Ausangate Rainbow Mountain 4 Days 3 Nights, is one of the crown jewels that we offer and is one of the best treks in the Andes. This isn’t a trek for all, but those who want to get off the beaten path will find this an experience of a lifetime.
Ausangate Rainbow Mountain 4 Days 3 Nights, We will cross 4 different mountain passes, experience diverse landscapes, enter remote Andean culture and see an unforgettable night sky. Of course, we will also experience the breathtaking Rainbow Mountain and Red Mountain valleys- one of the most beautiful and timeless, natural landscapes in all South America and the world. Come explore the Andes with us!
Overview
Trip Overview:
The Ausangate Rainbow Mountain 4 Days 3 Nights is a combination between Ausangate Trek and the popular rainbow mountain. The Ausangate trek takes visitors through remote mountain passes, stunning high-altitude landscapes, glacial lakes and snow-capped peaks. Along the way, hikers will have the opportunity to see wildlife, including llamas, alpacas, and vicuñas, and learn about the culture and traditions of local communities.
Highlights:
- Visit natural wonders: Ausangate snow-capped mountains, beautiful colorful lagoons and rainbow mountains.
- Visit the incredible Rainbow Mountain of Peru.
- Get to know the people of the Andes of Peru, descendants of the Incas.
- Enjoy the most stunning and remote treks in Peru.
- Spend the nights among enormous mountains and under a starry sky.
- Get touch with indigenous people in rustic rural villages of the highlands.
By booking Ausangate Rainbow Mountain 4 Days 3 Nights with Cusco Journeys you are choosing the best. Don’t believe us? Check out our reviews on Tripadvisor.
Itinerary
Pre-trek briefing:
You will have through briefing with your guide 1 or 2 days before your Ausangate Rainbow Mountain 4 Days 3 Nights. Your guide will meet you at your hotel and you can take this opportunity to ask questions and make any final preparations.
Trip Itinerary
Day 1. Cusco – Tinki – Upis Community – Upis Hot Sring
We will pick you up from your hotel at 4:30AM to begin this beautiful adventure and drive for 3.5 hours, in our private transport to Upis Community (4,250m/13,944ft), where we will meet our horseman and horses, and have some time to prepare for the great adventure and enjoy the breakfast accompanied by the view of the Andes and snow-capped mountain range of Vilcanota with Ausangate Glacier Peak (6,384m/20,940ft) in the background.
After our local breakfast, we will start walk up through the highland valley inhabited by herds of llamas and alpacas enjoying views of the Andes, as we continue our trekking, we can see impressive views of the glaciers of Ausangate and meet some farmers wearing their typical dress. Upon Arrival to Upis Village (4,250m/13,944ft), we will enjoy our lunch prepared by our trekking cook, and we will camp in this dramatic place, with the spectacular view to Ausangate Mountain in front of our camp.
In the afternoon, you will have a chance to relax and soak in a natural hot spring whose cost is 10 PEN, or just walking around trying to shoot the best sunset on incredible views of the snow-capped Ausangate range.
- Walking Distance: 7km/ 4,5 miles.
- hiking hour: 3-4 hours roughly.
- Trailhead Elevation: 4,220 meters / 13,840 feet.
- Campsite Elevation: 4,250 meters / 13,944 feet.
- Accommodation: Camping.
- Difficulty: moderate.
Day 2. Upis – Arapa Pass – Puca Cocha
Today we will have wonderful views of the peaks of the Ausangate snow peak, because we will walk around this snow peak. After our breakfast, We will have a 3-hour uphill walk to reach the first Arapa pass (4,800m/15,748ft), where you will have magnificent views of the surroundings. It is possible to encounter vicuñas, which are the most impressive animals that still live in the wild in Peru and belong to the Andean camelid family.
After taking some amazing photographs, we will continue towards our lunch spot, It’s all downhill for 1.5 hours. After enjoy our lunch and having rested appreciating nature, we continued our 2½ hour walk to reach our camp in Pucacocha (4,500 m/14,764 ft).
This campsite is one of the most beautiful campsites located at the skirt of the Ausangate peak and at the bank of the lake. You can see amazing sunsets from here and perhaps some condors and eagles flying nearby.
- Walking Distance: 10 km/ 6,21 miles.
- hiking hour: 5 hours roughly.
- Difficulty: moderate/difficult.
- Campsite Elevation: 4,500 meters / 14,760 feet.
- Accommodation: Camping.
