Ausangate and Rainbow Mountain Trek

 

Ausangate Trek, 5 days


 
 
The salt mines at Maras have been used since Inca times

Our Ausangate and Rainbow Mountain trek combines one of Peru's most beautiful hikes with the wonder of its Rainbow Mountain.

The Ausangate trail we follow takes us close to high Andes communities tending llamas, alpacas, and vicunas. We cross high passes that get us within touching distance of snow-capped mountains.

This Ausangate circuit ends at Vinicunca — the Rainbow Mountain. The itinerary on our Rainbow Mountain tour means we arrive at this sacred, multi-colored mountain at sunrise, before the crowds. We’ll have this special place to ourselves.  

Highlights

  • Rainbow mountain tour without crowds

  • Classic Ausangate 5-day trek

  • Palomani and Pucacocha high passes

  • First-class, local support team

 
 

Ausangate trek itinerary


 
 

DAY 1

Cusco - Tinke - Pacchanta

We pick you up from your hotel at 6:30 am and drive to the Ocongate community. 

En route, we'll stop at Oropesa village, where a plethora of bakeries make a local specialty called Chuta bread. You can try this delicacy, famed for its taste and design and famous in the Cusco region.

We drive to Ocongate village, the last place to buy provisions (water, snacks, etc.), before starting the Ausangate to Rainbow Mountain trek. 

It’s another 30 minutes in the vehicle to the Pacchanta community, the start of our Ausangate trail. Our horsemen come from this village and load up while we lace up our hiking boots. 

The first part of our walk takes us through villages and farms where the locals farm and tend llamas and alpacas. It’s around a half-day trek through this wonderful Andean landscape to our lunch spot, which is also our campsite.

Our chef will be waiting with a special, delicious lunch for you. After dining, we will organize our belongings in our tents, and you can have a nice siesta. 

Refreshed, we head to some nearby natural hot springs. It’s worth coming later on, too, and views of an incredible and unforgettable starry night sky.

Distance: 7 km / 4 miles

Hiking time: 3-4 hours

Campsite: 3,950m / 12959ft

Difficulty: Difficult

 

DAY 2

Pacchanta - Ccampa - Surapata

The challenges of the Ausangate to Rainbow Mountain hike make themselves known today as we target our first high pass. Our efforts are more than rewarded by what we’ll see and experience on the way to the Ccampa pass at 5,000m/16,404ft.

Our walk starts on ancient trails used by locals before anyone can remember. The paths lead us up past beautiful lakes that are sacred to the community, with regular ceremonies performed here, giving thanks to Pachamama for her life-giving qualities. This area is photogenic, so keep your camera handy.

We hike upwards for three hours, then make a stop for lunch to power our legs for the remaining ascent, which may take a couple of hours more. 

The views from Ccampa are lovely, and we enjoy the moment before descending to our campsite, Surapata (4,300m/14,319ft). The drop takes us around three hours into a narrow valley, surrounded by giant mountains, our resting spot for the night. 

Distance: 16 km / 9.9 miles

Hiking time: 9 hours

Highest point: 5,000m / 16,404ft

Campsite: 4,300m / 14,319ft

Difficulty: Difficult

  

DAY 3

Surapata - Palomani Pass - Ausangate Cocha

The highest point of the trek awaits us today. We must dig deep into our energy reserves. However, the stunning scenery makes it feel more manageable.

First, we must walk out of the narrow valley to the start of our ascent. Viscachas, cheeky, rabbit-like rodents, may spring around the rocks we pass. Andean Geese inhabit the area, too, and with luck, we may see the Inca’s sacred bird, the Condor.

Colorful lakes and lagoons dot the path as we pass close to the shadow of Ausangate Mountain. We hope to make the Palomani Pass (5,165m/16,945ft) within 3-4 hours. The 360-degree views of snow-capped mountains, including Ausangate, are exceptional. 

Elated, we start to move down the mountain slopes, and within a couple of hours, we should arrive at our campsite, Ausangate Cocha.

Distance: 17 km / 10.5 miles

Hiking time: 7-8 hours

Highest point: 5,165m / 16,945ft

Campsite: 4,600m / 15,091ft

Difficulty: Difficult

  

DAY 4

Ausangate Cocha - Ananta

Today is a lighter trekking day, but the Ausangate trail always offers a challenge.

