Ausangate Trek & Colored Mountain 5D/4N

Our five-day adventure to Ausangate and Rainbow Mountain begins early. At 5:00 a.m., our expert guide will pick you up from your hotel in Cusco for a 3.5-hour private vehicle journey to the trailhead. Along the way, we’ll pass through colorful Andean villages and follow the road toward Puerto Maldonado. After about three hours, we’ll take a short break in Tinke (3,800 m / 12,467 ft) to use the restrooms and make any last-minute purchases. Then, we’ll continue for 30 more minutes on a dirt road until we reach Upis (4,250 m / 13,943 ft), the starting point of our trek.
Upon arrival, we’ll take time to organize our backpacks and duffel bags while our chef prepares a delicious breakfast with breathtaking views of the Vilcanota mountain range and the majestic Apu Ausangate. Meanwhile, our horsemen will pack and prepare all the necessary trekking equipment. Before setting off, our guide will introduce the expedition team that will accompany us on this incredible journey.
We’ll begin our trek along a trail that crosses potato and Andean grain fields, gradually entering the vast mountain plains. During the first three hours, we’ll cross small streams and walk on a gentle incline, passing traditional Andean houses built in ancestral style. As we move through ichu grasslands, we may see Andean gulls soaring overhead and small ponds that serve as a refuge for high-altitude birds.
Shortly before reaching the Upis community (4,400 m / 14,435 ft), we’ll come upon an open valley leading toward the glacier, where we’ll enjoy lunch with an unbeatable view of Ausangate Mountain (6,372 m / 20,900 ft).
After lunch, we’ll resume our trek, ascending for two hours to reach the Arapa Pass (4,800 m / 15,748 ft). From the summit, we’ll be rewarded with spectacular scenery: eroded mountains, vast valleys, and the imposing silhouette of Ausangate dominating the horizon. We’ll then descend a barren slope for 20 minutes, followed by a steeper descent of about 1.5 hours until we arrive at our first campsite: Yana Qocha (4,570 m / 14,993 ft).
This privileged campsite offers stunning mountain views and a well-deserved rest. We’ll have free time to relax or explore before enjoying the traditional tea time. Finally, after a delicious dinner, our guide will provide briefing for the second day before we rest under a spectacular starry sky.

🍽 Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner
🏕 Accommodation: camping
🥾 Total hiking distance: 15 km / 9.32 miles
⏱ Total hiking time: 7 hours
📈 Difficulty level: moderate
📉 Minimum altitude: 4,250 m / 13,943 ft
📍 Maximum altitude: 4,800 m / 15,748 ft
🛏 Camp elevation: 4,570 m / 14,993 ft

The new day in the Andes begins with a hot coca tea, the perfect way to tune into the energy of the mountains, followed by a nutritious breakfast to recharge our energy. With the sun illuminating the peaks, we prepare to continue our journey along one of the most scenic sections of the Ausangate Circuit.
Our hike starts on a gentle trail with slight ascents and descents, leading us through a valley of blue glacial lakes and cascading waterfalls. Throughout the journey, we’ll be surrounded by the mighty presence of Ausangate Mountain (6,384 m / 20,945 ft).
After about 1.5 hours of trekking, we’ll pass the spectacular Yana Qocha (Black Lake) and Puka Qocha (Red Lake), whose contrasting tones add to the beauty of the high Andean landscape. From here, we’ll begin a zigzag ascent to the Puka Qocha Pass (4,870 m / 15,977 ft).
At the top of Puka Pass, a stunning natural viewpoint awaits us, offering a panoramic vista of Ausangate’s glaciers, turquoise lakes, snow-capped peaks, and vast red valleys stretching out in all directions. Here, we’ll pause to take photos and admire the magnificence of the Andes before descending into the valley, where we’ll walk alongside herds of llamas and alpacas grazing in their natural habitat.
After a break in the valley, we’ll ascend toward our lunch spot in Ananta (4,750 m / 15,583 ft), a high-altitude valley offering spectacular scenery and the chance to observe llamas grazing nearby.
Following lunch, we’ll continue with a two-hour uphill hike to reach Warmisaya Pass (4,985 m / 16,354 ft). From here, we’ll get our first panoramic glimpse of Rainbow Mountain, filling us with excitement for the adventure awaiting us the next day.
After a short rest and some photos, we’ll descend for 30 to 45 minutes to our second campsite at Qomer Qocha (4,570 m / 14,993 ft). Once settled in, we’ll enjoy tea time and a delicious dinner before heading to bed early. The next day, we’ll embark on the magical experience of exploring Rainbow Mountain, so we need to be well-rested for an unforgettable day ahead.