Day 3. Puca Cocha – Ananta – Chillca – Yana Cocha
After hearty breakfast, we will start with a 2-3 hour steep climb to Alpaca Pass (4,870m/15,978ft). A lo largo de la ruta esta mañana, te sorprenderán las impresionantes vistas de los glaciares y los valles de un verde intenso. Siente la impresionante presencia del Apu Ausangate y toma fotografías de sus hermosas lagunas color turquesa.
Once you reach the summit of this mountain, you will be located right in front of Ausangate and you can really enjoy the Chilca Valley, with many alpaca grazing along these hills. After taking some great pictures you will continue for another 2 hours gradual downhill, then we reach our lunch spot located in Anantapata (4,750m/15,584ft).
Once we’ve filled our hungry stomachs, we’ll take the opportunity to rest and relax a little before continuing with an ascent for 2 hours to the Warmisaya (4,985m/16,355ft). It will be 1½ hour slow pace to reach the summit of this highest pass of the trek. Along the way it is possible to see some condors, and vicuñas if we are lucky enough.
From there, you’ll feel like you’re a bird flying through the mountains and can observe the vastness of the horizon. We only have to descend one hour to Surineqocha lagoon, where our night’s camp will be waiting for you. You’ll be able to observe the incredible sunset behind Rainbow Mountain that’ll fill you with tranquility and a wonderful feeling of inner peace.
This is a perfect place at night to spot the famous Inca constellations and do some stargazing!
- Walking Distance: 10 km/ 6,214 miles.
- Campsite Elevation: 4,985 meters / 16,355 feet.
- hiking hour: 7 hours roughly.
- Difficulty: moderate/difficult.
- Accommodation: Camping.
Day 4. Yana Cocha – Rainbow Mountain – Llacto – Cusco
After an early final breakfast with your trekking team and enjoying the famous traditional warm drinks such as coca tea, it will be about 1½ hours gradual uphill trek until we reach the famous rainbow mountain and the Red Valley (5100 m/16,732ft). Your guide will walk you to the best spots to get the perfect postcard pictures of these incredible mountain and the other surrounding mountains.
Your guide also will explain why these mountain are special and really are something quite different from any other mountains in the Vilcanota Range. This is due to a composition of various minerals which make different colors of stone striations formed right in the middle of the red mountains. This is definitely one of the key tourist highlights in South America and one of the most beautiful natural attractions in Peru. There is nothing else like it!
After taking your photos and enjoying the views which you have come so far to see, you will continue the expedition to the end of the trail. This is all downhill along the Llacto Valley for about 1 hours where you will enjoy your final lunch with your team. We will then drive back to Cusco about 3 hour max drive and we will drop you off at your hotel. The drive itself provides really nice views of the Andes, passing some traditional villages along the way. You will be arriving into Cusco around 4pm.
- Walked distance: 6.5 km /4.04 miles
- Meals: breakfast, lunch, snacks, drinking wáter
- Weather: dry / cold.
- Level of Difficulty: Moderate.
Note: This itinerary is subject to change without prior notice according to weather conditions, strikes, roadblocks, or other events which are beyond our control. We will always do our best to follow the itinerary as closely as possible.
Inclusions
Included:
- Trek briefing with your Guide.
- Professional local Guide (on hike).
- Second tour guide for groups of 9+.
- Private Transport and professional driver (to the starting point of hike at Upis).
- All entrance tickets and permits for Ausangate Trek.
- Entrance tickets and permits for Rainbow Mountain.
- Entrance tickets and permits for Red Valley.
- Horses or mules and Indigenous horsemen to carry ((camping equipment: client tents, dining and cooking tents, table, stools, cooking gear, stove, gas container, cutlery, plates, food and fresh vegetables).
- Personal items to carry 7 kg/15 lb. (so you just need to carry your day backpack with everything you will need during the day).
- 3 nights camping.
- Spacious tents / Sleeping mat.
- We provide a duffle for personal items.
- One Cook.
- Excellent Meals (3 Breakfasts, 3 Lunches and 2 Dinners) – (Vegetarian, vegan or special diet meals upon request).
- Food includes pancakes, omelets, soups, fresh fruit, avocado, pasta, chicken, fish, meat, rice, all before rich in carbohydrates and suitable for trekking.
- Tea time before dinner (tea, coffee, coco, biscuits, popcorn).
- Boiled water provided from 2nd day (for drinking).
- Wake up coca tea in your tent.
- Buckets of hot water for washing in your tent every day.
