Ausangate and Rainbow Mountain Trek 3 Days
Ausangate Peak and the famous Rainbow Mountain are the two highlights in the Cordillera Vilcanota at the southern side of Cusco city, this is an impressive range of mountains that includes the highest peak in all of Cusco, Ausangate with 6,384 meters (20,944 ft). It’s an excellent high trekking area, offering travelers spectacular breathtaking views, glacier scenery, snow-capped peaks, hot springs, turquoise lakes, flora (most of the plants are medicinally used by the locals), and fauna like condors, llamas, alpacas, vicuas, and chinchillas. Picturesque villages and traditionally dressed local people.
At Machu Picchu by Locals we designed Ausangate Trek 3 Days an itinerary that allows you to explore this part of the Peruvian Andes, one of the most remote area with stunning views that you can find only hiking around Ausangate Mountain with a connection to the famouse Seven Colors Mountain also known as the Rainbow Mountain Peru
- Overview
- Itinerary
- Inclusions
- Recommendations
- Faqs
- Pricing
- Enquire Now
This Ausangate 3 Day Trek to the Rainbow Mountain is the short version of the classic 5-day trek in the Ausangate area. This program was designed for those who don’t have enough time to explore the natural wonders on the southern side of Cusco. On this hike, you will cross three passes at considerable elevation where the mountains create breathtaking vistas that combine with snowy mountains, glaciers, valleys, and different colored mountains, making it the perfect place for those who love to feel the energy of Mother Nature.
You will find deep peace while you are hiking near Ausangate Mountain. It is a unique feeling of calm and tranquility that you need to experience once in your life to understand. Take time to sit down in one of the most incredible landscapes in this remote area and reflect for a while, feeling the energy of the tall deities. Finish your hiking tour at the most unreal colored mountain nowadays, called the Rainbow Mountain.
Highlights: Ausangate Mountain, Rainbow Mountain, and Lakes
Hiking distance: 28km/13 miles
Considerations: acclimatation is required
Season: April through November
Itinerary at a Glance
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Day01
Cusco – Tinky - Pacchanta - Upis
Embark to the most fascinating hiking adventure in Ausangate Area
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Day02
Upis - Puca Qocha - Ausangate pass - Anantapata
Be amazed with the spectacular views of Apu Ausangate and its lagoons
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Day03
Anantapata - Warmisaya Pass - Rainbow Mountain - Cusco
Discover the iconic Rainbow Mountain is the Andes before the large groups
Cusco-Tinki-Upis-Campsite
Walking Distance: 10km / 6.2miles
Starting Elevation: 4100 meters / 13,451 feet
Highest Elevation: 4520 meters / 14,829 feet
Campsite Elevation: 4200 meters /13,779 feet
Difficulty: Moderate
Meals: Lunch, Dinner (Snack and afternoon tea)
Accommodation: Camping (tent)
Adventure: Absolutely, completely satisfactory
For the Ausangate Trek 3 Days you will be picked up from your Hotel in Cusco about 5:30am in private transport, and heading in the direction of the village of Tinki, at 3800m / 12,467ft. After a short stop, we continue our bus drive to Pacchanta Village, where our hike begins. After 2 hours of walking, we will arrive to the Seven Lakes where we will explore and enjoy the most incredible place in the Vilcanota range with turquoise lakes at the foothill do the Apu Ausangate, we will have our first lunch near to the lakes.
Then, will be hikign for another 3 more hours to arrive to our first camp site located in the village of Upis at 4210 meters (13812 feet), where we will have our campsite with an impressive view of the 6,380-meter-high Ausangate mountain. There are thermal baths and an alpaca farm nearby.
At the aftenoon we will have the option to soak in the natural thermal baths.
Upis – Arapa pass – Ausangate Pass - Anantapata
Walking Distance: 12km / 7.4miles
Starting Elevation: 4200 meters / 13,779 feet
Highest Elevation: 5100 meters / 16,732 feet
Campsite Elevation: 4570 meters /14,993 feet
Difficulty: Challenging
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner (Snack and afternoon tea)
Accommodation: Camping (tent)
Adventure: Absolutely, completely satisfactory
After a delicious breakfast, we will begin ascending to the first pass called Arapa (4800m / 15748ft). From there, we descend towards Yana Cocha and have lunch at the border of the lake with an incredible view of the Apu Ausangate. Our route continues ascending towards the Ausangate Extreme Pass (5100m/16732ft). Here you’ll feel the energy of the mountain and see its incredible beauty. Your guide will make a small offer to say thank you to Apu Ausangate for creating life. Afterwards we continue descending to Anantapata camp, about 4 to 5pm we end our hike and the tents will be already set up for us to rest, have dinner and before to sleep our guide will show you the constellation (45700m / 14993ft).
