Explore the beautiful natural scenery of the Ausangate and Rainbow Mountain region. Ausangate Trek is one of the most challenging treks to visit the most remote villages, snow peaks, glacier lakes, and colorful mountains.
Ausangate Trek takes you on a unique adventure around the Cusco region’s highest mountain, the Asusangate Mountain (6,384 m / 20,945 ft). This mountain is considered sacred by local villagers. Visit local communities, lakes, llamas, alpacas, and finish the tour in the well-known Rainbow Mountain. Book the Ausangate trek with a 200.USD deposit, the remaining amount can be paid online, in Cusco in full or installments. Day 1: Cusco – Tinki – Upis – Hot Springs.- Depart from Cusco at 5:00 am and drive southeast to the town of Tinki (3776 m / 12388 ft) to start the Ausangate Trek. Todas’s hike takes 6 hours traversing the puna (highlands) until we thermal baths at Upis (4408 m / 14458 ft). Cam nearby the thermo-medicinal waters in comfortable tents. Day 2: Upis Village – Pucacocha Lake.- Wake up early with a cup of coffee and teh spectacular view of the mountains. After breakfast, hike for 8 hours across two mountains to our campsite at Lake Pucacocha (4561 m / 14963 ft) near the base of Mount Ausangate. This campsite is located at the bank of the lake. Day 3: Pucaccocha – Vicuña Pass – Yanacocha.- Another early wake up for breakfast. To later start ascending to Alpaca Pass (5,100 m/ 16,732 ft) along the way, you’ll have gorgeous views of the blue lakes and the Ausangate Glacier Peak. The campsite is located after 8 hours at Lake Yanacocha (4644 m / 15236 ft). Day 4: Yanacocha Lake – Rainbow Mountain – Cusco.- On the final day, wake up early and start the Rainbow mountain located at (5009 m /16433 ft), where you will have a 360° views of the sweeping landscape. Visit the red Valley and come back to Cusco. Drop off at your hotel around 6:00 pm.
Pick you up from your hotel at 5:00 am and drive southeast of Cusco following the Huatanay and Vilcanota River, passing the ancient Wari site of Pikillaqta, colonial village Andahuaylillas, and Huaro. The landscape changes as you climb from the lush green Vilcanota Valley into the Peruvian Andes’ highland. Enjoy the Vilcanota mountain range in the distance and appreciate these mountains’ majesty, serenity, and beauty. The total drive takes 3 hours until we arrive at the trailhead in the town of Tinki (3776 m / 12388 ft). Cross the Ocongate river and start traversing across the puna (highlands) for 6 hours until reaching the Ausangate mountain’s foot, where the panorama of snowcapped peaks is breathtaking. Tonight’s camp is close to the thermal baths at Upis (4408 m / 14458 ft), where you will have the opportunity to bathe in the medicinal waters. Wake up early with a cup of coffee provided by your trekking team in your tents and get ready for a beautiful day exploring the mountains. After breakfast, start ascending the first mountain pass. While hiking, we will scan boulders and spot the Viscachas, a small rodent that looks like a cross between a rabbit and a squirrel. Continue to our camp at Lake Pucacocha (4561 m / 14963 ft) near the base of Mount Ausangate, the highest mountain in Cusco city, looming over our lakeside camping spot. Today, we have one of the most beautiful campsites of the Ausangate Trek, located at the lake’s bank. You can see incredible sunsets from here, and perhaps some condors and eagles flying nearby. You’ll then take in the fantastic views of snowcapped peaks over a lovely dinner. Another early wake up during the Ausangate trek around a beautiful lake and enjoy breakfast with the sunrise to later start ascending to the first mounatin at Alpaca Pass (5,100 m/ 16,732 ft). Along the way, you’ll have gorgeous views of the blue lakes and the Ausangate Glacier Peak. Once you reach the summit of this mountain, You’ll have time to enjoy the fantastic vistas. Continue for another two hours on a gradual downhill trek to get our lunch spot in Chillca Valley. After enjoying your lunch, continue to the second mountain of the day at Vicuña pass (5,300 m/17,388 f), arriving at the campsite at the banks of Lake Yanacocha (4644 m / 15236 ft). Upon arrival, your tents will be ready to take a siesta or enjoy a tea at the edge of the majestic blue lake with crystal clear waters that reflect the sky and the mountains. After dinner, observe stars and the Milky Way and learn about Inca astronomy. On the last and most important day, start the day with a healthy breakfast, and begin the final ascent towards Rainbow mountain located at 5009 m /16433 ft. Upon reaching the last point, you’ll be rewarded with 360-degree views of the sweeping landscape of the Ausangate region and the colored mountains. Take some to explore the area, visit the Red Valley, and begin the 2-hour descent until the lunch spot. After the last lunch, take 3 hours bus back to Cusco, where you’ll be dropped off at your hotel around 6:00 pm, where the Ausangate trek ends.
