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5 Days$1250USD

Activities
  • 5 day trek
Accommodation
  • 4 nights camping
Meals
  • 4 Dinners
  • 5 Lunches
  • 4 Breakfasts
5
Moderate

Traveller Rating

 

 
 

Trip highlights


  • Trek to the iconic Rainbow Mountain, Peru’s most colourful mountain
  • Avoid the crowds on this rarely walked trek
  • Hike in remote wilderness to view Ausangate, Peru's highest sacred peak
  • Marvel at stunning landscapes and enjoy cultural encounters providing endless photo opportunities
  • Overnight at scenic campsites, one of them at the foot of Ausangate
  • Begin and end your adventure in the royal capital of the Inca Empire, Cusco

Why Book With Us

  • Trek with us into remote wilderness to experience Ausangate and Rainbow Mountain without the crowds.
  • Fully supported camping based trek including three hearty meals a day during the trek freshly prepared by our trained cooks. Water on trek also included.
  • Receive a duffle bag for the time of the trek and save money by using our gear pack while trekking including sleeping bag, thermarest and more.
  • Carry a day pack only during the trek. Personal gear and camping equipment will be carried by our crew or trek animals.
  • Safety is our foremost priority and we carry a portable altitude chamber, emergency oxygen, group medical kit and satellite phone on the trek.

For the lover of scenic mountain regions, it would be hard to beat this exceptional trek. We start and finish in the fascinating World Heritage listed city of Cusco and take on a moderate trek to the majestic Rainbow Mountain (Vinicunca) and Ausangate. The trails provide spectacular scenery through Peruvian valleys and over mountain passes to enjoy the spectacular Andean wilderness. From our magnificent campsite at the foot of Ausangate we make our way up scenic passes to enjoy the incredible views. Delight in the unique natural wonder of Rainbow Mountain on this challenging and rewarding hike.

PLEASE NOTE: THIS IS A HIGH ALTITUDE TREK AND IT’S IMPERATIVE THAT YOU HAVE SPENT A MINIMUM OF TWO NIGHTS AT ALTITUDE OF AT LEAST 3000M (EG CUSCO) BEFORE THE START OF THIS TREK. WE CAN ONLY ACCEPT YOU ON THIS TRIP IF YOU CAN CONFIRM TWO OR MORE NIGHTS OF ACCLIMATISATION BEFOREHAND.

Trip Code: AUR

This trips starts early today and you will be picked up from your hotel in central Cusco at 7.30am. Please ensure you spend the night before the start of this trip in Cusco and you are ready in the hotel lobby with your bags packed at 7.30am. From Cusco, it will be about a three-hour drive to the trailhead. After driving through Ocongate and the village of Yanama, we’ll arrive in Cojahuri, where the trek begins for us. This first day of our trek is fairly easy walking for about two hours at around 4,000m of altitude. Our final destination for the day is our campsite of Ranrapata (4,300m) located on a vast esplanade just below the northeast flank of snowy Ausangate. From the camp, enjoy a beautiful sunset and first trek dinner, prepared by our crew. Walking Distance: 6.6 kms Walking Time: 2-3 hours approx. PLEASE NOTE: THIS IS A HIGH ALTITUDE TREK AND IT’S IMPERATIVE THAT YOU HAVE SPENT A MINIMUM OF TWO NIGHTS AT ALTITUDE OF AT LEAST 3000M (EG CUSCO) BEFORE THE START OF THIS TREK. WE CAN ONLY ACCEPT YOU ON THIS TRIP IF YOU CAN CONFIRM TWO OR MORE NIGHTS OF ACCLIMATISATION BEFOREHAND.

Meals:  L,D

From our scenic campsite at the foot of Ausangate and the Jampa Pass, we’ll set off up the Yanama Valley towards Mt. Surinami and Mt. Inca for Puca Rumi Pass (5,000m), a total of 8.5 kilometres (about 5 hours) of hiking. From the pass, you’ll find amazing views of the red mountain and Vinicunca (Rainbow Mountain) in the distance. When the group’s ready, we’ll descend into the Cusipata Valley where our campsite (4,650m) is located, just below the famous multicolour mountain. The descent is about 3.6 kilometres, or 2 hours of hiking. Walking Distance: 12 kms Walking Time: 7-8 hours approx.

