Mount Ausangate and Rainbow mountain trek

Driving south of the city of Cusco, the landscape will begin to change as we climb from the green Vilcanota valley up to the high plains of the Andes, inhabited by rural communities who live from livestock herding and farming. Our trek will begin in the village of Tinki. An easy first day will take us across the Mapocho River, and over Andean plains of coarse grass. Along the way we will pass homes that will be of interest to photographers, as we approach the Ausangate massif, a mighty peak sacred to local people. We will camp close to the Upis thermal baths, where you can bathe in the medicinal waters.

Traveling travel time:

Cusco – Tinki 156 kilometers / 96 miles (paved road) 3.5 hours

Trekking distance:

Tinki – Upis 9.7 kilometers / 6.0 miles (uphill) 6-7 hours

Altitude:

• Cusco 3,400 meters / 11,159 feet.
• Tinki 3,784 meters /12,414 feet.
• Upis 4,396 meters / 14,422 feet

Meals: Lunch, dinner

Accompanied by our trekking personnel and pack animals, and escorted by our experienced professional mountain guide, today we will continue trekking through spectacular high Andean scenery, crossing the first pass on our route at 4,500 meters (14,760 feet). From the high pass, we will descend to Lake Pucacocha (“Red Lake”, in Quechua), at 4,459 meters (14,625 feet), where we will camp for the night.
Trekking distance:

Upis– High pass 5.8 kilometers / 3.60 miles (uphill).

High pass – Lake Pucacocha: 3 kilometers / 1.86 miles (downhill) 6-7 hours

Altitude:

• Upis 4,396 meters /14,422 feet.
• High pass 4,500 meters / 14,763 feet.
• Lake Pucacocha 4,459 meters / 14,629 feet

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Today we will cross a high pass (4882 m / 16,012 feet). We will set off early, keeping Ausangate to our left and passing groups of grazing llamas and alpacas. As we cross the pass, we will be met by spectacular views of the southeast mountain range, and if we are lucky, we may even spot condors in the skies above the Andes.

Trekking distance:

Lake Pucacocha – High pass 3 kilometers / 1.8 miles (uphill).

High pass- Qocha 1.5 kilometers / 0.93 miles (downhill) 6 hours

Altitude:

• Lake Pucacocha 4,459 meters / 14,629 feet.
• High pass 4,882 meters / 16,012 feet

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

At daybreak we will begin our day’s hike. The first section of our route this morning will take us to Vinicunca, known by local people as the “Rainbow Mountain”. Vinicunca is a truly extraordinary sight: layers of different colored sediments have created bands of bright colors at the summit of this mountain, spread across the horizon. At 5,000 meters / 16,400 feet above sea level, you will have a 360-degree view of this part of Peru’s high Andes, with snowcapped Mount Ausangate to one side and the multicolored summit of Vinicunca to the other. This is a truly magical high Andes Mountain setting! The descent down the other side of the mountain will feel easier as the oxygen returns to your lungs, and you reflect on the previous days’ experiences in Peru’s high Andes.

The final section of our trek will offer us further views of Mount Ausangate and other snow peaks, after which our vehicle will be waiting to take us back to the city of Cusco.

Trekking distance:

Ananta – Rainbow Mountain: 6.29 kilometers / 3.93 miles.

Vinicunca – end of the trek 4.73 kilometers / 2.95 miles.

end of the trek – Cusipata – Cusco (by private vehicle) 31.9 kilometers / 19.93 miles

Altitude:

• Ananta 4,720 meters / 15,482 feet.
• Vinicunca 5,000 meters / 16,400 feet.
• End of the trek 4,630 meters / 11,186 feet

Traveling travel time:

Cusco – Tinki 156 kilometers / 96 miles (paved road) 3.5 hours

End of the trek – Cusipata – Cusco (Private transport) 112.9 kilometers / 70 miles 3 hours.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch

Yes.

All foodstuffs are purchased immediately before departure to guarantee freshness, and they are correctly packaged and handled by our trained staff to ensure food safety. We use cloth bags when making our purchases, rather than plastic. The produce is fresh and bought directly from local farmers. Also, we pack the produce in cloth bags and hermetic multiuse containers, avoiding the use of plastic in order to make our operations as green as possible.

For trekking and hiking routes other than the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, you should make your booking at least five days in advance, so we can make the necessary preparations, although we recommend that you make your booking up to 90 days in advance. Full refunds (minus administration costs) can be offered 45 days before your scheduled departure date. After 45 days, only partial refunds will be given.

Yes, for trekking and hiking routes other than the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, you can add other travelers to your group before departure. Write to us for more information on the treks, hikes and tours we have available.

The maximum group size is 16 persons. For more than 16 persons, a second group must be organized. A single guide travels with 8 participants. For larger groups, an assistant guide will also accompany the participants.

If you are traveling alone and are willing to share a tent, with a member of the same sex or partner, family member or friend, then there is no additional cost. If, however, you would like your own private tent an additional supplement will be payable. Please contact us in advance, because on some trekking and hiking routes this option may depend on the availability of spaces at campsites designated by the Peruvian Ministry of Culture.

Use of plastic bottles on the network of Inca Trails to Machu Picchu is not permitted. Other treks and hikes do not have this restriction, but we always recommend and encourage our travelers to use reusable canteens or second use plastic water bottles. Our cook will provide you with boiled water to refill your bottle at all the campsites.

All foodstuffs are purchased immediately before departure to guarantee freshness, and they are correctly packaged and handled by our trained staff to ensure food safety. We use cloth bags when making our purchases, rather than plastic. The produce is fresh and bought directly from local farmers. Also, we pack the produce in cloth bags and hermetic multiuse containers, avoiding the use of plastic in order to make our operations as green as possible.

You will need to carry your daypack with all the personal items you need during the day. The rest of your luggage will be transported by us (van / porters). Porters are only permitted to carry 8 kilos for each person (including sleeping bag). As a company, Andean Adventures Peru is committed to the well-being of its porters during treks and hikes, ensuring that they are properly paid, well fed, and comfortable at our campsites. On some of our trekking and hiking routes, pack animals are used.

We supply all the camping equipment needed for groups to enjoy the great outdoors safely and comfortably: 4-person tents for every two participants; air mattresses; complete table service; dining tent, chairs and tables; kitchen tent; latrine tent; sleeping bags on request (many travelers choose to bring their own sleeping bag; however, we also offer sleeping bags for hire at an additional cost).

Our full time logistics staff continuously maintain and/or replace all our equipment. To ensure proper use of our equipment, all gear is handled by our trained field crew during treks and hikes.