Anantapata – Warmisaya – Rainbow Mountain - Cusco
Walking Distance: 13km / 7.4miles
Starting Elevation: 4570 meters / 14993 feet
Highest Elevation: 5120 meters / 16,762 feet
Campsite Elevation: Difficulty: Challenging
Meals: Breakfast and Lunch
Accommodation:
Adventure: Absolutely, completely satisfactory
We left the campsite at 4 a.m. in the morning to start hiking up to the next pass, Warmisaya (5100 m; 16732 ft). from here you can appreciate little farter the amazing of the Rainbow Mountain, we descend for half an hour then an hour more hike to reach The Rainbow Mountain 5120m / 16790ft, here we will be arriving before the crowds and enjoy this incredible place, while your guide will be explain you about the colors, you will have plenty time to explore each important place of this. You can capture amazing photos from different angles. After exploring it, we continue hiking down for 3 hours for our lunch. At 4:30 pm we have our transportation back to Cusco. The arrival is around 7 p.m.
At Machu Picchu by Locals we are transparent and provide the specific details of what is included and excluded in our Ausangate Trek. We know this is very important so that you know what exactly to bring and you don’t miss anything. We provide this information to ensure that you have an incredible experience during your trek.
WE INCLUDE
Machu Picchu by Locals Team Provide
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Pre-departure briefing
Once you book the tour with us, you will get a notification about the pre-departure briefing, where you will meet with your trekking guide and the tour group in our office the night before your Ausangate trek departure. During this briefing, you will receive important details of the trek. After this time, you will receive your duffle bag for your extra luggage, which will be carried by the horses while you are hiking
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Professional Adventure Guide
All our tour guides have a great reputation in customer service, our tour guide have graduated with tourism career from National University San Antonio Abad of Cusco, they have also studied English in a private language institute. Through to their patience, responsibility, knowledge, passion for trekking and proud to have been born in the land of the Incas, we ensure our guides provide an excellent experience for you when you explore the Andes.
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Entrance Fees to Ausangate park and Rainbow Mountain
Once we receive your details and the deposit for your tour, we purchase all the necessary tickets for your trek it will be for a specific date and will be in your name.
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Accommodations
At Machu Picchu by Locals we include accommodations 2 night along the Ausangate trek, with a suitable camping equipment to make sure your trek is an experience of the life time. Our tents are Mountain gear or Doite pro Aconcagua for 4 people, which will be shared only for 2 people to ensure you comfort and enough place for your luggage. The same way we include Inflatable mattress. There will also be a spacious dining tent for you to enjoy each meal along this tour.
Transportations
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Private Transport
We included all the transportations during your tour, we will pick you up from your hotel in Cusco and take you to the beginning of the trail, the bus returning from Ausangate to Cusco will drop off you at your hotel.
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Horses
We include horses to transport all the duffle bags and equipment during this tour also will be a horse man. At Machu Picchu by Locals we know safety is first, is for that we include an emergency horse in case someone feels tired or get altitude sickness.
Equipment
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Personal Duffle bag
We included a personal duffle bag for your 3 days Ausangate trek. You will get this duffle bag at Machu Picchu by Locals office during your pre-departure briefing the night before of your trek. This bag will be carried by horses during the trek. You will find it in your tent every afternoon you arrive to the campsite. It can be filled with your personal items, sleeping bag and mattress but the maximum allowable weight is 7kg/17lb. The duffle bag must be returned to our office no later than one day after your trek.
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Toilet Tents
During our trek to Ausangate we bring our own portable toilet tent because we know how important is to protect our environment and we are trained to don’t leave no traces along the route.
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Medical First Aid Kit
All tour guides of Machu Picchu by Locals are very well trained in First aid. They received training courses every 6 months how to assist to someone who is in an emergency situation. Also, they are trained how to supply a balloon oxygen in the case if someone requires it.
Meals
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Meals
At Machu Picchu by Locals, we know food is such an important part of any vacation and getting the right fuel on an active holiday is crucial… We include 2 breakfast, 3 lunch and 2 dinner. And of course, we cater to all dietary restrictions Vegetarian, Vegan, Gluten free and others just let us know. Our chefs are well-trained to prepare the best food ever you’ve had with local and organic ingredients.
