Are you planning a trip with your partner, family, or a group of friends? Join us on this getaway from the city to the snow-capped mountains of the Andes with the Ausangate Trek to Rainbow Mountain.
The 5-day Ausangate Trek & Rainbow Mountain hike will immerse you in the pulse and spirit of the sacred snow-capped mountains and vibrant rainbow-colored peaks as you walk through high-altitude wilderness areas.
This Ausangate Trek is designed for a more peaceful and relaxed experience in the remote areas of Ausangate Mountain. The Ausangate trek to Vinicunca Rainbow Mountain (Ausangate, Peru) takes you along paths less traveled by tourists.
From the most iconic snow-capped peaks of the Andes to Rainbow Mountain, this is one of the best treks in the world, taking you through the rarely visited Ausangate circuit in the Peruvian Andes.
You will walk along sacred trails, glacier lagoons, colorful mountains, herds of llamas and alpacas, waterfalls, and the enigmatic peaks and glaciers of Ausangate Mountain (20,956 ft).
At the end of each exciting day, you will be welcomed at our unique campsites in spectacular landscapes. Each campsite is equipped with spacious private tents, a dining tent, a bathroom tent, and a kitchen!
Your greatest reward will be exploring the ethereal Rainbow Mountains & Red Valley at sunset and sunrise – an impressive natural formation of colorful mountains in Peru.
From the moment we begin our adventure with Tunqui Expeditions, we take care of every aspect of your trip down to the last detail.
All you have to do is enjoy!
The 5-day Ausangate Trek & Rainbow Mountain hike takes us through a truly unique circuit, hidden within the Andes mountain range and at the foot of the majestic Ausangate Mountain (6,372 m / 20,905 ft), the highest mountain in southern Peru. This mountain has been considered sacred for hundreds of years by the ancient inhabitants of the Andes.
Explore the heights on an Ausangate Trek that will be peaceful and enjoyable, but will also challenge your body and endurance.
All your effort will be rewarded with the most beautiful views in the world. What better way to end an adventure than by visiting Vinicunca, the Rainbow Mountain of Peru, and witnessing its fascinating natural colors on this sacred mountain.
Escape the tourist-filled city and connect with Mother Nature in absolute tranquility.
You won’t regret it!
DAY 01: CUSCO – UPIS – ARAPA PASS – HATUN PUCACOCHA
On this day, we head to Upis, where you will hike through stunning landscapes and observe Ausangate Mountain. In the afternoon, enjoy a visit to a crystal-clear lake before spending the night at the foot of the sacred Ausangate Mountain.
DAY 02: HATUN PUCACOCHA – PUCA PASS – ANANTAPATA – WARMISAYA PASS – SURINECOCHA – RAINBOW MOUNTAIN (SUNSET)
Today’s hike begins with a trek to Puca Pass, where you will witness stunning lagoons before lunch. In the afternoon, ascend to Warmisaya Pass and descend to our Surinecocha camp to visit Rainbow Mountain at sunset.
DAY 03: SURINECOCHA – RAINBOW MOUNTAIN (SUNRISE) – ANANTAPATA – AUSANGATE COCHA
Wake up early with coca tea to avoid the crowds at Rainbow Mountain, then continue towards Red Valley. Hike to Quesiuno for lunch and camp at Ausangate Cocha.
DAY 04: AUSANGATE COCHA – PALOMANI PASS – HUCHUY PHINAYA – SORAPATA
Today, you will hike through stunning Andean landscapes, observing mountains and green or snow-covered scenery depending on the season. Enjoy lunch and, in the afternoon, spend time with local families to learn about their customs and traditions.
DAY 05: SORAPATA – JAMPA PASS – 7 AUSANGATE LAGOONS – PACCHANTA (HOT SPRINGS)
Wake up to beautiful landscapes and join the 7 Lagoons hike. Marvel at the lakes and participate in an Andean ceremony. Enjoy a free afternoon and relax in the Pacchanta hot springs.
Highlight of the day: Hike through the Andean landscapes of Ausangate.
Walk through the beautiful Andean landscape and breathe pure, fresh air.
Our Ausangate Trek adventure begins at 4:00 AM in the city of Cusco with private transport from Tunqui Expeditions, heading to the community of Upis.
A nutritious breakfast will be prepared by the talented hands of our professional chef, surrounded by the Andean landscapes of Ausangate. From here, we will begin the Ausangate Trek to Rainbow Mountain, enjoying the stunning scenery.
Once ready with walking poles in hand, we will calmly hike for three hours to have lunch at Upis, surrounded by breathtaking views. Along the trail, you will see llamas, alpacas, and vicuñas across this part of the mountains.
