The Ausangate Trek to Machu Picchu takes you through the most impressive places in Peru.
It is designed for lovers of the Rainbow Mountains who want to visit the most important peaks and valleys of Cusco: the Ausangate glacier and its crystal-clear lagoons, the Rainbow Mountain, the Sacred Valley of the Incas, and the Inca citadel of Machu Picchu.
During this trek, you will witness incredibly diverse landscapes, starting from the highest snow-capped peaks to the tropical valleys of the Andes. Along the route, Apu Ausangate (6,372 m / 20,905 ft) will be the main highlight; it is the highest mountain in the Cusco region.
Day 01 Cusco | Upis Community – Upis Camp – Wayna Ausangate Lake
Highlight of the Day: Discover the Andean communities and Wayna Ausangate Lake.
Explore and enjoy the beauty of Ausangate Mountain. You won’t believe the white color that covers it, standing right before you.
Our Ausangate Trek & Rainbow Mountain adventure will begin at 4:00 am from Cusco, heading through Andean landscapes to the small community of Upis, where we will enjoy a delicious breakfast prepared by our professional chef.
We will gradually ascend to acclimatize and ensure a smooth trek. Near the glacier base, you will admire the northeast side of the impressive Ausangate snow-capped peak.
After three hours of walking through beautiful native potato fields and charming adobe and straw houses, we will reach the camp for lunch.
In the afternoon, you will have the option to visit Wayna Ausangate Lake, a two-hour round-trip exploration. Upon returning to the camp, our porters will surprise you with a table set for tea time, with snacks, hot drinks, coffee, chocolate, popcorn, and more. Later, enjoy a delicious dinner before a well-deserved rest in the company of Ausangate’s snow-capped peaks.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Accommodation: Camping
Difficulty: Moderate
Walking Distance: 10 km / 6.21 miles
Initial Elevation: 4,250 m / 13,944 ft
Hiking Time: 6 – 7 hours
Highest Altitude: 4,480 m / 14,698 ft
Camp Altitude: 4,400 m / 14,436 ft
Day 02 Upis Camp | Arapa Pass – Hatun Pucacocha
Highlight of the Day: Discover the stunning Andean landscapes around Ausangate.
Be amazed by the breathtaking lakes and the immense Ausangate glacier.
Today, we will wake you up with hot coca tea, chocolate, or coffee in your tent to energize you for the day ahead. Enjoy breakfast amidst the Andean landscapes and the cold mountain air.
Our 8-day Ausangate Trek begins with a two-and-a-half-hour hike through a beautiful highland valley towards Arapa Pass, alongside the spectacular Ausangate Glacier.
From the mountain summit (4,800 m / 15,748 ft), the Andean landscape’s beauty will multiply, leaving you in awe. Even if we don’t believe in God, we may feel the need to thank someone for these beautiful, nature-made works of art.
Next, we will descend to discover the stunning Yanacocha Lagoon (Black Lagoon) with crystal-clear waters. We will follow the trail for another hour until reaching Hatun Pucacocha to admire the fantastic landscape.
Make sure to have your camera ready throughout the day to capture incredible memories. At this point, we will enjoy a delicious lunch.
Later, we will arrive at our camp at Hatun Pucacocha (4,500 m / 14,764 ft). Around the camp, we will explore the lagoons and relax with tea time.
In the evening, a nutritious dinner prepared by our private chef will be waiting for you. Afterward, enjoy a comfortable night in your private tent.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Accommodation: Camping
Difficulty: Moderate
Walking Distance: 11 km / 6.84 miles
Hiking Time: 6 – 7 hours
Minimum Altitude: 4,500 m / 14,764 ft
Highest Altitude: 4,800 m / 15,748 ft
Camp Altitude: 4,500 m / 14,764 ft
Day 03 Hatun Pucacocha | Puca Pass – Anantapata – Warmisaya Pass – Surinecocha – Rainbow Mountain (Sunset)
Highlight of the Day: Walk along the slopes of Ausangate and visit Rainbow Mountain for the first time at sunset.
Climb the highest pass to get your first distant view of Rainbow Mountain.
Wake up with coca tea, a natural energy booster used since the Inca times. Today, you will start early for one of the most beautiful days of the entire Ausangate & Rainbow Mountain trek.
After breakfast, we will hike uphill for two hours to Puca Pass (4,870 m / 15,978 ft). This morning’s route will offer stunning glacier views and lush green valleys.
Feel the mighty presence of the sacred Ausangate Mountain and capture its turquoise lagoons. Once at the top, you will face the immense Ausangate Mountain, feeling its energy.
You will also see the beautiful Chilca Valley, where llamas, alpacas, and sheep graze peacefully. From this pass, you will catch the first glimpse of the Rainbow Mountain range.
We will descend for about an hour and a half to Anantapata (4,750 m / 15,584 ft) for lunch. Afterward, we will ascend for two hours to Warmisaya Pass (4,985 m / 16,355 ft).
From this point, enjoy the panoramic views before descending 45 minutes to our camp by Surinecocha Lagoon (4,800 m / 15,748 ft).
Upon arrival, our porters will greet us with hot water to refresh. In the evening, we will visit Rainbow Mountain at sunset, away from crowds, led by our expert guide to the best spots for unforgettable photos.
After this magical visit, enjoy snacks and tea time back at camp, followed by a delicious dinner.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Accommodation: Camping
Difficulty: Moderate
Walking Distance: 7 km / 4.35 miles
Hiking Time: 7 – 8 hours
Minimum Altitude: 4,500 m / 14,764 ft
Highest Altitude: 5,100 m / 16,732 ft
Camp Altitude: 4,800 m / 15,748 ft
Day 01 Cusco | Upis Community – Upis Camp – Wayna Ausangate Lake
Highlight of the Day: Discover the Andean communities and Wayna Ausangate Lake.
Explore and enjoy the beauty of Ausangate Mountain. You won’t believe the white blanket covering it right before your eyes.
Our Ausangate Trek & Rainbow Mountain adventure will begin at 4:00 am from Cusco, heading through the Andean landscapes to the small community of Upis, where we will enjoy a delicious breakfast prepared by our professional chef.
We will begin our gradual ascent to acclimatize and ensure a smooth trek. Once near the glacier base, you will admire the northeast side of the impressive Ausangate snow-capped peak.
After three hours of walking through beautiful native potato fields and charming adobe and straw houses, we will reach the camp for lunch.
In the afternoon, you will have the option to visit Wayna Ausangate Lake, a two-hour round-trip exploration. Upon returning to the camp, our porters will surprise you with a table set for tea time, with snacks, hot drinks, coffee, chocolate, popcorn, and more. Later, enjoy a delicious dinner before a well-deserved rest alongside Ausangate’s snow-capped peaks.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Accommodation: Camping
Difficulty: Moderate
Walking Distance: 10 km / 6.21 miles
Initial Elevation: 4,250 m / 13,944 ft
Hiking Time: 6 – 7 hours
Highest Altitude: 4,480 m / 14,698 ft
Camp Altitude: 4,400 m / 14,436 ft
Highlight of the Day: Discover stunning Andean landscapes around Ausangate.
Witness the impressive lakes and immense Ausangate glacier.
Today, we will wake you up with hot coca tea, chocolate, or coffee in your tent to energize you for the day ahead. Enjoy breakfast in the middle of the Andean landscapes and the cold mountain air.
Our 8-day Ausangate Trek begins with a two-and-a-half-hour hike through a beautiful highland valley towards Arapa Pass, alongside the spectacular Ausangate Glacier.
From the mountain summit (4,800 m / 15,748 ft), the beauty of the Andean landscape will multiply, leaving you in awe. Even if we don’t believe in God, we may feel the need to thank someone for these stunning natural landscapes.
Next, we will descend to discover the beautiful Yanacocha Lagoon (Black Lagoon) with crystal-clear waters. We will follow the trail for another hour until reaching Hatun Pucacocha to admire the fantastic scenery.
Be sure to have your camera ready throughout the day to capture incredible memories. At this point, we will enjoy a delicious lunch.
Later, we will arrive at our camp at Hatun Pucacocha (4,500 m / 14,764 ft). Around the camp, we will explore the lagoons and relax with tea time.
In the evening, a nutritious dinner prepared by our private chef will be waiting for you. Afterward, enjoy a comfortable night in your private tent.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Accommodation: Camping
Difficulty: Moderate
Walking Distance: 11 km / 6.84 miles
Hiking Time: 6 – 7 hours
Minimum Altitude: 4,500 m / 14,764 ft
Highest Altitude: 4,800 m / 15,748 ft
Camp Altitude: 4,500 m / 14,764 ft
Highlight of the Day: Walk along the slopes of Ausangate and visit Rainbow Mountain at sunset for the first time.
Climb the highest pass of the trek to get your first distant view of Rainbow Mountain.
Wake up with coca tea, a natural energy booster used since the Inca times. Today, you will start early for one of the most beautiful days of the entire Ausangate Trek & Rainbow Mountain adventure.
After breakfast, we will hike uphill for two hours to Puca Pass (4,870 m / 15,978 ft). This morning’s route will offer stunning glacier views and lush green valleys.
Feel the mighty presence of Ausangate Mountain and capture its turquoise lagoons. Once at the top, you will face the immense Ausangate Mountain, feeling its energy.
You will also see the beautiful Chilca Valley, where llamas, alpacas, and sheep graze peacefully. From this pass, you will catch the first glimpse of the Rainbow Mountain range.
We will descend for about an hour and a half to Anantapata (4,750 m / 15,584 ft) for lunch. Afterward, we will ascend for two hours to Warmisaya Pass (4,985 m / 16,355 ft).
From this point, enjoy the panoramic views before descending 45 minutes to our camp by Surinecocha Lagoon (4,800 m / 15,748 ft).
Upon arrival, our porters will greet us with hot water to refresh. In the evening, we will visit Rainbow Mountain at sunset, away from crowds, led by our expert guide to the best spots for unforgettable photos.
After this magical visit, enjoy tea time followed by a delicious dinner.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Accommodation: Camping
Difficulty: Moderate
Walking Distance: 7 km / 4.35 miles
Hiking Time: 7 – 8 hours
Minimum Altitude: 4,500 m / 14,764 ft
Highest Altitude: 5,100 m / 16,732 ft
Camp Altitude: 4,800 m / 15,748 ft
Highlight of the day: Rainbow Mountain, a marvel perfectly crafted and designed by nature.
Today is a spectacular day because we will reach the colorful mountain to witness the sunrise, the first rays of sunlight, and we will be the first ones there.
The view is truly breathtaking; even if we don’t believe in God, we will soon feel the need to thank someone for these beautiful natural landscapes that resemble works of art.
Our adventure begins very early with a delicious breakfast.
We will start with a gentle uphill hike that will take us to enjoy the incredible natural wonder, Rainbow Mountain (5,100 m / 16,732 ft). Once we reach the mountain, we will admire the sunrise, the first rays of sunlight, and take incredible photos long before other groups arrive.
After this magical moment, your guide will explain the significance of this place in the Andean world.
Later, we will visit the Red Valley viewpoint (5,050 m / 16,568 ft), where you can see the vast valley fading into the distance.
After walking through the Red Valley, we will return along the same path and slowly descend until we reach Anantapata (4,750 m / 15,584 ft), where we will enjoy a delicious lunch in the Andes prepared by our trekking super chef.
After lunch and a good rest, we will continue with an uphill hike for approximately two and a half hours, admiring the view of a beautiful green valley filled with herds of llamas and alpacas.
At night, our camp will be waiting for us at Ausangate Cocha (4,500 m / 14,774 ft) to rest comfortably after a delightful dinner.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Accommodation: Camping
Difficulty: Moderate
Walking distance: 17 km / 10.5 miles
Hiking time: 8 – 9 hours
Minimum elevation: 4,376 m / 14,357 ft
Highest altitude: 5,100 m / 16,732 ft
Highlight of the day: Walking through vast landscapes and learning about local customs and traditions.
Immerse yourself in local customs and traditions.
As every morning on this third day, you will receive a fantastic coca tea in your tent to start the day, thanks to a delicious breakfast prepared by our expert chef. Today’s hike begins with a two-and-a-half-hour uphill trek to Palomani Pass (5,200 m / 17,060 ft), the highest point of the entire route.
After a brief rest and enjoying more incredible views, we will hike for another hour until we reach the small Andean community of Huchuy Phinaya (4,650 m / 15,256 ft). Here, you will have the opportunity to enjoy your lunch amid a vast Andean landscape.
What a great way to spend lunchtime!
We have great respect and admiration for the people of Huchuy Phinaya, who maintain ancestral traditions to this day. Learn from them and their admirable lifestyle, living in complete harmony with Mother Nature (Pachamama).
Today was the most challenging day, but it was worth it for a true connection with the Andes and Mother Earth. Later, a gentle two-hour walk will take us to Sorapata, where our camp will be ready and waiting for your arrival.
After a delicious dinner, a peaceful night awaits without the noise of city traffic.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Accommodation: Camping
Difficulty: Challenging
Walking distance: 16.5 km / 10.25 miles
Hiking time: 8 – 9 hours
Minimum elevation: 4,500 m / 14,764 ft
Highest altitude: 5,200 m / 17,060 ft
Camp altitude: 4,700 m / 15,420 ft
Highlight of the day: Exploring stunning lakes and offering gratitude to Mother Nature.
Give thanks to Mother Nature for this epic journey.
After the second-to-last breakfast, we will begin our two-and-a-half-hour uphill hike to Jampa Pass at 5,070 meters (16,634 ft). From here, you will have impressive views of majestic, snow-covered sacred mountains.
Don’t forget to have your camera ready!
Then, a gentle three-hour downhill hike will take us to our lunch spot at Pacchanta camp. Along the way, we will also join the famous 7 Ausangate Lakes trek.
