Ausangate more Rainbow Mountain Trek
4 Days and 3 Nights

DAY 01: CUSCO – TINQUI VILLAGE – UPIS HOT SPRINGS

We will leave Cusco very early toward the town of Tinqui in a private van. On the way we will see the impressive Vilcanota mountain range, in addition to several traditional Andean villages and we will take some time to take some photos. When we are in Tinqui (where our hike will begin) while our team will organize all camping equipments of the group and the packages on the horses. Then we will begin our hike through the agricultural communities and enjoy the impressive mountains that surround the Peruvian Andes. Our walk will last 3 hours and then we will have an hour of a stop for lunch. Then we continue for another 2 hours until we reach Upis (4,100 masl / 13,448 feet), in this beautiful place we will have the opportunity to relax in a local hot springs before dinner, it is in this place where we will camp under the stars.

BEAR IN MIND

• Walking distance: 12km = 7,5 miles
• Walking hours: 6 to 7 hours
• Minimum Elevation: 3,800 masl = 12, 464 feet.
• Highest Point: 4,400 masl = 14,432 feet
• Campsite Altitude:  Upis: 4,100 masl = 13,448 feet.
• Place to Visit: Upis Hot Spring
• Physical Grading: 4/5
• Weather: Cold.

DAY 02: UPIS – ARAPA PASS – PUCACOCHA LAKE

We will start our second day of walking, after a great breakfast to recharge energy. We will walk until we reach the Arapa Pass (4,850 masl = 15,908 feet). From there we will enjoy the contrast between the dry desert like the hills and the breathtaking snowy mountain views. Ausangate and Pucacocha. This place has three beautiful lakes with shades of red, green and turquoise (Pucacocha, Hatun Pucacocha and Qomercocha). We will continue our path until we reach our second camp near the Ausangate Glacier.

BEAR IN MIND

• Walking distance: 12km = 7,5 miles
• Walking hours: 7 to 8 hours
• Minimum Elevation: 4,100 masl = 13,448 feet.
• Highest Point: 4,850 masl / 15,908 feet
• Campsite Altitude: Pucacocha Lake = 4400 masl = 14435 feet..
• Place to Visit: Pucacocha Lake
• Physical Grading: 5/5
• Weather: Cold

DAY 03: PUCACOCHA LAKE – AUSANGATE PASS – MINASNIYUQ PASS – SURINE COCHA

Our third day will start with a hot cup of coca tea, as a greeting to the Apus, it will be one of the most beautiful days of the trek. We will see the rainbow mountain in the distance. In addition, we will pass through Alccatauri Village, where we will appreciate the traditional life of its people. This day begins with a climb of 1 hour and a half until we reach the Ausangate pass (4,930 masl / 16,170 feet), here we can see red mountains and also vicunas, chinchillas and alpacas. Then we will descend for 1 hour and a half until we reach the Alccatauri Village (4,400 masl / 14,435 feet). Our stay in the town where we will appreciate the hospitality of the locals with coca leaves offerings to the Apus (Sacred Mountains) and it is something very valuable because this precious Peruvian treasure cannot be cultivated in this climate. Then we will walk 30 minutes to our lunch spot in a rustic home. then we will continue with our trip until the second step for 1 hour and a half until we reach the Minasniyuq Pass. Here we can see our first views of the rainbow mountain (5,020 masl / 16,469 feet) also here we will offer to Pacha Mama (Mother Earth) some candies or cookies as an offering to let us get here. Finally we will walk downhill 1 hour to our camp, Surine Cocha (4,800 masl / 15,748 feet), our camp will be on the shores of the beautiful Lake Surine.

BEAR IN MIND

• Walking distance: 12km = 7,5 miles
• Walking hours: 8 to 9 hours
• Minimum Elevation: 4,400 masl /14,435 feet.
• Highest Point: 4,930 masl / 16,174 feet
• Campsite Altitude:  Surine Cocha = 4,800 masl / 15,748 feet.
• Place to Visit: Ausangate Pass, Surine Cocha
• Physical Grading: 5/5
• Weather: Cold

DAY 04: SURINE COCHA – RAINBOW MOUNTAIN – QUESIUNO VILLAGE – CUSCO

Finally we arrive at the fourth and last day of our trip through the Peruvian Andes, our day will begin with a great breakfast, then we will gradually walk for 2 hours until we reach the famous Rainbow Mountain (5,020 masl / 16,469 feet). Your guide will explain what makes these mountains unique, you will also have time to take the best photos, also you can visit the red valley if you still have energy (optional) then we will continue the trek until we reach Quesiuno Village. After 3 hours of walking we will have our lunch. Finally our private van will be waiting to pick us up. After 4 hours we will arrive in Cusco, after this rewarding and unique experience of your life, we will leave you at your hotel in Cusco. We will arrive around 5:00 pm approximately.

BEAR IN MIND

• Walking distance: 10 km /6.2 miles
• Walking hours: 6 to 7 hours
• Minimum Elevation: 4,800 masl / 15,748 feet.
• Highest Point: 5,020 masl / 16,469 feet
• Place to Visit: Rainbow Mountain
• Physical Grading: 4/5
• Weather: Cold

Includes:

• Bilingual and certified Tour Guide
• A briefing about the trek with your guide the day before
• Pick up from your accommodation in Cusco
• Private transportation to go to the Trail Head
• Andean ceremony, offering to the mother earth on the Ausangate Pass
• Entrance tickets to Ausangate Park, Rainbow Mountain and Red Valley
• A duffel bag where you can put inside 08 kilos from your personal stuff (it will be carry by the horses or mules)
• Horses or mules and muleteer to carry camping equipments and cooking stuff
• Private Transportation to back to Cusco.
• Four season tents (2 trekkers in each one) you will have enough space to put things inside
• Camping equipment (Kitchen tent, portable chairs and table)
• Mattresses
• 3 Meals per day during the trek (food served in a buffet style)
• Professional Cook
• Snack for each day of trekking
• Boiled water to drink during the trek
• Availability of meals to your preference (vegetarian, vegan, gluten free, pesquetarian, etc)
• First Aid Kit, with Oxigen ballon.
• A Survivor T – shirt, for each member of the group

Doesn’t includes:

• Extra expense if you want to buy things along the trail
• Sleeping bags (you can rent from us which cost 20 dollars for a professional one, which can support until -15 degrees celcius or 5 degrees farenheit)
• Walking sticks (you can rent from us which cost 20 dollars for a professional black diamond pair)
• Mineral water (you can buy bottle of mineral water in some campsites)
• First Breakfast and last lunch and dinner
• Extra Horse or mule to carry extra backpacks or to ride, each horse cost (150 dollars per Horse or mule)
• Tips for the team (Is not obligatory but if you wish to do it, it will be welcome)

• Original Passport
• A valid student card if you book this trek as student (25 years old as máximum)
• Travel Insurance card (you have to le tus know the name of your Travel Insurance company and you travel Insurance Number)
• A small Day Pack
• Rain coat or Rain Poncho
• Cold Clothes (For the first and Second day)
• Trekking shirts and trekking pants
• Waterproof hiking shoes
• Bottle of Water
• Flash Light
• Towel
• Toilet Paper
• Sun Block
• Sun Glasses
• Caps or Hats
• Gloves (for the first and second day)
• Insect Repellent (30% DEET Recommended)
• Sleeping Bags
• Walking sticks
• Personal use stuff (Face moisturizer, Handsanitizer, Tooth brush and paste,etc)
• Camera with extra batteries
• Extra money, especially in soles, to buy extra necessities during the trekking, also to tip the team. (optional)

POSITIVE MENTAL ATTITUDE