Today we must cross the Pucacocha Pass (5,051m/16,571ft). From here, there are stunning views over the 7 lagoons, all different colors. 

We aim to cross the pass mid-morning, then descend for a couple of hours, often flanked by llamas and alpacas. Our campsite is our lunch spot, too, so we can gather our energies for tomorrow’s trip to Rainbow Mountain.

Distance: 14 km / 8.7 miles

Hiking time: 7 hours

Highest point: 5,051m / 16,571ft

Difficulty: Moderate

 

DAY 5

Ananta - Rainbow Mountain tour - Cusco

Yesterday's relaxed afternoon means we get up bright a breezy today — a 5 am breakfast means we will be the first to arrive at the Rainbow Mountain. 

Our first objective is to cross the Ananta pass, from where we will see the Rainbow Mountain in the distance. There are just 90 minutes of walking until we reach the dramatic Rainbow Mountain (5,200m/17,060ft).

More about Rainbow Mountain

The Rainbow Mountain was originally known as Vinicunca, which in Quechua translates to ‘colored mountain.' There are a total of 14 different colors, including turquoise, gold, and violet. The colors are created by mineral sediments that change color when interacting with the sun, ice, and wind. Red coloring often means iron oxide is present and yellow due to iron sulfide.

Our guide will answer all your questions about this beautiful, colorful mountain. The fantastic views will be payback for the hard work you put in on the Ausangate trail. 

As the day-trippers begin to move up the Rainbow Mountain, we’ll descend to our lunch spot for a farewell feed. Then we return to Cusco and drop you off at your hotel after your successful and life-affirming Ausangate and rainbow mountain trek.

Distance: 10 km / 6.2 miles

Hiking time: 5 hours

Highest point: 5,200m / 17,060ft

Difficulty: Difficult

Don’t forget to read our FAQs, covering altitude, money, COVID, and more.

 
 

Prices

Minimum 2 people


 
 

Groups of 2-3: $950 per person

Groups of 4-5: $900 per person 

Groups of 6 or More: $855 per person

 

-INCLUDED-

Private transport, Private guide with fluent local language Quechua/English/Spanish, all food prepared by our private chef and cooking equipment, private toilet tent, meals during the excursion (breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snack/vegetarian option), porters and horseman for all camping and personal equipment (up to 6kg), emergency horse, and first aid kit and oxygen bottle.

-NOT INCLUDED-

Air mattress (available for $20 per person), sleeping bag and walking sticks, breakfast day 1 and dinner day 5, voluntary tips for guide, any other cost not specificity in the itinerary.

-WHAT TO BRING-

  • Passport, water storage: water reservoir like camelbaks are encouraged - but enough for at least 2-3 liters

  • Comfortable hiking boots (lightweight with good soles)

  • 2-3 wicking t-shirts

  • 2-3 hiking pants

  • 4 sets of undergarments

  • 4 sets of hiking socks

  • 1 Fleece

  • 1 Warm, down jacket: gets very cold at night

  • 1 Rain jacket and pants

  • 1 sun hat

  • 1 wool hat

  • Headlamp: essential

  • Waterproof gloves (even if they are ski gloves, take them)

  • Comfortable shoes for camp

  • Walking boots

  • Waterproof jacket/rain poncho

  • Quickdry towel - We provide smaller ones, but you might enjoy something a little larger

  • Small bottle of soap: we provide warm water each day to clean - might make you feel fresh if you had a little soap.

  • Battery Charger: There is no place to plug in while trekking!

  • Large plastic bags: to help organize and keep clean from dirty

  • Sleeping bag: Recommend down bags for -10C at least

  • Sunscreen

  • Face moisturizer

  • Bug spray

  • Hand sanitizer

  • Wet wipes

  • Toothbrush and paste

  • Toilet paper

  • Personal medication

  • First aid kit: band aids, moleskin, etc.


Suggested tours

Inca Trail Trek

Lares Valley Trek

2-day Inca Trail

Machu Picchu & Sacred Valley


Gallery

 
 

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