GRANDIOSE AUSANGATE: MAGNIFICENT 5-DAY QUEST
5D/4N
Discover the magic in 5 unforgettable days.
Embark on a 5-day trek through the remote Ausangate circuit, including the stunning Rainbow Mountain. Experience authentic Andean culture, dazzling peaks, turquoise lakes, and vibrant valleys while traversing high-altitude passes. Enjoy natural hot springs and encounter llamas, alpacas, and vicuñas in serene solitude. Marvel at the Andean night skies and sleep comfortably in well-equipped tents amidst Peru’s most breathtaking landscapes.
ITINERARIO
DAY 1: CUSCO - UPISTO YANACOCHACAMPSITE
Our journey begins at 5 am with a pickup from your hotel in Cusco. We’ll drive for 3.5 hours through vibrant villages to reach the trailhead at Upis Village (4,250 m / 13,943 ft). After a hearty breakfast with stunning views of the Vilcanota mountain range and Apu Ausangate, we’ll organize our gear while our muleteers prepare for the trek. Our expert guide will introduce the team that will accompany us on this adventure.
We’ll start our trek along a path winding through Andean potato and grain fields, passing traditional houses and spotting Andean birds. After a scenic three-hour hike, we’ll enjoy lunch at the base of Ausangate Mountain (6,372 m / 20,900 ft). The trek continues with a two-hour ascent to Arapa Pass (4,800 m / 15,748 ft), offering stunning views of eroded mountains, highland valleys, and Ausangate. A steep 1.5-hour descent follows, leading us to our first campsite at Yana Qocha (4,570 m / 14,993 ft).
At Yana Qocha camp, you’ll have free time to rest or explore before we gather for afternoon tea. Enjoy a nutritious dinner as the trek leader briefs you on the next day’s schedule. The camp offers incredible views of Ausangate, providing a serene setting to reflect on the day’s adventures and prepare for the next leg of our journey.
WALKING DISTANCE: 15 km / 9.32 mi
MEALS: Breakfast , lunch, Dinner
ACCOMMODATION: Private Camps
DAY 2: YANA QOCHATO QOMERQOCHACAMP
Our team will wake us bright and early to indulge in a nutritious breakfast before we kick off our hike. We’ll traverse a gently sloping trail, weaving through a valley adorned with striking blue glacial lakes and cascading waterfalls. This segment of the Ausangate trail, nestled alongside the majestic Ausangate Mountain (6,384 m / 20,945 ft), offers some of the most breathtaking scenery. Over the course of 1.5 hours, we’ll meander alongside the captivating Yana Qocha (black lake) and Puca Qocha (red lake) glacial lakes before ascending a switchback trail to Puka Qocha Pass (4,870 m / 15,977 ft).
At the summit, we’ll be treated to awe-inspiring views of Ausangate Mountain and the shimmering lagoons below, created by melting glaciers. From this extraordinary vantage point, we’ll marvel at the snow-capped peaks stretching in various directions and the vibrant red valleys of the highlands, boasting colorful mountains and untouched landscapes. After seizing some remarkable photo opportunities, we’ll descend into the valley, sharing the trail with freely roaming llamas and alpacas.
Following a climb to our lunch spot at Ananta (4,750 m / 15,583 ft), nestled in a highland valley with sweeping views and grazing llamas nearby, we’ll continue uphill for 2 hours to reach Warmisaya Pass (4,985 m / 16,354 ft). From here, we’ll catch glimpses of the distant Rainbow Mountain, still marveling at the impressive vistas. After soaking in the scenery and capturing memorable photos, we’ll embark on the final 30 to 45 minutes of downhill trekking to our second camp at Qomer Qocha (4,570 m / 14,993 ft). At camp, we’ll unwind with afternoon tea and dinner before retiring for the night, eagerly anticipating our early start the next day to explore the stunning Vinicunca Rainbow Mountain.
WALKING DISTANCE: 14 km / 8.69 mi
MEALS: Breakfast, lunch, Dinner
ACCOMMODATION: Private Camps
DAY 3: QOMER QOCHA - RAINBOW MOUNTAIN TO AUSANGATE QOCHA CAMP
This morning, we’ll rise early to embark on our exploration of the renowned Vinicunca, or «Rainbow Mountain Peru,» aiming to beat the crowds and relish the solitude for photography. Traveling light, we’ll set out before dawn, often under a clear, star-studded sky. The ascent takes approximately 1 hour and 10 minutes, leading us to the mesmerizing Rainbow Mountain.
