Day 1 Cusco - Upis - Upis Campsite - Huayna Ausangate Cocha

The best part of the day: Nothing is more incredible than being back on the road.

Our horseman and horses starting the trek in a beautiful landscape.

Panoramic photo of a tourist raising her hands next to the Huayna Ausangate lake.

Panoramic photo of the huayna Ausangate lake and a centered tourist.

Panoramic photo of a tourist walking towards the huayna Ausangate lake.

Panoramic photo of the impressive landscape of the Upis community.

Our adventure begins very early at 5:00 a.m. We will pick you up from your hotel to head on a two-hour drive to Ocongate (3,500 m / 11,482 ft.), a picturesque place full of joy. You will enjoy the first views of the great Vilcanota range with its majestic Apu Ausangate mountain; we will pass through high Andean villages and see their people wearing colorful costumes. Keep in mind that these costumes represent the colors of the mountains.

We will continue our journey to the Upis community (4,250 m / 13,944 ft). Here, we will have a good breakfast, and meet the cook and the muleteers, who will be part of this adventure. We will walk for three hours along a trail used by the local people until we reach the Upis Camp (4,400 m / 14,436 ft).

Later, we will delight our palate with a delicious lunch and, after a short rest, we will head to the lake Huayna Ausangate Cocha (4,480 m / 14,436 ft), a charming place for the energy it transmits. Remember that on this short tour you can leave your things at the campsite.

We wake up early to head to Ocongate and start the tour. We will enjoy beautiful views of the mountains and the Apu Ausangate. We will continue our hike and arrive at the Upis community, where we will have breakfast and meet the cook and the muleteers. We will walk for three hours until we reach the Upis camp. We will have lunch and, after a well-deserved rest, we will explore the area for two hours until we reach Huayna Ausangate Cocha.

Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner Meals
Moderate Difficulty
Camp Accommodation
10 km / 6.21 mi Walking distance
5 hours Walking time
4,250 m / 13,944 ft Starting elevation
4,250 m / 13,944 ft Minimum height
4,985 m / 16,355 ft Highest elevation

Day 2 Upis Campsite - Arapa Pass - Hatun Pucacocha

The best part of the day: The summit is the perfect place to understand life and mother nature.

Tourist walking in the mountains near Arapa pass

Tourist in the arapa pass next to an apacheta

Panoramic photo of a tourist raising his hands overlooking the Yanacocha lake on the Ausangate route.

A sunny day would be perfect to enjoy the natural beauty that awaits us. We will have breakfast and begin a two and a half hour ascent to the Arapa Pass (4,800 m / 15,748 ft). If we are lucky, we will be able to see the running of the vicuñas, South American camelids considered a symbol of the Peruvian Andes.

After taking amazing pictures in the surroundings, we will descend gradually for three and a half hours enjoying the views of beautiful lakes: Yanacocha and Pucacocha.

We will arrive at the lunch and camping site known as Hatun Pucacocha lake (4,400 m / 14,436 ft). After taking a short rest, we will have time to explore the nearby lakes. At night, we will have dinner and contemplate the beautiful constellations before going to sleep.

The day looks good. We will have breakfast and begin our ascent for two and a half hours to the Arapa Pass. After capturing the coveted photographs, we will descend for three and a half hours enjoying the beautiful views of the lakes: Yanacocha and Pucacocha. At the end, we will arrive at Hatun Pucacocha, where we will have lunch and camp. We will rest and have the opportunity to explore the lakes near the camp. We will conclude tasting a delicious dinner and contemplating the starry night.

Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner Meals
Moderate Difficulty
Camp Accommodation
11 km / 6.8 mi Walking distance
5 hours Walking time
4,400 m / 14,436 ft Starting elevation
4,400 m / 14,436 ft Minimum height
4,800 m / 15,748 ft Highest elevation

Day 3 Hatun Pucacocha - Puca Pass - Anantapata - Warmisaya - Surinecocha

The best part of the day: Natural beauty in the grace of two passes.

Tourist in the puka pass in front of the impressive Ausangate mountain and the pukacochas lake.

Tourist in the pass or abra puka with a beautiful landscape of colorful mountains.

