Ausangate Trek 4 Days to Rainbow Mountain

AUSANGATE TREK 4 DAY ITINERARY

DAY 1, Cusco – Tinki – Pachispata

Our adventure to Ausangate Trek 4 Days begins with the  pick up from your hotel in Cusco early morning, then, we will take 3 hours drive to Tinki town on the Southern parth of Cusco, here we will stop off for relax our legs and take a breakfast also will be available to buy some items for your hike.

We continue our drive to Pacchanta village for half more hour, there we’ll meet with our trekking team such as the horse driver, cook assistant also you will have enough time to set up your duffle bag and your day backpack.

Afterwards we begin our hike gradually ascending by a green valley inhabited by some South American camels as Lamas and Alpacas, also you will observe a different turquoise lake and the Apu Ausangate on the background.

We have lunch around the lakes rest for little bit, then, we continue our hike for a few hours more to our campsite Pachispata located over 4,620m / 15,157ft

Hiking distance: 10 km / 6.2 miles
Minimum altitude: 4,100 masl / 13,451 fasl
Maximum altitude: 4,620 masl / 15,157fasl
Hiking time: 4 – 5 hours

DAY 2, Pachispata – Qampa Pass – Qampa Pampa – Machuraqay

This day we wake up early and enjoy our breakfast in from of impressive mountains, our team will prepare a delicious meal, today we begin the hike ascending to our first pass called Qampa Pass 5,100m / 16,797ft as we ascending, we will have incredible views and some snow peaks on our left side Puka Punta, Cayangate and other, you will be amazed by the gorgeous landscape that looks unreal away of the noise places. Your guide will explain you why these mountains are important for Andean People.

Then we start hiking down following the Qampa pampa valley where you will observe many lamas and alpacas, also some picturesque villages. After a few hours of hike, we arrive to our lunch spot where our team will set up everything for us, we will enjoy it and have a deserved rest, on the afternoon we hike for another 3 hours to reach our next campsite located on the side of Huchuy Phinaya village 4,430m / 14,534ft.

Hiking distance: 14 km / 8.6 miles
Minimum altitude: 4,430 masl / 14,534 fasl
Maximum altitude: 5,100 masl / 16,797fasl
Hiking time: 7 – 8 hours

DAY 3, Machuraqay – Ausangate Qocha – Anantapata – Surineqocha

This day is the most challenging in this marvel adventure and for that our team will wake you up with a hot coca tea and this will give you some extra energy to reach the next pass, after the breakfast we start the day ascending by a switchback trail with marvelous views of Apu Ausangate and the brown lake located at the bottom of the Ausangate, you will have the time to capture incredible photos while your tour guide explains you about it.

After a few hours of hike, we will reach the summit of this day about 5,200m /17,060ft this is the spot where you will be closer to the Apu Ausangate and your guide will do some offering for our Pacha Mama (Mother Earth) Using some natural products as the ancient people did, he will blow some coca leaves to say thank you for this incredible day, also you will feel the energy of the Apus and understand why the local people called Apus or deities.

Then we hike down to Ausangate Qocha, beautiful lakes created by the watermelt from the glacier,  after a rest, we continue hiking to our lunch spot between land of lamas and alpacas, you always will have time to enjoy the moments. Then we arrive to Anantapata where we enjoy our Andean lunch with breathtaking views, To finish our day, we hike to the last pass Warmisaya 4,980 meters above sea level and walk down to our camp, all our tents will be set up for us.

Have a rest and enjoy the afternoon tea.

Hiking distance: 15 km / 9.32 miles
Minimum altitude: 4,430 masl / 14,534 fasl
Maximum altitude: 5,200 masl / 17,060fasl
Hiking time: 7 – 8 hours

DAY 4, Suriniqocha – Warmi Saya Pass – Rainbow Mountain –  Cusco

On the final day of our adventure, we wake up early to reach Rainbow Mountain before the crowds arrive. After enjoying a hearty breakfast prepared with fresh local products, we leave the campsite and begin our ascent toward Rainbow Mountain and its surroundings. Upon arrival, we take in the majestic views in a peaceful atmosphere, with fewer visitors around.

You’ll have plenty of time to explore this iconic site while your guide explains the fascinating geological reasons behind its colorful layers of rock sediment, turquoise, orange, brown, and red, and helps you capture the best photos.

After experiencing this true gem of the Peruvian Andes, we continue our trek to the spectacular Red Valley, a lesser-known and lightly traveled area that impresses not only with its beauty but also with its tranquility. A short 30-minute walk leads us to the Red Valley viewpoint, offering sweeping views across the valley.