- Biodegradable soap and hand cleansing gel.
- Cusco Journeys & Adventure uses walkie-talkies on all treks.
- Oxygen Tank & First aid kit.
- All local taxes.
Not Included:
- First breakfast and Dinner on the last day.
- Hot springs at Upis (S/10.00 soles).
- Sleeping bags.
- Walking Stick.
- Personal expenses.
- Travel insurance.
- **Tips, for the crew (muleteers, chef and guide).
What do you need to bring:
Hiking to Ausangate Rainbow Mountain 4 Days 3 Nights is like any other high altitude trek, so it is essential to be well prepared. As it begins in the dead of night morning, consider to pack the following Items:
- A good day pack: such as Eagle Creek Afar Backpack (Appropriate pack to carry your personal belongings.)
- Original passport.
- Travel insurance.
- Lighter trekking boots (with good ankle support).
- 3 pairs of trekking pants (not jeans), 1 hiking, 1 cotton–which is just enough.
- Layers for variable temperatures especially at night.
- 1 rain jacket.
- 1 warm/winter jacket (Thermals: wool socks/gloves, scarf and woolen hat for cold nights).
- 4 pairs of underwear.
- 4 shirts, 2 long sleeve shirts.
- 1 good sleeping bag liner which is super lightweight and easy to pack.
- Travel-size tissues and wet wipes–The air is cold and damp, so your nose is going to run a lot.
- Iron tablets and pills for altitude sickness.
- Sun protection cream (SPF 35 or higher recommended).
- Bug spray with 30% DEET.
- Re-usable plastic or metal water container or a hydration pack such as Camel-back.
- Water (Only for first day of the hike, as we will provide you with water throughout the rest of the hike).
- Camera and film.
- A headlamp to navigate camp in the evenings and pre-dawn mornings with spare batteries
- Bandages or moleskin.
- Flip flops to change into at night.
- Toiletries: toothbrush, toothpaste/floss, shampoo/conditioner, brush/comb, Vaseline (great for potential blisters on the feet), feminine hygiene products, deodorant, nail clippers/file/tweezers, spare glasses and/or prescription, mini-eyeglass repair kit, contact lenses and supplies, hand sanitizer etc.
- Medication (Imodium AD or something for your stomach) because some people get an upset stomach on the trek.
- Plastic bags for dirty and wet clothes.
- Something to read in the evenings.
- Extra money for drinks.
- Emergency money at least 300-450 extra soles (USD$ 220).
Prices
Prices are valid from March 2025 through January 2026. All prices quoted are $USD
Price: $509 per person
* We need a minimum of 2 people to run the tour. We guarantee that your tour will be limited to a maximum of 8 people.
Important: Price includes up to 7 kilos of your personal belongings to be carried by the mules (NO need of extra Porter hire!).
Rentals:
- Hiking poles – US$20.00
- Sleeping bag – US$25.00
- Private Tent – US$30.00
Terms & Conditions
By booking or participating in a tour and any related products or services (a “Tour”) with Cusco Journeys, you agree to these Terms & Conditions.
Booking:
- Your booking is confirmed and a contract exists when the Tour Operator or your travel agent issues a written confirmation after receipt of the applicable deposit amount. Please check your confirmation carefully and report any incorrect or incomplete information to the Tour Operator or authorized agent immediately. Please ensure that names are exactly as stated in the relevant passport.
- You will pay a deposit which is completely non-refundable in any situation. There are no exceptions.
- You will be required to show the original passport (not a copy) that you booked with, at the checkpoint to enter the Inca Trail. If you originally booked with an old passport and then renewed your passport, you must also bring your expired passport along with your new, valid passport to permit entry or they will refuse your entrance to the trail.
- The only acceptable ID to receive a Student Discount is your University Card with a clear expiration date that must be the same year as trek. IDs with expiry dates the following year, even though clearly valid, will not be accepted by the Peruvian government. You must submit a copy of this card at time of booking.
Cancellations:
- Cancellations: In order to confirm this trip, a deposit of 40% is required per person at time of booking. The balance of the trip price is due 90 days before the departure date. Special holiday payment and cancellation terms may apply. Guests who must cancel their trip for any reason must do so in writing (we do not accept medical notes of any kind) as our out of pocket expenses are non-refundable to us.. Standard cancellations are subject to the following per-person penalties, based on number of days prior to departure:
ONCE BOOKED, DEPOSITS ARE NON-REFUNDABLE. CHART BELOW OUTLINES WHAT FURTHER FEES WILL BE DUE.
