Discover the high Andes and the Rainbow Mountain
Would you like to explore the best of the Peruvian Andes? Stunning landscapes, snowy peaks, colored mountains, Peruvian wildlife, small Andean communities high in the mountains, and much, much more… With our short version of 2-Day Ausangate Trek Rainbow Mountain, we have created the perfect package to experience all of this in just two days.
On this 2-day Ausangate Trek, you will also visit the incredible 7-color mountain and Red Valley, spend a night under millions of stars away from the crowds, feel the energy of the mountains, and enjoy the beautiful Andean landscapes!
- Overview
- Itinerary
- Inclusions
- Recommendations
- Faqs
- Pricing
- Enquire Now
Ausangate Mountain is the highest peak in the Cordillera Vilcanota and one of the tallest mountains in the Cusco region at 6,385 m (20,948 ft) and is revered as the deity guardian of the Andean people.
It is one of the most spectacular peaks in the southern region of Peru and the fifth-highest mountain in the country. Hiking through our 2-day Ausangate Rainbow Mountain Trek, you will discover beautiful high-altitude landscapes.
Nowadays, Ausangate Mountain is part of a conservation area that protects some important sectors of this beautiful natural wonder. Snowy mountains, glaciers, lakes, villages, and a lot of species of flora and fauna are protected with the purpose of conserving them for our future.
Highlights: Ausangate, Rainbow Mountain & Red Valley
Hiking distance: 13 km/8 miles
Considerations: Acclimatization is required
Season: April through November
Itinerary at a Glance
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Day01
Cusco – Pitumarca -Quesiuno- Anantapata -Surineqocha
Explore the Pucocha turquoise lakes from above in the Ausangate area, imposing snow peaks, and herds of alpacas.
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Day02
Surineqocha - Rainbow Mountain – Red Valley - Cusco
Hike to the iconic Rainbow Mountain and Red Valley before the large groups.
Cusco – Pitumarca -Quesiuno- Anantapata -Surineqocha
We depart from Cusco early in the morning, at 5:00 a.m., and drive for approximately two hours in private transport to the small village of Pitumarca (3,570 meters/11,712 feet).
Here we will stop for 20 minutes, and you’ll have the option to buy some last-minute items that you could need along this trek. Then, we will keep driving for another hour to reach Quesiuno 4,370 m (14,337 ft). We pass through beautiful countryside and several traditional villages.
Quesiuno is the trailhead where our hike starts. After repacking our items, we hike to the first pass called Inca Pass 4,980 m (16,338 ft), where you will have incredible views of Apu Ausangate, see how the glaciers are melting and forming the rivers, and feel the energy of the deity of the Andes, and your guide will do an offering ceremony to ask for permission.
After enjoying it and recharging your energy, we will continue our hike towards Anantapata, where our delicious lunch awaits us. We take a well-deserved rest, we continue our hike to Warmisaya Pass at 5,000 m (16,404 ft)
From here, you will have an impressive view of the natural colors of Rainbow Mountain. Then, we just descend for half an hour to reach our campsite in Surine Qocha 4,650m (15,255 ft).
Surineqocha - Rainbow Mountain - Red Valley - Cusco
This is the most important day. We will wake up early, have a delicious breakfast at 4:00 am, then hike for 2 hours to reach the famous Rainbow Mountain.
Along the way, we will see several lakes where we have a chance to see different types of birds and alpacas in their natural habitat. Finally, we arrive at Rainbow Mountain before the crowds arrive.
You will be amazed by the stunning views and natural colors. Your guide will explain to you how each color is formed. You will take your time to explore and capture the best angles while the sun rises over the mountain.
Then, we continue our hike to the Red Valley, a place that seems unreal. You will see the red-colored mountains with incredible landscapes, and you will hike through the valley and enjoy all the stunning views.
Then we will hike down to the bus station, where we will board our bus and drive to our lunch spot. After enough rest, we drive back to Cusco. We will drop you off at your hotel.
We are transparent and provide the specific details of what is included and excluded in our 2-day Ausangate Rainbow Mountain Trek. We know this is very important so that you know exactly what to bring and you don’t miss anything. We provide this information to ensure that you have an incredible experience during your 2-day Ausangate Rainbow Mountain Trek.
WHAT IS INCLUDED?
Machu Picchu by Locals Team Provides
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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; Through to their patience, responsibility, knowledge, passion for trekking, and pride in having been born in the land of the Incas, we ensure our guides provide an excellent experience for you when you explore the amazing Ausangate.
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Entrance Fees to Ausangate park
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 for 1 night along the Ausangate trek, with suitable camping equipment to make sure your trek is an experience of a lifetime. Our tents are Mountain Gear or Doite Pro Aconcagua for 4 people, which will be shared only by 2 people to ensure your comfort and enough place for your luggage. The same way we include an inflatable mattress. There will also be a spacious dining tent for you to enjoy each meal along this tour.
Transportation
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Private Transport
We included all the transportation 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 you off at your hotel.
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Horses
We include horses to transport all the duffle bags and equipment during this tour; also, there will be a horseman. At Machu Picchu by Locals, we know safety is first; that is why we include an emergency horse in case someone feels tired or gets altitude sickness.
Equipment
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Personal Duffle bag
We included a personal duffle bag for your 2-day Ausangate trek. You will get this duffle bag at the Machu Picchu by Locals office during your pre-departure briefing the night before your trek. This bag will be carried by horses during the trek. You will find it in your tent every afternoon you arrive at 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 2-Day Ausangate Rainbow Mountain Trek, we bring our own portable toilet tent because we know how important it is to protect our environment, and we are trained to not leave any 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 on how to assist someone who is in an emergency situation. Also, they are trained how to supply a balloon of oxygen in the case that 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 1 breakfast, 2 lunches, and 1 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 you’ve ever 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 CamelBak that can hold water for hiking for a few hours. We recommend a capacity of 2 liters.
WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED?
- Sleeping bag
Every trekker along the 2-Day Ausangate Rainbow Mountain 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.
- Walking Sticks
Hiking with trekking poles has its benefits: they protect your knees while you are hiking downhill, especially in remote areas, which are mostly up and downhill. Trekking poles help you during the ascent and increase stability. If you don’t have a pair of trekking poles, you can rent them from our office.
- First Breakfast
We do not provide breakfast on the day of your departure. However, most hotels offer breakfast during your stay there. In case your hotel does not provide breakfast, we will stop at a restaurant near Ocongate where you will be able to purchase a breakfast.
- Travel Insurance
We recommend buying travel insurance before leaving your country in case something happens during your visit to Peru.
- Tips for our team
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’s hard work.
AUSANGATE TREK 2 DAYS PACKING LIST
At Machu Picchu by Locals, we focus on making your trip an unforgettable experience, and we want to provide all the details that you need to know before you leave your country and start the Ausangate Trek 2 Days.
What do 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 reservoirs like Camelbacks are encouraged, but enough for at least 2-3 liters.
- Comfortable hiking boots (lightweight with good soles)
FOR YOUR DUFFEL:
Horses will carry up to 7 kg of your personal items. This must include your sleeping bag and air mattress (if you bring/rent one). From us, these two items weigh 3 kg.
- 2 wicking t-shirts
- 2 hiking pants
- 2 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 dirt.
Sleeping bag:
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- Recommend down bags for at least -10°C.
INSIDE YOUR DAYPACKS:
Daypacks can be any size for hiking, but we always say the smaller, the better. If it is larger, try to bring it as light 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.
FAQs 2-DAY AUSANGATE RAINBOW MOUNTAIN TREK
What to know before hiking the Ausangate Trek for 2 days?
Hiking in the Andes requires proper preparation; the Ausangate Trek 2 Days is a stunning but challenging high-altitude hiking experience. Below you will find the essential FAQs about this trek.
WHAT IS THE AUSANGATE TREK 2-DAY?
The Ausangate Trek is a high-altitude hiking route in the Cusco region of Peru, circling the sacred Ausangate mountain (6,384m), one of the most revered Apus (mountain gods) in Andean culture.
HOW DIFFICULT IS THE 2-DAY AUSANGATE TREK?
It is considered challenging due to the high altitude, with passes reaching over 5,000m (16,400ft). Good physical fitness and acclimatization in Cusco beforehand are strongly recommended.
WHAT IS THE BEST TIME OF THE YEAR TO DO THE TREK?
The dry season from May to September is the best time, offering clear skies and stable weather. The rainy season (November to March) makes trails muddy and visibility poor.
DO I NEED A GUIDE FOR THE 2-DAY AUSANGATE TREK?
While not legally mandatory, hiring a local guide is strongly recommended due to the remote terrain, altitude, and lack of clear trail markings in some sections.
WHAT PERMITS DO I NEED?
There are no special permits required for the Ausangate Trek, but you will need to pay a small entry fee to the local community at the trailhead.
WHERE DOES THE TREK START AND FINISH?
The trek typically starts and ends in the village of Tinqui, which is approximately 3–4 hours by road from Cusco.
WHAT SHOULD I PACK FOR THE 2-DAY TREK?
Essential items include warm layered clothing, a waterproof jacket, sturdy hiking boots, sunscreen, a hat, gloves, trekking poles, a sleeping bag rated for cold temperatures, and altitude sickness medication.
WHERE DO TREKKERS SLEEP ON THE 2-DAY ROUTE?
Along the Ausangate trek, we include camping gear (tents, air mattresses, and a dining tent). Those will be set up by our hiking team, who will prepare everything for your trip.
IS ALTITUDE SICKNESS A CONCERN?
Yes, absolutely. The trek reaches altitudes above 5,000m, so spending at least 2–3 days acclimatizing in Cusco (3,400m) before the trek is highly recommended. Carrying Diamox is advisable.
CAN THE 2-DAY AUSANGATE TREK BE COMBINED WITH RAINBOW MOUNTAIN?
Yes! We include the Rainbow Mountain (Vinicunca) and Red Valley as part of the Ausangate circuit, making it a very popular option for travelers.
From: USD 240.00 per person
USD 230.00: from 4 people to more
* Additional single tent: $10 USD
*Sleeping bag -15°C / 5°F for the entire trip: $10 USD
Thank you for your interest in having an adventure travel experience in Peru curated by Machu Picchu by Locals. Please take a moment to complete our short form, so one our friendly Adventure Consultants could provide you all the information for your trip of a lifetime in Peru.
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Feel free to reach us via email at sales@machupicchubylocals.com or by calling us directly at +51 951 359 694
Monday - Friday:
09:00 to 18:00 Hrs.
Saturday:
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Prolongacion Av. Grau L-8, Santiago - Cusco
2 Days / 1 Night
2-Day Ausangate Rainbow Mountain Trek
What's it like!!
Map of 2-Day Ausangate Rainbow Mountain Trek
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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