We will then continue with a two-and-a-half-hour uphill hike to Arapa Pass, where you will witness vibrant colors scattered across the mountains and a valley stretching before your eyes.
After reaching the highest point of our hike, we will begin our descent for approximately two and a half hours, passing by Yanacocha Lagoon until we reach our campsite near Hatun Pucacocha Lagoon.
Upon arrival, we will camp at the base of the sacred Ausangate Mountain, where you will be amazed by its snow-covered silhouette.
In the afternoon, our porters will surprise us with a tea time filled with snacks, hot drinks, coffee, chocolate, popcorn, and other treats to satisfy your hunger. Later, you will enjoy a delicious dinner before a well-deserved rest.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Accommodation: Camping
Difficulty: Moderate
Walking distance: 17 km / 10.56 miles
Starting elevation: 4,250 m / 13,944 ft
Hiking time: 8 – 9 hours
Highest altitude: 4,800 m / 15,748 ft
Camp altitude: 4,500 m / 14,764 ft
Highlight of the day: Stunning bright lagoons on our trek.
A day filled with lagoons and the sacred mountains of Ausangate awaits.
After a long night under the bright stars, we will wake up and enjoy a delicious breakfast prepared by our chef to give us the energy needed to start the day.
Our trek begins by filling our water bottles or canteens before hiking uphill for two hours to Puca Pass (4,870 m / 15,978 ft).
We will descend for an hour and a half to have lunch at Anantapata (4,750 m / 15,584 ft). Afterward, we will ascend for approximately two more hours to reach Warmisaya Pass (4,985 m / 16,355 ft), where we will witness the spectacular panoramic views of the surrounding sacred mountains and Rainbow Mountain in the distance. The goal is to arrive in the afternoon to see the last rays of sunlight on Rainbow Mountain.
From there, we will descend for 45 minutes to our campsite near Surinecocha Lagoon (4,800 m / 15,748 ft). Upon arrival, porters will welcome us with hot water to refresh ourselves. After resting, we will take a short hike to Rainbow Mountain to enjoy the sunset, exploring this breathtaking site exclusively with your group.
Your expert guide will lead you to the best photo spots to make the most of this once-in-a-lifetime experience. Don’t worry – we will return the next day to witness the sunrise and the colors shining differently in the morning light.
After the afternoon visit, porters will prepare tea time with snacks, hot drinks, coffee, chocolate, and more. Later, we will enjoy a delightful dinner before resting.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Accommodation: Camping
Difficulty: Moderate
Walking distance: 10 km / 6.20 miles
Hiking time: 5 – 6 hours
Highest altitude: 5,100 m / 16,732 ft
Camp altitude: 4,800 m / 15,748 ft
Highlight of the day: Rainbow Mountain, a masterpiece perfectly crafted by nature.
Today will be spectacular as we reach Rainbow Mountain at sunrise, witnessing the first rays of light and being the first to arrive.
The view is breathtaking – even if we don’t believe in God, we will feel the need to thank someone for these stunning landscapes, which feel like works of art.
Our adventure begins early with a delicious breakfast.
We will start with a gentle uphill hike that will lead us to enjoy the incredible natural wonder of Rainbow Mountain (5,100 m / 16,732 ft). Once we arrive, we will witness the sunrise, capturing incredible photos long before the other groups arrive.
After this magical moment, your guide will explain the significance of this site in Andean culture.
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 exploring the Red Valley, we will return along the same path, gradually descending to Anantapata (4,750 m / 15,584 ft), where we will enjoy a delicious Andean meal prepared by our trekking chef.
After lunch and a well-deserved rest, we will continue with a two-and-a-half-hour uphill hike, admiring the beautiful green valley filled with herds of llamas and alpacas. In the evening, our campsite will await us at Ausangate Cocha (4,500 m / 14,774 ft), where we will relax after another delicious 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
Maximum elevation: 5,100 m / 16,732 ft
Camp elevation: 4,500 m / 14,774 ft
Highlight of the day: Hike through vast landscapes and learn about local customs and traditions.
Immerse yourself in the customs and traditions of the Andean people.
As every morning, you will receive a cup of hot coca tea in your tent to start the day, followed by 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 short break to enjoy the incredible views, we will hike for another hour to reach the small Andean community of Huchuy Phinaya (4,650 m / 15,256 ft). Here, you will have the opportunity to enjoy lunch surrounded by the vast Andean landscape.
What a great way to spend lunchtime!
We hold great respect for the people of Huchuy Phinaya, who have preserved their ancestral traditions to this day. Learn from them and their admirable way of living in harmony with Pachamama (Mother Nature).