A llama in the andean mountains of the andes

Our horseman and horses rente to the mountain Puka Orqo

Our Horsemen and Horses on the Ausangate and Rainbow Mountain route.

3 tourists posing for a photo at Warmisaya pass 4,985 m or 16,355 ft.

Tourists walking in front of Ausangate mountain

A new day full of beautiful landscapes awaits us. We will have a nutritious breakfast to begin a two-hour ascent. Soon you will witness the perfect contrast of landscapes: impetuous dry and desert mountains leading to green valleys and immense glaciers. After having a beautiful scenic experience, we will descend for an hour and a half to Anantapata (4,750 m / 15,585 ft), where we will enjoy a revitalizing lunch.

A well-deserved rest will be enough to continue walking uphill for another two hours until we reach Warmisaya (4,985 m / 16,355 ft) and we will be able to appreciate part of the immense chain of reddish mountains that welcome us to the Rainbow Mountain. Finally, we will descend for 45 minutes to Surinecocha (4,800 m / 15,748 ft) and set up camp.

Beautiful landscapes await us. We will have breakfast and begin the gradual ascent of two hours, we will be delighted with the beauty of the natural contrast of the mountains and glaciers, and then descend for an hour and a half to our lunch spot, Anantapata. After resting for a moment, we will be ready to ascend for two hours to Warmisaya, where we will be able to appreciate the Rainbow Mountain. After witnessing this beautiful panorama, we will descend for 45 minutes to Surinecocha to camp and spend the night.

Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner Meals
Moderate Difficulty
Camp Accommodation
11 km / 6.8 mi Walking distance
7 hours Walking time
4,400 m / 14,436 ft Starting elevation
4,400 m / 14,436 ft Minimum height
4,985 m / 16,355 ft Highest elevation

Day 4 Surinecocha - Rainbow Mountain - Quesiuno - Ausangate Cocha

The best part of the day: The Rainbow Mountain, a wonder perfectly designed by nature.

Couple in front of the great rainbow mountain of Vinicunca

Tourist in the red valley next to the 7-color mountain in Ausangate

Tourist hiking in the snow next to the Surine Cocha lake at (4,800m /15,748 ft.)

Tourist at the viewpoint of the majestic rainbow mountain

Tourist on the colorful mountain posing for the panoramic photo.

2 tourists taking a selfie on the mountain 7 colors at 5100 meters above sea level.

Tourist sitting in front of the mountain of colors or rainbow at Vinicunca

We will start the day very early with a delicious breakfast. We will start with a two-hour hike, an ascent that will take us to enjoy an incredible natural wonder, the Rainbow Mountain (5,100 m / 16,732). Once there, we will contemplate the sunrise and take incredible pictures long before the other groups arrive. After a magical moment, your guide will explain the importance of this place in the Andean world.

Later, we will descend to the Red Valley viewpoint (5,050 m / 16,568 ft), where you will be able to see the immense valley disappearing into the distance. We will return by the same path and descend gradually until we reach Quesiuno (4,376 m / 14,357 ft), where we will have lunch. After a good rest, we will continue ascending for approximately two and a half hours. We will appreciate the view of a beautiful green valley with herds of llamas and alpacas. In the evening, our camp will be waiting for us at Ausangate Cocha (4,500 m / 14,764 ft) to rest comfortably after a delicious dinner.

After a refreshing breakfast, we will start hiking for two hours until we reach the wonderful Rainbow Mountain and enjoy the sunrise. Then, we will head towards the Red Valley viewpoint and have a full view of the immense valley. Later, we will return to the initial trail and descend gradually to Quesiuno, where we will have lunch and take a well-deserved rest. Afterwards, we will continue for two and a half hours to our campsite at Ausangate Cocha.

Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner Meals
Challenging Difficulty
Camp Accommodation
17 km / 10.5 mi Walking distance
9 hours Walking time
4,800 m / 15,748 ft Starting elevation
4,376 m / 14,357 ft Minimum height
5,100 m / 16,732 ft Highest elevation

Day 5 Ausangate Cocha - Palomani Pass - Sorapata

The best part of the day: Ausangate and the great Vilcanota mountain range.

