ausangate - rainbow mountain

One way to assert our natural power on this planet depends on the ultimate instance of coexistence of this ancestral connection, walking between mountains.

We accompany you to enjoy this beautiful mountain hike within the Ausangate conservation area.

It is a place belonging to the Vilcanota mountain range, in the Andes, in the department of Cusco.

The Apu Ausangate (6,385 masl) is a very sacred spirit, one of the most important mountains in the Cusco region for the Andean tradition.

We will visit the famous Vinicunca mountain also called Rainbow mountain.

This route, considered adventure tourism, is also seen as a pilgrimage route where the only religion is the love for all nature and ourselves.

General info

Requirements

Time: 5 days, 4 nights
Distance: 70 km
Minimum altitude: 4,200 msnm
Maximum altitude: 5200 m
Difficulty level: High intermediate
Available all year round
Size of the group: 1 - 10 people

To be in excellent health.
Experience hiking long routes

Important note

We are committed, at Be Mountain Peru, to protect the natural areas where we hike, and not to contaminate the waters or the fields with local products.

We show respect and kindness to the local people and their customs and traditions.

What is included:

✅ Private transportation Cusco - Pacchanta
✅ Certified mountain guide
✅ Assistant guide (from groups of 7 + people)
✅ Tent (4 season tent with a capacity of 3 people, used only as doubles)
✅ Individual sleeping bags, pillows, and sleeping pads
✅ Trekking poles
✅ Local cook and assistant, tent and cooking equipment
✅ Snacks and tea service daily
✅ Dining equipment including chairs and tables
✅ Food (5 breakfasts, 6 lunches, 5 dinners) - nutritionally balanced menu or vegetarian menu at no additional cost
✅ Camping fees
✅ Entrance ticket to the Ausangate Regional Conservation Area - ACR Ausangate
✅ Entrance ticket to Vinicunca Mountain (Rainbow Mountain)
✅ Entrance to the hot springs in Upis
✅ Entrance to the hot springs in Pacchanta
✅ Mule drivers (muleteers)
✅ Llamas, mules or horses for carrying the equipment
✅ Saddled horse in case of emergency (for every 5 passengers there is a saddled horse)
✅Oxygen bottle in case of emergency
✅ First aid kit
✅ Information meeting prior to departure
✅ Assistance and permanent follow-up
✅ Private tourist transportation Pacchanta - Cusco

What is NOT included:

❌ Extra food

❌ Bathroom tent
❌ Optional tips for the staff
❌ Extra costs
❌ Evacuation costs
❌ Individual tents available at an additional cost

Day 1: Cusco - Lake Azulcocha - Upis

We will pick you up at 6:00 am at your hotel in Cusco city by private transportation to head towards the village of Tinke (3,800 masl) and from there to the community of Pacchanta (4,200 masl). There, we will have breakfast and start our route at approximately 10:30 am to the community of Upis where we will be welcomed by an Andean family that lives at the foot of the mountain Ausangate. We will visit the gorgeous Azulcocha lagoon. The hike will last approximately 4 hours to Upis.
In Upis we will set up camp for lunch. We can also enjoy the thermal baths and rest until the next day.

Walking time: 4-5 hours

Intermediate level

Travel distance: 10.5 km

Accommodation: tents with sleeping bags

Maximum altitude: 4,480 m above sea level

Minimum altitude: 4,250 m above sea level

Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 2: Lake Hatun Pukacocha - Anantapata

After breakfast we will start our hike towards the Arapa pass (4,885 masl). Arriving at the Arapa pass we head to the Hatun Pukacocha Lakes (4,500 masl). Here depending on our pace may have lunch there, otherwise it will be in the area of Anantapata.
We continue our route towards the Pukacocha pass (4,895 masl), and then we head towards Anantapata. Once in Anantapata we will settle down in the camping area. Here will rest until the next day.

Walking time: 5-6 hours

Intermediate level

Travel distance: 16.2 km

Maximum altitude: 4,885 m above sea level.

Minimum altitude: 4,480 m above sea level.

