The Ausangate trek with Rainbow Mounintain trek is an amazing option for those looking for a challenging high altitude hike with several high passes to cross. It is not for the faint hearted and a good level of fitness is required. You will be rewarded by quiet, uncrowded trails, spectacular glacial lakes, stunning snow-capped peaks and the unusual red scree landscapes of the Rainbow Mountains of Vinicuna. And with this tour, we will drive you from the end of the trek to visit Machu Picchu.
Day 01: Cusco – Urcos – Tinqui – Upis – Arapa Pass – Yanacocha
Day 02: Yanacocha – Pucacocha Pass – Anantapata
Day 03: Anantapata – Rainbow Mountain (Vinicunca) – Ausangate cocha lake
Day 04: Ausangate cocha Lake – Palomani pass – Jampa
Day 05: Jampa – Campa pass – Pacchanta – Cusco
Day 01: Cusco – Urcos – Tinqui – Upis – Arapa Pass – YanacochaTinqui
We will leave Cusco early in the morning by bus. On our way to the upper of Tinqui (4050m/13287ft), we will pass little farms and meet local families. After a little stopping while we packing your belongings in duffel bags, we start walking towards the community of Upis (4400m/14436ft). The objective here being to have the lunch-break for a moment and discover a beautiful scenery of hills and the frontal part of Ausangate snow-covered. After having lunch, we continue hiking up to Arapa pass (4800m/15748f). Thereafter, we will descend towards Yana ccocha (4500m/ 14763ft) where we’ll set up the camping site.
Transport time: 03 hours 30
Hiking time: 6 hours
Day 02: Yanacocha – Pucacocha Pass – Anantapata
After breakfast, we discover amazing lakes and different kind of colors from where we ascend towards Pucacocha Pass (4900m/ 16076ft). Thereafter, we will continue to Anantapata (4500m/14763ft) where we will camp.
Climate: cold
Hiking time: 7 hours
Day 03: Anantapata – Rainbow Mountain (Vinicunca) Montaña de 7 Colores – Ausangate Cocha lake
After breakfast, we take the trail to another mountain pass. Dropping down, we'll hike by Lake Kayrawiri, surrounded by rugged mountain peaks and the great valley below. Striations of color are imbedded in the hillsides. Then we go on to Cerro Laya Grande via massive glacier del Inca, and the most striking colors in the sediments of Yauricunca or Vinicunca. We lunch here in this unique landscape. We see hundreds of Andean geese nesting in the cliffs of Anta, and after that we comeback to Ananta from where we continue to Ausangate Qocha Lake (4650m/15256f) where we will camp.
Hiking time: 7 hours
Day 04: Ausangate Cocha Lake – Palomani pass – Jampa Ausangate lake
Today we take in our highest mountain pass (5100/ 16732ft.) with its panoramic, spectacular views of Ausangate snow-covered. Descending alongside the glaciers, we hike to Finaya pampa where see different king of camelids like Alpacas, Lamas and the wild vicuñas and sometimes Condors. After a day of great hiking we arrive at Jampa (4700m/15420f) where will camp.
Hiking time: 7 hours
Day 05: Jampa – Campa Pass – Pacchanta – Cusco
The highlight of this day is definitely the spectacular ascend to the Campa pass (5050m/16568ft). Moreover, we will pass several lovely lakes on the way to Pacchanta (4350m/14270ft). Here, we will visit the hot springs and will have a typical lunch. After being relaxing at the hot spring, we continue by car to Cusco.
Hiking time: approx. 6 hours
Transport time: 4hrs
