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 from your hotel in Cusco at 6am and we travel in a private car to the starting point of our trek, Tinqui. Once we arrive, you will give your overnight duffel to the horseman, keeping only your daypack for the hike.

Our first day is an easy start, with a 3 hour hike to our lunch spot, followed by a few more hours to our first camp, in the village of Upis. While we are here, take advantage of the natural hot springs to soak your muscles ready for the days to come.

  • Distance: 9.65km/ 6 miles
  • Elevation: 4,100m/ 13,450ft
  • Hiking time: 5 to 6 hours
  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
  • Accommodations: Camping
  • Difficulty: Challenging

An early wake up call is softened by the hot drink brought directly to your sleeping bag, and improved further still with a delicious hot breakfast.

Our hike begins making strides up to Arapa Pass (4,958m/16,266ft), and we drop back down to Puma Cocha, where we can enjoy our lunch. The hard work of the morning is rewarded with a hearty lunch before we set off for the afternoon section of the hike.

The imposing Ausangate Mountain looms above us as we hike alongside llama herders and their flocks. As we pass through timeless valleys, our guide will explain a little of the history and culture of the indigenous people of Ausangate as we lose ourselves in the landscapes on the way up to the second pass of the day, Pucacocha (5,000m/16,404ft).

We begin our descent and before you know it, we will arrive at our campsite of Chillca. The space is 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 tough start, but worth the sweat. We continue to climb through the Red Valley, a stunning slice of the planet with rolling red desert as far as the eye can see.

As we approach the top of the pass take a moment to appreciate the view of the valley you have just climbed- but just a moment, as we are now on the final stretch to the iconic Rainbow Mountain.

We take our time with the mountain, enjoying lunch close by before continuing our hike down to the Ausangate Lake, where camp is ready and waiting for us- already prepared to relax.

  • 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

Today is an easier day than yesterday, as we stroll by glacial lakes, lush green everglades, and meander alongside the river. Keep your eyes peeled for wildlife, be it the condor or the vicuñas.

We are welcomed into camp with the usual chorus of hot drinks and snacks to tide us over until dinner time. Take a moment for yourself to appreciate the mountains, where you are, and how you came to get here.

  • 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

Today, with only one mountain pass to cross we can take it steady today, enjoying the deep blue glacial lakes that we pass on our route. You’re welcome to jump in to some of the lakes and take a swim, but be warned- they are extremely cold!

As with much of the trek, the Ausangate Mountain accompanies us throughout the day, but today we can also enjoy the incredible Pacchanta Valley as it stretches out in front of us. Once we reach the village of Pacchanta we can take a dip in the hot springs. The perfect way to warm up after a hard few days of hiking.

  • 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 final and easiest day of our trek, as we make our way back to the starting point of Tinqui. The terrain today is relatively flat and we can take the time to congratulate ourselves on finishing the Ausangate Trek- no small feat!

As we arrive at the village we indulge in our final lunch together as our private transport is packed up behind us. We then head back to Cusco- you can expect to be dropped off at your hotel by 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
Ausangate Trek 6 Days with Rainbow Mountain Included
From USD $757

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.

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

Travelers' Choice Awards 2023
Excellent based on 360 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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