Accommodation: tents with sleeping bags

Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner

Day 3: Rainbow Mountain

After breakfast we start the ascent towards the Warmisaya pass (4,985 masl) to reach Vinicunca, or Rainbow Mountain. Once there we will eat a light snack and free time to appreciate the scenery and take pictures. Around noon we will start our return towards Anantapata (4,750 masl).
In Anantapata we will take a break for lunch and then we will walk towards the Ausangatecocha lagoon. Once at the lagoon we will settle inside the camping area to rest until the next day.

Walking time: 6-7 hours

Intermediate level

Travel distance: 19.5 km

Accommodation: Tents with sleeping bags

Maximum altitude:

4,985 m above sea level

Minimum altitude: 4,950 meters above sea level

Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner

Day 4: Huchuy Phinaya - Jatunhuma peak

In the morning after a succulent breakfast we begin the ascent towards the Palomani pass (5,100 masl). Arriving at the Palomani pass we start the descent towards the Surapata area. Here we will rest to recharge our batteries with a small snack in the area of Surapata. We continue the hike towards the area of Huchuy Phinaya, where our camping site awaits us. We will settle here to rest until the next day.
Here we will enjoy the beautiful view of the snow-peaked mountain Tres Pico / Jatunhuma (6,127 masl).

Walking time:

4-5 hours

Intermediate level

Travel distance:

9 km

Accommodation: Tents with sleeping bags

Maximum altitude:

5,100 m above sea level

Minimum altitude: 4,550 m above sea level

Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner

Day 5: Pacchanta hot springs

After breakfast we start our last day of trekking to the Jampa pass (5,000 masl).
After arriving to the Jampa pass, from where we can observe the snow-peaked mountain Callangate (6,110 masl), we descend towards the community of Pacchanta, passing by beautiful lagoons on the way: Ticllacocha, Q'omercocha, Yanacocha and Alqacocha.
Once in Pacchanta we will rest for lunch.
Here we can enjoy the hot springs (optional), walk around and take pictures.
Our private transportation will take us back to Cusco city, ending our beautiful and energetic trek.

Walking time: 4-5 hours

Intermediate level

Travel distance: 14 km

Transport back

to Cusco

Maximum altitude:

5,060 m above sea level

Minimum altitude: 4,200 m above sea level

Meals included: Breakfast and lunch

What to bring for the hike?

Note: We recommend a previous acclimatization in the city of Cusco, at least 2 days and to be in good health.

Do enquire about our training routes of 1 or 1.5 days in preparation for this strenuous hike.

ID card / Passport (original) / Foreigner's card
Student card
Travel insurance and some copies
Backpack to carry your things
Charger and adapter for phone and camera
Camera
Flashlight or headlamp
Deet or mosquito repellent
Hand sanitizer
Rain gear (especially if traveling in the rainy season, from October to March)
Warm clothes to spend the night (thermal underwear, polar fleece, hat, gloves, socks)
Synthetic or cotton clothing (socks, comfortable pants, shorts, polo shirts, T-shirts)
Good hiking boots with ankle protector or similar, and a pair of flip-flops or light sandals
Sunscreen and sunglasses
Water bottle or canteen
Peruvian soles in cash
Sun hat
Tuque and warm gloves for the night
Toilet paper
Personal first aid kit
Bathing suit and towel
Personal snacks
Personal toiletries (toothpaste, toothbrushes, toilet paper, soap, etc)

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Our prices are among the most affordable you will find in your search for travel agencies.

Why?

Because our purpose goes far beyond money: we want to accompany, guide and share experiences in the mountains as tools for spiritual and personal growth.

Likewise, we guarantee an impeccable service of high quality, with the adequate logistics, security, and all the necessary equipment.

We apply the price range 4 – 10 when we open a group.

We need 4 people to open a group.

If there are fewer people and there is no open group, we will apply the price according to the number of people.

Pedir una tarifa

The price of the hike depends on the number of people who sign up.

ausangate - rainbow mountain

General info

Requirements

Important note

“Mountaineering is not a story of conquests, it is a story of triumph over fear. A triumph of the human being over his own fears.”