Tunqui Expeditions is the only operator and pioneer in creating marvelous routes, and now we present to you this Ausangate Trek combined with the Seven Colors Mountain Hike or Rainbow Mountain.
Our idea is to hike through Ausangate, experience the sunset at Rainbow Mountain, witness the sunrise at Rainbow Mountain, and visit the Red Valley. Camping near the colorful mountain, this adventure will be exclusively enjoyed by the Tunqui Expeditions group with our expert adventure guides.
If you are a good hiker, this trek is for you. Get ready because, over these two beautiful days, we will walk through the most important points of the Ausangate Trek route.
Enjoy this Ausangate trek surrounded by mountains, lakes, glaciers, and the Andes mountain range; your senses will be captivated with every step. Unique Andean landscapes await you, with minimal tourist presence.
You will have the opportunity to connect with the sacred mountains of Ausangate. This route is a personal challenge, and once you complete it, you will feel the satisfaction of having conquered the Sacred Mountain of Ausangate.
This unforgettable experience brings us the most beautiful display of colors at the sacred mountain of Vinicunca!
We will embark on a fantastic hike through mountain passes, and even if we don’t believe in God, we will soon feel the need to thank someone for these beautiful natural landscapes, like works of art.
We will spend our first night at our camp on the outskirts of Surinecocha, wrapped in a magical blanket of bright stars. Get ready, because you will arrive at an incredible and natural place to admire this wonderful creation: Rainbow Mountain or the Mountain of Seven Colors.
No photo can do this landscape justice, and the best lenses are your own eyes. Enjoy and save your energy because there is still more to come: our visit to the Red Mountain or Red Valley. In this place, you will feel like you are on another planet, like Mars, as most say, with the vast area covered entirely in red.
HIGHLIGHTS
ITINERARY SUMMARY
DAY 1: CUSCO – PITUMARCA – QUESIUNO – ALQATARI – PUCA PASS – ANANTAPATA – WARMISAYA PASS – SURINECOCHA (SUNSET)
Our exciting adventure begins early in the morning, heading south of Cusco until we reach Huchuy Phinaya, where we will begin our hike through the impressive Andean landscapes. At midday, we will enjoy a delicious lunch at Surinecocha before visiting Rainbow Mountain in the afternoon.
DAY 2: SURINECOCHA – RAINBOW MOUNTAIN (SUNRISE) – RED VALLEY – LLACTO – CUSCO
On this day, the goal is to arrive early to witness the first rays of sunlight over Rainbow Mountain and explore without the crowds, knowing it is the most visited destination in Cusco. We will then continue to the Red Valley, an impressive place to explore, often compared to the planet Mars. In the afternoon, we will have lunch in the mountains before returning to Cusco.
Highlight of the day: Walk through beautiful landscapes and witness the sunset at Rainbow Mountain for the first time.
A hike through the Andean landscapes of Ausangate to see the sunset at Rainbow Mountain.
Our exciting adventure begins early in the morning. We will pick you up from your hotel at 4:00 am and drive for two hours to Pitumarca, followed by another hour and a half to Alqatari, the starting point of the Ausangate Trek for the day.
As we get ready to start the hike, putting on comfortable clothes, jackets, shoes, and packing walking sticks and backpacks, our super chef will prepare a delicious and nutritious breakfast in the mountains to give you all the energy you need for the challenge ahead.
Before starting the hike, pay close attention to your guide, who will share all the details of today’s itinerary, as well as important safety tips for the next two days.
We will begin this impressive hike promoted by Tunqui Expeditions, featuring a lesser-known 2-day Ausangate Trek through a green valley where you can admire the majestic Ausangate glacier, the highest peak in the Cusco region. Along the way, we will pass several farming communities and witness the deep connection with nature that characterizes Andean culture. Hundreds of alpacas and llamas will watch you at every step!
We will continue our hike towards the first pass, known as Puca Pass (4,870 m / 15,978 ft). From here, you will enjoy truly breathtaking views of the crystal-clear waters of Pucacocha Lagoon and the massive Ausangate glacier right in front of you. You will be amazed by the beauty of this place! You will see how the lagoon’s waters originate from the snow of this sacred glacier.
This stunning sight will awaken your senses and fill you with a deep energy that will renew you. Don’t forget to charge your camera! There will be plenty of opportunities to capture spectacular photos along the way.
After a short rest, we will continue walking downhill for another hour and a half to Ananpata, where we will stop for lunch.
After enjoying lunch in the midst of Ausangate’s sacred mountains and regaining energy, we will continue with a two-hour uphill hike to the highest point of the day’s route, called Warmisaya Pass (4,955 m / 16,257 ft).
From there, you will see the spectacular colors and dreamlike image of Rainbow Mountain, also known as Vinicunca, for the first time in the distance.
We will descend for 45 minutes until we reach our camp, located next to Surinecocha Lagoon, where our private tents will be set up.
Upon arrival, our porters will welcome us with hot water to wash and freshen up. After resting, we will take a short hike to Rainbow Mountain to witness the sunset. You and your group will be the only ones exploring this impressive place in the afternoon. Your expert guide will lead you to the perfect spots for the best photos and to make the most of this unique experience. Don’t worry – we will return at sunrise the next day to see the vibrant morning colors!
After the afternoon visit, our porters will have prepared a surprise tea time with snacks, hot drinks, coffee, hot chocolate, popcorn, and more 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: 11 km / 6.84 miles
Starting elevation: 4,376 m / 14,357 ft
Hiking time: 7 – 8 hours
Highest altitude: 5,100 m / 16,732 ft
Camp elevation: 4,800 m / 15,748 ft
Highlight of the day: Be the first to reach the beautiful Vinicunca Rainbow Mountain.
Hike across the impressive Rainbow Mountain and Red Valley.
Our support staff will wake us very early this morning, at 4:00 am, with hot coca tea in your private tent. This will give you the energy you need to start the day and warm up in the cold Ausangate and Vinicunca mountains.
Afterward, you will enjoy a delicious and nutritious breakfast prepared by our super chef.
Get ready because soon you will discover Rainbow Mountain at sunrise, as well as the spectacular Red Valley!
We will hike for two hours to the viewpoint of the stunning Rainbow Mountain (5,100 m / 16,732 ft). You will have time to explore and enjoy breathtaking views, not only of Rainbow Mountain but also of the powerful Ausangate Glacier and other snow-capped peaks in the area.
The 360° view from here is fantastic, and you will appreciate it fully before the large crowds arrive, as Rainbow Mountain is the second most visited destination in Cusco.
Open your heart to the mountains. They will reward you for all your efforts.
After enjoying this Andean gem, we will begin our hike towards the fascinating Red Valley (5,050 m / 16,568 ft). This place feels like stepping onto another planet – many compare it to Mars – and very few tourists visit it. Tunqui Expeditions’ goal is to take you to less-visited places away from the crowds.
You will be amazed not only by its incredible color but also by the immense tranquility around you. It takes only a 30-minute hike to reach the viewpoint with the best views of the valley. Enjoy every step!
Finally, a two-hour hike will take us through ancient Andean communities full of history, culture, and tradition. Along the way, you will see herds of llamas and, if you’re lucky, spot vicuñas – beautiful wild animals that have coexisted with the people of Peru since pre-Inca times.
At midday, we will enjoy a final delicious lunch before returning to Cusco in our private transport, which will take you directly to your hotel.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Accommodation: Camping
Difficulty: Moderate
Walking distance: 7 km / 4.35 miles
Hiking time: 5 – 6 hours
Highest altitude: 5,100 m / 16,732 ft
Camp elevation: 4,800 m / 15,748 ft
