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Trekking

Ausangate and Rainbow Mountain 5 Days

5 Days / 4 Nights5.0 · 35 reviews on TripadvisorCusco, Perú
  • Panoramic landscape of the Montaña de Colores in Cusco, Peru, showing mineral stripes of red, green, and yellow tones under a cloudy sky.
  • Ausangate and Rainbow Mountain 5 Days
  • Ausangate and Rainbow Mountain 5 Days
  • Ausangate and Rainbow Mountain 5 Days
  • Ausangate and Rainbow Mountain 5 Days
  • Ausangate and Rainbow Mountain 5 Days
  • Ausangate and Rainbow Mountain 5 Days
  • Ausangate and Rainbow Mountain 5 Days

Overview

The Ausangate Trek 5-Day Tour

is an adventure to one of the highest snow-capped mountains in the Cusco region, the majestic Apu Ausangate (6,385 m / 20,958 ft). The local inhabitants of this area live alongside their animals, such as llamas and alpacas, away from the hustle and bustle of modern life.

During the Ausangate Circuit trek, we will cross ice walls, glaciers, rivers formed by melting snow, hot springs, the Rainbow Mountain, and underground waters. The tour also offers the chance to admire breathtaking landscapes while circling the snow-capped peaks, where you can observe wild vicuñas, vizcachas, condors, flamingos, and Andean geese.

Highlights

  • Meeting Point: Pickup from your hotel or a coordinated meeting point in Cusco’s Historic Center.
  • Tour Itinerary: Cusco – Tinki – Upis – Arapa Pass – Ausangate Kocha – Palomani Pass – Pampakancha – Q’ampa Pass – Q’omercocha – Pacchanta – Tinki – Cusco.
  • Important: The Ausangate Trekking is a 5-day hike that crosses Andean landscapes, high mountain passes, turquoise lagoons, and highland communities, concluding with the return to Cusco.

Itinerary

  1. 1Day 1Cusco – Tinki – Upis

    Departure from your hotel in Cusco followed by a 3-hour drive to the town of Tinki, where the first lunch will be served. Begin an approximately 4-hour trek toward Upis, featuring spectacular landscapes and encounters with locals in traditional dress. The Upis campsite offers a privileged view of Ausangate Mountain and the option to visit the hot springs. In the evening, enjoy coffee and dinner under a starry sky. Estimated hiking time: 4 hours.
    Campsite altitude: approx. 13,450 ft (4,100 masl).

  2. 2Day 2Upis – Arapa Pass – Ausangate Kocha

    Ascent to the Arapa Pass (15,748 ft / 4,800 m) followed by a 3-hour descent passing the Yanacocha and Puma Cocha lagoons, where lunch will be served. Continue toward the second pass (16,076 ft / 4,900 m) with sightings of alpacas, llamas, vicuñas, and local communities. Descend to Ausangate Lake to spend the night at the campsite. Estimated hiking time: 6 to 7 hours.
    Campsite altitude: approx. 14,764 ft (4,500 masl).

  3. 3Day 3Ausangate Kocha – Palomani Pass – Pampakancha

    Begin the ascent to Palomani Pass (17,060 ft / 5,200 m), the highest point of the trek, featuring spectacular views of the Vilcanota mountain range. Descend to the lunch spot for a brief rest, then continue toward Pampakancha for dinner and an overnight stay at the campsite. Estimated hiking time: 6 to 7 hours.
    Campsite altitude: approx. 14,107 ft (4,300 masl).

  4. 4Day 4Pampakancha – Q’ampa Pass – Q’omercocha

    Progress through a wide valley where you will encounter local villagers and camelid herds. Ascend to the Q’ampa pass (15,091 ft / 4,600 m) with views of Lake Ticllacocha, where we will stop for lunch. Travel across the Pachaspata plain until reaching the campsite next to Lake Q’omercocha. Estimated hiking time: 5 to 6 hours.
    Campsite altitude: approx. 14,764 ft (4,500 masl).

  5. 5Day 5Q’omercocha – Pacchanta – Tinki – Cusco

    Descent to the village of Pacchanta, surrounded by stunning Andean landscapes. Continue to Tinki, the final point of the trek. Private transfer back to the city of Cusco. Estimated hiking time: 4 to 5 hours.
    Final altitude: approx. 12,467 ft (3,800 masl).

What’s included

Included

  • Pre-trip briefing at the Agency before departure.
  • Hotel pick-up on the morning of the trip.
  • Professional bilingual guide (English, Spanish, Quechua).
  • Entrance ticket to the Reserve Area.
  • Two-person tents.
  • Sleeping pads to be placed under your sleeping bag.
  • Cook and kitchen equipment in charge of preparing meals throughout the route.
  • Meals as indicated in the itinerary (vegetarian options available).
  • Muleteer and horses (for camping equipment and 5kg of passenger belongings).
  • Emergency horse that can be used if you feel tired or ill.
  • Dining tent with table and chairs, and a kitchen tent.
  • First aid kit and oxygen.
  • Bus transportation (Cusco – Tinki – Cusco).

