Ausangate Trek to Rainbow Mountain 4 Days

Early morning we wake you up with nice coca tea ,and then time to puck our staff for 40 minutes After a big breakfast we are ready to leave our camp site and get started on our hike to vinicunca rainbow mountain for the day. We will climb to the Arapa Pass which over (4,850 m / 15,908 ft). From this vantage point we will enjoy the contrast between dry desert like hills and breathtaking snow capped views of Mt. Ausangate and Pucacocha. This area also boasts three beautiful lakes with tones of reds, greens, and turquoises (Pucacocha, Hatun Pucacocha, and Qomercocha). Our second campsite is close to Ausangate glacier.

Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner + snacks
Minimum Elevation: 4,300 m / 13,560 ft
Maximum Elevation: 4,890 m / 15,909 ft
Walking Distance: 12 km / 7 miles
Approximate Walking Time: 7 – 8 hours
Level of Difficulty: Challenging

Today, you will be woken up with “room service” (a hot cup of coca tea). This is going to be one of the most beautiful days of the trek. We will see the Rainbow Mountains in the distance. Also, on today´s journey, we will pass through Alccatauri Village. This is where we will see their traditional village life. There are no trees in the area, so there is no wood to make houses or build fires. The residents are extremely enterprising and make their adobe houses out of mud and build fires with nature´s fertilizer, a.k.a. manure. J.

The day begins with a 1 ½ hour uphill climb until we reach the Ausangate pass (4,930 m / 16,170 ft). At this pass, we will see red vinicunca rainbow mountain and also have the opportunity to see Vicuñas, chinchillas and alpacas.

After we enjoy the pass, we descend for 1 ½ hours until we reach the Alccatauri Village (4,410 m / 14,455 ft). During our time at the village, in return for their generous hospitality, we will give them offerings of coca leaves. This is extremely valuable because this treasurable Peruvian staple can not be grown in this climate.

Following this incomparable experience, we will hike a further 30 minutes uphill to our lunch spot at a rustic lodge.

After a satisfying lunch, we will begin our voyage uphill to the second pass. After 1 ½ hours, we will follow Llama trail to Minasniyuq Pass. Here we will have our first views of the vinicunca Rainbow Mountain(5,023 m / 16,489 ft). At this pass, we will make offerings to Pacha Mama (Mother Earth).

The remainder of the day´s hike is a 1 hour downhill hike to our camp, Surine Cocha (4,800 m / 15,748 ft). The camp is on the banks of the gorgeous Surine Lake (pictured above).

Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner + snacks
Minimum Elevation: 4,410 m /14,455 ft
Maximum Elevation: 5,023 m / 16,489 ft
Walking Distance: 12 km/ 7miles
Approximate Walking Time: 8 – 9 hours
Level of Difficulty: Demanding

Wake up call with nicce coca tea , After breakfast we hike gradually uphill for 2 hours until we reach the famous Ausangate Trek to Rainbow Mountain (5,030 m / 16,480 ft). Your guide will walk you to the best spots to get the perfect pictures of these incredible vinicunca rainbow mountain and the other surrounding mountains. Your guide will explain what makes these mountains so unique: they are composed of various minerals, which make different colors of stone striations. Not only is this one of the most stunning places in Peru and South America, these type of mountains are seen in only one other country in the world, China.

After taking photos and enjoying the view, we will continue on the trek until we reach Quesiuno Village. This is a 2 ½ hour downhill hike. We will have lunch there.

Our private van will be waiting to pick us up in this village after lunch. We will then drive 3 ½ hours back to Cusco. After one of the most rewarding experiences of your life, we will drop you off at your Cusco hotel. Approximate arrival time is 6 PM.

Meals: Breakfast/Lunch
Minimum Elevation: 5,030 m / 16,480 ft
Maximum Elevation: 11 km /6.4 miles
Approximate Walking Time: 5-6 hours
Level of Difficulty: Moderate