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Home » Ausangate Trek to Rainbow Mountain 4 Days / 3 Nights
The Nevado Ausangate
The Nevado Ausangate is a mountain of the Vilcanota mountain range and one of the highest in Peru surrounded by greenish and bluish lagoons. With an elevation of 6.372 m (20.905 feet) it is situated around 130 km from Cusco.
This landscape counts to the natural beauty. The hike to Ausangate is in the top 10 best trekking trails in Peru. On this hike you will encounter the representatives of the Andes: a herd of llamas and alpacas and moreover the pretty, elusive vicuña.
Various hikes are undertaken in this mountain range covered in eternal snow. One of the trails is the fervent pilgrimage. Visitants head to the Ocongate mountain. This walk is carried out just once a year. Once a year the Qoyllur Rity mountain (shining mountain) attracts thousands of pilgrims. The Nevado Ausangate is attended more frequently by visitors who love the adventure and like to be in contact with the pure nature.
This place counts also to the kingdom of the magnificent condor, the Andean ibis and Andean geese amongst others.
We will walk a bit further to the mountain Vinicunca or Arcoiris and end up at the Cusipata River Lodge. You will have an additional day to do the rafting. There are no needs of special athletically skills to do the trekking. Even though it would be an advantage to be in a good physical condition.
We recommend you some days of acclimatization as we will walk between 4,000 and 5,000 m of altitude. In case of emergency there will be a saddle horse available.
Impressive landscapes
Although the hike to Ausangate is not the most popular one in the region of Cuzco and devoid of Inca or pre-Inca ruins but still its views are stunning. This journey offers the travelers the unforgettable experience to spend some time with the Peruvian shepherd community. The fact that you are mainly just surrounded by your travel partners makes your visit more special.
A few months ago, two friends of mine and I did the four-day-hike to Ausangate. These days were full of pristine nature, a lot of alpacas (and a rare flock of vicuñas)
DESTINATION: Cuzco, Peru
- PHYSICAL DIFICULTY: Medium
- DURATION: 5 days/ 4 nights (5th day rafting)
- QUANTITY OF PERSONS: Min. two participants, max. 12 participants
- DEPARTURE: Only with reservation

Highlights of Ausangate trek to Rainbow Mountain
This 4 Day Ausangate hike combines a hike where you will be able to appreciate the beautiful snow-capped mountains of Ausangate; it also includes a visit to the already famous mountain of colors.
Detailed itinerary
Early in the morning we depart from Cuzco and head towards the beginning of the hiking trail in the Tinkini village with is 3800 m above sea level. Here we encounter the muleteers and the pack animals. Our walk will take five more hours to get to the hot springs of Upispampa. It is located just under the glacier Ausangate and camping.
- Food: lunch and dinner
- Maximal altitude: 4447 m/ 14589 feet
- Minimal altitude: 3778 m/ 12395 feet
- Duration of the hike: 8 hours
- distance: 10 km/ 6.21 miles
We arrive directly from the countryside to the Arapa Pass (4800 m/ 15.750 feet). The colorful rocky formation in shape of the moon form a strong contrast with the white snow of Ausangate. In the afternoon before camping at the Pucacocha thermal water we will keep going down to Uchuy Pucacocha (a small red lake) and its waterfalls.
- Food: breakfast, lunch, dinner
- Maximal altitude: 4650 m/ 15255 feet
- Minimal altitude: 4447 m/ 14589 feet
- Duration of the hike: 9 hours
- distance: 16 km/ 9.94 miles
Today we will wake up early for the breakfast. It will be a challenging but doable and short day. Let’s start with the Pucacocha Pass (5051), surrounded by some beautiful mountains. With a spectacular view on the Ausangate mountain, colorful lakes and glaciers in addition. We enter the valley of the Montaña Roja. An untouched landscape with vivid colors all over. Llamas eating grass within their reach. By reaching our camp we will enjoy a delicious lunch while having a breathtaking view on the rocky mountains, relaxing and collecting energy for the next day.
After breakfast we hike to another mountain pass. Going down we pass by the Kayrawiri lake, surrounded by steep mountain peaks and the big valley below. The colored stretch marks are embedded in slopes. Afterwards we continue to Cerro Laya Grande through the enormous Inca glacier and the most eye-catching colors of silt of Vinicunca. When we finally reach the Montañas del Arco Iris (5.020 m/16.466 feet). Depending on the speed of the group and the climate conditions you will have around 30 minutes to one-hour time to explore the area and take pictures. After the incredible view on the landscape on the top we go down to llactop and Cusipata or a last night in Cusipata River Lodge.
One day off to do rafting in the Urubamba river.
Inclusions
Included
- Transfer from Cuzco to Tinki
- All meals during the hike
- Muleteer and pack animals to carry equipment
- Saddle horse for emergencies
- Professional, bilingual guide
- Chef, assistant
- 2-person tent
- Transportation to get back to Cuzco
- Entrance to Montaña Arcoiris
- All the equipment for camping
No Included
- National or international flights
- Hotel in Cuzco
- Additional tours or food in the cities
- Laundry, liqueur, tips
- Sleeping bag and mattress
We Recommend to bring
- Sleeping bag (plumage recommended)
- Personal backpack
- Good hiking shoes
- Sandals and personal stuff
- Warm and impermeable jacket
- Water bottle or canteen
- Torch with battery
- Sunscreen
- Camera with battery
- Chocolate, sweets
Recommendation:
To do the trekking a conditioning is necessary two days before the hike in Cuzco. It is required to rest as much as possible, eat less, drink a lot especially the coca tea which has a curative and digestive effect. An appropriate acclimatization avoids the “soroche” or altitude sickness which can cause numerous health hazard.
Request a saddle horse: It is possible to request on the same day you make the reservation. This service has an additional cost.
Purchase sleeping bag: You can buy a sleeping bag in our office or renting shops for an additional price.
Not recommendable dates: During January and February it is not recommended undertaking the tpor on this route. As the rains are strong there are landslide frequently which block the track. For your safety we suggest you to choose another period of the year. We care about your physical integrity and of all our working tour.
Travelling with social responsibility:
The majority of the population of the region in Ausangate live in poverty and earn their
livelihood from breeding and farming. A small group of farmers and our agency want to help out. A small voluntary donation can help them to buy for instance clothing or school material. The families would appreciate it.
Additional services:
- Sleeping bag for -5°C (5 USD per day)
- Hiking poles (aluminum) (3 USD per day)
- Inflatable mattress “Thermorest” (6 USD per day)
- Additional saddle horse (40 USD for the whoel trip)
Just send us 250 USD per person and your travel request to confirm your reservation. Our department of reservation will get in touch with you in less than 24 hours with your invoice and receipt included.
Prices for this tour
To see the prices write us to info@mayuc.com or using our Contact Form.
Pricing Ausangate trek to Rainbow Mountain 4 Days
From 2 to 6 participants
USD 697.00
each
From 7 to 12 participants
USD 597.00
each
To confirm your reservation just send us US$ 250.00 per person and your trip application Our accounting department will contact you in less than 24 hours, with your invoice and voucher.