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In this proposal you have the opportunity to hike all the circuit of the mountain of Ausangate Mountain majestically standing at 6,372 meters/20,900 feet and visit the rainbow mountain in 8 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 trek still includes all of the same impressive views of the sacred Ausangate Mountain before swerving towards the impressive Sibinacocha Lagoon. It is then that the noise fades as you stray away from tourists and enters into an uninhabited area where one can truly become one with nature. Calling all hikers, nature and culture lovers, or those with a hunger for the alternative to this trek!
What's included
- 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)
- 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
- 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.
- Camping alongside the Sibinacocha Lagoon surrounded by incredible glacial mountain views and turquoise lakes.
- Natural wonders such as the Black Lagoon situated on volcanic soil causing the lake to change between red and black.
PRICES PER PERSON (*)
- 1 person = US$ 3,256
- 2 people = US$ 1,704
- 3 people = US$ 1,298
- 4 people = US$ 1,117
- 5 to 6 people = US$ 978
- 7 to 8 people = US$ 871
- More than 9 people = US$ 785
* Prices per person in US dollars.
* Price are based in sharing one tent 02 people .
MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THIS TOUR PACKAGE
Trip code | RMS8D01 |
Travel style | PRIVATE TOUR |
Type of activities | Hiking & Trekking, 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 7
- Day 8
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.
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.
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 one hour and 30 minutes until we reach the Alccataure (4,600m/15,092ft) where will we have lunch.
- After a satisfying lunch, we will begin our hike uphill to the second step. After around one hour, 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 a one hour downhill hike to our camp, Surine Cocha (4,800m/15,748ft).
- Overnight in camp.
- Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
Sunrise at Rainbow Mountain, Hike to Ausangate 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.
Hike from Ausangate cocha to Quilleta
- 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.
Hike from Quilleta to Mormorani
- Breakfast, we begin to ascend gradually by a ravine to Yana cocha lagoons. After a fascinating experience, you will gradually climb to the valley that leads us to the mountain pass mentioned above, Condorpaso (5,200m/17,060ft). From this pass, being the highest on the entire trek, we will not only feast our eyes upon the lovely Vilcanota mountain range and incredible Sibinacocha Lagoon (4,873m/15,988ft).
- Immediately after, we must continue our hike for another 3 hours, crossing another mountain pass, followed by the descent into the valley surrounding the Sibinacocha Lagoon’s spring. We will then have the amazing experience of camping very near the incredible lagoon in a small hamlet called Mormorani (4,900m/16,076ft), right in the shadow of an impressive glacier that mightily stands, giving the lake the nutrients to possess such brilliant turquoise waters, even more impressive in contrast with the pure dark blue pure color of the lagoon.
- The lagoon is also home to a wide variety of bio-diversity! We will likely be able to spot Andean Coots "Huallatas", Andean Geese, as well as Andean Ducks from our camp.
- Overnight in camp.
- Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
Hike from Mormorani to Ccascara
- Bright and early departure early to begin our 2 hour hike along the pristine shores of the Sibinacocha Lagoon in the direction of the Yayamari community (4,900m/16,076ft). Beside the mountain possessing the same name, we will set eyes upon an impressive rocky peak which overlooks the lagoon (5,500m/18,040ft).
- Then we will cross a flat place where we can see hundreds of llamas, alpacas, and maybe if we are lucky we can see vicuñas. We continue the walk with a gradual ascent towards to Ccascara pass (5,030m/16,503ft), which will guide us to the lagoon possessing the same name. We will set up camp at Ccascara lagoon (4,920m/16,142ft).
- In this lovely mountain-surrounded (Montura and Chumpi) spot, we will gain new perspectives into the lives of the local, rural communities who reside there.
- Furthermore, we may have the beautiful opportunity to spot “Huallatas” or Andean geese and possibly even flamingos!.
- Overnight in camp.
- Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
Hike from Ccascara to Phinaya - Transportation back to Cusco
- After energizing with breakfast, we will set forth from Ccascara and begin a 3 and a half hour walk towards Phinaya community (4,700m/15,420ft) end of the trek.
- We will travel back in time to have lunch in this simple, small Andean village including a lovely little church and only bikes and horses as means of transportation.
- At 13:00pm, we will depart on our approximately 5 hour drive back to Cusco.
- Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch.