Rainbow Mountain & Ausangate Circuit

The Rainbow Mountain & Ausangate Circuit are among the most spectacular trekking destinations in Southern Peru. Famous for their breathtaking landscapes, vibrant colors, snowcapped peaks, and rich Andean culture, these mountains offer an unforgettable adventure in the heart of the Peruvian Andes.

Two iconic mountains

These two majestic summits of the Andes embody our favorite leitmotiv which is Nature, Culture, Adventure. When you will explore the natural phenomenon of the Rainbow Mountain, you will not only witness extraordinary landscapes, but you will also meet traditional communities and learn from their culture of the Ausangate region. Rainbow Mountain and Ausangate Circuit 

Learn here about the history, legends and more .

“If you want to discover the real Peru, you need to go to Ausangate» as would say Joel  Southern Peru Explorers’ CEO

. Rainbow Mountain & Ausangate Circuit  Rainbow Mountain and Ausangate Circuit  Rainbow Mountain and Ausangate Circuit 

Rainbow Mountain

This colorful mountain at 5200 m (17060 feet) is placed in the Red Valley and is a part of the Andes range. This makes this location one of the highest you will visit within your trip to Peru, it has a higher elevation than Lima, Cusco, Machu Picchu or any mountain in the Sacred Valley.

Located 100 km away, about 4 hours drive away from Cusco to the southeast, it is more accessible now than it has ever been. Due to roads being created especially for the purpose of tourism, the long multi-day hike through the red valley and the Ausangate region is no longer required. However, we feel it is still the best way to reach this natural wonder. The colorful seams tapering through the rock, which makes this mountain so famous. This geological phenomenon is due to the extreme weather at such a height and the natural sedimentary deposits. Rainbow Mountain & Ausangate Circuit 

Each color represents a certain mineral is present:

• Red – Iron & Oxide Rust
• Yellow & Orange – Iron Sulfide
• Turquoise – Chlorite

The color shades in between indicates an interaction between these chemicals, which produces even more strips of brilliant color, adding to the magnificence of this natural land formation.

Ausangate

Ausangate is the highest trek you can do within the Cusco region, reaching heights of 5,723 meters above sea level (18,776 feet) in the Apolobamba mountain range spreading from Peru to Bolivia. Known as one of the most spectacular trekking routes in the Peruvian Andes, the Ausangate region offers breathtaking landscapes surrounded by glaciers, turquoise lagoons, and snowcapped mountains.

You will be trekking through the snowy mountains of the highlands where remote traditional communities still thrive through farming mainly potatoes and alpacas, two great Peruvian symbols deeply rooted in Andean culture. Along the trail, travelers can experience authentic local traditions and discover the spiritual connection that local communities maintain with the sacred Ausangate mountain, also known as an Apu in Inca beliefs.

Moving through this region, you will be able to see the traditional native way of life, wild alpacas, llamas, and vicuñas, along with the beautifully colorful 7 lagoons and the famous Ausangate summit itself. The circuit is also considered one of the best high-altitude adventures near Cusco for travelers seeking nature, culture, and unforgettable panoramic views of the Andes.

Full high-altitude circuit

The Rainbow Mountain & Ausangate are often mentioned together because they are both located relatively close to each other in the Peruvian Andes. The Rainbow Mountain is lying to the northeast of Ausangate. These two mountains are seen as complementary in both geological and cultural terms. Both are connected by the same Andean spiritual traditions and are considered sacred by the local people. 

While Ausangate is seen as a powerful spirit mountain (Apu) with long-standing reverence, the Rainbow Mountain has more recently gained recognition as a natural marvel with its vibrant colors. The two mountains are part of a greater landscape of spiritual significance for the Andean communities, and both play a role in local rituals and offerings to Pachamama and other deities. To have more information about the spiritual and cultural significance of these mountains, you can have a look to our Rainbow Mountain & Ausangate Information page.