Description
Most important tour information
- Pickup time
- 5:00 AM – 5:30 AM Pickup from selected hotels or zones Pickup location: Cusco historic city center See included Details: At the briefing, your exact pickup or meeting time is shared.
- Arrival in Cusco
- 5:00 PM Near Plaza de Armas, Cusco
- Drive time to trailhead
- 3 hrs 30 min Typical one-way driving time to the tour start
- Hiking distance
- 28.9 km / 18.0 mi Total distance covered on foot during the tour
Upcoming 3-day Ausangate trek to Rainbow Mountain departures
October 2026
- Guaranteed departure
- Need 2 more to confirm
Do not see your date? We are constantly forming new groups and can also arrange this tour privately. Contact us on WhatsApp
A tour just for your group
Private 3-day Ausangate trek to Rainbow Mountain?
Choose your own departure date, travel only with your group, and enjoy a pace shaped around you.
What is included
Included
Staff & safety
- Professional chef for the entire trek
- English-speaking guide
- Radio communication
- Emergency oxygen
- First aid kit
Meals & drinks
- Meals (vegetarian, vegan, and special diets available)
- Afternoon tea or “happy hour” every day
- Wake-up tea each morning
- Snacks during the trek
- 1.5 liters of water every morning for the trek
- Hot water every morning and evening for washing
Camping equipment
- Tents for 4 people, used by 2 travelers
- Camping equipment provided
- Portable toilet
- 1 foam mattress per person
- 1 blanket per person
- 1 pillow per person
- 1 hot water bottle per person (for the night)
- Duffel bags (8 kg) carried by our staff to each campsite
Not included
- Travel insurance
- Entrance fee Ausangate
- Entrance fee Rainbow Mountain
- Entrance fee Red Valley
- Entrance fee Upis hot springs
Optional rentals
- Sleeping bag (up to -20°C)
- Professional trekking poles
- LuxuryMap™ inflatable mattress
- Emergency horse
Itinerary
Day 1: Cusco – Upis – Arapa Pass – Hatun Pucacocha
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Walking distance: 8 km / 4.97 mi
- Highest elevation: 4,480 m / 14,698 ft
- Campsite elevation: 4,400 m / 14,435 ft
Morning
- Pick-up from your hotel in Cusco at 5:00 AM.
- Three-hour drive to the small town of Upis, the starting point of the trek.
- Enjoy a fresh breakfast prepared by the chef.
- Begin the hike with a three-hour gradual ascent towards the lunch stop.
- View the impressive Ausangate Mountain in the distance.
Afternoon
- Enjoy a hot herbal tea and a nourishing lunch.
- Continue hiking for two hours to reach Arapa Pass at 4,800 meters.
- Descend for three and a half hours, passing Yanacocha Lake.
- Arrive at Hatun Pucacocha Lake, where the camp is set up.
Evening
- Relax with a hot drink at camp.
- Dinner served by the chef.
- Rest in your tent under a beautiful starry sky.
Day 2: Hatun Pucacocha – Puca Pass – Anantapata – Surinecocha
- Difficulty: Challenging
- Walking distance: 15 km / 9.32 mi
- Highest elevation: 4,870 m / 15,977 ft
- Campsite elevation: 4,750 m / 15,583 ft
Morning
- Wake up with coca tea to help with altitude adjustment.
- Enjoy a warm breakfast while watching the sunrise over the glacier.
- Start a two-hour hike up to Puca Pass at 4,870 meters.
- See eroded mountains, high Andean valleys, and possibly a condor in flight.
- Pass by glacial lakes such as Huchuy Pucacocha and Hatun Pucacocha.
Afternoon
- Descend for one and a half hours to Anantapata for a fresh lunch.
- Continue hiking for two hours to Warmisaya Pass at 4,985 meters.
- Enjoy new views of Ausangate Mountain, Rainbow Mountain, and the Vilcanota range.
- One-hour descent to Surinecocha camp at 4,800 meters.
Evening
- Receive a warm drink upon arrival at camp.
- Dinner served by the chef.
- Rest in your tent, ready for the next day’s adventure.
Day 3: Surinecocha – Rainbow Mountain – Red Valley – Llacto – Cusco
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Walking distance: 8.5 km / 5.28 mi
- Starting elevation: 4,750 m / 15,583 ft
- Minimum elevation: 4,630 m / 15,190 ft
- Highest elevation: 5,100 m / 16,732 ft
Morning
- Early breakfast to prepare for the final trek.
- Two-hour hike to reach the Rainbow Mountain viewpoint at 5,100 meters.
