Ausangate Trek 5 Days with Rainbow Mountain
FromUSD 620per person
Tour overview
The full circuit around Apu Ausangate: glaciers, turquoise lakes, hot springs, herding communities and Rainbow Mountain without the crowds.
The Ausangate Trek is Cusco’s great high-altitude expedition. You will circle the sacred peak (6,384 m), cross passes above 5,000 m, camp next to glacial lakes and reach Vinicunca, the Rainbow Mountain, by an alternative path before the day visitors arrive.
This route is for experienced hikers. We travel with pack horses, an emergency horse, oxygen and a dining tent, and hire muleteers from the Tinki and Pacchanta communities.
Highlights
- Full loop around Ausangate (6,384 m)
- Palomani Pass at ≈ 5,165 m
- Upis hot springs
- Rainbow Mountain without the crowds
- Time with alpaca-herding communities
Day-by-day itinerary
-
Day 1 Cusco – Tinki – Upis
- 4,400 m
- 9 km
- 4–5 h
- Lunch, dinner
- Upis campsite
Drive along the Interoceanic Highway to Tinki (3,800 m). Easy hike to Upis facing Ausangate, with a dip in the hot springs.
-
Day 2 Upis – Arapa Pass – Pucacocha Lake – Jatun Pucacocha
- 4,850 m
- 14 km
- 7 h
- Breakfast, lunch, dinner
- Jatun Pucacocha campsite
We cross Arapa Pass and skirt brightly coloured lakes framed by glaciers.
-
Day 3 Jatun Pucacocha – Palomani Pass – Vinicunca – Anta
- 5,165 m
- 16 km
- 8 h
- Breakfast, lunch, dinner
- Anta campsite
The highest day: climb to Palomani Pass and descend towards Rainbow Mountain and the Red Valley.
-
Day 4 Anta – Sibinacocha Lake – Pacchanta
- 4,900 m
- 17 km
- 7–8 h
- Breakfast, lunch, dinner
- Pacchanta campsite
Trail through glacial valleys to the Pacchanta hot springs.
-
Day 5 Pacchanta – Tinki – Cusco
- 4,300 m
- 10 km
- 3–4 h
- Breakfast, lunch
- Return to Cusco
Final hike to Tinki and drive back to Cusco in the afternoon.
What's included
Included
- Pre-trek briefing in Cusco the evening before departure
- Hotel pick-up and private transport to the trailhead
- Professional bilingual guide (Spanish/English)
- Camping gear: 4-person tents for 2 people, sleeping pads and dining tent
- Chef and kitchen crew
- All meals listed in the itinerary, snacks and boiled filtered water
- Emergency oxygen, first-aid kit and radio communication
- Free luggage storage in Cusco
- Muleteers, pack horses and emergency horse
- Community fees and Rainbow Mountain entrance
- Heated dining tent
Not included
- Sleeping bag (available to rent)
- International and domestic flights
- Travel insurance (highly recommended)
- Tips for guides, cooks and porters
- Meals and drinks not mentioned
What to bring
- Original passport (the same one used for your permit)
- 25–35 L daypack with rain cover
- Sleeping bag rated to -5 °C (available to rent)
- Waterproof jacket and rain poncho
- Warm fleece or down jacket, hat and gloves
- Broken-in trekking boots
- Headlamp with spare batteries
- Sunscreen SPF 50, sunglasses and lip balm
- Reusable water bottle (2 L)
- Personal medication and blister kit
- Cash in soles for tips and extras
- Swimsuit for the hot springs
Prices
| Rate | Price per person |
|---|---|
| Adult | USD 620 |
Optional extras
| Sleeping bag -15 °C | USD 30 |
| Riding horse | USD 120 |
| Trekking poles (pair) | USD 20 |
Important information
- Previous high-altitude trekking experience required
- Night temperatures below 0 °C
- Minimum 3 days of acclimatisation in Cusco
Frequently asked questions
Do I need previous experience?
Yes. We recommend having done at least one multi-day trek above 4,000 m or solid physical preparation beforehand.
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