Ausangate Rainbow Mountain Trek 6 Days - Orange Nation Peru

Ausangate Trek 6 Days with Rainbow Mountain Included

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From $757
OVERVIEW

Mount Ausangate (6,377mts/20,921ft) is the highest and most sacred mountain in Southern Peru. Every year in June,  a week before the feast of Corpus Christi, thousands of pilgrims make their way to the face of the mountain during the festival of Qoyllur Rit´i. The Quechua name means ¨snow star or  ¨luminous snow¨ in English. The devotees make this trip to give thanks to Pachamama (mother earth) and to ask for an abundant and fruitful farming season.

This spiritually charged trek takes you to spectacular glacial views, uninterrupted beauty and solitude. This trek is for the seasoned trekker  looking to follow the seldom followed route and provides for a healthy challenge. Camp near hot springs and sparkling glacial lakes that are inhabited  by the numerous bird species, including Andean goose and the mighty Andean Condor. Finally, trek to the natural marvel that is Rainbow Mountain. This high altitude trek offers a selection of wildlife; including soaring condors, vicuñas and Cara Cara falcons. The colorful sandstone mountains in the Vinicunca area is probably the coolest thing you will ever see! During the adventure, you will be well taken care of by our professional team of English-speaking guides, cooks and horsemen with their mules. We also have an extra horse in case of emergency, or sickness.

 

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Service Level: Spacious and luxurious camping facilities. Private chef for the group. Emergency horse. Exclusive modern vehicles with private driver
Physical Rating: The trail starts at a staggering 4200m above sea level and has consistent elevation gain. You need to be in good physical condition to join this trek.
Travel Style: Adventure, Hike and Camping
Group Size: Small group experience; Max 12, Avg 5

ITINERARY

Your guide will pick you up at your hotel in Cusco at 6am in the morning, and take you in our private transportation to the starting point of our trek at Tinqui. Here you will give your duffel to the horseman to load up the gear onto the pack horses, keeping only your daypack for the hike. We will hike for the next 3 hours to where we will enjoy lunch before continuing our hike to our first camp. This day we only hike for a few hours until we arrive at the village of Upis. Here, you will have the opportunity to soak in the hot springs, while enjoying coca tea, and relaxing your muscles until dinner.

  • Distance: 9.65km/ 6 miles
  • Elevation: 4,100m/ 13,450ft
  • Hiking time: 5 to 6 hours
  • Meals: breakfast, lunch & dinner
  • Accommodations: camping
  • Difficulty: Challenging

We awake early with hot coffee or tea brought to your tent and then we get energized for the day ahead with a big, hot breakfast. We start with a hike up Arapa pass (4,958m/16,266ft) before we descend to our lunch spot near Puma Cocha – a deep blue lake and a perfect spot to enjoy the views while we enjoy another delicious and hearty meal. Along the hike, we will see local llama herders, Ausangate Mountain range towering above us, and our expert guide will explain the history and culture of the indigenous people of Ausangate as well as the landscape. After lunch, we continue hiking up to our second pass, Pucacocha (5,000m/16,404ft) where, if we are lucky, we may see condors soaring above and vicuñas grazing in the wild. Then, we descend to our campsite of Chillca where we will be surrounded by towering mountains and incredible glaciers. Here, we can also watch for the glaciers crashing into the lake below! As always, camp will be set up for you to change and rest your weary legs while dinner is being prepared.

  • Distance: 15km/ 9.3miles
  • Elevation: 4,300m/ 14,100ft
  • Hiking time: 7 hours
  • Meals: breakfast, lunch & dinner
  • Accommodations: camping
  • Difficulty: Challenging

Today, starts with Chillca pass (5,051m/16,571ft), a very colorful mountain but it’s just the beginning of what comes next! After crossing the pass you enter into the Red Mountain valley, a vast desert landscape with surrounding vibrant colors, and llamas grazing below. When we approach the top of the pass, we will have incredible views of the valleys below! From here, we descend to circle lake and continue walking along a Peruvian flat trail until we are presented with our last climb to the Rainbow Mountain. This natural, colorful phenomenon is beyond words! We will enjoy lunch in the surrounding area, and head back down the valley to make our way to the beautiful Lake Ausangate, where camp will be set up and waiting for us to take a rest our weary bodies.

  • Distance: 20km/12.4miles
  • Elevation: 4,300m/14,107ft – 5,200m/17,060ft
  • Hiking time: 7-8 hours
  • Meals: breakfast, lunch & dinner
  • Accommodations: camping
  • Difficulty: Challenging

Hiking a shorter distance today, as yesterday was a big day, we pass beautiful small glacial lakes, lush green everglades, and walk along the edge of the river. Today, is a great day for spotting wildlife so we will keep an eye out for condors, and vicuñas! When we get to camp your hot drinks and appetizers will be ready for you. The tens will again already be set up so you can settle in before dinner.

  • Distance: 17km/10.5miles
  • Elevation: 4,300m/14,107ft – 5,400m/17,716ft
  • Hiking time: 7 – 8 hours
  • Accommodations: camping
  • Meals: breakfast, lunch & dinner
  • Difficulty: Challenging

As we only have one pass to cross today, we will take it slow today to enjoy the deep blue lakes and colorful glacial lakes along the way. If you are in the polar bear club, you are welcome to jump into the cold water and take a swim! Views of the massive Ausangate Mountain are still visible, only today you will get to enjoy them from a different angle along with views of Pacchanta Valley. Our goal is the hot springs of Pacchanta, where we will enjoy a nice, hot soak and the views of the Ausangate Mountain above.

  • Distance: 16k/10miles
  • Elevation: 4,300m/14,107ft- 5,400m/17,716ft
  • Hiking time: 6 – 7 hours
  • Accommodations: camping
  • Meals: breakfast, lunch & dinner
  • Difficulty: Challenging

Today is the easiest day of our trek as we make our way back to the starting point of Tinqui, we will walk on relatively flat ground and celebrate our accomplishments. When we arrive at the village, we will have our final lunch on the trek while everything is packed up in our private transportation to head back to back to Cusco where you will be dropped off at your hotel around 5pm.

Note: This itinerary is subject to change without prior notice according to weather conditions or other events which are beyond our control. We will always do our best to follow the itinerary as closely as possible.

  • Distance: 16k/10miles
  • Elevation: 4,000m (descending)
  • Hiking time: 3 – 4 hours
  • Accommodations: camping
  • Meals: breakfast, lunch
  • Difficulty: Easy
Prices

The Ausangate Rainbow Mountain Trek is available to depart any day of the week as long as we have two people!

No. OF PEOPLE PRICE
2 to 8 people $ 757 USD per person

***This price includes the extra porter who will carry your belongings up to 7kgs. We provide you a duffel bag, in which to put your things.

***We provide large Eureka 4 person tents for each 2 trekkers.

DISCOUNTS

  • Group of 5 or more: $30 USD – All you need is to book the trek together at the same time.

EXTRAS

  • Sleeping Bag –$20 USD per person per trek (They are steam cleaned after every trek)
  • Air Mattress –$20 USD per person per trek (Therm-a-rest mattresses)
  • Walking Poles –$15 USD per pair per trek (Professional Poles that can be extended)
  • Personal tent- $30 USD – (Tent for solo trekkers only)

ADDED VALUES FOR FREE

  • Foam mattresses
  • Camping pillow
  • Transfer from the airport to your hotel (Cusco only)
  • Boiled water for drinking purposes
  • Personal porter included
  • Duffle bags and liner bags
  • Thick warm blanket to put over the sleeping bag
  • Hot water bottles to put into your sleeping bag so you can sleep like a baby

Inclusions

WHAT IS INCLUDED:

  • Private transportation to and from the trek
  • Professional English-speaking guide
  • Meals as indicated
  • 7kgs personal luggage allowance to put on the horses
  • Personal duffel bags for your extra luggage to put on the horses
  • Spacious tents, sleeping mats, dining tent, kitchen tent, latrine tent
  • Horses to carry the group equipment (food, tents, tables, etc.)
  • Emergency horse in case you are tired or feel ill
  • Emergency Oxygen bottle and first aid kit
  • Tips for the crew, guide and cook of ORANGE NATION PERU

WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED:

  • Sleeping Bag –$20 USD per person per trek (It will be clean and warm)
  • Air Mattress –$20 USD per person per trek (Therm-a-rest mattresses)
  • Walking Poles –$15 USD per pair per trek (Professional Poles that can be extended)
  • Personal tent -$30 USD – (Please request when you book your trek)
  • Breakfast on the 1st day
  • Dinner on the 6th day

WHAT YOU HAVE TO TAKE WITH YOU FOR THE AUSANGATE TREK?