Today is the most challenging day, but the connection with the Andes and Mother Earth will make it worthwhile. Later, a gentle 2-hour hike will lead us to Sorapata, where our camp will be set and ready for your arrival.
After a delicious dinner, you will enjoy a peaceful night’s rest without the noise and hustle of the city.
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
Maximum elevation: 5,200 m / 17,060 ft
Camp elevation: 4,700 m / 15,420 ft
Highlight of the day: Explore the stunning lagoons and offer a small tribute to Mother Nature.
Show gratitude to Pachamama for this epic journey.
After breakfast, we will begin a two-and-a-half-hour uphill hike to Jampa Pass (5,070 m / 16,634 ft). From here, you will witness breathtaking views of majestic, snow-capped sacred mountains.
Don’t forget to have your camera ready!
We will then descend along a smooth trail for approximately three hours until we reach our lunch spot at the Pacchanta camp. Along the way, we will pass through the famous 7 Ausangate Lagoons.
By one of the mystical and beautiful lagoons, such as Qomercocha, Orco Otorongo, or China Otorongo, we will have the opportunity to perform a small ceremony to Pachamama and the surrounding mountains, especially Ausangate, which has protected and guided us throughout the trek.
After lunch in Pacchanta, you will have a free afternoon to relax and rejuvenate your tired body in the medicinal hot springs of Pacchanta.
Later, we will bid farewell to the Tunqui Expeditions team, including the porters, muleteers, and our amazing chef.
Without them, this epic adventure would not have been possible!
Finally, after our farewell, we will embark on a two-and-a-half-hour return journey to Cusco, marking the end of this incredible 6-day Ausangate Trek & Rainbow Mountain adventure. You will be dropped off at the door of your hotel.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch
Accommodation: Hotel
Difficulty: Moderate
Walking distance: 11 km / 6.84 miles
Hiking time: 5 – 6 hours
Minimum elevation: 4,100 m / 13,451 ft
Maximum elevation: 5,070 m / 16,634 ft
At Tunqui Expeditions we specify the included and non-included services for all the itineraries listed on our website. We take care of all the logistics, but please check the details to make sure you do not miss anything. Some items may be different for certain programmes, so please read carefully before booking with us.
WHAT IS INCLUIDED?
Permits & Tickets
High Quality Service & Safety
You’ll meet your guide and group at our office for a pre trek briefing. There you’ll receive your duffle bags, which will be carried by our horses. The meeting is at 17:00 the evening before the Ausangate trek.
Our official guides speak English and Spanish and are professionally trained and certified. We choose them for their experience, responsibility, unbridled passion for exploration and pride in sharing our culture and history. On every experience they will keep you safe and comfortable, so you can enjoy your time worry-free!
Private Camping Equipment
All equipment will be carried by our horses.
On the trek you can carry your personal belongings up to a maximum weight of 7kg / 15.4 lb (this weight includes your sleeping bag).
All Tunqui Expeditions guides have received specialised first aid training. We hold mandatory training sessions with our guides every February. Your guide will always carry a first aid kit for basic emergencies (altitude sickness, traveller’s diarrhoea, cuts, abrasions, etc.) as well as oxygen. If necessary, we’ll evacuate you from the trail as quickly as possible and get you to a clinic for treatment.
We believe that attention to detail is what sets us apart from other local companies. You’ll receive a cover to protect your rucksack on the road and a rain poncho.
We have a telephone service available 24 hours a day for easy communication with Tunqui Expeditions prior to your trek.
Your comfort is our first priority. Although our guides are prepared for emergencies in the mountains, calling a doctor, hospital or friend can make you feel more secure. For this reason, every Tunqui Expeditions guide carries a satellite phone to call anywhere in the world from anywhere on the mountain.
Accommodation
Like our ancestors, we have a great respect for Pachamama (Mother Earth). Therefore, our tents are adapted to the environment to avoid any negative impact. Tunqui Expeditions uses the best camping tents to ensure your safety and comfort (e.g., Eureka Timberline or Mountain Hard Wear tents).
Meals
Our chef prepares the most amazing dishes in the middle of the mountain. Our passengers love our food! We respect all diets (vegetarian, vegan or special menus are available at no extra cost), so please let us know on your booking form if you have any special allergies or restrictions and remind your guide during the briefing. You’ll enjoy breakfast, lunch and dinner, as well as hot drinks and snacks.
We’ll provide you with boiled, filtered and chilled water throughout the trek, from your first lunch to your last breakfast. You will need to bring a camel bag or an empty bottle (we recommend a capacity of 2 litres).
