Ausangate Short Trek
DURATION:
3 Days
LOCATION:
Cusco
AVAILABILITY:
Every day
PHYSICAL LEVEL:
Moderate
4,750 m.a.s.l.
Overview
Discover a 3-day trek through Ausangate and Rainbow Mountain, located in the imposing Vilcanota Mountain Range. This area is renowned for its colorful lagoons, glaciers, snow-capped peaks, and hot springs, as well as its rich flora and fauna, where you can observe alpacas, vicuñas, and chinchillas in their natural habitat. It also offers picturesque Andean villages with inhabitants who still wear their traditional clothing. Vidal Expeditions has designed an ideal trek for experienced travelers with limited time, allowing you to explore one of the most remote and spectacular corners of the Peruvian Andes.
Itinerary
Day 01: Cusco – Tinky – Upis Town – Arapa Pass – Puca Qocha
➡️ We will pick you up from your hotel in Cusco around 5:30 a.m. and travel by private transport to Tinki (3800 m), where we will make a brief stop.
➡️ Then we will continue to Rodean (Upis), the starting point of the hike. From there we will hike for about 4 hours.
➡️ Upon reaching the first camp (4460 m), you will enjoy a spectacular view of the Ausangate mountain. Near the camp are hot springs and an alpaca farm.
Day 02: Puca Qocha - Ausangate Pass - Anantapata
➡️ After breakfast, we will begin the ascent to Arapa Pass (4800 m) and then descend towards Yana Cocha, where we will have lunch with a spectacular view of Apu Ausangate.
➡️ We will continue climbing towards the Ausangate Pass (4980 m), where the guide will make a small offering in gratitude to the Apu.
➡️ Finally, we will descend to the Anantapata camp, arriving between 4 and 5 p.m. The tents will be ready for us to rest, have dinner, and observe the constellations before going to sleep.
Day 03: Anantapata - Warmisaya Pass - Rainbow Mountain - Cusco
➡️ We leave camp at 4 a.m. to ascend to Warmisaya Pass (5000 m), from where Rainbow Mountain is fully visible. Then we descend for 30 minutes and hike for another hour to reach the Rainbow Mountain viewpoint (5036 m), before the crowds arrive.
➡️ Your guide will explain the origin of the colors as you explore and take photos from different angles. You can also opt for an additional hike to the stunning Red Valley.
➡️ Afterwards, we’ll walk back for about 3 hours to have lunch. At 4:30 p.m., we’ll take transport back to Cusco, arriving at approximately 7 p.m. m.
Included
✅ Information session
✅ Professional guide
✅ Ausangate National Park entrance fees
✅ Camp accommodations
✅ Private transportation
✅ Pack and emergency horses
✅ Personal duffel bag
✅ Portable toilet tents
✅ First aid kit
✅ Full meals
✅ Filtered and boiled water
Not Incluyed
❌ Sleeping bag
❌ Rainbow Mountain entrance fee
❌ Red Valley entrance fee
❌ Trekking poles
❌ First breakfast
❌ Travel insurance
❌ Tips for the team
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Recommendations
🪪 Passport
🎓 Valid student ID (if you booked as a student)
🛬 Immigration card (given on the plane upon arrival in Peru)
🎒 Small daypack (the lighter, the better)
💧 Water reservoir/Camelbak (2–3 liter capacity)
🥾 Comfortable hiking boots (lightweight and with good soles)
🦯 Trekking poles
🎒 FOR YOUR TRAVEL BAG:
🐎 The horses will carry up to 7 kg of your personal belongings (including sleeping bag and inflatable mattress, approx. 3 kg).
👕 2–3 breathable T-shirts
👖 2–3 pairs of hiking pants
🩲 2–3 sets of underwear
🧥 1 fleece
🧣 1 warm down jacket (it gets cold at night)
🌧️ 1 waterproof jacket and pants
🧢 1 sun hat
🧶 1 wool hat
🩱 Swimsuit (for hot springs)
🧻 Small towel
🔦 Headlamp (essential)
🧤 Waterproof gloves
👡 Comfortable shoes or sandals for camping
🥾 Hiking boots
🌦️ Waterproof jacket or rain poncho
Reviews from travelers who experienced it