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Water
Machu Picchu by Locals will provide you water from the first lunch to the last breakfast. This water will be filtered, boiled and cooled by our Chef. You must bring your own water container, bottle or camelback that can hold water for hiking for a few hours. We recommend a capacity of 2 liters.
WE NOT INCLUDED
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Sleeping bag
Every trekker along the Ausangate trek needs a proper sleeping bag which has to be for -20°C / 2° F. We recommend you bring your own, but if you don’t want to bring your own or you don’t have one, you can rent a sleeping bag from us.
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Walking Sticks
Hiking with trekking poles has its benefits, protect your knees while you are hiking downhill, especially on the remote area which are many up and downhill, trekking poles help you during the ascent, increased stability, if you don’t have a pair of trekking poles you can rent them from our office.
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First Breakfast
We do not provide breakfast on the day of your departure. However, most hotel offers breakfast during your stay there. In case your hotel does not provide breakfast, we will stop at a restaurant near to Ocongate where you will be available to purchase a breakfast.
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Travel Insurance
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We recommend to buy a travel insurance before to leave your country in case something happen along your visit to Peru.
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Tips for our team
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Tips are not included. Tipping the team is usual on any excursion to Ausangate, although we pay good salaries to our entire team, tips are welcome as a token of your appreciation for the team hard work.
AUSANGATE TREK 3 DAYS INFORMATION
At Machu Picchu by Locals we focus to make your trip an unforgettable experience and we want to provide all details which you need to know before to leave your country and start your life experience in Peru.
What you need to pack? Important
- Passport
- Valid, STUDENT CARD (if you booked as a student)
- Immigration Card (given on the plane as you enter Peru)
- Good daypack (the smaller, the better)
- Water storage: Water reservoir like Camelback is encouraged – but enough for at least 2-3 liters.
- Comfortable hiking boots (lightweight with good soles)
- Trekking poles
FOR YOUR DUFFEL:
Horses will carry up to 7 kg of your personal items. This must include your sleeping bag and air matt (if you bring/rent one). From us these two items weigh 3 kg.
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- 2-3 wicking t-shirts
- 2-3 hiking pants
- 2-3 sets of undergarments.
- 1 Fleece
- 1 Warm, down jacket: gets very cold at night
- 1 Rain jacket and pants
- 1 sun hat
- 1 wool hat
- Bathers / swimsuit for the hot spring
- Small towel
- Headlamp: essential
- Waterproof gloves
- Comfortable shoes for camp or flip flops
- Walking boots
- Waterproof jacket/rain poncho
Battery Charger:
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- There is no place to plug in while trekking!
Large plastic bags:
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- to help organize and keep clean from dirty.
Sleeping bag:
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- Recommend down bags for -10C at least
INSIDE YOUR DAYPACKS:
Daypack can be any size for hiking, but we always say the smaller, the better. If it is larger try to bring it as lighter as possible. Water: we supply clean water at each meal. You are responsible for your first morning of water only as we won’t have time to filter water until your first lunch.
- Sun hat
- Rain gear
- Fleece
- Camera
- Music (iPhone)
- Hand sanitizer
- Toilet paper and small plastic bag for waste
- Extra Money for Souvenirs, Drinks & Tips
- Earplugs
- Some snacks (Chocolate, fruits, energy bars, etc.)
TOILETRIES:
- Sunscreen
- Face moisturizer
- Bug spray
- Hand sanitizer
- Wet wipes
- Small towel
- Toothbrush and paste
- Toilet paper
- Personal medication
- First aid kit: band aids, moleskin, etc.
PREPARING FOR YOUR AUSANGATE TREK 3 DAYS
BOOKING SYSTEM
At Machu Picchu by Locals, we try to make the best of us to booking system works as easy as possible for you, once you decided to do this trek, we will send to you a booking form where you need to complete all the required detail which are important to book your tickets, we need a previous deposit of 50% per person. Once as soon as you paid it, we immediately book a spot for this tour once we have done with it, we will send you your invoice and confirmation form that all the booking process has set up satisfactorily.
IS MACHU PICCHU by LOCALS TEAM CONTACTING US BEFORE FLYING TO PERU?