Every morning at the campsite you’ll be woken with a cup of hot coca tea. Our staff will bring the tea to your tent so that you are warm from the inside out before you start your day.
Every afternoon before dinner, the cooks will provide you with popcorn, biscuits, coffee, hot chocolate, tea, hot water, etc. After a long day of trekking, you don’t have to wait until dinner to relax, warm up and enjoy a bite to eat!
Before you start your trek, your guide will provide you with a cloth bag containing local fruit, biscuits, chocolate, caramels, etc. We’ll refill it every morning so you can enjoy your snacks on the trail.
We’ll provide you with a cloth bag for your snacks – perfect for storing wrappers and keeping the environment clean. Feel free to use it throughout the walk!
Transportation
Cargo mules will carry all the camping equipment and your baggage allowance (7 kg / 15.4 lb). Muleteers will be responsible for your duffle bag and personal items.
Muleteers and Porters (Tunquis)
During the Ausangate Trek, our muleteers and porters (tunquis) will carry all our camping equipment, from personal tents, clothes and sleeping bags to extra tents for eating and cooking, food, water, tables, chairs and a gas stove. We will include the personal service of a porter to carry your duffel bag and personal belongings.
They will be responsible for transporting all camping equipment and food, setting up and taking down each camp, and assisting the cook with food preparation. By law they can only carry a maximum of 20 kg, a rule we take very seriously.
Extras
We believe that it is the attention to detail that sets us apart from other tour operators. As we wrote above, each walker receives
Taxes and Fees
All taxes and permit fees associated with this trek are included in our price. There are no hidden charges.
The Tunqui Difference
The following list is less tangible, but equally important and part of everything we do and include at Tunqui Expeditions.
He started in the industry as a porter and understands your needs better than anyone. We are committed and promise a better life for every member of Team Tunqui.
This includes better wages that they can live on so they don’t have to beg for tips to make ends meet. This is our job. We provide them with all the equipment they need, including warm down jackets, proper walking boots, rucksacks, hats, headlamps, sleeping bags and mats, and tents for them to sleep in.
We also help their families by supporting their village schools, bringing doctors and dentists to the families and planting trees in their valleys. We are committed to our social projects and the more than 300 porters on our team appreciate this.
While our porters trek to Machu Picchu dozens of times a year, they never enter our famous citadel. We make four trips a year to take our team inside and spend two days touring the important ruins, allowing them to touch and see the history of their ancestors.
Although the numbers are not yet equal, we look forward to the day when we have 50/50 men and women working in the mountains as part of the Tunqui Expeditions team.
We use local products that are biodegradable and organic wherever possible.
WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED?
You can hire one from us if you don’t have your own. Our sleeping bags are effective and durable, protecting you from temperatures as low as -18ºC (0ºF). They are mummy-shaped and include a sleeping liner. They are cleaned after each use and have a maximum use of 30 trips.
Walking sticks (with rubber tips) can be very useful on rough terrain and for ascending and descending. You can hire a set from us if you’d like.
Tipping is the norm on any trip to Machu Picchu. Although we pay our entire team well, a little extra is always welcome, especially considering the hard work they put in. Typically, group members collect their tips to share with the drivers and cooks.
Landslides, bad weather, changes in itinerary due to safety concerns, illness, pandemics, changes in government policy, political instability, strikes, acts of God, etc.
We want to make your trip to Peru as memorable and worry free as possible. In this section you’ll find the answers to all your questions about travelling with Tunqui Expeditions in one place. Please read the following information carefully – it will help you with any questions you may have about our services.
Is it for me?
The Ausangate Trek to Rainbow Mountain is an excellent alternative to the Inca Trail trek and is better suited for more adventurous trekkers who can handle higher altitudes and longer distances. The climb to the famous Salkantay Pass (4,630 m / 15,190 ft) isn’t too strenuous or steep since it’s at the beginning of the trek. However, it requires stamina and some time in Cusco to acclimatize to the altitude before starting the trek.
Plastic-Free Ausangate Trek & Rainbow Mountain
Join us on this journey toward a plastic-free ultimate Ausangate Trek, where the beauty of the landscape is matched only by our commitment to environmental stewardship. Together we will pave the way for a more sustainable and responsible adventure through the heart of history.
How many days do I need to acclimatise in Cusco before the Ausangate trek to Rainbow Mountain?
It’s very important to be well acclimatised to the altitude before embarking on a trek. We recommend that you arrive in Cusco at least 2 or 3 days before the start of the trek to help you acclimatise and avoid any problems with altitude sickness during the trek.