An impressive waterfall of the sacred mountain of Ausangate

Tourist at Palomani Pass (5,200 m / 17,060 ft), the highest point of this hike.

Tourist in front of the famous chocolate lake

Tourist enjoying the beautiful scenery with the red mountains on the Ausangate trek.

After a few days of acclimatization, comes the highest point. It is nothing less than 5,200 meters above sea level! We will get up with a lot of conviction and enjoy a delicious breakfast. Today victory will be ours and we will feel it when we reach our goal.

We will ascend for about two hours until we reach Palomani Pass (5,200 m / 17,060 ft), where we will have the most extensive view of the Vilcanota mountain range. After a brief rest appreciating the most amazing views, we will descend for an hour and a half to the community of Huchuy Phinaya (4,700 m / 15,420 ft) and have lunch.

Get ready because we will have a gradual ascent of two hours by the beautiful Jampa gorge, we will be accompanied by the immense glaciers of the Callangate chain until we reach the last camp in Sorapata (4,650 m / 15,256 ft.). Upon our return the camp will be ready. After savoring an exquisite dinner, a peaceful night in the tranquility of the mountains awaits you.

Today we will reach the highest point. We will have breakfast and ascend for two hours until we reach Palomani Pass, where we will enjoy an extensive view of the Vilcanota mountain range. We will take a brief rest and then descend for an hour and a half to the community of Huchuy Phinaya to have lunch. Then, we will ascend gradually through the Jampa ravine to our campsite in Sorapata.

Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner Meals
Challenging Difficulty
Camp Accommodation
10.5 km / 6.52 mi Walking distance
6 hours Walking time
4,500 m / 14,764 ft Starting elevation
4,500 m / 14,764 ft Minimum height
5,200 m / 17,060 ft Highest elevation

Day 6 Sorapata - Jampa Pass - Pacchanta - Cusco

The best part of the day: The divine relationship of the Andean man with Mother Earth and the Mountains.

Villager wears colorful traditional costume keeping her culture and traditions intact

The Tour of the 7 Lakes is one of the most beautiful routes

Tourist on the way to the 7 lakes of the Ausangate mountain

Tourist in front of the Ausangate mountain raising his hands

Panoramic photo of the Comercocha and Alqacocha lakes on the route of the 7 lakes

Wildlife unique to the area, alpacas and llamas grazing in their natural habitat

We will wake up to the impressive view of the snow-capped Tres Picos. Afterwards, we will have breakfast and get ready for one last ascent. It will take us two and a half hours to reach Jampa Pass (5,070 m / 16,634 ft), a wide, green valley, perfect for the Andean man who dedicates himself to agriculture and grazing his animals. This will also be a good time to capture the beauty of the surroundings.

We will begin to descend for about three hours to Pacchanta (4,100 m / 13,451 ft). Along this last part, we will be able to appreciate the beautiful succession of lakes that are well appreciated by the Andean man. We will stop to perform a small ceremony of thanksgiving to the mountains and to Pachamama, for, of all the possibilities in life, we are blessed to have arrived here.

Hours later, we will head to Pacchanta, a small community with attractive hot springs, where we will enjoy a bath, ideal for relaxing our muscles. Here we will also have lunch. Later on, we will say goodbye to the appreciated group of servants who accompanied us on this journey and we will embark on a two and a half hour trip back to Cusco, thus culminating this incredible 6-day adventure.

The view of the snow-capped Tres Picos gives us the impulse to start the day. We will have breakfast and begin our last two-hour ascent to Jampa Pass. After appreciating the beauty of this scenic environment, we will descend for three hours to Pacchanta. Here, we will take a few minutes to perform a small ceremony of thanksgiving to the Pachamama and the mountains. After a few hours, we will arrive at Pacchanta, where we can relax in its thermal baths. Later, we will say goodbye to our team and return to Cusco, taking with us the best memories of this journey.

Breakfast, and Lunch Meals
Moderate Difficulty
11 km / 6.80 mi Walking distance
5.5 hours Walking time
4,650 m / 15,256 ft Starting elevation
4,100 m / 13,451 ft Minimum height
5,070 m / 16,634 ft Highest elevation

At Ausangate Peru, we specify the included and non-included services under all the tour itineraries listed on our website. We take care of all the logistics, but please pay attention to the details to avoid missing anything. Some items may differ for specific programs, so please read carefully before booking with us.