Not included

  • Breakfast in the morning before departure
  • Entrance fees to the hot springs
  • Sleeping bag
  • Tips for the guide, cook, and pack animals
  • An additional horse if you have too much luggage. Cost: $10 per day

What to bring

  • It is recommended to arrive in Cusco at least 2 days in advance to acclimatize to the altitude. Bring comfortable walking clothes, sunscreen, a hat, and a reusable water bottle.
  • Personal hygiene items
  • Comfortable shoes, preferably trekking shoes
  • Personal medication and original passport
  • Water bottle and purification tablets
  • Raincoat during the rainy season (October to March)
  • Headlamp, camera, and extra batteries
  • Swimsuit
  • Insect repellent
  • Sunscreen or sunblock
  • Hats for sun protection
  • Toilet paper, small towel
  • Snacks: cookies, chocolate, etc.
  • Horses (to carry tents, food, and cooking equipment)
  • Trekking poles

What our travellers say

  • Hans-Kristian H

    We booked the Salkantay trek through hahatrips and had an amazing time Haha Trips was great at explaining and planning our Salkantay trek. Helped whit renting sleeping bags and did it all at a good price. Wilson is a friend of ours🤠 - he is always ready to help and very responsive However it is not hahatrips you are on the trek whit but another travel agency called KB Adventures which we were surprised about - they are however really great as well and we had a fantastic trek whit a great group of people😎

    Tripadvisor · Aug 2023
  • Anghie R

    Excelente tour Muy buena agencia, de verdad la recomiendo un montón! Wilson siempre estuvo dispuesto a resolver mis dudas e incluso a ayudarme con ciertos inconvenientes que tuve, siempre fue cordial, muy amable y comprensivo en todo momento 😃 Tuve una hermosa experiencia en Cusco, muchas gracias!

    Tripadvisor · Aug 2023
  • Laura V

    Great organization! Wilson is a great person! My friend had to recover from being sick and Wilson helped us with his flexibility and new ideas for visiting MachuPicchu. We went to MachuPicchu in two days and enjoyed the great organization. From hotel to transport and the guides were really great! I would definitely recommend this travel agency. Big thanks for everything!

    Tripadvisor · Jun 2023
  • Claus Santa

    Sehr empfehlenswert Wir haben bei Wilson von HaHa Trips die 5 Tage Salkantay Tour gebucht. Wilson war sehr informativ und hilfreich. Alle Fragen wurden per WhatsApp sofort beantwortet. Die Organisation der ganzen Unternehmung war tadellos.

    Tripadvisor · May 2023
  • Joe G

    Great and Cheap! The prices of this tour company will have you going ‘HAHA’, because it’s so cheap! We did both the 2D1N Machu Picchu and the Rainbow Mountain tours. Well organised and lots of fun. Wilson is great, would highly recommend.

    Tripadvisor · May 2023
  • 552wimg

    The best touring company in Cusco! This was my first time in Peru, and it did not disappoint. Ha ha tours are true professionals! I booked a package to trek the old Inca Trail. Our guide was Ronny Pillco, who led the expedition! He shared a world of historical knowledge and was a true professional! Everything was top-not ch, from the cook Rene, to the guides and porters and our female porter! Everyone was always smiling and trying to help having us have the greatest experience! I truly recommend HAHA TOURS! Price-quality are unmatched

    Tripadvisor · May 2023
  • Maxwell B

    5-Day Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu Wilson was very helpful with everything. He gave me the information needed for the Salkantay 5-day trek to Machu Picchu. Whenever I had a question he provided everything I needed with a quick response. Very professional.

    Tripadvisor · May 2023
  • Carla C

    El mejor servicio de tour! Llegue a esta agencia gracias a la recomendación de un amigo y desde entonces, Wilson me apoya brindándome el servicio de tour. Es una empresa seria que se preocupa por brindarle comodidad a los turistas y siempre están haciéndole seguimiento al servicio que te brindan. Además, me encantó la flexibilidad que la empresa proporcionó en términos de tiempo y lugares a visitar. Recomiendo a cualquier persona que busque una experiencia turística excepcional.

    Tripadvisor · Apr 2023
  • Benjamin P

    Excelente tour de la Ciudad de Cusco con Venturia y Ruben Excelente tour de la ciudad de Cusco con Venturia y Ruben, el tour guy. Ruben me fue a buscar al hotel, y caminamos toda la ciudad por unas 3 horas. Fuimos al mercado, a las iglesias principales, y las calles mas interesantes de Cusco. La pase super bien con Ruben, y hasta fuimos a almorzar en un lugar muy pintoresco y cerca de la plaza principal de Cusco. Ruben sabe mucho de la historia de la catedral de Cusco, 100% recomendado.

    Tripadvisor · Apr 2023
  • Christian Stocker

    Amazing Great experience; we did the Salkantay trail for 5 days all meals and accommodation included for only £30 a day; everything went perfectly!

    Tripadvisor · Mar 2023
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