The Ausangate Trek to Rainbow Mountain 4 Days | 3 Nights, is one of the most spectacular and authentic trekking experiences in Peru. This incredible journey takes you around the majestic Ausangate Mountain (6,384 m / 20,945 ft), one of the most sacred peaks in the Andes and the highest mountain in the Cusco region.
Unlike crowded routes, this trek offers a true connection with nature and Andean culture. You will hike through breathtaking landscapes filled with snow-capped peaks, crystal-clear turquoise lakes, colorful valleys, and remote high-altitude passes. Every day brings new scenery that feels untouched and wild.
Along the trail, you will encounter herds of alpacas, llamas, and wild vicuñas, living freely in their natural habitat. You will also have the opportunity to interact with local Andean communities, preserving ancient traditions and a deep spiritual connection with the mountains, known as “Apus”.
One of the highlights of this adventure is crossing impressive mountain passes such as Arapa Pass and Palomani Pass, where you will enjoy panoramic views of glaciers and endless valleys. The trek also includes visits to stunning lakes like Pucacocha and Surinecocha, famous for their intense colors and serene beauty.
To complete this unforgettable experience, the route connects with the world-famous Rainbow Mountain (Vinicunca) and the stunning Red Valley, offering a truly magical ending to your journey. Watching the sunrise over these colorful landscapes is a once-in-a-lifetime moment.
This trek is perfect for adventurous travelers looking for a less crowded alternative to the Inca Trail, combining physical challenge, natural beauty, and cultural immersion.
Our team will pick you up at your hotel in Cusco at 4:30 a.m. and drive you for 3 hours to the village of Phacchanta, where we’ll arrive around 8:00 a.m. Upon arriving in this small village, we’ll introduce you to the rest of the trekking team, including the cook and the porters, while you enjoy a delicious breakfast at a local restaurant alongside hikers who will be doing the full-day 7 Lakes trek.
Next, we’ll set off and begin climbing a wide, ascending trail toward the famous lakes known as the 7 Lakes.
After a three-hour hike through farmlands and past beautiful traditional houses on a gentle ascent, we’ll conclude the first day’s visit at the 7 Lakes, where we’ll enjoy lunch very close to the lakes. The excursion continues with a gentle 3-hour hike to the Upis campsite, located at an altitude of 4,400 meters above sea level, facing Mount Ausangate. By the time we arrive, our tents will be set up and ready, and you’ll enjoy tea time with delicious popcorn. We’ll camp surrounded by the majestic Ausangate mountains, which will watch over you as you sleep.
Duration: Approx. 6–7 hours.
Altitude: 4,600 m.a.s.l. | 15,092 ft.
Distance: 14 km | 8.7 miles.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Accommodation: Campsite.
Difficulty: Challenging.
We will wake you up whit a hot herbal tea of coca leaves or coffee in your tent to give you the energy boost you will get special service on the mountains. Then, we will savor a delicious breakfast in the cold of high mountains that will warm you through.
We will begin our walk today for two hours and a half through a beautiful high Andean valley towards the arapa pass whit the spectacular Ausangate glacier as a constant companion.
From the top of the opening (4800msnm. /15750ft.), the landscape is beauty will be multiplied, and you will start in awe at mother nature is humongous creations. you will observe the size of the mountain range and, if you are lucky, you will see the condor, the largest fling bird in the entire world and also is possible to see vicuñas.
Next, we will descend to discover the beautiful crystal clear Yanacocha lagoon (black lagoon) then, we will follow the trail to another hour until we reach hatun Pucacocha to appreciate the fantastic scenery. Be sure to have your camera ready throughout the day to take some fantastic photosto remember your epic journey.
At this point, we will have a deliccius lunch. then we will arrive at our campsite at Pucacocha(4500msnm./14760ft.).later ,we will explore the surrounding lagoons and relax with a delicious mate. In the evening, a nutritious dinner will be waiting for you and you can discuss the day is trek whit your fellow travelers and the team. you will then head to spend a comfortable night at your campsite.
Time: 6 hours. aprox.
altitude: 4,800 msnm| 15,568 Ft.
Distance: 12 Km | 6.72 millas.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
Acommodation: Camp.