What is Included?

High Quality Service & Safety
Pre-departure Briefing
Detailed trek briefing with your Guide the day before the tour. The meeting is at 5:00 pm in our office.
Experienced Tour Guide
Our official tour guides speak fluent English and Spanish, are professionally trained and certified. We choose them for their experience, responsibility, unbridled passion for exploring, and pride in sharing our culture and history. In every experience, they will keep you safe and comfortable so you can enjoy your time worry-free!
Private Camping Equipment
- A spacious dining tent to enjoy your meals worry-free
- Tables, chairs, dishware, and cooking equipment
- A portable travel toilet
- Inflatable mattress
All equipment carried by our horses
One Duffle Bag
For the trek, you’ll receive a duffle bag to pack your personal belongings up to a maximum weight of 7 kg / 15.4 lb (this weight includes your sleeping bag). The horses will carry it on the route.
Medical Kit or First AID Kit
All Ausangate Peru guides have received specialized training in first aid. We hold mandatory training sessions for them every February. Your guide will always have a first aid kit and oxygen to face basic emergencies (altitude sickness, travelers' diarrhea, cuts, scrapes, etc.). If necessary, we'll evacuate you from the path as quickly as possible and ensure that you arrive at a clinic for treatment.
Extras Included in our Service
We believe that attention to small details is what sets us apart from other local companies. You’ll receive a sleeping pillow, a cover to protect your backpack on the route, and a rain poncho.
24/7 Customer Service
We have telephone service available 24 hours/day for ease of communication with Ausangate Peru leading up to your tour.
Satellite Phone
Your tranquility is our first priority. Although our guides are prepared for emergencies in the mountains, calling a doctor, hospital, or a friend can make you feel more secure. For this reason, each Salkantay Trekking guide carries a satellite phone to call any location worldwide and from anywhere on the mountain.
Accommodation
5 Nights Accommodation in Tents
Ausangate Peru uses the best equipment to ensure your safety and comfort. Every 2 people will share a Eureka Timberline or Mountain Hardwear tent with a capacity of 4 people.
Meals
6 Breakfasts, 6 Lunches, and 5 Dinners
Our chef prepares the best dishes in the middle of the mountains. We respect all diets (vegetarian, vegan, or special menus are available at no extra cost). Meals include breakfast, lunch, dinner, and complimentary hot drinks and snacks.
Water on the trail
We'll provide you with boiled, filtered, and cooled water during your hike. For this, you need to bring a camel bag or an empty bottle, which you can refill during each meal (we recommend a capacity of 2 liters).
Wake up tea
You'll wake up every morning at the camp with a cup of coca tea! It'll be brought to your tent so you can warm up before you start the day.
Tea Time or Happy Hour
Every afternoon before dinner, the cooks will provide you popcorn, cookies, coffee, hot chocolate, tea, hot water, etc. After a long day of hiking, you won't have to wait until dinner to relax, warm-up, and enjoy a bite!
Daily snacks on the trail
Every morning we’ll give you snacks so you can enjoy them during the walk. The snacks include local fruits, biscuits, chocolates, caramels, etc.
One cloth snack bag per person
To avoid the use of plastic bags that contaminate our environment, we'll give you a cloth bag for your snacks.
Hygiene Products
We'll provide you with a small towel and soap to clean your hands before each meal.
Transportation
Private Transport
- Day 1: You'll be picked up from your hotel in the morning and will travel by private transportation to Upis, the starting point of the Trek.
- Day 6: Once you complete the tour, we will take you back to the door of your hotel in Cusco.
Cargo Mules
While trekking, cargo mules will carry all the camping equipment and your baggage allowance (7 kg / 15.4 lb). Muleteers will be responsible for your duffle bag and personal items.
Permits & Entrance Tickets
Entry Ticket for the Ausangate Trek
Entry to the Rainbow Mountain and the Red Valley

Not Included:

Sleeping Bag
You can rent one from our company if you don’t own one. Our sleeping bags are effective and durable to protect you from temperatures as low as -18ºC (0ºF). They are mummy-form and include a sleeping liner. The bags are cleaned after every use and have a maximum usage of 30 trips.
- US$ 30.00 per person
Trekking Poles
Trekking poles are very helpful on rough and uneven terrain. You can rent a set from our company if you'd like.
- US$ 30.00 per person
Entry to Pacchanta Thermal Baths (Optional)
- PEN 20.00 (US$ 6.00) per person
Day 6 Dinner
Personal Hiking Gear
Travel Insurance
Tips for our staff
Tipping is usual on any excursion in Peru. Although we pay good salaries to our entire team, something extra is always welcome, especially considering the hard work they do. Typically, group participants collect their tips to hand out to the horsemen and chefs together.
Additional costs or delays beyond our control
Landslides, bad weather conditions, itinerary modifications due to a safety concern, illness, pandemics, government policy changes, political instability, strikes, an act of God, etc.

Our Hiking Team

Our Tour Guides

Your tour will be led by a trained and highly experienced professional with a very solid guiding background, years of hiking and wilderness experience, medical certifications, and a passion for leading people into unforgettable adventures.

Our Cooks

After a challenging trek we know how important a good hot meal can be to prepare your body and warm you up. That’s why on every trek with Salkantay Trekking we employ chefs with years of experience cooking on the trails so that they provide filling.

Meals: What to Expect

All of our hiking tours include a diversity of tasty meals packed full of critical carbohydrates, proteins and fats. We carry foods that travel well in the backcountry – rice, pastas, lentils, beans, couscous, packaged meats, nuts, breads, oatmeal, granola.

Our Horseman and Horses

Our Horseman and his horses are in charge of all our gear and will always await us within the safe and comfortable camp sites.

Essential packing list for trekking

So you are planning to trek the famous Ausangate?

his Ausangate Packing List will help you to prepare for your outdoor adventure in one of the most stunning regions of South America.

In it we have provided as much detail on every piece of kit you will need for a safe and successful trekking. The packing list includes personal recommendations on gear that we own and use. We believe these recommended items of gear provide the best value for money and deliver the best performance.

Essential packing list

Duffle Bag

Daypack

Documents

Original Passport

Clothing

Underwear

Base Layer

Trekking Shirts

Hard Shell Jacket and Rain Gear

Insulated Jacket

Fleece Jacket

Trekking Shorts and Trousers

Headgear

Hat for Sun Protection

Head Band or Beanie

Neck Gaiter or Balaclava

Hands

Inner Gloves

Outer Gloves

Footwear

Hiking Boots

Trainers (Trekking shoes / sandals)

Hiking Socks

Thermal Socks

Gaiters

Important Accessories

Sleeping Bag

Trekking Poles

Sunglasses

Headlamp

Water Bottle or Hydration Bladder

Camera / Videocamera

Notebook / Journal and Pen

Personal Gear and Medications

Trekking Towel:
A small to medium sized hiking towel can come in great use. LifeVentures or Discovery provide good, quick-drying trekking towels.
Small Locks:
To protect your belongings in your rucksack or duffle bag
Waterproof Ziplock Bags:
These come in handy for storing important / valuable items like your money, a passport and electrical equipment
Isotonic Powder:
Can be used to flavour your water nicely and helps replace electrolytes, improving energy levels and aiding water absorption. Here are some good Isotonic powdered drinks
Diamox:
Also know as acetazolamide, is a medication that can be used as a prophylactic (preventative) solution for altitude sickness. It does not cure altitude sickness and should never therefore never be used as a method to continue ascending to high altitudes. It can however help prevent the onset of altitude sickness and is commonly used by high altitude climbers and trekkers.
General Medications:
We recommend taking paracetamol or aspirin for headaches (a common altitude sickness symptom on the Salkantay Trek) and Imodium for diarrhoea (another common problem as food preparation can be a little unhygienic)
Basic First Aid Kit:
If you are joining an organised trek, your guide will most likely be carrying a first aid kit. If you are hiking unsupported or independently then a first aid kit is a must. Here are some compact and good outdoor first aid kits: Outdoor First Aid Kits
Suncream / Lip balm:
No one wants burnt skin or cracked lips! Be sure to bring 1 x suncream (SPF 30) and 1 x lip balm
Baby wipes:
For quick and easy wet washe when no showers are in sight! bring 1 x baby wipes
Blister Plasters:
The dreaded blisters! We recommend taking Compeed blister plasters
Hand Sanitizer:
Great for disinfecting hands before and after eating, or when they get dirty during the hike

2025 Land Cost

The "The magic of nature: Ausangate and Rainbow Mountain" can leave any day of the week, from March through January. We do not run this trek in February because rainy season & maintenance.