Meals:  B,L,D

Rising early, we’ll start our hike to the iconic Rainbow Mountain (Vinicunca 5,000m), a three-kilometre (1.5-2 hr.) ascent from our camp. From the summit, you’ll be able to see the impressive natural coloration of the mountain. Snap a few photos, take in the views, and rest your feet before we continue our trek to the lakes of Quirillacocha and Surini, a much welcome descent. At the lakes, the trail begins to rise again to the Huasacocha Pass (4,980m), a 4.3-kilometre ascent and descent that will take us about 2.5 hours to complete. At the bottom of the descent, we meet our final climb for the day, Ausangatecocha (4,654m), about 480 meters of uphill and 130 meters of downhill into the Anantapata Valley to our campsite. Walking Distance: 15 kms Walking Time: 7-8 hours approx.

Meals:  B,L,D

From camp we ascend for a two-hour, 500-meter, climb to Palomani Pass (5,180m). This is the highest mountain pass of the entire route. If we’re lucky, the summit will be blanketed in snow. We have time to rest and recover before we begin our descent to the Chilca Valley and our camp at Wanu Wanu (4,600m). Walking Distance: 11 kms Walking Time: 6-7 hours approx.

Meals:  B,L,D

The day’s hiking begins with a gentle ascent to our last pass - the Jampa Pass (5,070m). After climbing for about three hours, we’ll begin a two-hour descent to Qimerqocha Lake and Pacchanta Village (4,340m) where a vehicle will be waiting to take you back to your hotel in Cusco. The drive back to Cusco should take about three hours, where your trip concludes. As we will only arrive back in Cusco late in the afternoon (around 5pm), an additional night is required at the end of the trip. Please ask us for accommodation options. Walking Distance: 17 kms Walking Time: 7-8 hours approx.

Meals:  B,L


Inclusions

  • 4 breakfasts, 5 lunches and 4 dinners
  • Expert bilingual local guide with wilderness first aid training
  • Use of a kit bag which includes a duffle bag, quality sleeping bag and sleeping mat
  • Group camping equipment
  • Solar powered lamps in tents
  • All private internal transportation
  • Group medical kit
  • A portable oxygen chamber and an emergency oxygen tank will be carried on this trip

  • International flights and taxes
  • Airport transfers
  • Pre and post tour nights in Cusco. Please ask us for details and we are happy to organise accommodation for you.
  • Travel Insurance (compulsory)
  • Visas
  • Medical treatment
  • Excess baggage costs
  • Personal expenses, ie. cost of laundry, alcoholic beverages, phone calls, etc
  • Tips

Accommodation


Departure dates

Departs 1st and 3rd Friday of each month from April to October

Notes

Note:
Flights Lima/Cusco/Lima are not included.
NB:
In order to ensure adequate acclimatisation and as our journey will commence early on day one, it is imperative you arrive in Cusco two nights before the trip commences. We can assist with hotel bookings, ask us for details.

Dates don't fit?
Create a Private Trip

If you have your own group, talk to us about turning this itinerary into your own private adventure.

Priceper person from

$1250USD

Your trip price includes:

  • Park Fees valued at USD$122
Options & Supplements*
  • Ausangate Trek Single Supplement (tent only)USD$80
*Prices listed are per person

Essential Information

Ready to book? Make sure you download and read the detailed Ausangate and Rainbow Mountain Trek trip notes which contains all the essential information you need to know before booking. Once you’ve booked, we will supply you with a Pre-Departure document which contains a detailed gear list and other important information to help you prepare for your adventure ahead.


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Why travel with us

Award Winning Adventures

Enhancing your journey with authentic experiences, genuine cultural exchange and real exploration are the focal points on all of our adventures. In 2019, we were crowned by our peers as the best in adventure travel at The Travel Awards in Sydney.

Thoughtful Travel

Our vision is to leave the world a better place by following our sustainable active outdoor travel charter. All our adventures are 100% carbon offset and our Regenerative 2030 Project aims to integrate ‘regenerative’ projects into every one of our global operations by 2030.

Ultimate Value

 When you book one of our adventures, you will receive quality services at the best prices with plenty of inclusions. There are no hidden costs, single travellers don’t pay more and you’ll enjoy many ‘extra touches’ that ensure your holiday is excellent value for money.

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