Finally, we follow the trail to the bus station and drive to a local restaurant to enjoy lunch. After a short rest, we board our bus and return to Cusco, marking the end of this unforgettable journey.

Arriving there about 4-5pm we will drop off you at your hotel.

Hiking distance: 13 km / 7.4 miles
Minimum altitude: 4,570 masl / 14,993 fasl
Maximum altitude: 5,120 masl / 16,762fasl
Hiking time: 6 – 7 hours

We are transparent and provide the specific details of what is included and excluded in our Ausangate Trek 4 Day Tour. We know this is very important so that you know what exactly to bring and you don’t miss anything. We provide this information to ensure that you have an incredible experience during your trek.

WHAT IS INCLUDED

• Pre-Departure briefing : Once you book the tour with us, you will get a notification about the pre-departure briefing, where you will meet with your trekking guide and the tour group in our office the night before your Ausangate Trek 4 Day departure. During this briefing, you will receive important details of the trek. After this time, you will receive your duffle bag for your extra luggage, which will be carried by the horses while you are hiking
• Professional Adventure Guide :  All our tour guides have a great reputation in customer service, our tour guide have graduated with tourism career from National University San Antonio Abad of Cusco, they have also studied English in a private language institute. Through to their patience, responsibility, knowledge, passion for trekking and proud to have been born in the land of the Incas, we ensure our guides provide an excellent experience for you when you explore the amazing Rainbow mountain.
• Entrance Fees to Ausangate park: Once we receive your details and the deposit for your tour, we purchase all the necessary tickets for your trek it will be for a specific date and will be in your name.
• Accommodations:  We include accommodations 2 nights along the Ausangate trek,  with a suitable camping equipment to make sure your trek is an experience of the life time. Our s are Mountain gear or Doite pro Aconcagua for 4 people, which will be shared only for 2 people to ensure you comfort and enough place for your luggage. The same way we include Inflatable mattress. There will also be a spacious dining tent for you to enjoy each meal along this tour.
• Private Transport: We included all the transportations during your tour, we will pick you up from your hotel in Cusco and take you to the beginning of the trail, the bus returning from the Ausangate to Cusco will drop off you at your hotel.
• Horses : We include horses to transport all the duffle bags and equipment during this tour also will be a horse man. We know safety is first is for that we include an emergency horse in case someone feels tired or get altitude sickness.
• Personal Duffle bag: We included a personal duffle bag for your 4-day Ausangate trek. You will get this duffle bag in our office during your pre-departure briefing the night before of your trek. This bag will be carried by horses during the trek. You will find it in your tent every afternoon you arrive to the campsite. It can be filled with your personal items, sleeping bag and mattress but the maximum allowable weight is 7kg/17lb. The duffle bag must be returned to our office no later than one day after your trek.
• Toilet Tents : During our Ausangate trek, we bring our own portable toilet tent because we know how important is to protect our environment and we are trained to don’t leave no traces along the route.
• Medical First Aid Kit : All tour guides are very well trained in First aid. They received training courses every 6 months how to assist to someone who is in an emergency situation. Also, they are trained how to supply a balloon oxygen in the case if someone requires it.
• Meals :  We know food is such an important part of any vacation and getting the right fuel on an active holiday is crucial… We include 3 breakfast, 4 lunch and 3 dinner. And of course, we cater to all dietary restrictions Vegetarian, Vegan, Gluten free and others just let us know. Our chefs are well-trained to prepare the best food ever you’ve had with local and organic ingredients.
• Water : We will provide you water from the first lunch to the last breakfast. This water will be filtered, boiled and cooled by our Chef. You must bring your own water container, bottle or camelback that can hold water for hiking for a few hours. We recommend a capacity of 2 liters.

WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED

• Sleeping bag . Every trekker along the Ausangate trek needs a proper sleeping bag which has to be for -15°C / 5° F. We recommend you bring your own, but if you don’t want to bring your own or you don’t have one, you can rent a sleeping bag from us.
• Walking Sticks : Hiking with trekking poles has its benefits, protect your knees while you are hiking downhill, especially on the remote area which are many up and downhill, trekking poles help you during the ascent, increased stability, if you don’t have a pair of trekking poles you can rent them from our office.
• Rainbow Mountain & Red Valley Entrance: We do not include the entrance ticket to the Rainbow Mountain and the view point of the Red Valley, you must to pay directly there, the price for these is about 20 Peruvian soles for each one.
• First Breakfast : We do not provide breakfast on the day of your departure. However, most hotel offers breakfast during your stay there. In case your hotel does not provide breakfast, we will stop at a restaurant near to Tinki where you will be available to purchase a breakfast.
• Travel Insurance : We recommend to buy a travel insurance before to leave your country in case something happen along your visit to Peru.
• Tips for our team : Tips are not included. Tipping the team is usual on any excursion to the Ausangate, although we pay good salaries to our entire team, tips are welcome as a token of your appreciation for the team hard work.