Cancellation By
|
Terms
|
| 91 days or more before departure |
we will retain 50% of your deposit. |
| 90 – 16 days before departure |
we will retain 75% of the total tour cost. |
| 15 – 0 days before departure |
we will retain 100% of the total tour cost. |
Inca Trail Tours:
- Permits: Permits for the Inca Trail are in your name and can not be transferred to anyone else under any circumstances. Change of dates is also not possible once a permit has been purchased. Permits are non-refundable and non-transferable. The deposit will be forfeited. Please note that this is a regulation of the Peruvian government and not Cusco Journeys (or any agency).
- In extreme cases when the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu is declared closed for safety reasons, Cusco Journeys will replace your trek with an alternative trek.
- Those who booked PERMITS with a Student ID must bring that ID with them on the trek. If they fail to show this card to the Park Rangers, they will not be allowed entry onto the trail.
Medical Information:
- You must advise Cusco Journeys of any medical problems or allergies you may have. You need to be in good physical health, and if your health is questionable, then you should consult a doctor. If you are over the age of 70 years old, then you will need to present us with a current good health medical certificate.
- You are responsible for assessing whether a Tour is suitable for you. You should consult your physician to confirm your fitness for travel and participation in any planned activities. You should seek your physician’s advice on vaccinations and medical precautions. The Tour Operator does not provide medical advice. It is your responsibility to assess the risks and requirements of each aspect of the Tour based on your own unique circumstances, limitations, fitness level and medical requirements.
- Cusco Journeys reserves the right to deny you permission to travel or participate in any aspect of a Tour at any time and at your own risk and expense where the Tour Operator determines that your physical or mental condition renders you unfit for travel or you represent a danger to yourself or others.
- Pregnancy is considered a medical condition and must be disclosed to the Tour Operator at the time of booking. The Tour Operator may refuse to carry pregnant women over 24 weeks. The Tour Operator may refuse to carry anyone with certain medical conditions if reasonable accommodation or alternatives cannot be arranged.
- It is strongly encouraged to purchase Travel Insurance to protect you in case of medical emergency or any tour cancellations.
Tours and Treks:
- All balances need to be paid in either cash, Western Union, Transfer Bank or PayPal (in full) prior to the briefing which will be held the night before your tour. Visa incurs a 5% service fee and if you need to use another card, it must be through PayPal which incurs a 5.5% service fee.
You must advise your guide if you wish to leave the group or the camping area for independent walks or sightseeing. If you are experiencing any problems with the services of the guide or tour, please advise the guide in that moment, so that he can resolve any problems.
- All Adventure Treks include transportation to Cusco. The return train route depends on train availability.
- If you become ill or injured on the trail and are unable to continue, a porter will be provided to accompany you back to an area with emergency assistance capabilities. Helicopter air lifts and medical assistance are at the expense of the trekker. If you are unable to complete the tour due to illness, we will assist you in meeting your group at Machu Picchu to recommence your tour at that point. There will be no refund of the original payment. However, we will prepare a document to certify illness which can be presented for your travel insurance.
- Cusco Journeys will take all reasonable care in providing to our clients avoidance of accident, illness, and loss of personal property, and will only employ suitably qualified staff. We accept responsibility for the actions of our own employees. Cusco Journeys cannot, however, be responsible for any action of third parties. You are totally responsible for your own personal property and rented equipment.
- Cusco Journeys does not take responsibility for unfavorable weather conditions, natural catastrophe, strikes, accidents, illness, injury, loss of personal ítems, etc. It is the client’s responsibility to carry insurance to cover these types of events. We reserve the right to modify or cancel the program due to any of the unforeseen conditions listed above.
- Cusco Journeys may modify your itinerary where reasonably required in its sole discretion.
- Group tours might be as large as 16 participants. Groups are open to everyone no matter skill or age. By accepting a Group Tour you acknowledge that others might change the speed and timing of the tour.
- All tours are done in English.
Delays:
- Any costs, whether direct or incidental, incurred by the Customer as the result of delays caused by bad weather, trail conditions, river levels, road conditions, transportation delays, sickness, government intervention or other contingencies which are beyond the control of southern explorations will not be reimbursed.
Thank you so much for choosing Cusco Journeys!!!
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Tags: ausangate circuit, ausangatetrail, ausangatetrek, rainbow mountain, ultimateperutreks
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