Ausangate Trek and Rainbow Mountain

Ausangate Trek and Rainbow Mountain

The Ausangate Trek is best suited for the more experienced traveler since it is the highest and toughest trek in the region. It is much more remote so there will be few, if any, other travelers on this path. Although the trek is tough, the views are worth it. You will have the opportunity to see some of the most beautiful scenery throughout this journey. The trek loops around the Ausangate mountain, the holy mountain, which has been a place of worship since pre-Inca times. The Incas believed that mountains were the connection to a higher realm and were known as Apu (mountain spirits). On clear nights, you will see how the Milky Way (Wilkamayu) lights the sky and creates a direct path to Ausangate. This trek is well worth the journey.

Itinerary

Day 1: Cusco - Upis - Japata

Pass By: Cusco 08007, Peru
We will depart Cusco early morning (6:00 AM) via private transportation and will drive 3-4 hours to Upis. Your guide will give you a rundown of the trek and what to expect the next few days. On our way we will get a first glance of the Cordillera Vilcanota mountain range (including both Ausangate and Colque Cruz peaks). Once we get to Upis (4400m), we will trek for 3 hours just before reaching the Arapa Pass. We will then spend the night in Japata.

Meals included:
• Lunch
• Dinner
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Camp at Japata

Day 2: Japata - Kayrahuiri

Pass By: Cusco 08007, Peru
After breakfast, we will begin our trek at 7:30 am towards Kayrahuiri. This will take approximately 7 hours until reaching our campsite. We will be going through amazing landscapes and rock formations.

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Dinner
• Lunch
Accommodation included: Camp at Kayrahuiri

Day 3: Kayrahuiri - Rainbow Mountain - Pucacocha Lake

Pass By: Cusco 08007, Peru
We will wake up at sunrise, eat breakfast and start our 1-2 hour hike to the Rainbow mountain (Vinicunca). This will be an uphill hike reaching approximately (5100m). This effort will be immediately rewarded once you see the amazing colours surrounded by snowy peaks. Then, we would head back to Cayrahuiri, eat lunch and then continue towards Pucacocha lake, our campsite.


Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Camp at Pucacocha Lake

Day 4: Pucacocha Lake - Jampa

Pass By: Cusco 08007, Peru
We will ascend to the second pass of Apuchata (4900m) and Palomani pass (5200m) seeing the beauty of the turquoise lakes unfolding beneath us, as well as herds of alpacas and llamas. Once we reach the top of the pass, we will see beautiful views of the snow capped mountain range that make the long trek up well worth the effort. We may be able to spot some condors at the pass too. Then we will descend into the valley by following the Jampamayo River to the Village of Jampa where we will camp for the night.


Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Camp at Jampa

Day 5: Jampa - Camerococha

Pass By: Cusco 08007, Peru
This morning we will take it easy by following the valley along Lake Ticllacocha before we cross the Q’ampa pass (5000m). We will also pass by several beautifully colored lakes before hiking for a few hours to Comerococha where we will camp for the night.


Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Camp at Comerococha

Day 6: Camerococha - Pacchanta - Cusco

Pass By: Cusco 08007, Peru
We will make the short trek to Pacchanta, where we will enjoy a well-deserved time at the hot springs before our private transportation takes us back to Cusco.


Meals included:
• Breakfast
No accommodation included on this day.