Ausangate Treks & Rainbow Mountain 3D/2N

Day 1: CUSCO | UPIS | ARAPA PASS | HATUN PUCACOCHA

We will pick you up from your hotel at 5 a.m. to begin your treks. You will have private transportation to the trail head at Upis. Upis is a small Andean village located near Ocongate, located at 3,900 m/12,795 ft above sea level. Here, you will meet your horsemen and horses. You will enjoy your first breakfast prepared by our trekking chef from PERU WILD TREKS. Then, you will start the gradual, uphill hike. It will be three or four hours until we reach our lunch area. Along the way, we will have amazing views of Ausangate, far in the distance. We will pass by traditional villages, and perhaps meet some local people, dressed in their colorful, traditional clothing. They may be accompanying their indigenous llamas. Our lunch spot is in an amazing location, surrounded by stunning mountains and an excellent view of Ausangate Glacier peak. After lunch, it will be another two hour hike until we reach the Arapa pass (4800m/15,748ft), then we will descend for 3 hours and a half to Hatun Pucacocha lake, where our camp is located. On the way we will appreciate Yanacocha lake too. You will be  at the very foot of the mighty Ausangate Mountain!  You will be amazed at the size and sheer beauty of this glacier mountain.

Once in the campsite, you will have an afternoon tea and later you dinner will be ready       

Walked Distance: 17 km / 10.50 miles
Campsite Elevation: 4,400 m / 14,450 ft
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks, drinking water
Weather: Dry and cold                                                                                                                      Estimated walking Time: 9 hours

Day 2: HATUM PUKACOCHA LAKE | ANANTAPATA | WARMISAYA PASS | SURINECOCHA 

In the morning a cup of hot coca tea will be served in your tent to wake you up. After a nice breakfast you will leave the camp and continue with Peruwildtrek’s team. You will start following a scenic path, hiking 2 hours until to reach Pukacocha Pass (4,850 m / 15,908 ft.). From here you get a wonderful views of the desert hills around, interesting rock formations, spectacular views of Mt. Ausangate, and Ccolque Cruz in the distance and if you are lucky you will be able to see  the majestic flight of the Condor, the largest flying bird in the world.

Then we will descend for 2 hours approx.  to Ananta pata, where is our Lunch place. After lunch you will hike for 2 hours to Warmisaya Pass (4,985m/16,355ft). From here, you will be able to appreciate the sacred Ausangate glacier from a new angle and the Rainbow Mountain, as well as the endless Vilcanota mountain range. Then we will descend for 1 hour to Surinecocha (4,800m/15,740mt) where our campsite is located and your afternoon tea and dinner would be ready for you

• Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner + snacks
• Lowest elevation: 4,500 m / 14,764 ft
• Highest elevation: 4,950 m / 16,120 ft
• Estimated walking Distance: 10 km / 7 miles
• Estimated walking Time: 7 – 8 hours
• Level of Difficulty: Challenging

Day 3: SURINECOCHA | VININCUNCA – RAINBOW MOUNTAIN | CUSCO

Early wake up! It is time to explore the Rainbow Mountain. You will have chance to arrive to the top for the sunrise. Usually some people plan to get there earliest possible and be the first people at the lookout. After our breakfast we will start ascending for 2 hours to the top located at 5,100m/16,732ft. From here you will get a beautiful views of the rainbow Mountain, which you’re sure to feel as though you are in a dream when looking at this creation of our Mother nature.

After to explore Vinicunca, before the crowds arrive. Enjoying the amazing view from the top, the trail will take you to Llaqto bus stop. Where our chef will await for you with the final lunch of the trip.

In the afternoon you will have 3 hours of drive to Cusco hotel. You will arrive back in Cusco around 4:00pm. The end of Ausangate Rainbow Mountains tour.

• Meals: Breakfast/Lunch
• Lowest: elevation: 5,020 m / 16,450 ft
• Highest: elevation: 7 km /4 miles
• Estimated: walking time: 5-6 hours
• Level of Difficulty: Moderate  

WHAT IS INCLUDED

•  Private transportation to start of the Trek
• Professional English speaking Guide
• Meals along the hike
• 5kgs personal luggage allowance to put on the horses
• Personal Duffle Bags for your extra luggage to put on the horses
• Spacious tents ; Sleeping mats ; Dining tent, kitchen tent.
• Horses to carry the group’s equipment (food, tents, tables, etc.)
• Emergency Oxygen bottle and first aid kit

WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED

•  Breakfast on the 1st Day
• Dinner on the last Day
• Sleeping Bag
• Tips for the crew, guide, cook and porters of PERU WILD TREKS

 Price in US Dollars per Reservation (Private Service):

• 2-3 People: USD 600.00 per person.
• 4-5 People: USD 550.00 per person
• 6 -+ People: USD 500.00 per person

EXTRAS

• Sleeping Bag – US$20 per person per trek (It will be clean and warm)
• Air Mattress – US$20 per person per trek (Therm-a-rest mattresses)
• Walking Poles – US$20 per pair per trek (Professional Poles that can be extended)
• Personal tent: US $30 – (Tent for single trekkers only)

WELCOME TO CUSCO

You will be greeted at Cusco airport and taken to your hotel, please ensure that you inform us of your full flight details at least 7 days prior to trek´s start. Look out for our representative from PERU WILD TREKS.

