Trip Overview:
Tour Type: Hiking, adventure, camping
Good For: Those with a sense of adventure and in good physical condition.
Temperature: Cold, temperature may go below 0 degrees at night
Difficulty: Challenging
Considerations: Enjoy the amazing colors of the mountains before they are discovered by the public.
Day 1: Cusco – Tinki – Upis – Hot Springs
We will pick you up from your hotel at 4 a.m. to begin your expedition. You will have private transportation to the trail head at Tinki. Tinki is a small Andean village located near Ocongate, located at 3,900 m/12,795 ft above sea level. Here, you will meet your horsemen and horses. You will enjoy your first breakfast prepared by our trekking chef. Then, you will start the gradual, uphill hike. It will be three or four hours until we reach our lunch area. Along the way, we will have amazing views of the Ausangate, far in the distance. We will pass by traditional villages, and perhaps meet some local people, dressed in their colorful, traditional clothing. They may be accompanying their indigenous llamas. Our lunch spot is in an amazing location, surrounded by stunning mountains and an excellent view of Ausangate Glacier peak. After lunch, it will be another two hour hike until we reach our campsite at Upis Alto, near the famous hot springs. Upis Alto is a small village located at 4,100 m/13,451 ft elevation. This will be our first campsite at the skirt of the Ausangate.
Walking Distance: 13 km.
Campsite Elevation: 4,100 m / 13,450 ft
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks and drinking water.
Weather: Dry and cold.
Day 2: Upis – Condor Pass – Pucacocha
After an early nutritious breakfast you will get ready for the second day of the hike. This day, you will be able to have wonderful views of the Ausangate glacier peaks. You will also see the lakes and waterfalls, and perhaps some llamas, alpacas and wild vicuñas (the undomesticated ancestor of the alpaca), as well as condors soaring above. We will have a three hour, uphill hike until we reach the first pass, which is at 5,000 m/ 16,404 ft high. You will have magnificent views of the surrounding area, especially in the dry season. In some months of the year, we will hike through some snow. You will most likely get to see vicuñas, which are the most impressive, wild animals in Peru. They belong to the family of Andean camelids. Today, their fleece is the most expensive wool the world. After taking some amazing pictures, we will continue on a two and a half hour, gradual, downhill hike until we reach a beautiful area, where you will enjoy your second day’s lunch. Following, it will be another two and a half hours until we arrive at our campsite, at Puca Ccocha (Red Lake). This campsite is one of the most beautiful campsites, located at the slope of the Ausangate peak and at the bank of the lake. You can see amazing sunsets from here, and perhaps some condors and eagles flying nearby.
Walking Distance: 12 km /7.5 miles
Campsite Elevation: 4,300 m / 14,100 ft
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks and drinking wate
Weather: Dry and cold.
Day 3: Pucacocha – Alpaca Pass – Chillca – Vicuña Pass Yanacocha
We will wake you up early with a hot cup of coca tea, to start one of the most beautiful days of the trek. You will enjoy the majestic views of some of the highest peaks in the Andes, and the depths of the beautiful valleys. You will have two mountain passes to make today.
After an early breakfast, we will start with a two to three hour steep climb to Alpaca Pass at 5,100 m/ 16,732 ft elevation. Along the way, you will have gorgeous views of the blue lakes and the Ausangate Glacier Peak. You may even see avalanches happening from the glacial hills. Once you reach the summit of this mountain, you will be right in front of Ausangate, so you will be able to enjoy the Chillca Valley, and the many alpaca grazing along these hills. After taking some great pictures, you will continue for another two hours on a gradual, downhill trek, then we reach our lunch spot, located in Chillca Valley. Be aware that some sections of the trail can be a bit difficult to see. You will see views of the waterfalls, green hills and snow-capped peaks. After enjoying your lunch and a little nap, you will continue on to the second pass of the day, called Vicuña pass, at 5,300 m/17,388 ft elevation. It will be a slow-paced, hour and a half hike to reach the summit of this highest pass of the trek. Along the way, it may be possible to see some condors, and vicuñas. Once we are on top of the mountain, we will enjoy a cup or two of traditional coca tea which will be provided by your porters. Then it will be another one hour, downhill hike until we arrive at our campsite at the banks of Lake Yanacocha, where you will enjoy our daily happy hour of hot drinks. This campsite is located few hours away from our final destination, The Rainbow Mountains.
This is a perfect place to spot the famous Inca constellations and do some star-gazing.
Walking Distance: 15 km/9.3 m
Campsite Elevation: 4,400 m/ 14,435 ft
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks, drinking water
Weather: Dry and cold
Day 4: Yanacocha – Rainbow Mountain – Chillca Village – Cusco
After another early breakfast with your trekking team, you will gradually trek uphill for an hour and a half until we reach the famous Rainbow Mountains and the Red Mountain Valley, located at 5,200 m /17,060 ft elevation. Your tour guide will walk you to the perfect spots for postcard pictures. He will also explain why these mountains are different from any other mountains in the Vilcanota Range. Part of the difference is due to a composition of various minerals, which make different colors of stone striations in the middle of the Red Mountains. This is one of the key tourist highlights in South America, and one of the most beautiful natural attractions in Peru.
After taking photos and enjoying the views, you will continue on the expedition to the end of the trail. This is all downhill, along the Chillca Valley. You will travel three hours until you stop to enjoy your final lunch with your team. We will then drive for hours back to Cusco and drop you off at your hotel. The drive provides nice views of the Andes and we will pass some traditional villages along the way. You will be arriving to Cusco around 6 p.m.
Walking Distance: 12 km /7.5 m
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, snacks and drinking water
Weather: Dry and cold
What is Included?
Included:
- Professional English Speaking Tour Guide
- Assistant Tour Guide for groups of 9+
- Chef
- Mules / Porters to carry cooking and camping equipment
- Mules / Personal porter to carry 7kg of your personal belongings.
- Pick-up from your hotel.
- Transportation by private transport from Cusco to Tinki
- Transportation by private transpot from Chillca to Cusco
- Water (excluding the first 4 hours of the trek when you need to bring your own)
- 4 Breakfasts, 4 Lunches, 3 Afternoon Snacks and 3 Dinners. If you have a dietary request such as vegetarian food please let us know.
- Dining tent with tables and chairs.
- Tents for every 2 trekkers.
- Sleeping mattress
- Oxygen bottle
- First aid kit.
- Walking sticks.
Not Included:
- Sleeping Bag (You can rent one from us)
- Dinner on Day 4
- Tips
- Travel Insurance - you are strongly recommended to take out travel insurance for the duration of your trip.
What you need to Take:
- Original Passport.
- Comfortable Walking shoes.
- Waterproof jacket / rain poncho.
- Warm jacket
- Hat, gloves and scarf.
- T-shirts.
- Comfortable Trousers.
- Sun hat.
- Sunscreen (factor 50 or higher).
- Insect repellent.
- Toiletries and hand sanitizer.
- Personal medication.
- Camera.
- Torch with spare batteries.
Cost of the Ausangate & Rainbow Mountain Trek 4D/3N
Private service 1 passenger US$ 1280 per person.
Private service 2 passengers US$ 710per person
Private service 3 passengers US$ 570 per person.
Private service 4 passengers US$ 490 per person.
Private service 5 passengers US$ 480 per person.
Private service 6 passengers US$ 460 per person.
Private service 7 passengers US$ 440per person.
Private service 8 or more US$ 420 per person.