- Enjoy breathtaking views and learn about the mountain’s unique mineral colors.
Afternoon
- Walk for one hour to Llacto for the last lunch of the trek.
- Drive for three hours back to Cusco.
Evening
- Arrive at your hotel in Cusco and relax after the adventure.
Times are approximate and the order may change with weather, traffic, or local conditions.
Practical information
Booking details
- Minimum group
- 4 participants
Before you go
- Passport or ID
- Copy or photo accepted
- Travel insurance
- Recommended
Meeting and timing
- Pickup
-
Pickup from selected hotels or zones
Cusco historic city center
- End point
-
Near Plaza de Armas, Cusco
Cusco · 5:00 PM
Trail and tour details
- Difficulty
- Challenging
- Tour duration
- 3 days
- Average group size
- 6 people
- Drive distance to trailhead
- 125 km / 77.7 mi
- Maximum altitude
- 5,050 m / 16,568 ft
On the trail
- Route type
- Point to point
- Trail surface
- Dirt trail, Rocky, Steep sections, Many steps, Mud possible, Snow or ice possible
- Fitness level
- Good - regular cardio or hiking
- Experience
- Basic hiking experience recommended
- Starting altitude
- 4,160 m / 13,648 ft
- Drinking water
- Natural sources; treatment required
- Toilets
- Camp toilets provided
- Acclimatization
-
At least 4 days in advance in Cusco
Comfort and facilities
- Dietary options
- Vegetarian, Food allergies on request
- Luggage storage
-
Available
Luggage can be stored at our office during the briefing
- Mobile signal
- No mobile signal
- Device charging
- Bring a power bank
Where you will stay
Tents
Campsite
Full tour description
The 3-day Ausangate trek to Rainbow Mountain is a perfect adventure for those who want to explore remote mountain landscapes and experience Andean culture. This trek takes you through colorful valleys, glacial lakes, and high mountain passes. Along the way, you will see herds of alpacas and llamas, interact with local communities, and enjoy peaceful trails away from the crowds.
Witness the magic of Ausangate Mountain
Ausangate is one of the highest and most sacred mountains in Peru. Towering at 6,384 meters, it has been worshipped by Andean people for centuries. The trek offers spectacular views of the snow-capped peak and its surrounding turquoise lakes. It is a truly special place where nature and tradition come together.
Arrive at Rainbow Mountain before the crowds
Rainbow Mountain, or Vinicunca, is famous for its unique colors created by mineral deposits over millions of years. Most visitors arrive on crowded day trips, but this trek allows you to visit in the early morning when it is peaceful and quiet. You will have time to enjoy the views, take photos, and connect with nature.
Discover the Red Valley with our 3-day Ausangate trek to Rainbow Mountain, a hidden gem
The Red Valley is one of the least-visited but most spectacular parts of the trek. With deep red mountains and rolling landscapes, it looks like something from another world. The short hike to the viewpoint gives you a perfect chance to admire this stunning location.
Ausangate Trek 3 days to Rainbow Mountain map
Activities on this trek
- High-altitude trekking through the Andes
- Visiting Rainbow Mountain and the Red Valley
- Exploring remote Andean villages and their traditions
- Seeing alpacas, llamas, and vicuñas in their natural environment
- Camping beside beautiful glacial lakes
- Enjoying traditional Andean meals prepared by a private chef
- Stargazing in one of the most remote areas of Peru
Facts about the 3-day Ausangate trek to Rainbow Mountain
- Ausangate is considered an Apu, a mountain spirit that protects the local communities.
- The trek reaches an altitude of 5,100 meters, making it one of the highest trekking routes in Peru.
- Rainbow Mountain’s colors come from different minerals, including iron, copper, and sulfur.
- The area is home to alpacas, llamas, and vicuñas, which have been essential to Andean culture for centuries.
- The night sky in this remote region is incredibly clear, making it a great place for stargazing.
The 3-day Ausangate trek to Rainbow Mountain is an unforgettable journey for adventure seekers. This trek offers breathtaking landscapes, peaceful trails, and a deep connection to Andean culture.
What to bring
- Passport or valid ID (copy or photo)
- Trekking boots with good grip
- Sleeping bag (available for rent)
- Warm and waterproof clothing
- Hat, gloves, and scarf for cold temperatures
- Sunscreen, sunglasses, and lip balm
- Small backpack for essentials
- Personal toiletries and wet wipes
- Flashlight or headlamp with extra batteries
- Reusable water bottle or hydration pack
- Snacks for extra energy
- Camera or phone for photos
- Cash in soles for personal expenses and tips