Trips to Machu Picchu
About this trip
Experience the ultimate 4-Day Ausangate Trek, a high-altitude journey around the most sacred mountain in Cusco, Peru. Standing at 6,377m (20,921ft), Mount Ausangate offers seasoned trekkers a rugged off-the-beaten-path adventure through glacial vistas and turquoise lagoons. This unique circuit includes the iconic Rainbow Mountain (Vinicunca), combining spiritual Andean history with South America’s most famous landscapes. Join our Ausangate Trek & Rainbow Mountain Experience for a true wilderness challenge away from the crowds.
What’s included
Briefing
Pre-departure briefing
Hotel Pick up and Bus
Private Tourist Transportation from Cusco to Tinki.
Entrance Ticket
Ausanget, Rainbow Mountain.
Tour guide
English speaking professional guide (2 guides for groups of over 10 people)
Accommodations
Accomodations in tents
Chef
Chef and cooking equipment
Horseman and Horses
Horseman and Horses.(To carry our camping equipment, food and 6 kilos of your personal stuff like: ) We Never overload our Horses(well Animal Welfare). And we will Provide you a Duffel bag(at The Briefing Time) for all your personal stuff to be carried by horses.
Daily tea
Daily tea service (Wake up Coca tea and afternoon tea time(Happy hour) with full of popcorn and special snacks made by our cooks)
Snaks
Snacks (Fruits, energy bars)
Meals
Meals (03B, 03L, 03D + daily morning snack + daily tea service except last day). Vegetarian or special menus are available at no extra cost
Water
Filtered boiled water from lunch time on 1st day onwards
First-aid kit
First-aid kit including emergency oxygen bottle
What’s not included
Meals
Breakfast on the first day and dinner on the last day
Sleeping Bag
Sleeping bag US$20
Walking sticks
Walking sticks US$15
Hot Springs
Visit to the hot springs.
$490
Itinerary
Ausangate Trek 4 Days: The Ultimate High-Altitude Adventure to Rainbow Mountain
Embark on the 4-Day Ausangate Trek & Rainbow Mountain, widely considered the most spectacular high-altitude circuit in Cusco. This challenging Peru trek takes you deep into the heart of the Vilcanota Mountain Range, home to the sacred Apu Ausangate (6,377m).
Unlike the crowded Inca Trail, our Ausangate itinerary offers total solitude, leading you past towering glaciers, turquoise alpine lakes, and traditional Andean communities. The journey culminates at the vibrant Rainbow Mountain (Vinicunca), where you’ll witness the world-famous painted hills before the crowds arrive. Book your Ausangate adventure today to experience the raw beauty and ancient soul of the Peruvian Andes.
Day 1: Cusco – Pitumarca – Q’esuyuno – Rainbow Mountain (Vinicunca)
Your Andean mountain adventure begins at 4:00 AM with a private pickup from your hotel in Cusco. We drive through the rugged landscapes of the Vilcanota Range to Pitumarca and the Q’esuyuno community. The first highlight of your trek is the world-famous Rainbow Mountain (Vinicunca). Experience the vibrant mineral colors and look for wild vicuñas and condors soaring above glacial lakes before descending to our first campsite.
- Max Elevation: 4,800m / 15,748ft
- Hiking Time: 5 to 6 hours
- Difficulty: Moderate / Acclimatization Day
- Highlights: Rainbow Mountain at sunset, Inca farming terraces, and local wildlife.
Day 2: Kayrawiry – Condor Pass – Ausangate Lake
Wake up to a hot cup of coca tea before tackling one of the most scenic days on the Ausangate circuit. We begin a challenging 2-hour ascent to Condor Pass (5,100m). From the summit, you will have a front-row view of the massive Ausangate Glacier Peak. Watch for distant avalanches crashing into turquoise lakes below as we descend through valleys filled with grazing alpacas to our camp at the stunning Ausangate Lake.
- Max Elevation: 5,100m / 16,732ft
- Hiking Time: 10 to 12 hours (Challenging day)
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Highlights: Condor Pass views, Ausangate Glacier, and alpine lake camping.
Day 3: Ausangate Lake – Abra Campo Pass – Qampa
On Day 3, we trek close to the towering glacier peaks of the Andes. You will witness spectacular waterfalls and high-altitude flora and fauna. We reach the Abra Campo Pass (5,000m), an incredible vantage point for spotting wild vicuñas—the producers of the world’s finest wool. The day ends with a gradual descent into the Qampa valley, offering a serene night under the bright Andean stars.
- Max Elevation: 5,000m / 16,404ft
- Hiking Time: 7 to 8 hours
- Wildlife: Vicuñas, Alpacas, and Andean Camellids.
- Highlights: High-altitude mountain passes and rare Andean wildlife.
Day 4: Qampa – Pacchanta Hot Springs – Cusco
The final day of your Ausangate trek features a descent through the Seven Lakes (Qomercocha) region. After enjoying the jagged views of the Vilcanota mountain range, we arrive at the small community of Pacchanta. Here, you can soak your tired muscles in the natural medicinal hot springs while staring up at Mount Ausangate. After a final traditional lunch, our private transport will take you back to your hotel in Cusco.
- Max Elevation: 4,500m / 14,763ft
- Hiking Time: 5 to 6 hours
- Ending Point: Pacchanta Hot Springs
- Highlights: Relaxing thermal baths and the "Seven Lakes" vista.
Location
Your Organizer
Trips to Machu Picchu
Trips to Machu Picchu by Manu Explorers Peru specializes in authentic tours to one of the world’s wonders. Our offerings include the Classic Inca Trail, Salkantay, Lares, and Choquequirao treks, alongside the high-adventure Inca Jungle Trek and scenic train tours to Machu Picchu. Looking for more adventure? We also provide expert-guided jungle expeditions to the Manu National Park Reserved Zone.