🍽 Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner
🏕 Accommodation: camping
🥾 Total hiking distance: 14 km / 8.69 miles
⏱ Total hiking time: 6 hours
📈 Difficulty level: moderate
📉 Minimum altitude: 4,570 m / 14,993 ft
📍 Maximum altitude: 4,985 m / 16,354 ft
🛏 Camp elevation: 4,570 m / 14,993 ft

We rise before dawn to set out for Rainbow Mountain in complete tranquility, before the crowds arrive. Under a clear, starry sky, we prepare our essentials and begin the ascent toward one of the most breathtaking natural wonders in the Andes.
The trail takes us uphill for about 1 hour and 20 minutes until we reach the iconic Rainbow Mountain (5,100 m / 16,732 ft), also known as Vinicunca, in the magnificent Vilcanota Mountain Range.
Upon arrival, we’ll be greeted by a dazzling display of colors, as if painted by nature itself. Our guide will explain the fascinating geological origins of this formation and the minerals responsible for its unique hues.
We’ll have around 45 minutes to explore, take photos, and soak in the breathtaking views of the surrounding valleys before descending back along the same trail. Along the way, we may spot local farmers using llamas as pack animals, an ancient tradition dating back to Inca times.
After returning to camp, we’ll have time to rest and enjoy a hearty lunch before continuing on a 3-hour scenic trek along the colorful mountain slopes to reach our third campsite at Ausangate Qocha (4,500 m / 14,763 ft).

🍽 Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner
🏕 Accommodation: camping
🥾 Total hiking distance: 14 km / 8.69 miles
⏱ Total hiking time: 6 hours
📈 Difficulty level: moderate
📍 Maximum altitude: 5,100 m / 16,732 ft
🛏 Camp elevation: 4,500 m / 14,763 ft

After enjoying another wonderful breakfast, we prepare for a challenging and rewarding day, as we reach the highest point of the Ausangate Circuit: Palomani Pass (5,200 m / 17,060 ft).
The trail starts with a steep three-hour ascent, passing by Ausangate Qocha Lake and crossing the glacial moraine. As we gain elevation, the landscape becomes even more impressive, with red apacheta cliffs and towering mountains surrounding us. Every step brings us closer to our main goal of the day: Palomani Pass, the highest point of the entire trek.
At the 5,200-meter summit, we’ll pause to take in the breathtaking views of the valleys and the majestic Andes Mountains. This is a moment of triumph and satisfaction, where we can capture unique photographs and appreciate the immensity of the Andean landscapes.
After celebrating this achievement, we begin our descent along a winding trail, navigating steep slopes. Along the way, we’ll pass through corrals and herds of llamas and alpacas grazing freely in this remote and serene landscape.
After a well-deserved lunch in the valley, we continue our trek with another uphill stretch through rugged terrain around the Ausangate summit. During the journey, we’ll cross a marshy area, home to various Andean species, before reaching the upper valley level, where our Jampa Base Camp (4,700 m / 15,419 ft) is located.
Upon arrival at the camp, we’ll relax with hot drinks while enjoying the natural surroundings. Among the rocks and shrubs nearby, we might spot viscachas, small brown rodents similar to rabbits but with long tails, which are considered an endangered species. Finally, during dinner, our guide will brief us on the exciting final day of the expedition.

🍽 Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner
🏕 Accommodation: camping
🥾 Total hiking distance: 13 km / 8.07 miles
⏱ Total hiking time: 7 hours
📈 Difficulty level: difficult
📉 Minimum altitude: 4,500 m / 14,763 ft
📍 Maximum altitude: 5,200 m / 17,060 ft
🛏 Camp elevation: 4,700 m / 15,419 ft

After enjoying an energizing breakfast, we prepare for the final day of our unforgettable Ausangate adventure. We depart from Jampa Base Camp, surrounded by stunning views of Huayna Ausangate Mountain, passing by small traditional Andean houses.
Our trek begins with a gradual 2.5-hour ascent, steadily gaining altitude until we reach Jampa Pass (5,070 m / 16,633 ft). Along the way, we’ll witness breathtaking landscapes, with towering snow-capped peaks and, in some sections, ice formations in the surrounding cliffs.
From the summit, we begin our descent towards the spectacular Qomercocha (Green Lake), located at the base of the red mountain Puka Moqo. The vivid contrast of colors between the water, earth, and sky creates an unforgettable postcard-perfect scene.
Finally, we arrive at Pacchanta, a picturesque Andean village, where our chef will prepare our last lunch of this grand adventure. Here, we’ll have the option to relax in the natural hot springs, a revitalizing experience after several days of trekking. Soaking in these warm waters, surrounded by majestic mountains, is the perfect way to end our journey.
After lunch and some well-earned relaxation in Pacchanta, we board our private transport back to Cusco. Our 5-Day Ausangate Trek to Rainbow Mountain concludes with a hotel drop-off, leaving us with hearts full of unforgettable memories and the satisfaction of having explored one of Peru’s most breathtaking landscapes.

🍽 Meals: breakfast, lunch
🥾 Total hiking distance: 14 km / 8.6 miles
⏱ Total hiking time: 7 hours
📈 Difficulty level: moderate
📉 Minimum altitude: 4,100 m / 13,451 ft
📍 Maximum altitude: 5,070 m / 16,633 ft