WHAT TO DO IN CUSCO? Upon arrival to Cusco (3033 m / 11154ft), you need to take some time to acclimatize to the high altitude of the city. We recommend taking tours around the city like the city tour of Cusco, Sacred Valley Tour before taking the long trip to Machu Picchu. This way you’ll reduce the risk of getting altitude sickness. If you have on Schedule tours like Rainbow Mountain or Humantay Lake, please try to plan after the Machu Picchu Tour. WEATHER IN CUSCO? Cusco has two seasons: The rainy season from November to March and the dry season from April to October. However, weather in the Andes is unpredictable so it doesn’t matter when you come just bring good rain gear, also prepare for sunny days. Together with our 4 seasons equipment, we will make sure you have an experience of a lifetime despite any adversity. The only one thing you can say about the weather in Peru is that it is difficult to accurately predict. You can Have beautifully clear hot days in the middle of the wet season and hail storms in the dry season – it’s one of the beauties of Peru. Since Cusco city is the main destination in South America, it should not be an issue finding flights and places to stay. However, during high season you must book in advance. If you are having trouble with your bookings don’t hesitate to contact one of our travel representatives. We will be more than happy to assist you in finding the best deals and places for you. VACCINES NEEDED PRIOR TO COME TO PERU If you’re headed to Peru, you need to make sure to consult a clinic or your doctor at least four weeks prior to the trip. Vaccines for Peru vary based on your specific itinerary. A passport health travel specialist will help you decide which vaccines are best for you. Yellow fever (this vaccine may be required based on your travel itinerary), typhoid, hepatitis a, hepatitis b, rabies, routine vaccines. Visit this Page DIFFICULTY OF THE TREKS All of our treks are moderately difficult and challenging but nothing that you cannot do it. So please before you come to Peru make sure you exercise regularly and also acclimatize to the altitude. For this, we highly recommend you arrive at least two days ahead of your tour. BOOKING WITH ULTIMATE TREKKING PERU Booking with us was never easier. We only need to submit the info required below, and a 200 dollars deposit to book your entrance, train, and bus tickets. You can pay the balance once you arrive at our office. Personal information (your full name, exactly as on your passport), Gender, Passport number, date of birth, and Nationality HOW CAN I PAY MY DEPOSIT? PayPal: (For alternative treks and Inca Trail tour reservations a $200 deposit is needed, and $400 for the deluxe tours). The remaining balance you can pay upon arrival to Cusco city directly at our office. ALTITUDE SICKNESS OR “SOROCHE” At high altitude, the air is thinner and each body starts to react differently for the changes in oxygen levels. So basically there is less oxygen going into your body than you’re used to. To counteract you need to breathe faster and deeper and pump blood more rapidly in order to take the same amount of oxygen. This could be shocking to your body manifesting in various symptoms such as headache, dizziness, nausea, fatigue, poor appetite, lack of sleep. Cusco is at 11,152 feet (3,399 meters) so you may experience some symptoms, on the other hand, Machu Picchu is significantly lower at 7,972 ft (2,430 m). So Machupicchu isn’t really the potential problem. The best way to deal with the altitude is: Breathing exercise. Deep breaths will help you get more oxygen in your body. The best way to acclimatize faster is drinking water, resting, having normal activities. Drink lots of water. This will really help you, but lots of water and try to go to the toilet often. Coca tea. It is in every corner in Cusco city, this plant used through centuries in Cusco to reduce altitude problems. Avoid alcohol and drugs. Alcohol is a big no at high altitude, so avoid the first days to your trek. The celebration is at the end. Use Diamox or the equivalent in Peru to help you adapt to the altitude faster Supplementary oxygen. If needed you can ask in your hotel for free or you can contact us. We will deliver to you at no cost. NUMBER OF VISITORS TO INCA TRAIL AND MACHU PICCHU? The number of visitors to the Inca trail has a limit of 500 per day and 2500 to Machu Picchu, according to UNESCO recommendations. Therefore, it is recommended to book in advance, especially during the high season. The trains are usually full so make your reservations in advance. You can book your visit to Machupicchu only or a ticket including the Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountains. As long as the name is the same we can update any passport number needed. If you have an old passport and a new one, please send us a photocopy of both. If you don’t have the old you can send any ID with your name. Remember to bring both passports when you travel. DO I NEED TO CARRY MY PERSONAL STUFF? We provide a porter for your belongings (7kg), so you can go carrying only your daypack. WHO GETS DISCOUNT? If you have a valid UNIVERSITY STUDENT CARD at the time or you are under 17. you are entitled to a discount. In order to claim this discount, you have to send us a photocopy of this card. TOILETS DURING OUR TOURS Almost all the treks in Cusco are government regulated, therefore, is possible to find public toilets. Since past experiences with our guests showing discomfort with public toilets in the trails, we introduced our latest Alternative Porta-potty toilets and hot showers on all our tours to maximize your trekking experience. WHEN TO START PACKING? Start packing in advance all necessary equipment for trekking. if you need any assistance you can contact us anytime and come to Peru all prepared just to have fun and enjoy. DO WE HAVE A CHEF WHILE HIKING IN THE MOUNTAINS? We have highly trained CHEFS and PORTERS in our tours, capable of handling any special request or diet you may require on our tours Breakfast – Snack – Lunch – tea time – Dinner – wake up tea every day WHERE DO WE GET WATER? We will provide you drinkable water throughout the tours from the beginning until your last day with Ultimate Trekking. This is taken from the natural spring in the mountains and boiled, filtered and then cooled. To refill you must bring your Camelbak or bottle for at least 2 liters each day.
Overview
Overview of the Ausangate Trek
Highlights of the Ausangate Trek
Price per person 580.USD
Day by day summary of the Ausangate Trek
Included on the Ausangate Trek
Not included on the Ausangate Trek
Important to know before booking the Ausangate Trek
Full Itinerary
Full description of the Ausangate Trek & Rainbow Mountain
Day 1: Cusco – Tinki – Upis – Hot springs
Day 2: Upis Village – Pucacocha Lake
Day 3: Pucaccocha – Vicuña Pass – Yanacocha
Day 4: Yanacocha Lake – Rainbow Mountain – Cusco
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