Yes, our work policy is to be in contact with our customers as long as necessary to inform them of all the details and changes that could occur after have confirmed the reservation, please you ask to check constantly your e-mail, also if you have some issue let us know to solve as soon as possible.
WHERE TO STAY IN CUSCO?
Cusco is a big city enough to find different categories of hotels from 2 stars to 5 stars also there are Airbnb places where you can stay without any problem. Cusco streets are narrow especially near to the main square and some streets are pedestrian with some stairs, we will send you a notify for the pick up if is not possible the access with our car and arrange another place to pick you up and drop off also a night before your tour you will meet with your tour guide who will tell you all the details about the tour. In case you want some recommendations please ask to Machu Picchu by Locals sales team.
ALONG THE TREK IS THERE ELECTRICITY ALONG THE TREK?
Not, because this trek is located in remote place where there is not electricity some local village located along the trek has solar panels your guide can talk with some of them in extreme cases to recharge your cellphone, we recommend to bring your extra power bank for the days you are on the mountains.
HOW CHALLENGING IS THE TREK?
This trek is particularly challenging specially for people who does not has experience hiking on the mountains, we recommend to training with some exercises a few times per week to don’t have problem, also is recommendable to spend some days in Cusco to acclimatize to the altitude because part of the segment along this trek are located over 4000m/13123ft
WHAT HAPPEN IF I GOT ALTITUDE SICKNESS?
No worry, our guide and team are professional and they know how to solve any issue during your trek, your guide will have a first aid kit all the time with some medications for these, also will be there an extra emergency horse to take you to the best place where you can recovery. Our team always has radio and they are trained for any emergency happen during our tours.
DO YOU NEED HIKING BOOTS?
Definitely, it is always recommendable to wear a light hiking boots if possible. Ones with ankle support are extra helpful, especially for the inexperienced hiker. Because you will be climbing down so many steps created by the Incas, crossing some rivers especially the day 2 some of them are slippery, now uneven and at varying heights, the extra support helps from twisting your ankles.
SHOULD I USE WALKING STICKS?
Yes. Walking sticks are always helpful to trekkers, especially if is raining along the trek. Using walking sticks can help take the pressure off your knees while doing some portion of the trek. Plus they will help you get up the mountain as well.
WHERE DO I STORE MY LUGGAGE?
In case you have extra luggage which you not need to bring to the trail all the hotels in Cusco has storage where you can leave your luggage completely free, if you will change your hotel after the trek we have available our storage in Vidal Expeditions office, get more info with from our office team.
WHAT SHOULD I EXPECT AS FAR AS WEATHER
The weather in Cusco regions and part of the Andes is unpredictable even if the weather forecast says it’s sunny we can’t trust in it. It is an impossible question for us to answer. Historically April through September is the dry season, November through February is the rainy season and March and October and bridge months – a mixture of both. But the clouds have not followed these rules in the last few years. Prepare for sun and rain no matter when you come. As far as temperatures go, that is consistent throughout the year. Mornings and evenings are always cold. Make sure to bring a fleece jacket for the mornings and a down jacket for the evenings. Once the sun is up you should be comfortable hiking in short sleeves. Long pants (yoga or hiking) are encouraged to help from the mosquitos which can be a nuisance in some part of the trail.
From: USD 280.00 per person
USD 270.00: from 4 people to more
* Additional single tent: $15USD
*Sleeping bag -15°C / 5°F for the entire trip: $20USD
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3 Days / 2 Nights
Challenging Ausangate Trek 3 Days
What's it like!!
Map of Challenging Ausangate Trek 3 Days
WHAT MAKES US DIFFERENT?
At Machu Picchu by Locals we offer the best service for all our customers and here is what makes us different than others.
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Small groups: Along our excursion group size is a capped at 8 people. This guarantees that you will enjoy every step of our excursion
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Hotel: During our excursion to Machu Picchu, we offer a private hostel stay for the last night. This ensures you are well rested and ready to explore Machu Picchu.
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Local Tour guides: Our team consists of 100% local tour guides, who have expert knowledge in our ancient culture.
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Best Camping Equipment: We have the state-of-the-art camping equipment for our excursion. The equipment is thoroughly cleaned and sanitized before and after every excursion.
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Best Trekking team: At Machu Picchu by Locals we focus to create the best experience during our excursions. Our team that consists of tour guides, cooks, porters, horse drivers are handpicked. We train our team to offer you the best service. We take care of our team by providing them with good equipment and paying them fairly.
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