Ausangate Circuit Trek and sunrise on Rainbow Mountain

Price

1,234$ per person

Duration

6 Days

Destination

More than 1

Travellers

Information
Tour Plan
Location
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In this proposal you have the opportunity to hike all the circuit of the mountain of Ausangate and visit the rainbow mountain in 6 days. As you move around Ausangate Mountain you will see other peaks and witness many amazing sights as you camp and go up & down hills. You will have the rare opportunity to get an intimate glimpse at how locals live in the mountains. As you pass through lush, emerald-colored valleys, you’ll be inspired by views of Ausangate Mountain standing like a god-carved monolith in the distance. Of course, all of this will lead up to the exiting moment when you first spot the colored minerals that formed the painted hills you’re walking through. This is truly a chance to stand in awe of Mother Nature’s handcrafted jewels. Your guide will explain the geological history of Rainbow Mountain as you approach its beauty.

What's included

Destination

Ausangate Trek , Peru Treks Discover Destinations

Departure Location

Cusco

Return Location

Cusco

Price includes

24 hour support by our local staff
Accommodation in personal tents (camping)
All entrance fees and excursions mentioned in the itinerary
All ground transportation
All transfers airport, train station or bus station transfers, Hotel pickup and drop-off
All transfers are assisted by English speaking staff
Guided tours by local quality English speaking guides
Meals: According mentioned in the itinerary (vegetarian or special diets are available)

Price does not include

Anything not specified in the itinerary description
Domestic flight tickets
Guidance in other languages
International flight tickets
Other expenses of a personal nature (alcoholic beverages, laundry, etc.)
Sleeping bag
Tips for guides, drivers and other staff
VISA procedures, travel insurance, pre and post tour accommodation
Walking sticks

Highlights

Super Trekking to Ausangate in the rugged Peruvian Andes.
Ausangate Circuit Trek and amazing sunrise on Rainbow Mountain.
A magnificent trek amongst Peru`s biggest peaks.
End to end, through the most famous of Andean ranges, trekking to Ausangate.
Observation of and interaction with local village communities to get a taste of the authentic Andean life.
Natural wonders! Mineral composed Rainbow Mountain and colorful lakes tinged by the color of the sediment of nearby mountains.

PRICES PER PERSON (*)

1 person = US$ 2,334
2 people = US$ 1,234
3 people = US$ 942
4 people = US$ 812
5 to 6 people = US$ 715
7 to 8 people = US$ 635
More than 9 people = US$ 604

* Prices per person in US dollars.
* Price based on 02 people sharing one tent.

MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THIS TOUR PACKAGE

Trip code	ACR6D01
Travel style	PRIVATE TOUR
Type of activities	Hiking & Trekking, Cultural, Adventure.
Group size	To suit group requirements.
Departure dates	Guaranteed departures any day with one person. Departures are available along the year although due to weather conditions, the recommended period for this trek is April to November.
Trekking grade	Moderate to strenuous – this trek requires a medium level of fitness. During this trek you will be required to walk up to 5 to 8 hours in one day. Some previous experience is required. Minimum 2 days at altitude recommended.
Min age	12+ All travelers under age 18 must be accompanied by an adult.

Private tour means, the tour will run exclusively for you without strangers with private guide, vehicle and driver are for your exclusive use; no matter you are individually, or in a family or friends group.

Day 1
Day 2
Day 3
Day 4
Day 5
Day 6

Day 1

Transportation to Tinki, Hike to Upis

To begin this beautiful journey, you will first be picked up by our transportation service from your Cusco hotel at 06:00am to begin our 3-hour journey towards the small Andean village called Tinki (3,800m/12,467ft) in this place we will meet with our muleteers and horses. The drive will take you through the stunning countryside, passing by many traditional villages such as Urcos, Ccatcca and Ocongate and finally Tinki where our horseman wait for us, once our cook give for us the snack for the trek we are going to star our hike around 10:00am.
From Tinki your trek officially begins! We start the trek by crossing the bridge and green meadows underneath Ausangate Mountain’s uneven stone flanks. We will reach the hot springs of Upis (4,400m/14,436ft) after around 5 hours, a wonderful place to camp for the night.
Overnight in camp.
Meals Included: Lunch and Dinner.

