Overview
Duration
Type tour
Difficulty
Altitude
Acomodation
Group size
If you’re an adventure lover and eager to explore the stunning landscapes around Cusco’s highest peak, the 4-Day Ausangate Tour is just for you. This trip takes you to the magnificent Ausangate Mountain and the famous Rainbow Mountain (Vinicunca), offering a perfect blend of nature, culture, and adventure in the Andes.
What You’ll Experience:
- Vinicunca (Rainbow Mountain): Known for its vibrant rainbow colors, Vinicunca’s stunning appearance comes from layers of marine, lake, and river sediments. Over time, tectonic movements created these colorful stripes that draw countless tourists every year.
- Ausangate: Standing tall at 6,380 meters, Ausangate is Peru’s largest tropical glacier. It’s a vital indicator for measuring global warming and was a sacred mountain for the Incas. Hiking around Ausangate gives you a true taste of the Andes’ beauty.
Itinerary 4-Day Ausangate Tour with Rainbow Mountain
DAY 1: Cusco – Tínki – Upis (Hot Springs)
We kick off the adventure early in the morning, picking you up from your hotel in Cusco and heading towards the small village of Tínki. Enjoy the breathtaking views of the Vilcanota mountain range as we pass through traditional Andean villages. Once we arrive in Tínki, we’ll have a hearty breakfast to fuel up for the day. Our skilled arrieros (porters) will organize the group’s gear and prepare the horses for our hike. We’ll start our walk through agricultural communities, taking in the impressive mountain vistas for about three hours before stopping for lunch. After lunch, we hike another two hours to reach Upis (4,100 meters), where you can relax in the local hot springs before dinner and setting up camp for the night.
- Camp: Upis
DAY 2: Upis – Paso Arapa – Pucacocha
After a nutritious breakfast, we set out for Paso Arapa (4,850 meters). From this high pass, you’ll witness the striking contrast between dry desert hills and the snow-covered Ausangate. We’ll also catch glimpses of the beautiful Pucacocha Lagoon, featuring red, green, and turquoise hues. Our journey continues to camp near the Ausangate glacier by Pucacocha Lagoon, surrounded by three stunning lakes.
- Camp: Pucacocha
DAY 3: Pucacocha – Ausangate – Surine Cocha
This day is one of the highlights of the tour. You’ll see the Rainbow Mountains from a distance and visit the traditional village of Alccatauri, experiencing the local way of life. We begin with a 1.5-hour ascent to Paso Ausangate (4,930 meters), where you might spot vicuñas, chinchillas, and alpacas. After enjoying the views, we descend for two hours to Alccatauri (4,400 meters) and offer coca leaves to the locals—a cherished tradition. Following a satisfying lunch at a rustic lodge, we hike to Paso Minasniyuq (5,020 meters) to get an up-close look at the Rainbow Mountains and make offerings to Pachamama (Mother Earth). We then hike down to Surine Cocha (4,800 meters) and set up camp by the beautiful Surine Lake.
- Camp: Surine
DAY 4: Surine Cocha – Vinicunca – Quesiuno – Cusco
After breakfast, we start on a two-hour hike to the iconic Rainbow Mountain (5,020 meters). Our guide will lead you to the best spots for perfect photos and explain the unique mineral compositions that create the mountain’s vivid colors. This place is one of the most breathtaking in Peru and one of only a few like it in the world. After soaking in the views, we hike down to Quesiuno through the red valley for lunch. Our private transport will pick you up in Quesiuno and take you back to Cusco, arriving around 6 PM.
Includes
- Hotel pickup in Cusco
- Private transportation to Tínki and back
- Bilingual professional guide (English and Spanish)
- Entrance fees to the Ausangate Circuit
- Porters and horses to carry all gear, including tents, food, and cooking equipment
- Permits and entries for guides and porters
- 3 breakfasts, 4 snacks, 4 lunches, and 3 dinners prepared by our chef and assistant
- All camping gear, including tents for the staff
- Guided tours at key locations
- First aid kit and oxygen
- Vegetarian and special diet options available
- Return transport from Quesiuno to Cusco
No Incluye
- Entrance fees to the mountain area
- Personal horse rides (S/70)
- Tips for porters, cooks, and guides
- Travel insurance
- Trekking poles (available for rent at $10)
- Sleeping bags (available for rent at $25)
- Extra activities and personal expenses
- Entry to the Upis Hot Springs (PEN 10.00)
Packing list 4-Day Ausangate Tour with Rainbow Mountain
- Comfortable, waterproof trekking shoes
- Warm clothes like thermal underwear, fleece, hat, gloves, and socks
- Waterproof gear such as a jacket or poncho
- Sun protection: hat and sunglasses
- Sunscreen and after-sun lotion or moisturizer
- Reusable water bottles
- Personal medications
- A small backpack for personal items
- Lightweight, windproof jacket
- Convertible trekking pants (can turn into shorts)
- Trekking poles for extra support
- A face mask (KN95) and facial protector
Prices 4-Day Ausangate Tour with Rainbow Mountain
Cost:
- Private service only: USD 450.00
- Prices are in USD and include local taxes in Peru.
Overview
Duration
Type tour
Difficulty
Altitude
Acomodation
Group size
If you’re an adventure lover and eager to explore the stunning landscapes around Cusco’s highest peak, the 4-Day Ausangate Tour is just for you. This trip takes you to the magnificent Ausangate Mountain and the famous Rainbow Mountain (Vinicunca), offering a perfect blend of nature, culture, and adventure in the Andes.
What You’ll Experience:
- Vinicunca (Rainbow Mountain): Known for its vibrant rainbow colors, Vinicunca’s stunning appearance comes from layers of marine, lake, and river sediments. Over time, tectonic movements created these colorful stripes that draw countless tourists every year.
- Ausangate: Standing tall at 6,380 meters, Ausangate is Peru’s largest tropical glacier. It’s a vital indicator for measuring global warming and was a sacred mountain for the Incas. Hiking around Ausangate gives you a true taste of the Andes’ beauty.
DAY 1: Cusco – Tínki – Upis (Hot Springs)
We kick off the adventure early in the morning, picking you up from your hotel in Cusco and heading towards the small village of Tínki. Enjoy the breathtaking views of the Vilcanota mountain range as we pass through traditional Andean villages. Once we arrive in Tínki, we’ll have a hearty breakfast to fuel up for the day. Our skilled arrieros (porters) will organize the group’s gear and prepare the horses for our hike. We’ll start our walk through agricultural communities, taking in the impressive mountain vistas for about three hours before stopping for lunch. After lunch, we hike another two hours to reach Upis (4,100 meters), where you can relax in the local hot springs before dinner and setting up camp for the night.
- Camp: Upis
DAY 2: Upis – Paso Arapa – Pucacocha
After a nutritious breakfast, we set out for Paso Arapa (4,850 meters). From this high pass, you’ll witness the striking contrast between dry desert hills and the snow-covered Ausangate. We’ll also catch glimpses of the beautiful Pucacocha Lagoon, featuring red, green, and turquoise hues. Our journey continues to camp near the Ausangate glacier by Pucacocha Lagoon, surrounded by three stunning lakes.
- Camp: Pucacocha
DAY 3: Pucacocha – Ausangate – Surine Cocha
This day is one of the highlights of the tour. You’ll see the Rainbow Mountains from a distance and visit the traditional village of Alccatauri, experiencing the local way of life. We begin with a 1.5-hour ascent to Paso Ausangate (4,930 meters), where you might spot vicuñas, chinchillas, and alpacas. After enjoying the views, we descend for two hours to Alccatauri (4,400 meters) and offer coca leaves to the locals—a cherished tradition. Following a satisfying lunch at a rustic lodge, we hike to Paso Minasniyuq (5,020 meters) to get an up-close look at the Rainbow Mountains and make offerings to Pachamama (Mother Earth). We then hike down to Surine Cocha (4,800 meters) and set up camp by the beautiful Surine Lake.
- Camp: Surine
DAY 4: Surine Cocha – Vinicunca – Quesiuno – Cusco
After breakfast, we start on a two-hour hike to the iconic Rainbow Mountain (5,020 meters). Our guide will lead you to the best spots for perfect photos and explain the unique mineral compositions that create the mountain’s vivid colors. This place is one of the most breathtaking in Peru and one of only a few like it in the world. After soaking in the views, we hike down to Quesiuno through the red valley for lunch. Our private transport will pick you up in Quesiuno and take you back to Cusco, arriving around 6 PM.
Includes
- Hotel pickup in Cusco
- Private transportation to Tínki and back
- Bilingual professional guide (English and Spanish)
- Entrance fees to the Ausangate Circuit
- Porters and horses to carry all gear, including tents, food, and cooking equipment
- Permits and entries for guides and porters
- 3 breakfasts, 4 snacks, 4 lunches, and 3 dinners prepared by our chef and assistant
- All camping gear, including tents for the staff
- Guided tours at key locations
- First aid kit and oxygen
- Vegetarian and special diet options available
- Return transport from Quesiuno to Cusco
- Entrance fees to the mountain area
- Personal horse rides (S/70)
- Tips for porters, cooks, and guides
- Travel insurance
- Trekking poles (available for rent at $10)
- Sleeping bags (available for rent at $25)
- Extra activities and personal expenses
- Entry to the Upis Hot Springs (PEN 10.00)
- Comfortable, waterproof trekking shoes
- Warm clothes like thermal underwear, fleece, hat, gloves, and socks
- Waterproof gear such as a jacket or poncho
- Sun protection: hat and sunglasses
- Sunscreen and after-sun lotion or moisturizer
- Reusable water bottles
- Personal medications
- A small backpack for personal items
- Lightweight, windproof jacket
- Convertible trekking pants (can turn into shorts)
- Trekking poles for extra support
- A face mask (KN95) and facial protector
