This shorter Ausangate trek 3 days is perfect if you’re looking for an adventure that’s as challenging as it is rewarding and at the same time to see the best part of Ausangate. The massif ice of Ausangate, colored red valleys, turquoise lagoons,
and the spire towering peaks that’s even more remote than nearby Cusco, but you’ll see that too. Because of its less-to-know location, the area sees relatively few visitors. This means you’ll get to experience local history in near-solitude, surrounded by nothing but dramatic vistas and spanning mountains. Spectacular views of the Andes are all along the trek in Ausangate, a journey filled with pure wilderness, breathtaking vistas, locals in typical usages, herds of llamas/ alpacas, and a visit to Rainbow Mountain. The Ausangate and Rainbow Mountain Trek 3D offers you an unforgettable experience in just three days!
OVERVIEW
- Trek to the iconic Rainbow Mountain, Peru’s most colourful mountain
- Avoid the crowds on this rarely walked trek
- Hike in remote wilderness to view Ausangate, Peru's highest sacred peak
- Marvel at stunning landscapes and enjoy cultural encounters providing endless photo opportunities
- Overnight at scenic campsites, one of them at the foot of Ausangate
- Begin and end your adventure in the royal capital of the Inca Empire, Cusco
ITINERARY
Day 1: Cusco – Upis – Pampa Arapa – Yana Qocha
We will pick you up early from your hotel at 4:30 am, we will then head in our private van for 3 hours through different picturesque villages and beautiful landscapes until the beginning of the trail, called Upis town (4,350mt / 14,272ft), where we will meet up our local muleteers, horses, and get ready for the adventure of Ausangate trek to the Rainbow Mountain. After hiking gradually uphill for three hours following the highland valley inhabited by llamas and alpacas with breathtaking vistas of Ausangate in the backdrop, we will arrive at our first lunch spot located in Pamparapa at 4,600 meters above sea level (15,092 feet), at the base of Ausangate Mountain – the highest peak in the Cusco region. Following lunch, we’ll hike for 2 hours to get the first pass called Arapa Pass 4,800 m/ 15,748 ft, at this point we’ll be impressed by stunning views of eroded mountains, and highland valleys, we also have the chance to see vicuñas and condors. After taking some pictures, we walk downhill for 1.5 hours to our evening campsite which is Yana Qocha at 4,650 meters above sea level (15,256 feet) – a place with amazing views around of the Ausangate mountain. Later we will have afternoon tea, followed by dinner.
Hiking Time: 6 – 7 hours
Hiking Distance: 12 km / 7.46 miles
Highest Point: 4,800mt. / 15,748ft.
Lowest Point: 4,35mt. / 14,272ft.
Overnight Accommodations: Camping facilities
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea, and dinner
Day 2: Yana Qocha – Anantapata – Qomer Qocha
We will wake up quite early with coca tea or coffee delivered to your tent, and enjoy a delicious breakfast, with a gorgeous sunrise over the glacier peak and mountains. Following a hearty breakfast, we will begin our hike along a gently sloping trail (up and down), into a valley blue glacial lakes and waterfalls. This section of the Ausangate hike is picturesque, with amazing scenery and beautiful glacial lakes such as Yana Qocha (black lake) and Puca Qocha (red lake). After hiking for 1.5 hours, we will start hiking up on a switchback trail to the Puca Qocha Pass located at 5,000 meters above sea level (16,404 feet). This pass boasts incredible views and as we reach the top we will be rewarded with 360 views of one of the most incredible landscapes on earth, as well as, dramatic views of Ausangate peak from the back and Vilcanota mountain range going in different direction and colorful hills surrounded by rugged mountain peaks with the great valley below. After conquering the pass, we continue through a vivid green valley full of alpacas and llamas, if we are lucky we might catch a glimpse of an Andean Condor or the rare vicuña. As we approach our lunch spot located at the place called Anantapata 4,650 m/ 15,256 ft. So after lunch, we start with the uphill climb – Anantapata Pass. From here you will see the beautiful Rainbow Mountain in the distance and views are still very impressive. The last section is downhill for 30-45 minutes to get the second campsite, called Qomer Qocha located at 4,680 meters above sea level (15,354feet).
Hiking Time: 8 – 9 hours
Hiking Distance: 12km / 7,46 miles
Highest Point: 5,000mt. / 16,404ft.
Lowest Point: 4,600mt. / 15,092ft.
Overnight Accommodations: Camping facilities
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea, and dinner
Level of difficulty: Challenging
Day 3: Qomer Qocha – Rainbow Mountain (Vinicunca) – Cusco
Today is a great day as we enjoy a sunrise at the top of Rainbow Mountain while walking one of the most beautiful trails in Cusco region! This morning, we will wake up early to enjoy breakfast. Then we’ll walk uphill for 1.5 hours to reach our last destination – Amazing Rainbow Mountain of Vinicunca. Once we arrive, we will enjoy this unique and spectacular place before the site becomes crowded, and experience the Rainbow Mountain in all of its glory with solitude, after that, we will walk down the valley to reach our lunch spot. Following lunch, we will say goodbye to our muleteers, cooks, and we will eventually head back to Cusco with a drop off at your hotel. We typically arrive back in Cusco around 5 pm.
Hiking Time: 3 – 4 hours
Hiking Distance: 6km / 3,72 miles
Highest point: 5,050mt. / 16,568ft.