Total Price per person from
A minimum of 3 passengers is required

US$ 600.00

Required Pre-payment: per person.

US$ 300.00

Balance (Cusco): (Commonly paid in Cusco after the briefing).

US$ 300.00

This small-group journey is guaranteed to operate with just two guests.

Notice that PayPal charges a fee of 8%, which we ask the client to cover since it's due to the use of its service. This tax is just for online deposits so that you will pay the remaining in cash (the briefing day in Cusco) without charges.

lease, after your deposit, send us the transfer number to info@ausangateperu.com; only after that, we'll be able to confirm your deposit and reservation.

Extensions & Offers

There are several extensions you can include to your Peru Adventure.

Rainbow Mountain: US$ 80.00
Sacred Valley: US$ 50.00
City Tour: US$ 20.00

Additional Items

There are additional items you can include in this trip. Below is a quick list of prices.

Sleeping bag: US$ 20.00
Inflattable mattress: US$ 20.00
Walking poles (pair): US$ 20.00

Price Guarantee

Once your booking has been confirmed, we guarantee the price won’t increase, whatever the circumstances. So please, before booking, ensure you’ve read all our important tour information.

Thank you for your interest in having an adventure travel experience in Peru curated by Ausangate Peru. Please take a moment to complete our short form, so one our friendly Adventure Consultants could provide you all the information for your trip of a lifetime in Peru.

Our Pledge | Your privacy is respected and protected. The Ausangate Peru Company will never share, sell, or make public any of your personal contact information to third parties.

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AUSANGATE PACKAGES

AUSANGATE TREK

RAINBOW MOUNTAIN PACKAGES

RAINBOW MOUNTAIN

MACHU PICCHU PACKAGES

MACHU PICCHU

QUELCCAYA

FULL DAY HIKES

AUSANGATE & INCA TRAIL

SALKANTAY TREK

HUCHUY QOSQO TREK

Adventure in the heart of the mountains

Overview

Trip Highlights

What is Included?

High Quality Service & Safety

Pre-departure Briefing

Experienced Tour Guide

Private Camping Equipment

One Duffle Bag

Medical Kit or First AID Kit

Extras Included in our Service

24/7 Customer Service

Satellite Phone

Accommodation

5 Nights Accommodation in Tents

Meals

6 Breakfasts, 6 Lunches, and 5 Dinners

Water on the trail

Wake up tea

Tea Time or Happy Hour

Daily snacks on the trail

One cloth snack bag per person

Hygiene Products

Transportation

Private Transport

Cargo Mules

Permits & Entrance Tickets

Entry Ticket for the Ausangate Trek

Entry to the Rainbow Mountain and the Red Valley

Not Included:

Sleeping Bag

Trekking Poles

Entry to Pacchanta Thermal Baths (Optional)

Day 6 Dinner

Personal Hiking Gear

Travel Insurance

Tips for our staff

Additional costs or delays beyond our control

Our Hiking Team

Our Tour Guides

Our Cooks

Meals: What to Expect

Our Horseman and Horses

Essential packing list for trekking

Essential packing list

Documents

Clothing

Headgear

Hands

Footwear

Important Accessories

Personal Gear and Medications

Trekking Towel:

Small Locks:

Waterproof Ziplock Bags:

Isotonic Powder:

Diamox:

General Medications:

Basic First Aid Kit:

Suncream / Lip balm:

Baby wipes:

Blister Plasters:

Hand Sanitizer:

2025 Land Cost

Personal Details

Trip Details

CUSTOMER SUPPORT

The Greatest Hiking Trails in Peru

Here you will find the Best Adventure Treks around Ausangate, Rainbow Mountain, and Machu Picchu.