Ausangate Trek To Rainbow Mountain 4D/3N

Ausangate, Vinicunca, Cusco.

Ranking

Code: ATRM4300

Duration

4D/3N

Tour Type

Specific Tour

Group Size

10 people

Languages

Español, Ingles

Overview

Ausangate Trek To Rainbow Mountain 4D/3N, The abundance of phenomenal treks in the Peruvian Andes is well known. The Vinicunca Rainbow mountain & Ausangate Trek does not disappoint…but provides something that is not seen anywhere else on this continent and in only one other place in the entire world (China). This is the spectacular, recently discovered Rainbow Mountain, officially named Vinicunca. The majesty of this trek is hard to put in to words, but the best comparisons are to Iceland and Mount Kilimanjaro in Africa. Your mind will be blown by the wealth of waterfalls and turquoise lakes. In addition to the scenery, you will see hoards of alpacas and llamas, as well as the only indigenous habitat of the Incan Vicuña (which has the most expensive wool in the world). You will also learn about the traditions of the Andean people with visits to local villages.

Tour Ausangate Trek To Rainbow Mountain 4D/3N

Machu Picchu is the gem of the Sacred Valley in Peru, which leads many people to skip this stunning region. However, if you are coming to Peru, we believe these mountains fall into the category of bucket list destinations along with Machu Picchu.

Activities:

Shuttle to Upis:

Difficulty Levels:

Maximum Altitude:

Accommodation:

Optional Activities:

Locations:

Departures Day:

Starts:

Ends:

Itinerary

Day 1: Cusco ‐ Tinqui Village – Upis Hot Springs

We set off early from Cusco traveling by private van to the small village of Tinqui. We will see the impressive mountain range of Vilcanota and pass through several traditional Andean villages en route and take time to stop to take some photos. When we arrive at Tinqui (our trailhead), we will have a delicious breakfast prepared by our master chef. Then our horsemen will arrange all the group gear and packs on the horses and our trek officially begins. We begin our walk through farming communities and enjoy the breathtaking views of the mountains. We will walk for around 3 hrs and then its time for a lunch stop. After lunch we continue for another 2 hours to reach Upis (4,100 m / 13,448 ft). There we will have the opportunity to soak in the local hot springs before dinner, and camp for the night.

Hiking distance: 12 Km. / 7.4 mile.
Hiking time: 6½ to 7 hour approximately.
Level of Difficulty: Moderate
Climate: hot in the day and cold in the night.
Acomodation: Camping.
Meals: Lunch, Dinner.
Maximum Altitude: 4400 masl. / 14432 ft.
Minimum Altitude: 3800 masl. / 12464 ft.

Day 2: Upis ‐ Arapa Pass – Pucacocha

After a big breakfast we are ready to leave our camp and get started on our hike for the day. We will climb to the Arapa Pass (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.

Hiking distance: 12 Km. / 7.4 mile.
Hiking time: 7½ to 8 hour approximately.
Level of Difficulty: Challenging
Climate: hot in the day and cold in the night.
Acomodation: Camping.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
Maximum Altitude: 4850 masl. / 15908 ft.
Minimum Altitude: 4100 masl. / 13448 ft.

Day 3: Pucacocha – Ausangate Pass – Minasniyuq Pass – Surine Cocha

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 mountains 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 (4,400 m / 14,435 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 Rainbow Mountains (5,020 m / 16,469 ft). At this pass, we will make offerings to Pacha Mama (Mother Earth).

The remainder of the day´s journey 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).

Hiking distance: 12 Km. / 7.5 mile
Hiking time: 8-9 hour approximately.
Level of Difficulty: Demanding
Climate: hot in the day and cold in the night.
Acomodation: Camping.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
Maximum Altitude: 5023 masl / 16479 ft.
Minimum Altitude: 4400 masl / 14435 ft.

Day 4: Surine Cocha – Rainbow Mountain – Quesiuno Village – Cusco

After breakfast we hike gradually uphill for 2 hours until we reach the famous Rainbow Mountain (5,020 m / 16,469 ft). Your guide will walk you to the best spots to get the perfect pictures of these incredible mountains 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.

Hiking distance: 10 Km. / 6.2 mile
Hiking time: 5-6 hour approximately.
Level of Difficulty: Moderate
Climate: hot in the day and cold in the night.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch.
Maximum Altitude: 5130 masl / 16831 ft.
Minimum Altitude: 4600 masl / 15093 ft.

What is Included?

Bilingual English speaking tour guide (additional tour guide for groups of nine people or more)
Pre-Departure Briefing at your hotel 1 or 2 days before your trek.
Private van transportation from your Cusco hotel to Tinqui (the trailhead)
Private van transportation from Quesiuno Village to your Cusco hotel
Four person tent for each 2 persons.
Thermarest Inflatable Mattress
Kitchen tent
Professional chef and assistant chef
Dining tent with tables and chairs
Toilet tent and portable toilet
Wranglers and horses to carry all the equipment (food, tents, chairs, table, etc)
Horse to carry 8 kg of your personal gear
Emergency horse in case we need it
Four breakfasts, four lunches, and three dinners
Hot water for washing twice daily
Daily morning boiled and cold water to fill the water bottles
Emergency oxygen bottle and medical kit.
Admission fee for the Upis Hot Springs

Not Included:

Sleeping bag (can be rented from us)
Trekking poles (can be rented from us)
Travel Insurance
Day 4 dinner
Tips for the crew (muleteers, chef and guide)

Ausangate Trek and Rainbow Mountain 4 Days Tour's Location

Ausangate, Vinicunca, Cusco.