Lowest Point: 4,500mt. / 14,764ft.
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
INCLUDED
With the 3 Day Ausangate Rainbow Mountain trek package you will receive:
Cultural Immersion Experience with your guide share the day in the lives of QUECHUAS
Transportation and Tickets
Private transport from your Cusco hotel or home stay to the trailhead
Transfer from Cusco the trail ahead and back to your hotel
Entrance fees for Ausanagate
Entrance fees for Rainbow Mountains and Red Valleys
Camping Equipment
Our service includes a porter 8kgs
High quality double-occupancy tents and camping equipment
Sleeping rest mattress 'foam mattresses'
Hot water in the morning for washing
Food and drink utensils
Dining tent, kitchen tent, tables, seats
Toilet tent with biodegradable chemical toilet
Emergency Equipment
First Aid Kit: includes alcohol, bandages, pills for the altitude, oxygenated water, cotton balls, Imodium, Panadol, rehydration sachets, rescue ropes, etc.
An oxygen bottle is available at all times.
Radio communication: Guides are equipped with radios used by workers in the Ausangate National Park. we have constant communication with our staff and rangers in case of emergencies.
Team
Professional, knowledgeable English-speaking guide
A cook to prepare your meals
Horses to carry camping equipment and food (hikers must carry their own bags; horsers only carry 8kgs)
Food
Plentiful, nutritious meals (vegetarian option available) 03B, 03L, 03D
Hot drinks such as tea and coffee, as well as enough water for your canteens, water bottles or hydration packs
NOT INCLUDED:
Sleeping bag
Breakfast on Day 1
Tips for guide and camp staff
PRICES
3 Days From $ 430.00 USD
WHYEXPLORE
THE EXPLORE ADVENTURES PERU® DIFFERENCE - DISCOVER THE DIFFERENCE
Explore Adventures Peru® has been setting the standard for Trekking Peruvian Andes since 2010. As one of the few specialist companies organizing high quality expeditions, we are recognized as one of the best operators on the Peruvian Andes. Come see why we are the premier Andes outfitter. When you travel with us, you gain access to people and places. You’re enriched by the knowledge of our experts and guides, and by local experts we meet along the way. And you give back. Simply by taking a trip with Explore Adventures Peru, you support the work of our explorers and indigenous Quechuas villages.
WE HAVE A 99.8% CLIENT SATISFACTION RATE!
Undoubtedly, the most honest and accurate feedback comes from our clients themselves. With the goal of constantly improving our service, a post-Hiking survey is taken from each client in order to assess our staff, equipment, and food.
LOCAL GUIDES
KNOWLEDGE: LET OUR EXPERTS GUIDE YOU
- Professional, experienced, licensed local Quechuan guides
- Our guides are formed by expert Photographers, Explorers, History teachers, Archaeologists
- Honest, hardworking, team oriented support staff
- Over 600 times hikes on Inca Trail success experiences and client satisfaction
QUALITY EQUIPMENT
HIGH QUALITY EQUIPMENT & SERVICE.
• Rugged, four season North face, Mountain Hardwear, Doite, Vango tents
• Super warm North face, Mountain Equipment, Mountain Hardwear -30F sleeping bags
• Spacious mess tents and private toilets
• Outdoor utensils in stainless steel
FANTASTIC MEALS
• Delicious meals made from fresh, local ingredients
• Clean water treated with Water Guard
• we customize our menus depending on the preferences of the group,
• we never use freeze-dried backpacking meals
• Hearty, delicious meals that will optimally fuel and inspire you during your trip!
• We also regularly accommodate vegetarian, vegan, kosher, non-gluten and other specialty diets
FOCUSED ON SAFETY
WE HAVE MANY LAYERS OF SAFETY BUILT INTO OUR OPERATIONS TO MINIMIZE THE RISKS ON INCA TRAIL AND BEYOND .
• We have established protocols for handling emergencies on the mountain, including rescue and evacuation
• Certified Wilderness First Responders
• Certified of the oficial firemen of Peru
• Daily pulse and oxygen saturation monitoring
• We provide evacuation by helicopter Andes Corp. For hikers seriously injured or sick.
• Emergency oxygen, portable stretchers and medical kits
• Emergency horse available in all our Alternatives treks
RESPONSIBLE TREKKING
GIVE BACK: WHEN YOU TRAVEL WITH US, YOU MAKE A DIFFERENCE
• Environmentally and socially responsible company
• Member of Inca Trail Porters Welfare
• Member of Leave No Trace
• Fair and ethical treatment of porters
• Empowering Peruvian women
EXPLORE PRIVATE TRANSPORTATION
Instead of local buses, which other companies use to reduce their costs,
we always provide private transportation. This service allows our clients
flexibility and privacy.
HAPPY CUSTOMERS
• "Great experience!"
• "Very well planned & organized"
• "Excellent service all around"
• "A solid company"
• "Highly recommended!"
• "Genuine, authentic, and flexible with deep local knowledge!"
• "Absolutely Amazing!"
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TRIP NOTES
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Our Treks: Ancascocha Treks – Moonstone Trek – Huchuy Qosqo Trek – Salkantay Treks – Lares Llama Trek – Ausangate Mountain Trek – Choquequirao Trek
Optional Tours / Activities: City Tour Cusco - Sacred Valley Tour - Home Stay - Extreme Sports Cusco - Rainbow Mountain Tours.