Ausangate Trek to Rainbow Mountains 4 Days

Early in the morning we leave Cusco, traveling in our private transport in the direction of the small town of Tinqui. We will see the impressive mountain range of Vilcanota and we will pass by several traditional Andean towns in route and we will take time to stop to take some photos. When we arrive we will have a time for breakfast. It is there where our muleteers will fix all the luggage of the group and the packages for the horses and our walk officially begins. We begin our walk through the farming communities and enjoy the breathtaking views of the mountains. We will walk for around 3 hours and then it’s time for a lunch stop. After lunch we continue for another 2 hours to reach Upis (4,100 msnm). There we will have the opportunity to bathe in the local hot springs before dinner, and to camp at night in this place.

After a great breakfast we are ready to leave our camp and begin our walk for the day. We will ascend to Paso Arapa (4,850 msnm). From this step we will enjoy the contrast between the dry desert like the hills and the impressive snow-covered views of the highest peak of Nevado del Cusco, the Ausangate and we can also see the Pucacocha lagoon. This area also has three beautiful lakes with shades of red, green and turquoise (Pucacocha, Hatun Pucacocha and Qomercocha). Our second camp is near the Ausangate glacier on the shores of the Pucachocha lagoon.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Total distance: 12 km
Estimated time: 7 – 8 hours
Difficulty: Difficult
Positive de-leveling: 3100m.s.m. – 4200m.s.m. (+1100m)
Negative de-leveling: 4200m.n.m – 3500m.s.n.m (-700m)

This is going to be one of the most beautiful days of the walk. We will see the mountains of the rainbow in the distance. We will also pass through the town of Alccatauri, where we will see the traditional life of the community. The day begins with an ascent of 1 hour and a half until you reach the pass of Ausangate (4,930 msnm). In this step, we will see red mountains and we will also have the opportunity to see vicuñas, chinchillas and alpacas.

After enjoying the pass, we will descend for 2 hours until we reach the town of Alccatauri (4,400 msnm). During our time in the town, we will give gifts of coca leaves to the locals. This is very valuable because this Peruvian basic food cannot be grown in this climate. After this incomparable experience, we will make an additional 30 minute walk uphill to our lunch spot in a rustic lodge.

After a satisfying lunch, we will begin our trip to the Minasniyuq Pass. Here we will have our first views of the Rainbow Mountains (5,020 msnm). In this step, we will make offerings to the Pacha Mama (Mother Earth). The rest of the day’s tour is a one-hour walk downhill to our camp, Surine Cocha (4,800 msnm). The camp is on the shores of the magnificent Surine Lake.

After breakfast, we walk gradually for 2 hours until we reach the famous Rainbow Mountain (5,020 masl). Our guide will take you to the best places to get the perfect images of these incredible mountains and the surrounding mountains. Your guide will explain what makes these mountains so unique: they are composed of various minerals, which make different colors of the Mountain. Not only is this one of the most impressive places in Peru and South America, these types of mountains are seen in only one other country in the world, China.
After taking pictures and enjoying the view, we will continue on the trek until we reach Quesiuno Village. This is a 2 and a half hour descent hike through the red valley. We will have lunch there.
Our private Transportation will be waiting to pick us up in this town after lunch. Then we will return to the city of Cusco. The approximate time of arrival is at 6 pm.
End of services.