Trekking to Ausangate 3 days 2 nights

Ocongate, Cusco

From

Duration

3 days

Tour Type

Overview

Experience one of Peru’s most stunning high-Andean adventures with this 3-day trek around the majestic Ausangate Mountain. This route takes you through breathtaking scenery filled with glacier peaks, colorful valleys, crystal-clear lakes, and traditional communities that still preserve their ancestral lifestyle.

Throughout the journey, you’ll walk beside herds of llamas and alpacas, admire the towering presence of Ausangate, and enjoy panoramic viewpoints from high mountain passes. The trek combines moderate to challenging sections, offering rewarding landscapes such as turquoise lagoons, red-mineral hills, and the iconic Rainbow Mountain, one of the most spectacular natural wonders of the region.

Comfortable campsites, freshly prepared meals, and an experienced team will accompany you during the entire adventure. This program is perfect for travelers with good physical condition who want an authentic, scenic, and memorable trekking experience in the Peruvian Andes.

Included/Exclude

Satellite Phone:Since Ausangate is a remote area with no mobile coverage, our guides carry a satellite phone for emergencies.
Cabins & Shelters:Comfortable cabins are provided on the first night, while tents are used on the second night.
English-Speaking Guide:Highly trained and experienced guides with in-depth knowledge of the Ausangate region.
Pre-Departure Briefing:Conducted at our office at 5:00 pm the day before your trek.
Private Portable Toilet Tent:Set up at every campsite for your convenience.
Dining Tent:A spacious dining tent with chairs and tables where you can relax after your hike.
Professional Cook:A dedicated cook will prepare fresh meals daily.
Wake-Up Tea:Start your morning with coca tea, coffee, hot chocolate, or another tea delivered to your tent.
Horses:Pack horses will carry all trekking equipment.
Personal Belongings Allowance:Up to 7 kg, including your sleeping bag.
Duffel Bag:Provided for carrying your 7 kg of personal belongings.
Drinking Water:Boiled, cooled, and filtered water provided daily to refill your bottles.
Afternoon Tea (“Happy Hour”):Hot tea served with popcorn and biscuits each afternoon.
Reusable Snack Bag:A cloth snack bag is provided to reduce plastic waste.
Daily Snacks:Supplied for each day of the trek.
Entrance Fees:Includes access to private lands in the Ausangate area.
Sleeping Tents:Spacious three-person tents provided for two people, ensuring extra comfort.
Rainbow Mountain Entrance:Included, no extra payment required.
Red Valley Ticket:Entrance fee included.
Meals:3 breakfasts, 3 lunches, and 2 dinners. Vegetarian, vegan, pescatarian, gluten-free, and lactose-free options available on request.
Private Transportation:Round-trip service from and to your hotel or Airbnb in Cusco.
Foam Mattress:Provided for additional sleeping comfort.
First Aid Kit:All guides are first-aid certified and carry medications for altitude sickness, stomach issues, injuries, and more.
Oxygen Tank:A full oxygen tank carried by the guide at all times.
Hygiene Supplies:A bowl of water and paper towels provided at each campsite for handwashing.
Plastic Poncho:Provided in case of heavy rain.
Backpack Rain Cover:To protect your backpack from the elements.
Radio Communication:Guides and cooks carry radios for coordination and safety.
Horseman:In charge of leading horses and assisting with camp setup.
Hotel Pick-Up & Drop-Off:From your accommodation in Cusco.
T-Shirt:A special souvenir T-shirt upon completing the trek.
Hot Water Bag:Provided at night for extra warmth, especially for your feet.

Sleeping Bags. We rent a Mountain Hard Brand sleeping bag. It costs $20 for the entire trip.
Trekking poles. We rent Black diamond hiking sticks. They cost $20 for the entire trip.
Personal riding horse. Additional horses may be rented according to the needs of the individual and group.
Voluntary Tips for Guide, Driver, and Cook.
Travel Insurance.

Tour Plan

Day 1: Cusco – Tinqui – Upis.

We will pick you up at 05:00 am from your hotel then we will in our private van for about 2 hours to Tinki where we will get off to stretch our legs and we will see local people wearing their typical dresses and we can visit the local market if it is open. After that, we will keep driving for about 1 hour on a bumpy and dusty road until Upis Pampa, there we will have our breakfast and then start hiking to Upis Campsite. The Trail is almost flat and some sections are ups and downs. It takes 3 hours roughly to get to the campsite.

On the way, we will have sensational views including the spectacular Mount Ausangate, and meet local farmers wearing their costumes. Once we arrive at Upis campsite, we will have our lunch. After our delicious meal, we have a chance to hike to Upis Lake or we can take a bath at the hot spring close to our private campsite. Hiking to upis lake takes 2 hours round trip. The Trail is flat at the beginning and the last portion is gradually uphill. Once we get to the lake, you will see Ausangate from very close and time to take the most beautiful pictures then come back to our campsite where we will have our dinner then we will go to our cabins from where we will see how the sunset reflect the Ausangate Mount.

Elevation Gain: 434 m / 1423 ft.
Elevation Loss: 154 m / 505 ft.
Walking Distance: 13 km/ 8.07 miles.
Hiking Hour: 5 hours roughly.
Trailhead Elevation: 4,155 meters / 13,632 feet.
Difficulty:
Campsite Elevation: 4,425 meters / 14,517 feet.
Highest Point: 4,549 meters / 14,924 feet.
Accommodation: Tents
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 2: Upis – Puca Cocha – Ananta

We will wake you up at 5 am with coca tea or coffee delivered to your Cabin and you are given a delicious breakfast for the day ahead. In The morning we hike up to Arapa Pass which is at 4753 masl(15,593 feet) from where we will have an amazing view of colorful mountains then we will go hiking to Puca Cocha where we will have our lunch. Along the way, we are going to observe Llamas and alpacas, Ausangate snow-capped to your left side, and you will have English speaking guide explaining about flora, and fauna and talking about the landscape along the trail. if we are lucky we might see condor, chinchillas, and vicuñas.

After eating our lunch, we will hike up to Pucacocha Pass, from where we will have an amazing view of Ausangate Mountain with 3 lakes below. Then hike down to our campsite of Ananta where we are going to spend the night in our tents. As usual, tents are going to be set up for us to change, take a nap, and have our dinner prepared by our professional chef.

Elevation Gain: 860 m / 2,821ft.
Elevation Loss: 566 m / 1,856 feet.
Walking Distance:14 km/ 8,69 miles.
hiking hours:8 – 9 hours roughly.
Highest point:4,915 meters / 16,125 ft.
Trailhead Elevation:4,425 meters / 14,517 feet.
Difficulty:
Campsite Elevation:4,708 meters / 15,446 feet.
Accommodation:Tents
Meals Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 3: Ananta – Rainbow Mountain – Qesuno – Cusco

Today is the day you have been waiting for. We will wake you up at 03:45 am with coca tea delivered to your tent then we start with first uphill until Warmisaya pass(4981 m-16,341feet) from where you see this amazing Rainbow Mountain in the distance, but you are not quite there yet! From this place you go downhill to circle the lake and keep walking a Peruvian flat until we reach the final uphill to Rainbow Mountain then we have 360 views of the spectacular landscape that surrounds you, Soak in the vistas and enjoy as much as possible the place.

After enjoying the Rainbow Mountain, we have a chance to visit the Red Valley. Then we hike down for about 1 hour to the bus station where we will say goodbye to our horseman. Then we drive for about 3 hours and drop you off at your hotel around 5 pm.