Next to one of the mystical lakes (Qomercocha, Orco Otorongo, or China Otorongo), we will have the option to perform a small ceremony or thanksgiving to Pachamama and the surrounding mountains, especially the sacred Ausangate Mountain that has watched over us throughout the journey.
After lunch at Pacchanta, you will have free time to relax and heal your tired body in the medicinal hot springs of Pacchanta.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Accommodation: Camping
Difficulty: Moderate
Walking distance: 11 km / 6.84 miles
Hiking time: 5 – 6 hours
Minimum altitude: 4,100 m / 13,451 ft
Highest altitude: 5,070 m / 16,634 ft
Camp altitude: 4,100 m / 13,451 ft
Highlight of the day: Visiting Inca archaeological sites, Lamay artisan center, and the Maras salt mines.
We will explore the Sacred Valley of the Incas in the best way possible.
After breakfast, prepared by our super chef, you will have a moment to say goodbye to our trekking team who accompanied you on the magnificent Ausangate trek: the professional chefs, muleteers, and porters.
Without them, this epic adventure would not be possible!
After saying goodbye, we will take you in our private Tunqui Expeditions transport for a three-and-a-half-hour drive to the Sacred Valley of the Incas. Our first stop will be the Taray Viewpoint or Sacred Valley Viewpoint. This incredible spot will offer you a great opportunity to see magnificent landscapes of the Peruvian Andes.
We will continue our journey through the Sacred Valley of the Incas along the right side of the Willkamayu River (Sacred River) until we reach Urco (2,900 m / 9,514 ft), an archaeological complex dedicated to water worship.
At midday, after visiting the Urco archaeological site, we will continue with a one-hour drive to Urubamba to enjoy a buffet lunch at the best restaurant, offering a variety of traditional dishes.
After lunch, our private transport will take you to the Maras Salt Mines, home to more than 3,000 salt pools.
Finally, we will arrive at the living Inca town of Ollantaytambo. Upon arrival, we will take a walk to see its Inca walls and water channels around the town. Then, we will head to the train station to Aguas Calientes, where you will check into a nice hotel.
We will have dinner, and then you can rest and dream about the incredible places you have seen so far.
Meals: Breakfast and lunch
Accommodation: Hotel
Difficulty: Easy
Walking distance: 2 km / 1.24 miles
Hiking time: 1 hour
Minimum altitude: 2,900 m / 9,514 ft
Highest altitude: 2,950 m / 9,678 ft
Hotel altitude: 2,900 m / 9,514 ft
Highlight of the day: Walking through the stone streets of Machu Picchu citadel and imagining what life was like many years ago.
Be amazed by the energy of Machu Picchu and discover the Inca secrets.
Today marks the end of your epic journey with a visit to the New Wonder of the World and UNESCO World Heritage Site, Machu Picchu. In the morning, you will enjoy breakfast at your hotel in Aguas Calientes before departing early.
We will take the bus from Aguas Calientes to the archaeological site to arrive before the crowds. This way, you can take advantage of the morning light and watch the sun rise, with the first bright rays shining over the massive ancient stones.
You can leave your backpacks or belongings at the hotel and only take a small daypack with essential items for your visit to Machu Picchu. The bus ride from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu takes approximately 30 minutes.
Once at Machu Picchu, your guide will take you directly to the best spot to watch the sunrise (weather permitting) and take photos. Then, your expert local guide will explain the main sectors of the citadel during a 2.5-hour guided tour. During this tour, you will learn more about the history and culture of the Inca Empire.
You can hike to Huayna Picchu Mountain (advance reservation required, as tickets sell out quickly and cost $75 per person). Your guide will show you where to begin the hike, which takes about 2 hours round trip.
You can also hike Machu Picchu Mountain, a more strenuous and challenging trek that takes a minimum of 3 hours round trip (with an additional cost of USD $75 per person).
After exploring this magical place, from start to finish, we will return to Aguas Calientes around noon for lunch at a restaurant of your choice. In the afternoon, at approximately 2 pm, we will head to the train station for the return journey to Ollantaytambo.
In Ollantaytambo, Tunqui Expeditions’ private transport will be waiting to take you back to Cusco and drop you off at your hotel.
Now it will be time to rest your legs after an epic 7-day adventure through the Ausangate Lakes, Rainbow Mountains, and Machu Picchu. We are sure you will never forget this life-changing trek.
Meals: Breakfast
Difficulty: Easy
Machu Picchu site altitude: 2,430 m / 7,972 ft
Machu Picchu Mountain altitude: 3,000 m / 9,843 ft
Huayna Picchu Mountain altitude: 2,720 m / 8,924 ft
Optional activities (Difficulty – Duration): Moderate (2-4 hours)