Day 2

Hike from Upis to Pucacocha

Early morning after breakfast, we climb for about 3 hours to Arapa Pass (4,750m/15,584ft). The views of Ausangate from Arapa step are undeniably stunning and will inspire you to create some Kodak moments!
After reaching this step, you will stop for a light lunch before continue descending downward into the valley on a wee-trodden gravel trail. During your descent, you’ll pass by the magnificent black lake of Yanacocha. Once back down in the valley you camp for the night beside the gorgeous lake Jatun Pucacocha. From your camp site you will have the freedom to choose to climb a nearby ridge to view the red-tinged lake of Vinococha. Each lake in the region is colored differently depending on the colored sediment of the nearby mountains.
Our second campsite is close to Ausangate glacier at Pucacocha (4,600m/15,092ft).
Overnight in camp.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.

Day 3

Hike from Pucacocha to Ananpata

On this day your excitement will grow as we get closer to the wonderfully unique Rainbow Mountains which you will begin to see in the distance! We will begin with one hour and 30 minutes uphill climb until we reach the next step (4,900m/16,076ft). At this step, we will catch glimpses of red mountains, as well as seeing Vicuñas, Chinchillas and Alpacas. From this step you will have a spectacular view of Ausangate and glacier.
After we enjoy the natural wonder of this step, we descend for two hours until we reach the Ananpata (4,800m/15,748ft) where will we have lunch and camp.
Overnight in camp.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.

Day 4

Ananpata to Rainbow Mountain, Hike to Ausangate cocha

Very early in the morning around 05:00am we will begin our hike uphill to the second step. After around 45 minutes, we will follow llama trail to Minasniyuq pass (4,980m/16,339ft). Here we will catch our first views of the Rainbow Mountains.
Then we continue 30 minutes downhill hike to our camp, Surine Cocha.
After breakfast, we will gradually hike uphill for 2 hours until we reach the famous Rainbow Mountain (5,030m/16,498ft).
The guide will explain what exactly makes these mountains so unique! They are composed of various minerals, which create different colors of stone striations. As you pass through lush, emerald-colored valleys, you’ll be inspired by views of Ausangate Mountain as it stands like a god-carved monolith in the distance. Of course, all of this leads up to the exciting moment in which you will first spot the colored minerals that formed the painted hills you’re walking through. This is truly a chance to stand in awe of Mother Nature’s handcrafted jewels.
After 45 minutes of enjoying the Rainbow Mountain we will return to the same camp, walk down then continuing the hike up to the pass of Minasniyuq (4,980m/16,339ft) then we walked down to have our lunch.
In the afternoon we will continue walking around 2 hours to arrive the fourth camp spot called Ausangate cocha (4,700m/15,420ft), this camp site is located at the backside of the Ausangate Mountain where we will see many highland birds. In the evening we will have tea time, subsequently dinner.
Overnight in camp.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.

Day 5

Hike from Ausangate cocha to Sorapata

Another great day to enjoy the mind-blowing colored hills next to the Ausangate Mountain (6,381m/20,935ft) a highest mountain in Cusco, and to see more glacier lagoons.
After having breakfast we will begin again with our expedition, the pathway starts right away uphill until reaching the next pass called Palomani that is at 5,100m/16,732ft; where, we’ll start to take a glance the massive mountain and some other colored hills.
Then we’ll walk downhill to get the valley part, where we’ll eat our lunch.
In the afternoon we’ll walk up to the next camp spot called Sorapata located at an elevation of 4,800m/15,748ft; where in the evening we’ll have tea time, subsequently dinner.
Overnight in camp.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.

Day 6

Hike from Sorapata to Pacchanta and Back to Cusco

After having breakfast we leave the campsite and tenderly ascend the Qampa side valley, going zigzag through a stream and through ancient rock falls where you can see big rabbit-like rodents, the Andean vizcachas, and jump across the boulders.
We then pass through Ausangate’s lush side from where you can see icy crags of Collque Cruz and Tres Picos on your right while moving up towards Qampa pass (5,050m/16,568ft) which is our last crossing. The high point is distinguished by the cairns made by the countless travelers through the years.
Then we walk down to Qomercocha where you can see lonesome lakes of varying depths and shades lie below soaring peaks. You can sense why this strong yet tranquil place became a ceremonial site for Quechua shamans of the Region. We then follow a series of progressing ridge in grassy outdoors, meeting child and women hand-spinning wool along the way to our trek’s largest settlement, the village of Pacchanta (4,280m/14,042ft).
Optional: we can soak in the hot springs and even down a well-deserved beer! This is certainly an amazing photo opportunity with Apu Ausangate as a backdrop!
Then we take our private car back to Cusco, arriving at about 20:00pm
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch.