raimbow mountain

ausangate hike 6d/5n

TOUR OVER VIEW

  • Tour Type: Hiking, Adventure, Camping
  • Difficulty: Challenging
  • Distance: 70 km / 43 miles
  • Considerations: Good physical condition required
  • Elevation: 4000-5000 msl
  • Duration: 5 days / 4 nights
  • Weather: Cold, temperature may go below 0 degrees at night

INTRODUCTION

Traversing the Cordillera Vilcanota, the Ausangate trek is a less-frequented, high altitude trek that takes hikers over high passes, down into alpine valleys, past turquoise lakes, dazzling glaciers, and through traditional Andean communities. With an average altitude of over 4000meters/ 13,123 feet, the Ausangate Trek is for adventure lovers, looking for a challenging and rewarding experience that is off the beaten path. As Ausangate is one of the tallest mountains in Southern Peru, hikers must have a good level of fitness and pre-trek acclimatization to get the most out of their experience. 

Itinerary

day 01: Cusco - upis
termal baths

We will depart from Cusco at 5.00AM. and drive for three hours to the trailhead at Tinki, an Andean village near the Ausangate mountain. Upon arrival, you will meet your team: the chefs and porters that will accompany you over the next five days. From T’inki, you will make your way to the starting point of Qoñamuro. The first leg of the hike will be about 6 hours walking, with lunch and breaks. By late afternoon, we will arrive at our first campsite, Upis, a marshland located in the skirt of the Ausangate mountain. At Upis you will have the opportunity to soak in natural thermal baths, which locals claim to be medicinally beneficial.

Facts and Figures:

  • Hiking Distance: 5.5 Hours/ 9 km (Approximately 5.6 Mi)
  • Elevation Gain: 120 km (394ft)
  • Highest Elevation Point: 3,000 M (9,842 ft)
  • Considered: Moderate & Relaxing day
  • Meals: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks, Coffee

day 02: cusco upis to
puca cocha

Departing from Upis, we will ascend to the passage of Arapa at 4800m/ 15,748ft. Accounting for lunch and breaks, we estimate 9 hours of walking on the second day to arrive at the second campsite of Pucacocha. This campsite sits among two stunning Lagunas, on the western side of the mountain. If you are lucky, you will bear witness to some mini avalanches up above. Weather permitting, you will be camping below a bright, starry sky.

Facts and Figures:

  • Hiking Distance: 8 Hours (18 km /approximately 11.1847 Miles)
  • Highest altitude: 3,900m (12,795 ft.)
  • Considered: Moderately Challenging day
  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Snacks, Coffee

day 03: puca cocha to raimbow mountain

We will rise and depart from Pucacocha early to begin a 1-hour climb to the Apacheta Pass (4700)  Surimana pass at 4900 m/ …… before descending towards the famous rainbow mountain of Vinicunca. After taking some time to appreciate this unique geological phenomenon, we will continue our descent towards the dazzling Ausangate Cocha laguna. There, we will enjoy a hearty lunch, surrounded by breathtaking scenery. With replenished energy, we will press onwards, ascending two hours to the highest pass on our route, the Palomani at 5190m/ 17,030 feet. Upon summiting Palomani, we will descend towards our campsite, located in Phinaya Valley that awaits us on the other side. Our campsite is close to the local village of Phinaya at an altitude of 4500m/ 14,765ft.

Facts and Figures:

  • Hiking Distance: 9 Hours (18 km /approximately 11.1847 Miles)
  • Highest altitude: 3,900m (12,795 ft.)
  • Considered: Moderately Challenging day
  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Snacks, Coffee

DAY 04: raimbow mountain to jhampa

We will have another early departure with a gentle ascent through the Phinaya Valley. After walking for several hours through the valley, we will make the 3-hour ascent to our final pass, Ccampa at 5180 m/ 16,995ft. After crossing Ccampa, we will hike down for two hours towards our last campsite at the Laguna Otorongo Cocha; a breath-taking spot with three large and three small Lagunas considered sacred to the modern and ancient civilizations that have inhabited this area.

Facts and Figures:

  • Hiking Distance: 7.5 Hours (9 km /approximately 8.7 Miles)
  • Highest altitude: 2,800m (9186 ft.)
  • Considered: Moderately day
  • Meals: Breakfast, Snacks, Coffee (lunch and dinner are not included)

DAY 05 : jhampa to
Pachanta

Our final day will be more relaxed with a later departure from Otorongo Cocha. We will hike down for three hours, towards the community of Pacchanta, at 4200m/ 13,780ft. Once we arrive in the village, you will have the option to soak in the natural thermal baths, or immediately return back to Cusco. If you decide to enjoy the thermal baths, there is also the possibility to arrange our final lunch in the village of Pacchanta.

Facts and Figures:

  • Hiking Distance: 9 Hours (18 km /approximately 11.1847 Miles)
  • Highest altitude: 3,900m (12,795 ft.)
  • Considered: Moderately Challenging day
  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Snacks, Coffee

Inclusions

01

TOUR GUIDES

All of our guides are native to the region and have a true passion for teaching others about their culture and heritage. They have all studied English; as well as several other languages to ensure that communication is clear on your adventures with us. All our guides are experienced with the Inca Trail, and our other high-altitude treks. They will support you and ensure that you are safe and happy throughout your trip.