THE BRIEFING

It will take place the night before the trekking departure at 6pm at your hotel in cusco by your tour guide from PWT.

CAN I STORE MY LUGGAGE AT YOUR OFFICE

Of course! During the Ausangate trek your main luggage can be stored at our office or at your hotel, both are for free.

HOW TO BOOK THE AUSANGATE TREK

FIRST, to book your Ausangate Trek, we need you to fill out our booking form by clicking on BOOK NOW on our homepage.
SECOND, we require a deposit of 50% of the payment per person in order to organize your Ausangate Trek.

WHAT ABOUT THE BALANCE?

It would be greatly appreciated if you pay in cash at our office (US dollars or Peruvian soles) here in Cusco. We have many cash machines in the historical center to withdraw money. .

MAY I CHANGE THE DEPARTURE DATE?

YES, you can change your departure date ,please let us know one month in advance if you one to change your date.
But if you want to change at the last momento the answer is not, because peru wild treks is going to organize everything like hiring guide, chef ,horseman and the horses in order to do this treks
Please contact the office as soon as possible if you need to change your date.
*** If you cancel your Ausangate Trek at the last minute, the deposit is not refundable at all!

WHAT IS THE WEATHER LIKE ON THE AUSANGATE TREK

The weather is very unpredictable and it’s difficult to foresee. BUT you will have many different seasons as you pass through the numerous microclimates and will depend on the location. With the Ausangate Trek, we highly recommend you bring some very warm clothes and good rain gear in your day backpack. It can be very cold at the high altitudes of this trek.

WHAT ABOUT ALTITUDE SICKNESS ON AUSANGATE TREK

In general if you exercise regularly and spend 3 days in Cusco, or in the Sacred Valley for acclimatization to the altitude, you may be just fine.
The recommended medicine for altitude sickness is WATER, COCA TEA and OXYGEN IF NEEDED; our guides are trained to treat you for Altitude Sickness.
We offer the Cusco City Tour and Sacred Valley tours that you can book while you are acclimatizing. Check out our day tours on our Main Page.

HIKING AUSANGATE TREK

The evening before you start your trek, you will be given a SMALL DUFFLE BAG to pack your clothes for the next four days. Your weight allowance is up to 5kg/11p. Your team will carry your duffle bag for you, together with the food and camping gear. It’s important to be aware, that you will not have access to your items in the duffle bag until the end of each day, as the porters will always be ahead of the group. During the trek, you need a day backpack big enough to carry your personal belongings such as a warm jacket, a rain jacket, your camera, sunscreen, snacks, water, etc. Usually a 30 to 50 litre backpack is sufficient.

IS THE TREK DIFFICULT, DO I NEED TO BE FIT?

Yes, it is a challenging trek with most of the you are over 4ooo meters or 13123 feet. You need to be in good physical condition and used to hiking.
In preparation: try walking 15kms in a day or go to the fitness club in the months leading up to the trek. It is also important to be well acclimatised to the altitude. Try to spend at least 3 days in Cusco (3350m/11,047ft) prior to starting the trek.

WHAT HAPPENS IF I AM UNABLE TO FINISH THE AUSANGATE TREK

In the scenario that you are unable to finish the trek due to a health issue, PERU WILD TREKS will assist you to the nearest town for help with transportation. We always carry oxygen on the trek for any respiratory problems. In extreme cases, a helicopter pick up can be arranged at your own expense. (Travel insurance required). There are no refunds in the unlikely situation that you are unable to finish the trek.

ARE WE GOING TO BE DROPPED AT OUR HOTEL AFTER THE TREK?

Absolutely!! Included in the package and on the last day we will drop you at your hotel in Cusco!

TIPPING

If you’re happy with the services provided, a tip – though not compulsory – is appropriate. While it may not be customary to you, it’s of great significance for the people who will take care of you during the trek. It inspires them to give excellent service and is an entrenched feature of the tourism industry. Of course you are free to tip more or less as you feel it, depending on your perception of the quality and the length of your trip. Remember, a tip is not compulsory and should only be given when you receive excellent service.

WHAT TO BRING:

• Day pack
• Copy of your passport
• Good hiking gear: hiking boots, warm jackets, gloves, hat warm fleece and socks
• Sleeping bag
• Walking boots
• Waterproof jacket/rain poncho
• Hat and gloves
• Warm clothes: Layers for variable temperatures, especially at night
• T-shirts
• Comfortable trousers
• Sun hat
• Sunscreen
• Insect repellent
• Reusable plastic/metal water container, or camel bags
• Water for first four hours of trek, then we will provide you with drinking, previously boiled water
• Toiletries
• Personal medication
• Camera and films
• Flashlight with spare batteries
• Walking stick
• Bathing suit for the hot springs
• Extra money for souvenirs, drinks and tips