Difficult: Moderate.
There is no better for your body than waking up to a hot tea of coca leaves-it is been drunk since the Inca times and is a great natural way to get an energy boost. You will get up early this morning to start one of the most beautiful days of the entire excursion.
After breakfast, we will go uphill for one hour and a half to Apacheta pass (4,870msnm/15,976ft.) along the route this morning, you will be amazed by the stunning views of the glaciers and deep green valleys.
Feel the impressive presence of the apu ausangate and take photos of its beautiful blue lakes. once you reach the top, you will spot the giant face of the apu Ausangate right in front of you. you are sure to feel the immense energy it boasts and see why it means so much to the people in the Andes. you will also observe the extended beauty of the Alqa Tauri valley, where alpacas and llamas will be wandering around and grazing quietly.
You will already be able to see the beginning of the rainbow Mountain range whit its striking stripes of colors from this opening.
After taking some more photographic, we will star with a gradual descent for one hour and a half to our lunch spot, located in Anantapata logde(4,750msnm/15,580ft). Once we have filled our hungry stomach, we will take the opportunity to rest and relax a little before continuing with ascent for 2 hours to Warmisaya Pass (4,980 msnm/16,350ft).
From there, you will like you are a bird flying through the mountains and can observe the vastness of the horizon. We only have to descend one hour to Surineqocha Lake, where our night’s camp will be waiting for you. You will be able to observe the incredible sunset behind Rainbaw Mountain and also milky way.
Time: 6 -7 hours. aprox.
altitude: 4,985 msnm| 16,355 Ft.
Distance: 10 Km | 6.21 millas.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
Acommodation: Camp.
Difficult: Moderate.
To Day is Rainbow Mountain. After a tasty breakfast at 5.00 am, we will make our way over the Rainbow Mountain to contemplate this colorful Valley lit by the golden light if dawn. You will have time to enjoy this paradise for 1 hour before the large crowds begin to arrive. Our expert guide will take you directly to the key places so you can get the best pictures and make the most of your time on this beautiful site.
Your guide will explain in detail why this mountain has such unique colors and why it was only discovered in recent years. It is one of the most amazing places in South America and one of Peru’s main natural attractions. The only other colored mountains that are remotely similar can be found in China.
After enjoying this gem from the Peruvian andes, we will begin our trek towards the spectacular Red Valley. Very few tourists visit this place that seems to be taken from another planet almost like Mars. You will be surprised not only by its incredible beauty but also by the immense tranquility that will surround you.
Take a deep breath and feel the joy of being alive. It only takes 45 minutes of walking to get to the viewpoint from where you will get the best views of the Valley.
Finally, we will make a 2 hours’ descent through ancient Andean Communities and herds of llamas. You will notice these small communities still preserve ancient traditions to this day. After a delicious last lunch, a bus will be waiting for you to take you back to your accommodation in Cusco.
Time: 5 hours. aprox.
altitude: 4,485 msnm| 14,446 Ft.
Distance: 7 Km | 4.50 millas.
Meals: Breakfast and Lunch.
Difficult: Moderate.
Staff:
Camping equipment:
Meals:
Entrance fees:
To make your trip as comfortable as possible, we recommend bringing the following items:
Please read these recommendations carefully to prepare for your trip.
WHAT TO PACK IN YOUR BACKPACK FOR THE 4-DAY AUSANGATE TREK?
For the AUSANGATE trek, we recommend a small backpack (25–35 liters) for your daily hikes. Your belongings, which you’ll store in a duffel bag, will be transported by the Guiding Cusco Expeditions team using mules and muleteers.
It is rated Moderate to Challenging. While the terrain is not technical, the entire trek takes place above 4,000m (13,000 ft), with passes reaching 5,000m. Altitude is the main factor.
Yes, absolutely. We strictly recommend spending at least 2 to 3 days in Cusco or the Sacred Valley before starting this trek to avoid severe altitude sickness.
Yes. Unlike the standard "Ausangate Circuit," this route deviates on Day 4 to include a visit to Vinicunca (Rainbow Mountain) and the Red Valley, giving you the best of both worlds.
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