Upon reaching this iconic site, situated at an elevation of 5,100 m (16,732 ft) in the Vilcanota range, we’ll be greeted by breathtaking vistas of the multicolored Painted Hill. Our knowledgeable tour guide will enlighten us on the uniqueness of these mountains. After around 45 minutes of exploration, depending on our pace and weather conditions, we’ll retrace our steps back to camp, encountering local farmers along the way who still utilize llamas, reminiscent of Inca times.
Upon returning to camp, we’ll have ample time to rest and savor a delicious lunch. In the afternoon, we’ll embark on a 3-hour trek to our third camp, Ausangate Qocha, situated at an altitude of 4,500 m (14,763 ft). Following a trail along the base of the vibrant mountains, we’ll arrive at camp, where we’ll indulge in afternoon tea before enjoying a sumptuous dinner.
WALKING DISTANCE: 14 km / 8.69 mi
MEALS: Breakfast , lunch, dinner
RAINBOW MOUNTAIN. ALT: 5,100 m / 16,732 ft
DAY 4: AUSANGATE QOCHA TO QAMPA CAMP
After indulging in another delightful breakfast, we embark on yet another day filled with challenges and rewards. Our journey begins with a steep ascent lasting 3 hours, tracing the shores of Ausangate Qocha lagoon and navigating glacial moraines toward the pinnacle of the Ausangate Circuit: Palomani Pass (5,200m / 17,060 ft). Along the trail, we pass by the crimson bluffs of apachetas, stone mounds, and serene mountains, steadfast in our pursuit of reaching the summit.
Upon reaching the apex, the highest point of our 5-day Ausangate trek, we capture unique photographs and bask in the satisfaction of our accomplishment, gazing down upon breathtaking valleys and the vast expanse of the Peruvian Andes. After immortalizing the moment with photos, we begin our descent, following the trail as it winds across steep slopes, passing by corrals and herds of llamas and alpacas.
Following a well-deserved lunch, we traverse the undulating terrain surrounding the peak of Ausangate, making our way toward a marshy area to reach the upper level of the valley, where our basecamp awaits. Upon arrival at Qampa camp (4,700 m / 15,419 ft), we take time to rest and enjoy hot drinks. Amidst the rocks and boulders surrounding the camp, keep an eye out for viscachas, small rodents resembling rabbits with long tails, which are in danger of extinction. As dinner approaches, our guide will outline the plan for the following day.
WALKING DISTANCE: 13 km / 8.07 mi
MEALS: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
ACCOMMODATION: Private Camps
DAY 5: QAMPA CAMP, PACCHANTA VILLAGE TO CUSCO HOTEL
Following breakfast, we bid farewell to the picturesque Qampa base camp, taking in the breathtaking views of Huayna Ausangate Mountain amidst traditional Andean houses. Our journey unfolds as we ascend steadily for approximately 2.5 hours towards Qampa Pass, reaching an elevation of 5,070m (16,633 ft). En route, we’re treated to awe-inspiring vistas of snow-capped peaks, with the possibility of glimpsing an ice cape in the ravine below.
Descending from Qampa Pass, we’re greeted by the stunning sight of Qomercocha, a serene green lake nestled at the foot of Puka Moqo, the Red Mountain. Our final destination is Pacchanta village, where our chef awaits with a delicious last lunch. Additionally, at Pacchanta, you’ll have the opportunity to relax in natural hot springs either before or after lunch. Following this rejuvenating break, we’ll arrange transportation back to Cusco. Thus concludes our 5-day Ausangate Trek to the Rainbow Mountain, culminating at your hotel in Cusco.
WALKING DISTANCE: 14 km / 8.6 mi
MEALS: Breakfast , lunch
PRICE AND INCLUSIONS
Each trip is tailored to your specific needs and desires, so our prices vary depending on the number of people traveling, the desired level of accommodation, and the activities included, among other factors.
INCLUDE
- Transport
- Professional guide
- Meals
- Personal duffel bags
- Spacious tents ; sleeping mats ; dining tent, kitchen tent, toilet tent
- Horses to carry the group’s equipment
NOT INCLUDED
- Breakfast on the 1st day
- Dinner on the 4th day
- Other services not mentioned.
ACCOMMODATIONS
We offer you an exclusive selection of our accommodations in Cusco, ensuring that you enjoy the utmost comfort and an unparalleled experience during your stay.
