Ausangate Trek 4 Days – Rainbow Mountain & Red Valley

Discover the magic in 4 unforgettable days.

4 D - 3N

⛰️ The Ausangate trek 4 days offers one of the most rewarding adventures in the Peruvian Andes. You’ll cross colorful high-mountain passes, sleep beside turquoise lakes, and relax in natural hot springs with views of sacred Apu Ausangate. Moreover, the journey ends at the surreal Rainbow Mountain, painted by nature itself. This is the perfect trek for hikers looking for challenge, beauty, and rest the soul.

Learn more about protected areas like Ausangate at Perú Travel.

This awaits you on your next trip

ITINERARY Ausangate Trek 4 Days

DAY 1: CUSCO – UPIS – HATUN PUCACOCHA CAMP

🕓 At 4:30 a.m., we will pick you up at your hotel to begin the ausangate trek 4 days. Along the way to Upis (4,250 m), we’ll stop for a scenic Andean breakfast as the sun rises over the mountains.

🥾 Once there, you’ll meet our muleteer team. The trail starts with a gentle climb through open valleys filled with alpacas and Andean scenery. After about three hours, we reach our lunch spot.

🍽️ After a well-deserved rest, we hike a steeper path to the Arapa Pass (4,800 m). From this point, you’ll enjoy panoramic views of colorful glacier lakes.

🏕️ We finally descend to Hatun Pucacocha Lagoon where we set up camp. Enjoy a hot dinner and rest under the stars with the mountains as your backdrop.

📏 Max altitude: 4,800 m

📏 Distance: 12 km

🕒 Duration: 5–6 h

🍽️ Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

🛏️ Lodging: Campsite by the lagoon

DAY 2: HATUN PUCACOCHA – ANANTAPATA – SURINECOCHA CAMP.

🌅 We begin the day with hot coca tea in your tent and a hearty breakfast beside the lake. This second stage of the ausangate trek 4 days reveals more stunning highland scenery.

🏞️ The trail climbs toward Pucacocha Pass (4,900 m) offering epic views of turquoise lakes and snow-covered peaks. The landscape here is among the most photogenic of the trek.

🥗 We descend to a beautiful valley where lunch awaits. After eating and resting, we hike again for about an hour to reach Anantapata Pass (4,900 m) and spot the colors of Rainbow Mountain in the distance.

🏕️ Finally, we arrive at Surinecocha Camp (4,800 m), peacefully located beside a lagoon. There, a warm dinner and serene sleep under the stars complete our day.

📏 Max altitude: 4,900 m

📏 Distance: 14 km

🕒 Duration: 6–7 h

🍽️ Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

🛏️ Lodging: Camp beside lagoon

DAY 3: PUCACOCHA – PUCA PASS – SURINECOCHA LAKE CAMP

☕ There’s no better way to start your day than with a warm cup of coca leaf tea. Used since Inca times, it’s a natural and powerful energy booster. You’ll wake up early to begin one of the most breathtaking days of the ausangate trek 3 days, surrounded by pure mountain magic.

🥾 After a hearty breakfast, we’ll hike for two hours up to Puka Pass (4870 m / 15,977 ft). Along the way, you’ll be amazed by panoramic glacier views and deep green valleys. Moreover, you’ll feel the powerful energy of Apu Ausangate and photograph its stunning turquoise lagoons shimmering in the morning light.

📸 At the summit, the massive face of Ausangate rises right in front of you. Then, we’ll begin a gentle 1.5-hour descent to our lunch spot in Anantapata (4750 m / 15,584 ft). After enjoying a well-earned meal, we’ll rest before continuing with a two-hour climb to Warmisaya Pass (4985 m / 16,354 ft).

🌅 From there, you’ll feel like a bird soaring between the peaks, with endless mountain views unfolding before you. Finally, a one-hour descent brings us to Surineqocha Lake (4800 m / 15,748 ft), our peaceful night camp. You’ll witness a magical sunset behind Rainbow Mountain, filling you with calm and awe. After another satisfying dinner, it’s time to sleep under the stars—deep in the heart of the unforgettable ausangate trek 3 days.

DAY 4: SURINECOCHA CAMP – RAINBOW MOUNTAIN – RED VALLEY – CUSCO

🌄 We begin the final day of the ausangate trek 4 days before sunrise. After a warm and energizing breakfast, we hike for about 1 hour and 30 minutes to reach the Rainbow Mountain viewpoint at 5,100 m. At this early hour, you’ll enjoy the site in peace, far from large crowds.

📸 From the summit, you’ll capture breathtaking photos and admire the natural rainbow of colors formed by mineral deposits. Moreover, if the weather is clear, you’ll spot the snow-capped Ausangate in the distance.

🗺️ We then continue with a short 30-minute walk to the hidden gem known as the Red Valley, an extraordinary landscape painted in vibrant reds. Even though it’s brief, the trail is unforgettable and incredibly scenic.

🚐 Finally, we descend for about 1 hour and 30 minutes to the town of Llacto, where our private transportation will be waiting. On the way back to Cusco, we’ll stop for a delicious lunch in a local restaurant. We arrive at your hotel around 4:00 p.m., concluding the unforgettable ausangate trek 4 days experience.

📝 Max altitude: 5,100 m

📏 Distance covered: 6.5 km

⏱️ Estimated duration: 3–4 hours

🍽️ Included meals: Breakfast, lunch

🛌 Accommodation: Not included (final day)

PRICE AND INCLUSIONS Ausangate Trek 4 Days

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

Pre-trek briefing: Informative meeting 1 day before the tour (at the office or your accommodation)
Hotel pick-up in Cusco (historic center area)
Professional bilingual guide (Spanish-English) specialized in mountain trekking
Round-trip private transportation Cusco – Upis / Rainbow Mountain – Cusco
Pack horses to carry up to 8 kg per person (duffel bag included)
Specialized cook and kitchen equipment
All meals during the trek (breakfasts, lunches, dinners, and snacks)
Boiled drinking water throughout the hike
Camping equipment: double high-mountain tents, sleeping mats, dining and kitchen tents
Optional natural hot springs bath in Upis
Entrance to Ausangate Park and Rainbow Mountain
First aid kit and emergency oxygen tank
Return to Cusco in private transport
Free luggage storage in Cusco during the trek

NOT INCLUDED

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.