  • Original Passport (it has to be the same you have used for booking your trek)
  • Good daypack (the smaller, the better)
  • Water storage: 2-3L (Camelbaks are encouraged)
  • Comfortable hiking boots with ankle support
  • Sleeping bag (can be rented from Orange Nation)
  • Headlamp: essential
  • Toilet paper

WHAT TO PUT IN YOUR DUFFLE BAG IN THE AUSANGATE TREK?

As a Direct Local Tour operator we provide you with a duffel bag at your briefing and INCLUDE an extra porter who will carry up to 7 kgs or 14 pounds including your 2.5kg sleeping bag, mattress and extra clothing.

  • 2 t-shirts.
  • 2 hiking pants at least
  • 4 sets of undergarments
  • 3 sets of hiking socks
  • Bathing Suit for the thermal waters
  • Fleece / Thermals
  • Warm clothes, down jacket — 2nd campsite temp around 3º C
  • Waterproof gloves (even if they are ski gloves, take them)
  • Comfortable shoes for camp
  • Quickdry towel. We provide small ones, you might prefer something larger
  • Small bottle of soap: we provide warm water each day to wash
  • Battery Charger: No electricity along the trek
  • Large plastic bags will be provided at the office — Please ask for them
  • Sleeping bag: It has to be at least -15ºC – This can be rented from us

TOILETRIES

  • Face moisturizer
  • Hand sanitizer
  • Wet wipes
  • Toothbrush and toothpaste
  • Personal medications
  • First aid kit: band aids, moleskin, etc

WHAT TO PUT IN YOUR BACKPACK IN THE AUSANGATE TREK?

We highly recommend a small backpack 30 to 40L for hiking in the day. The remainder of your belongings will be in your duffel bag at camp.

  • Water: Please supply your own water until the first lunch spot, then we will provide you with cold boiled water at every meal time. Please bring your canteens
  • Sun hat
  • Sunscreen
  • Insect repellent
  • Headlamp: essential
  • Wool hat
  • Rain gear
  • Fleece
  • Snacks like chocolate bars, cereal bars or any dry fruits
  • Rain poncho
  • Gloves
  • Camera
  • Hand sanitizer
  • Toilet paper and small plastic bag for waste
  • Extra money for souvenirs, drinks & tips

Why travel with Orange Nation Peru?

We have become the leaders in small group adventure travel over the past three decades by consistently listening to our travelers and delivering what they desire: adaptable itineraries, the freedom to explore, smaller group sizes, safety and peace of mind, and knowledgeable local guides who provide unique insights into the destination that would be missed through any other means of travel.

Learn more

EXPERT GUIDES : Our expedition staff are experienced, enthusiastic and among the best in the industry - they are our secret to success

SMALL GROUPS: Travelling with us will always feel like going with friends and not with a group of strangers in an organized tour.

OUR EXPERIENCE: With fifteen years’ experience and over 25 Packages to Machu Picchu alone, our team knows how to deliver a successful expedition.

ENVIRONMENTAL: ENVIRONMENTAL: Education and conservation are our passion. We aim to create lifelong ambassadors for the protection of all wilderness areas.

Travelers' Choice Awards 2022
Excellent based on 280 reviews based on 280 reviews
Triadvisor

Letty C

Excellent worker

Jun. 2023

Joaquín excellent 👍 Very Caballero helped me with my 🎒 offered me oxygen does very well His work ⁇ in singing to Subme to the 🐎 And what a beautiful mountain it cost me to Climb but with the Joaquín's help I did!

Mariana D

A great adventure!

May. 2023

We made 4D / 3N of the Inka Trail. The experience was challenging, but it was worth it. Chef Fortunato's meals and explanations of Jony and David's places were very complete. Tmb the patience to make sure we all get there on time.

malala08

Fast and friendly service

Dec. 2022

We did not get to specify the service due to the political situation in the country, however the company quickly and carefully proceeded with the return. Very good service and when the situation calms down we will resume service with them.

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