02

TICKETS - PERMITS

We are one of the few tour operators authorized to operate many treks Including Ausangate Hike and all tickets and permits are included in this magnificent 5-day trek, as well the entrance to Ausangate Hike, The Raimbow Mountain, All campsites, Tickets to the thermal baths, etc.

03

MEALS

Our highly trained chefs cook delectable, nutrient-rich meals, that honor your food restrictions while surprising you with International and Peruvian flavors. Prepare for a superb culinary experience to accompany this unforgettable expedition. Food is typically served family-style, three times a day in our dining tent.

04

horses wranglers

We include horses and wranglers, who is responsible for carrying your duffel bag. There is no additional fee for this, however you will not have access to your duffel bag until the campsite. We strive to keep our horses well cared for and healthy, so we limit duffel-bag weights to 7 kg/ 14 lbs, which should include your sleeping bag

05

DUFFLE BAG

During your briefing, you will receive a personal duffel bag to pack all of your necessary belongings in; and will be carried by our porters. The duffle should not exceed more than 6kgs /15.4 lbs, including your sleeping bag. All other personal items needed, should be packed in a personal day pack.

06

TENTS

We consistently maintain 4-season tents in order to ensure peak performance on our treks. In order to ensure maximum comfort, we provide you with a four-person tent to sleep yourself and one other hiker. If you wish to have your own personal tent to yourself, you can request our first class experience option. 

07

WATER

We always ensure you have plenty of clean drinking water for mealtimes, as well as enough for you to refill your bottle whenever needed. We use fresh spring water running down from the mountains. We require that you bring your own personal water bottle/s or Camelbak. To care for our spectacular environment, we humbly request that you use a reusable non-single-use plastic bottle.

08

TRANSPORTATION

Your transportation from Cusco to and from this trek is included. You will be picked up directly from your hotel in Cusco and taken to the start of your trek in Ollantaytambo. After your return riverside journey on the train, you will reach the train station, where you will be picked up by a van to take you back to your hotel in Cusco.

09

FIRST AID

Every guide is first aid trained, and carries a first-aid kit and oxygen for basic medical problems (traveler’s diarrhea, elevation sickness, cuts, scrapes, etc.). In case of emergencies, every guide is equipped with a satellite phone which will allow for a quick exit off the trail to get you directly to a clinic for treatment, if needed.

10

SLEEPING BAG

You will either receive our North Face or Therm-a-rest down alpine mummy bag, which has an impressive temperature limit of -10C. Boasting quilted blanket interior, foot warmer pocket and a cinchible fitted design. Best of all, these sleeping bags are certified for responsible, sustainable down manufacturing. We  also carry extra blankets, pillows and sleeping bags for your comfort.

11

BRIEFING

The night before your Machu Picchu hike, you can either come to our office or we can come to your hotel lobby for your briefing. During the briefing, you can also meet some of your fellow travelers that you will be with for the next couple of days. Your guides will explain the itinerary in detail, and will give you your duffel bag for you to pack your personal belongings that will be carried by our porters.

12

EXTRAS

We believe it´s the attention to small details that separates us from our competitors. Every hiker receives a small pillow to sleep with, a foam mattress for insulation, a day pack cover to protect their things while hiking, and a rain poncho. We will work hard to create your best experience to remember for a lifetime!

explorer our

TOUR VIDEO

All of our videos capture the very best of what we do, and can give you a real taste of each of the treks and tours we offer. As they say, “a picture is worth a thousand words”, so dive in.

see more

Reproducir vídeo

BEFORE HIKING

Important Information

YOU NEED TO KNOW

This page has all the facts, figures and important questions answered, while allowing you the opportunity to explore the adventure activities in detail.

AVAILABILITY

gallery

Luckily for us the founder of  Southern Peru Explorers is also a professional photographer! All our photos show the very best of what we do, and can give you a real taste of each of the treks and tours we offer. We recently added an option for photography specific tours, which are lead by professional photographers alongside our guides. 

booking

Once you have decided which adventure is best for you and your adventure partners, head over to the ‘Book Now’ tab. This will provide you with a booking form for you to provide your prsonal information. This will directly notify us about your booking, and after payment/deposit, it will reserve your space on the trek/tour you wish to participate in.

PRICE

PER PERSON
  • 2 People $870.00
  • 3 People $830.00
  • 4 People $750.00
  • 5 People $680.00
  • 6 People $640.00
  • +7 People $550.00
BEST deals

01

FILL YOUR INFORMATION

02

PAYMENT METHODS

The amazing staff is waiting for you and your friends/family!

Safe and easy booking in only 3 steps to secure the adventure of a lifetime!

related tours

Southern Peru Explorers directly operates all of our treks in the Cusco region, with world-renowned expertise, as trekking specialists. Following is our top recommended tour expeditions:

Machu-Picchu

salkantay

This amazing trek hugs the bottom of the sacred Salkantay mountain as it passes through Quechua communities and lesser-known Inca ruins before finally ending at Aguas Calientes.

Hiking-Inca-Trail

inca jungle

This adrenaline-packed tour will take you down-hill biking through cloud forests, rafting through rapids, ziplining through trees and trekking on the original Inca trail, making it one

Our-Chef-Teo

inca trail

During this trek you will get to see the traditional weaving and handicrafts, as well as many other parts of the local culture. The trek culminates at Machu Picchu, a World Heritage site and one of