You may have been in another area of Peru at high altitude before arriving in Cusco. If this is the case, we still recommend that you spend a full day in Cusco to rest, recover from the journey and enjoy the sights and sounds of Cusco before starting the trek.
Here are some suggestions for activities to do around Cusco before starting your adventure trek:
Briefing or information meeting
All information meetings and briefings are held at our main office in Cusco (or your hotel) at 17:00 the night before the tour starts. These meetings last between 30 and 45 minutes. If you can’t make it, you will need to arrange another time by email, phone or in person at the Tunqui Expeditions office.
Trek balance payment (in Cusco)
If you have an outstanding balance, you must pay it 2 days before your trek. Otherwise your reservation will not be confirmed.
If possible, we would appreciate it if you could pay the balance for the trek/tour in cash, either in US dollars or local currency, at our office in Cusco. You can withdraw money from several ATM’s along the Avenida Sol, which offer both US Dollars and Peruvian Soles.
Alternatively, you can pay by credit/debit card or PAYPAL, either online or in person, but please note that a 5% service charge will be applied by our payment gateway (Niubiz) and PAYPAL. We regret to inform you that we are unable to accept bank drafts or traveller’s cheques as payment for the balance.
Duffle bag or canvas bag
You’ll be given a duffel bag or canvas bag during your briefing. Our team of porters will carry it with you throughout the trek and hand it to you at each camp. They measure 60 x 24 x 22 cm (23.6 x 9.45 x 8.66 in).
A maximum of 6 kg / 13.2 lb is allowed for each duffel, including the weight of your sleeping bag, sleeping mat, clothes and other personal items.
Can I store my luggage in your office?
Of course you can! During the trip your main luggage can be stored at our office (you can arrange this with us on the day of the briefing or by email) or at your hotel, both free of charge.
Any equipment you don’t need on the trek can be safely stored at your hotel. Almost all hotels offer this service. Don’t leave anything of value with your luggage; put it in the hotel safe and get a detailed receipt (in the unlikely event of theft, many insurance companies require a copy of the receipt detailing everything). It’s best to put items such as credit cards in a sealed, signed envelope for extra peace of mind.
Collecting guests
Please note:
Group Tours
Group tours are made up of different types of people, therefore physical conditions and ages may vary. By agreeing to join a group tour, you accept that some people may be faster or slower than you. Therefore, everyone will be able to move at their own pace.
There may be occasions when a group wishes to make changes to the tour, but it is up to the guide to decide, in consultation with all participants, whether such changes are possible.
Strikes and demonstrations
Strikes and demonstrations are common in Peru and may interrupt some of our tours. Roads may be blocked and railway lines may be occupied. However, we will try to keep your trip as originally planned, even if this means leaving the night before the scheduled date.
Tours may be cancelled in these circumstances. In the event of a change or cancellation, our Operations Department will liaise with you. Your safety is our number one priority and our decisions will be made to protect it.
Lost items
Please be careful where you leave your belongings and remember to take everything with you when you leave your transport, accommodation or restaurant. You are responsible for your belongings while you’re on the tour.
BASICS
CLOTHING
EQUIPMENT
The muleteers and porters will carry up to 7kg of your personal belongings. This should include your sleeping bag and air mattress (if you are bring/renting one). In our case these two items weigh 3.5kg.
RECOMMENDED
“Ausangate Trek & Rainbow Mountain 5 Days” is available any day of the week, from March to January. We do not operate this itinerary in February due to the rainy season and route maintenance. In addition, during this month, our Tunqui Expeditions team – guides, cooks, porters and muleteers – receive training and plan the year to ensure that you, our travelers, enjoy the trekking experience with us to the fullest.
Cost
Group Price: US$ 610.00 per person.
Required Pre-payment : US$ 200.00 per person.
Balance (Cusco): US$ 410.00 (Commonly paid in Cusco after briefing).
This small group tour is guaranteed to operate with just 2 people.
Please note that PayPal charges a 5% fee, which we ask the client to cover as it is due to the use of their service. This tax is only for online deposits so you will pay the rest in cash (on the day of the briefing in Cusco) without charge.
Extensions and Offers
There are several extensions that can be included in your Peru Adventure.
Additional Equipment
There are additional items that you can include in this trip. Below is a quick list of prices.
Price guarantee
Once your reservation is confirmed, we guarantee that the price will not increase, whatever the circumstances. So, before you book, please make sure you have read all our important information about the tour.
Student Discount
Student discounts apply to anyone 17 years of age or younger. To receive the discount, we require a copy or clear photo of your passport at the time of booking. It must be current and not expire within the dates of travel. Please send it to info@tunquiexpeditions.com.
