Ausangate and Rainbow Mountain Trek 3 Days
Discover the Peruvian Andes on the Ausangate 3 Day Trek with expert local guides, all meals, and entrance fees included. Hike through snowy peaks, glacial lakes, and herds of alpacas. Arrive early at Rainbow Mountain and Red Valley before the crowds , for an unforgettable high-altitude experience.
- 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.
It crosses 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.
Highlights: Ausangate Mountain, Rainbow Mountain, and Lakes
Hiking distance: 38 km/23 miles
Considerations: Acclimatization is required
Season: April through November
Itinerary at a Glance
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Day01
Cusco – Tinky - Pacchanta - Upis
Embark on 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 and Red Valley in the Andes before the large groups
Cusco - Tinki - Upis - Campsite
Walking Distance: 10 km / 6.2 miles
Starting Elevation: 4,100 meters / 13,451 feet
Highest Elevation: 4,860 meters / 15,944 feet
Campsite Elevation: 4,580 meters / 15,026 feet
Difficulty: Moderate
Meals: Lunch, Dinner (Snack and afternoon tea)
Accommodation: Camping (tent)
For the Ausangate Trek 3 Days, you will be picked up from your hotel in Cusco about 5:30am in private transport and head in the direction of the village of Tinki. After a short stop, we continue our bus drive to Upis, where our hike begins.
After 2 hours of walking, we will arrive at the Upis Village, where we will enjoy our lunch prepared by our professional chef at the foothill of the Apu Ausangate.
Then, we will be hiking for another 2 more hours to arrive at Arapa Pass, located at 4,860 meters (15,944 ft). From here you’ll get stunning views of the surrounding mountains, including the Apu Ausangate.
Finally, we hike down to Yanacocha where our campsite is located at 4580 meters / 15,026 feet. Our team will set up all camping gear for you.
Yanacocha – Puca Pass - Anantapata - Warmisaya - Surineqocha
Walking Distance: 12 km / 7.4 miles
Starting Elevation: 4580 meters / 15,026 feet
Highest Elevation: 5,000 meters / 16,404 feet
Campsite Elevation: 4,770 meters /15,649 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 our day two by hiking down to the turquoise lakes, where you will be amazed by the crystal water. There are several glacial lakes that you will observe during your hike.
Our route continues ascending towards the Ausangate Puca Pass (5,00m/16,404ft). Here you’ll feel the energy of the mountain and see its incredible beauty. Your guide will make a small offering to say thanks to Apu Ausangate for creating life.
After, we continue descending to Anantapata camp, where we get lunch. Along the hike, you will see herds of alpacas and llamas; if you are lucky, you can also see some vicuñas. Enjoy a tasty lunch there.
In the afternoon, we hike to the next pass called Warmisaya at 5,000 meters (16,404 ft) From here, you will see the Rainbow Mountain in the distance, and still the Ausangate peak will be visible in the background.
We then hike to our next camp located just next to the lake; you will find your tents ready for relaxation. Enjoy the happy hour with your guide, followed by the dinner.
Surineqocha - Rainbow Mountain - Red Valley - Cusco
Walking Distance: 10 km / 6.4 miles
Starting Elevation: 4,770 meters /15,649 feet
Highest Elevation: 5036 meters / 16,522 feet
Campsite Elevation: Difficulty: Challenging
Meals: Breakfast and Lunch
Accommodation:
We left the campsite at 5 a.m. in the morning to start hiking up to Rainbow Mountain 5,036 m (16,522 ft). We will be arriving before the crowds and enjoying this incredible place.
Your guide will explain to you about the vibrant colors and the history of the mountain. You will have plenty of time to explore this. You can capture amazing photos from different angles.
After exploring it, we continue hiking to the Red Valley. This is another destination where not many people hike, but the views are impressive: a valley with a reddish color due to iron sediment.
We hike down to the bus station to enjoy our final lunch before boarding the bus back to Cusco.
We are transparent with providing the specific details of what is included and excluded in our 3-day Ausangate 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 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; through 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 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 2 nights of accommodations 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; it is for that reason that 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 3-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 trek to Ausangate, we bring our own portable toilet tent because we know how important it is to protect our environment, and we are trained to 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 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 2 breakfasts, 3 lunches, and 2 dinners. 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.
WE NOT INCLUDED
- 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.
- 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 3 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 your life experience in Peru.
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 Camelback are 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.
- 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 dirt.
Sleeping bag:
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- Recommend down bags for -10C at least
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.
PREPARING FOR YOUR AUSANGATE 3-DAY TREK
Here are the 10 best FAQs for the 3-Day Ausangate Trek offered by Machu Picchu by Locals travel agency:
WHAT IS THE 3-DAY AUSANGATE TREK ?
It is a guided high-altitude trekking experience organized by Machu Picchu by Locals, circling the sacred Ausangate mountain in the Cusco region of Peru, showcasing stunning glacial lakes, snow-capped peaks, and authentic Andean culture.
WHY SHOULD I BOOK THE AUSANGATE TREK WITH MACHU PICCHU BY LOCALS?
Machu Picchu by Locals is a trusted local agency based in Cusco, offering small group experiences with expert local guides, personalized service, and competitive prices that directly support the local community.
WHAT IS INCLUDED IN THE 3-DAY AUSANGATE TREK PACKAGE?
The package includes hotel pick-up in Cusco, all meals during the trek, camping accommodation, an experienced bilingual guide, horse support, and community fees.
WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE PACKAGE?
Travel insurance, personal spending, extra snacks, and tips for guides and porters are not included in the package price.
HOW DIFFICULT IS THE 3-DAY AUSANGATE TREK?
The trek is considered challenging due to high-altitude passes exceeding 5,000m. Machu Picchu by Locals recommends at least 2 days of acclimatization in Cusco before departure. Doing other tours like Sacred Valley or Machu Picchu tour before the trek is a great option.
WHAT IS THE DAY-BY-DAY ITINERARY?
Day 1 begins with pickup from Cusco and trekking through stunning glacial lakes near Ausangate. Day 2 continues through dramatic Andean scenery, crossing high mountain passes. Day 3 completes the circuit with breathtaking Rainbow Mountain views before returning to Cusco.
WHAT GROUP SIZES DOES MACHU PICCHU BY LOCALS OFFER?
The agency specializes in small group departures to ensure a more personalized and enjoyable experience, typically with groups of no more than 8 to 12 people.
HOW DO I BOOK THE 3-DAY AUSANGATE TREK WITH MACHU PICCHU BY LOCALS?
You can book directly through the Machu Picchu by Locals website or contact their team via email or WhatsApp. Early booking of at least 2 to 3 weeks in advance is strongly recommended during peak season.
WHAT SHOULD I BRING ON THE TREK?
Machu Picchu by Locals recommends packing warm layered clothing, waterproof gear, sturdy hiking boots, trekking poles, sunscreen, altitude sickness medication, a sleeping bag, and a reusable water bottle.
WHAT MAKES MACHU PICCHU BY LOCALS DIFFERENT FROM OTHER AGENCIES IN CUSCO?
Machu Picchu by Locals stands out for its commitment to responsible tourism, authentic local experiences, highly knowledgeable guides, transparent pricing, and exceptional customer service before, during, and after the trek.
From: USD 340.00 per person
USD 330.00: from 5 people to more
* Additional single tent: $15 USD
*Sleeping bag -15°C / 5°F for the entire trip: $20 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.
Our Pledge | Your privacy is respected and protected. Machu Picchu by Locals will never share, sell, or make public any of your personal contact information to third parties.
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:
09:00 to 13:00 Hrs.
Prolongacion Av. Grau L-8, Santiago - Cusco
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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