In our company we focus to make your trip an unforgettable experience and we want to provide all details which you need to know before to leave your country and start your life experience in Peru.

What you need to pack?

Important

• Passport
• Immigration Card (given on the plane as you enter Peru)
• Good daypack (the smaller, the better)
• Water storage, Water reservoir like Camelback is encouraged – but enough for at least 2-3 liters.
• Comfortable hiking boots (lightweight with good soles)
• Trekking poles

For Your Duffel:

Horses will carry up to 7 kg of your personal items. This must include your sleeping bag and air matt (if you bring/rent one). From us these two items weigh 3 kg.

• 3-4 wicking t-shirts
• 3-4 hiking pants
• 3 sets of undergarments.
• 1 Fleece
• 1 Warm, down jacket: gets very cold at night
• 1 Rain jacket and pants
• 1 sun hat
• 1 wool hat
• Bathers / swimsuit for the hot spring
• Small towel
• Headlamp: essential
• Waterproof gloves
• Comfortable shoes for camp or flip flops
• Walking boots
• Waterproof jacket/rain poncho

Battery Charger: There is no place to plug in while trekking!

Large plastic bags: to help organize and keep clean from dirty.

Sleeping bag: Recommend down bags for -10C at least

Inside your daypack:

Daypack can be any size for hiking, but we always say the smaller, the better. If it is larger try to bring it as lighter as possible.

Water: we supply clean water at each meal. You are responsible for your first morning of water only as we won’t have time to filter water until your first lunch.

• Sun hat
• Rain gear
• Fleece
• Camera
• Music (iPhone)
• Hand sanitizer
• Toilet paper and small plastic bag for waste
• Extra Money for Souvenirs, Drinks & Tips
• Earplugs
• Snacks (chocolate, energy bars, fruits, etc.)

Toiletries:

• Sunscreen
• Face moisturizer
• Bug spray
• Hand sanitizer
• Wet wipes
• Toothbrush and paste
• Toilet paper
• Personal medication
• First aid kit: band aids, moleskin, etc.

WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT AUSANGATE TREK 4 DAY

On the Ausangate trek tour, don’t forget water! Drinking lots of water will help with the elevation. We advise bringing at least 2 liters per person on the hike with you. Also, you will have chance to buy water at the beginning of the trek.

We skip the crowds! Everybody else goes Ausangate trek tour at the same time. That means they’re all want to take the best camping spots on this route.  Since we leave from Cusco at 05:00 am.  You will get to the view point and the camp site before the crowd, and enjoy this fantastic landscape.

Our guide always brings oxygen tank which are important as you get over 4620 meters/15,255feet above sea level! Not all travel agencies offer this, so this is definitely something to look out for when choosing the best Ausangate tour operator.

The best time to visit the Ausangate is going to be in the from April to October before the rainy season begins

This hike is very demanding. And the constantly changing weather conditions, combined with high altitude, can be a challenge for experienced hikers. But if done right it’s manageable even for those who don’t hike much.

We Recommend for Ausangate Trek

Make sure that you have been a few days in Cusco to acclimatize to the elevation before you set off on your hike to Ausangate Tour. This is by far the best insurance for a smooth and enjoyable trip.

Go to sleep early and try to avoid drinking or partying the night before, because We will pick you up at 05:00 am and the physically challenging trek will be much more bearable without a hangover.

In case you have altitude sickness symptoms, descend as quickly as you can. It’s nothing to mess around with.

Try to go all the way to the viewpoint. You get a 360° view not just the Ausangate trek but of the nearby glacier and a gorgeous valley in the other direction. We think most people didn’t realize what they were missing by not going all the way up.

If you are going to Machu Picchu the day before your trip to the Ausangate, tell your travel company to book your return train ticket early.

Higher elevation also means colder, nearly freezing temperatures, so be prepared. Whether you decide to take a one-day tour, make sure to wear very warm clothes. Also bring coca leaves to fight off altitude sickness and carry the minimum gear possible to ease the hike.

• From $390.00USD per person
• Price for group of 4 people: $1500.00USD

Online Payment

To book any tour/trek through with Ausangate Tours, we do require a 50% deposit per person. PayPal does charge us a fee of 8% which we ask the client to cover. This taxes is just for deposits, the remaining, you will pay in cash(briefing day) without taxes

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