Tour Map Ausangate Trek To Rainbow Mountain 4D/3N

Ausangate Trek and Rainbow Mountain 4 Days FAQs

– Original passport
– For students: ISIC card
– Insurance card/certificate
– Walking stick ( Highly Recomemded )
– Hiking boots
– Waterproof jacket or rain poncho
– Warm jacket
– Hat and gloves
– 2-4 t-shirts
– 2 pairs of pants (1 for hiking, 1 for camp)
– Long underwear for sleeping
– Hand sanitizer
– Comfortable trousers
– Sun hat or cap
– Sunscreen
– Insect repellent
– Water
– Toiletries/ Toilet paper
– Personal medication
– Camera
– Flashlight or headlamp
– Extra money for tips/snacks/beer.

You just need to remember that you are able to go at a speed that is comfortable for you. Take your time, pace yourself, and enjoy. Ausangate Trek is considered as a moderate hike; not a technical hike but high altitude may affect some people.

We recommend the use of trekking poles, especially for those passengers with known knee problems. There are multiple times during the trek that a trekking poles is handy, be it ascending a mountain or walking along the rough trails.

It's impossible to predict who will be affected by altitude. Your ability to adapt to high altitude is determined by your genetic makeup and has little to do with fitness or health. Most people will have no problems as long as they take the time to acclimatize properly. A full 2-day trip spent in Cusco (3,399 masl), taking it very easy and drinking plenty of water is enough for some people but if you can arrange to have minimum 2-3 days in case of any travel disruptions as well, then this is what we recommend as there is also so much to do here! The highest point you will get to while hiking Ausangate reaches 5,280 masl on the 2nd day.

The Lares Trail does Not require permits as the Inca Trail, but it is important to reserve in advance do to the trip requires train tickets and entrance to Machu Picchu which once are limited.

We recommend that you purchase a 1.5 – 2 liter bottle of water to take with you on the first day. Every night during the trek, we will boil water so you can refill the same bottle every morning before setting out. If you are planning to drink from any streams or waterfalls, we strongly suggest you bring water purification tablets or filters. Also, you will be able to buy water along the way on Day 1, for the first few hours of Day 2, then again on the afternoon of Day 3, and of course at Machu Picchu.

Some people actually like to go during the rainy season because there are fewer tourists but we say please be prepared for wet weather and have suitable clothes and equipment. Possibly snow, so be prepared for a possible change of route if a pass is deemed impassable by the guide. We do not recommend this trek in the months of January, February and March.

You first encounter Machu Picchu as the sun rises over the high mountains encircling it. It is already dawn but this impressive moment of Machu Picchu coming out of the shadows of the looming mountains is awesome.

Yes or yes we recommend taking extra money, tips for the trekking staff, souvenirs, snacks, bottled water, drinks, etc. You should take at least 300 soles as emergency money.

Our cooks prepare excellent high-energy meals appropriate for a trek of this nature. The menu usually includes pasta, rice, chicken, fresh fruit and vegetables and a variety of oatmeal, eggs and other breakfast foods. Vegetarian alternatives are available upon request at the time of booking.

Completely fluent in English. Our guides are also one of the most popular aspects of our tours some of them being historians and archaeologists and all demonstrate a great passion for their culture and heritage.

This tour is not recommended for children because they may have trouble walking, but if the child enjoys hiking at high altitudes, they can do it.

If you have medical problems, you should consult your doctor and indicate that you want to or are planning a hike in the Peruvian Andes and the height is 5040 m (16,400 ft) above sea level. If you have medication, you must bring it with you to continue your treatment.

Horseback is available as an option at an additional cost of $20usd per day for those who have not built up stamina for long distance hiking or who may not have time to acclimatize. (This option requires advanced notice)

All luggage not needed for the hike should stay in Cusco. All hotels are very accommodating and quite used to storing luggage on site. But we have storage in Cusco where we can keep all your belonging.

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from $600,00

Date

12/10/2024

Adults

Age 18+

Children

Age 5-12

Rainbow Mountain Entrance ⇨$0,00 *
Include
Sleeping Bag & Walking Sticks ⇨$40,00
Horse Ride ⇨$60,00
Pachamanca Lunch ⇨$100,00
Private Service ⇨$250,00

Ausangate Trek To Rainbow Mountain 4D/3N

Duration

Tour Type

Group Size

Languages

Overview

Tour Ausangate Trek To Rainbow Mountain 4D/3N

Itinerary

Day 1: Cusco ‐ Tinqui Village – Upis Hot Springs

Day 2: Upis ‐ Arapa Pass – Pucacocha

Day 3: Pucacocha – Ausangate Pass – Minasniyuq Pass – Surine Cocha

Day 4: Surine Cocha – Rainbow Mountain – Quesiuno Village – Cusco

What is Included?

Not Included:

Ausangate Trek and Rainbow Mountain 4 Days Tour's Location

Tour Map Ausangate Trek To Rainbow Mountain 4D/3N

Ausangate Trek and Rainbow Mountain 4 Days FAQs

What Should I Bring for the Tour?

How difficult is the Ausangate Trek?

Are trekking poles or sticks necessary?

Is altitude sickness common? And how high is the Ausangate Trek?

Do I Need A Permits?

Will I need to bring water?

Is the Ausangate Trek still good during the rainy season?

Will I be able to witness the sunrise at Ausangate?

Will I need any extra money?

What Type Of Food Will We Get On The Ausangate Trek?

Do Tour guides speak English?

Is This Recommended For Children?

Can People With Medical Problems Make This Trip?

Horse Rentals?

Where Do I Store My Luggage?

Reviews

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