arapa Pass – YanacochaTinqui
We will leave Cusco early in the morning by bus. On our way to the upper of Tinqui (4050m/13287ft), we will pass little farms and meet local families. After a short stop while we pack your belongings in duffel bags, we start walking towards the community of Upis (4400m/14436ft). The objective here being to have the lunch-break for a while and discover the beautiful scenery of hills and the front part of Ausangate. After lunch, we continue hiking up to Arapa pass (4800m/15748f). Thereafter, we will descend towards Yana ccocha (4500m/ 14763ft) where we’ll set up the camping site.
Day 2: Yanacocha – Pucacocha Pass – Anantapata
After breakfast we discover amazing lakes and different kind of colors, from where we ascend towards Pucacocha Pass (4900m/ 16076ft). Thereafter, we will continue to Anantapata (4500m/14763ft) where we will camp.
Day 3: Rainbow Mountain (Vinicunca) Montaña de 7 Colores – Ausangate Cocha lake
After breakfast we take the trail to another mountain pass. Dropping down, we’ll hike by Lake Kayrawiri, surrounded by rugged mountain peaks and the great valley below. Striations of color are imbedded in the hillsides. Then we go on to Cerro Laya Grande via massive glacier del Inca, and the most striking colors in the sediments of Yauricunca or Vinicunca. We lunch here in this unique landscape. We see hundreds of Andean geese nesting in the cliffs of Anta, and after that we comeback to Ananta from where we continue to Ausangate Qocha Lake (4650m/15256f) where we will camp.
Day 4: Ausangate Cocha Lake – Palomani pass – Jampa Ausangate lake
Today we take in our highest mountain pass (5100/ 16732ft.) with its panoramic, spectacular views of snow-covered Ausangate. Descending alongside the glaciers, we hike to Finaya pampa where see different king of camelids like Alpacas, Lamas and the wild vicuñas and sometimes Condors. After a day of great hiking we arrive at Jampa (4700m/15420f) where will camp.
Day 5: Jampa – Campa Pass – Pacchanta – Cusco
The highlight of this day is definitely the spectacular ascent to the Campa pass (5050m/16568ft). Moreover, we will pass several lovely lakes on the way to Pacchanta (4350m/14270ft). Here, we will visit the hot springs and will have a typical lunch. After relaxing at the hot spring, we continue by car to Cusco.
Details
More info
Meeting point
About the guide
Peru
4.56
(9)
Guide Agency
Peru Expeditions is a Guide Agency and Tour Operator based in Huaraz, Peru.
It's a family-owned travel agency, which was founded more than 35 years ago, and is now managed by IFMGA-guide Juventino and his son, Eric.
We organize trekkings and mountain expeditions in Cordillera Blanca, and all around Peru.
Languages
| English
Certificates
AGMP | IFMGA
What people are saying about Peru
Marcela
4.00
The agency gave me a guide Darwin, not Juventino. Climb was good, easy just walking. There is one dangerous section near the moraine area with very loose gravel. So make sure you don't slip there or you are dead. I stayed in refugio at the base camp which was much more comfy than camping. Darwin was good but give clients some breaks once in a while, not rush too much. It's a high altitude climbing after all.
Tony
5.00
The hike was canceled. We didn’t go anywhere. Didn’t even get into the country.
Michael
5.00
From the very first emails communication which was dealt with efficiently and provide all the required information and other options for myself to consider. When I arrived the communication was excellent and very well organised. When I return later this year I will without doubt be using Eric and the team. When we arrive at the start point to getting back the local guide was excellent. I have nothing but praise for the set up.
Bad
5.00
William was such a knowledgeable, friendly, and efficient guide! He brought books and support materials to further explain the history of the sites we were seeing, was always ready with an answer to any questions, and had great suggestions of where to take photos. He chose a truly remarkable cook for our trek, who kept us well fed with a huge variety of foods (and an ample supply of it!) and filled with hot beverages at all hours of the day and night. He allowed us to set the pace each day, and was cheerful and helpful and relaxed throughout-he absolutely enhanced a wonderful experience! Many thanks to you, William!
Bad
5.00
Eric from Peru Expeditions is a fabulous, safe, and conscientious Tour Operator. He chose an incredible guide for us (Darwin) who was highly esteemed by every guide we met at every point along the journey-the respect of one’s peers speaks for itself! We were very well supported, always had perfect timing with seeing sunrises, beating “the crowd” to our destinations, and had ample food. The Peruvian mountains are stunningly beautiful- I’m ready to go back again already! Book with Eric - he’s going to take good care of you.
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