Ausangate Treks
Ausangate Trek to Rainbow Mountain 2 Days is truly one of the best short hikes you can experience in Peru. This adventure beautifully blends breathtaking Andean scenery with genuine cultural encounters. Plus, it’s a fantastic way to escape the crowds typically found on the classic Rainbow Mountain tour.
Your journey kicks off with a picturesque drive from Cusco to the trailhead. Once you arrive, the hike begins near Ausangate Mountain, which is the tallest peak in southern Peru. As you make your way along the trail, you’ll spot alpacas, llamas, and stunning turquoise lagoons. The gradual climb is also a great way for your body to acclimate to the high altitude.
On the second day, you’ll set out early to Rainbow Mountain, also known as Vinicunca. This timing allows you to soak in the vibrant landscape without the throngs of tourists. The mountain showcases its natural red, yellow, and green stripes, shaped over time, offering a view that’s both unique and unforgettable.
In summary, the Ausangate Trek to Rainbow Mountain 2 Days strikes a perfect balance between adventure, stunning scenery, and cultural immersion. It gives travelers the chance to explore awe-inspiring landscapes while steering clear of large crowds. Moreover, this journey fosters a deeper connection to the Andes and local traditions, making it an ideal choice for anyone looking for a distinctive and fulfilling trekking experience in Peru.
Your adventure begins very early in the morning in Cusco. At 3:30 AM, our professional guide will pick you up directly from your hotel. We then begin a private drive of about 3 hours toward the beautiful Ausangate region.
During the journey you can rest comfortably in our vehicle. We provide warm blankets so you can relax or sleep, allowing you to arrive well rested before starting the trek.
Upon arrival in the Upis area, we reach our private campsite near the Upis Hot Springs, located at about 4,400 m (14,435 ft). Here we meet the rest of our trekking team and enjoy a delicious buffet breakfast with spectacular views of Ausangate Mountain (6,372 m / 20,900 ft).
After breakfast we begin hiking along our exclusive private trail toward Arapa Pass (4,800 m / 15,748 ft). This route offers incredible views of Ausangate and Upis Lake, and unlike other companies, our groups follow a quieter path that allows us to enjoy the scenery without crowds.
From Arapa Pass we enjoy panoramic views of glaciers, valleys, and colorful Andean landscapes. We then continue along a scenic trail to Hatun Pucacocha (4,500 m / 14,764 ft), where we stop for a delicious buffet lunch beside a beautiful lake with the impressive Ausangate glacier rising in front of us.
After lunch we hike uphill to Pucacocha Pass (approx. 4,900 m / 16,076 ft), where some of the most spectacular views of the entire Ausangate region await us, surrounded by glaciers and turquoise lakes.
From there we descend for about one hour to reach our campsite at Anantapata, a peaceful valley often called the paradise of alpacas, where hundreds of alpacas graze freely.
At camp you can relax during happy hour with hot tea and snacks while enjoying the quiet beauty of the Andes. Later, we share a delicious dinner prepared by our trekking chef before resting for the night.
The day begins very early in the morning when our staff wakes you with a hot cup of tea or coffee delivered directly to your tent. This is a traditional service during the Ausangate Trekking experience.Afterward we enjoy a hearty buffet breakfast before beginning our hike toward one of the most famous landscapes in Peru.
The first section of the trek is a 40 minute uphill hike to Warmisaya Pass (4,985 m / 16,354 ft). From this spectacular viewpoint we will have our first incredible view of Rainbow Mountain, also known as Vinicunca.
From the pass we descend toward the beautiful Comercocha Lake, surrounded by dramatic Andean scenery. After passing the lake we begin a final uphill hike of about one hour toward the world-famous Rainbow Mountain (5,036 m / 16,522 ft).
Thanks to our carefully planned itinerary and early start, our groups arrive very early, allowing us to be among the first visitors of the day and enjoy the magical moment of sunrise at Rainbow Mountain before the crowds arrive.
After exploring the colorful landscapes and taking photos, we continue toward the impressive Red Valley, one of the most spectacular hidden landscapes of the region. This valley is known for its deep red mountains and dramatic scenery that few visitors experience.
After visiting the Red Valley we continue hiking through a beautiful valley filled with alpacas until we reach Llactoc, where our trekking chef will be waiting with a delicious final lunch.
Following lunch we say goodbye to our trekking team and begin our private drive back to Cusco, arriving at your hotel at approximately 4:00 4:30 PM.
