On this hike, you’ll experience one of the most breathtaking places in the Andes: the majestic Rainbow Mountain, also known as Vinicunca (5,100 m / 16,732 ft). You’ll also visit the Warmisaya Pass, where you’ll witness the Ausangate glacier in all its splendor. There, you’ll understand why this Apu —a sacred mountain to the Andean people— is so deeply revered. Gaze upon it with respect: it holds more life than any human being. If mountain adventure is your thing, you can’t miss the chance to explore these dreamlike landscapes that will stay with you forever.
On this hike, you’ll experience one of the most breathtaking places in the Andes: the majestic Rainbow Mountain, also known as Vinicunca (5,100 m / 16,732 ft). You’ll also visit the Warmisaya Pass, where you’ll witness the Ausangate glacier in all its splendor. There, you’ll understand why this Apu —a sacred mountain to the Andean people— is so deeply revered. Gaze upon it with respect: it holds more life than any human being. If mountain adventure is your thing, you can’t miss the chance to explore these dreamlike landscapes that will stay with you forever.
We’ll leave Cusco early to travel to the South Valley in private transportation; after two and a half hours, we’ll arrive in the district of Pitumarca and have a relaxing breakfast. From there, we’ll continue our trip for an hour and a half more by car until we get to a place known as Pampachiri - Kayrahuiri where we’ll begin our hike. We will start slowly walking uphill surrounded by mountains that seem surreal, enjoying the typical landscapes of the region throughout the day.
After two hours of hiking, we will finally approach the main viewpoint of the famous Rainbow Mountain. You’ll be able to appreciate the pristine Ausangate snowcap from a distance. We’ll have time to take some incredible pictures and explore the area, and then we’ll continue on to our next stop, Warmisaya, an amazing place containing great beauty and scenic landscapes. We’ll double back down the same path we came up on to have lunch and return to Cusco in the afternoon.
We’ll leave the imperial city of Cusco at 4 AM and, after three hours, have breakfast in the town of Pitumarca (3,570 m / 11,712 f). Next, we’ll continue in private transportation to Pampachiri - Kayrahuiri (4,750 m / 15,583 f) where we’ll begin the hike. It will be a slow and gradual climb on a rocky path.
As you ascend, you’ll discover that reaching a summit takes perseverance and determination. Once at the top of Rainbow Mountain (5,100 m / 16,732 ft), you’ll enjoy a breathtaking 360-degree panoramic view. Take a moment to breathe deeply and marvel at the natural artistry that surrounds you. We’ll then descend to Surinecocha Lagoon (4,800 m / 15,748 ft), where we’ll take a short break to recharge. From there, we’ll begin the second climb of the day, leading us to the Warmisaya Pass (4,985 m / 16,355 ft). From this privileged viewpoint, you’ll witness the majestic Ausangate Glacier in all its splendor.
You’ll come to understand the vital role of the glaciers and these sacred mountains as sources of life. You’ll also see why, to this day, local people continue to offer tributes to these guardian mountains, in gratitude for their protection of the land, its people, and its biodiversity. After absorbing so much revitalizing energy, we’ll return to our lunch spot in Pitumarca. Later, we’ll head back to Cusco with full hearts and renewed spirits.
We’ll leave early to be able to enjoy all the splendor of the Rainbow Mountain. We will make our way three hours to the town of Pitumarca to enjoy a delicious breakfast and then continue our trip to Pampachiri - Kayhuiri and start the hike uphill for an hour. We’ll get to a high peak with a viewpoint of the Rainbow Mountain. You will enjoy an incredible view, and then we’ll go down toward Surinecocha to make our way to the Warmisaya Pass. We’ll go back to Pitumarca for lunch. Finally, we will return to Cusco by car, taking with us the best memories of this amazing voyage.
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.
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.
The "Rainbow Mountain - Warmisaya pass" can leave any day of the week, from March through January. We do not run this trek in February because rainy season & maintenance.
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.
Additional Items
There are additional items you can include in this trip. Below is a quick list of prices.
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.
Our collection of the most fabulous hiking trails in Peru bring you up close and very personal with the region’s most jaw-dropping highlights: from the snow-peaked Andes to turquoise lakes, waterfalls, and glaciers that seem to hang as if by magic, as well as an abundance of wildlife spotting and a breathtaking, unforgettable adventure in nature.
We did the 2-day tour through Ausangate, the rainbow mountain, and the red valley. The tour was private, the guide Jimmy was very friendly and professional, the whole trip has well organized the food was delicious during the excursion.
I thank the travel agency for this beautiful experience, and I recommend it.
-- NICHOLAS A