Ausangate to Rainbow Mountain Trek 4 Days & 3 Nights

rainbow mountain tour palcoyo full day cusco

Ausangate to Rainbow Mountain Trek 4 Days & 3 Nights

Embark on the ultimate adventure through the Peruvian highlands with our 4-day, 3-night Ausangate to Rainbow Mountain Trek. This journey is one of the best tours in Peru, taking you through the most breathtaking Andean landscapes. You’ll be amazed not only by the gigantic Ausangate Mountain and its surrounding scenery but also by the world-renowned Rainbow Mountain (Vinicunca), an extraordinary creation of Mother Nature found only in Peru and China. Along this incredible adventure, you’ll witness immense glaciers, crystal-clear lagoons, and herds of llamas, alpacas, and sheep. Forget the busy city and immerse yourself in a unique mountain experience. Observe local wildlife such as vizcachas, the magnificent condor, and vicuñas. Trek the stunning Ausangate route, famous for its imposing natural landscapes, enormous peaks, turquoise lagoons, and alpacas. Conclude your trip at Peru’s astonishing Rainbow Mountain and marvel at its naturally colored geological formations. Join us for this exclusive experience in the mountains of Peru!

Tour Details

Duration

4 Days

Tour Type

Treking

Difficulty

Moderate

Departure & Return

Cusco

Start Time

Group Size

12 people

Detailed Itinerary

Day 01 – Cusco to Upis Community & Wayna Ausangate Lagoon

Explore Wayna Ausangate Lagoon and camp near Ausangate.

Your adventure begins with a very early pick-up from your hotel in Cusco, traveling by private transport for three hours to the Upis community, nestled in the heart of the Cusco highlands, offering stunning horizon views. Here, you’ll meet your trekking team, including cooks and muleteers. You’ll then embark on an uphill trek towards the impressive Ausangate Mountain. After approximately three hours of hiking through farmlands and traditional villages, you’ll reach Upis Camp for lunch. In the afternoon, you’ll have the option to take a two-hour round trip hike to Wayna Ausangate Lagoon, observing typical local wildlife. You’ll return to the camp for a delightful tea time and dinner, spending the night surrounded by the sacred Andean mountains.

Daily Highlights:

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Camping (Upis Camp)
Trekking: 10 km (6.21 miles), approx. 5 hours

Day 02 – Upis Camp to Abra Arapa & Hatun Pukaqocha

Day 03 – Hatun Pukaqocha to Abra Puka, Anantapata & Surineqocha

Day 04 – Surineqocha to Rainbow Mountain, Red Valley & Return to Cusco

Inclusions

What's included

Ausangate trek entrance permit
Rainbow Mountain entrance ticket
Pre-departure briefing the evening before the trek (at 5:00 PM in our Cusco office or your hotel)
Experienced, professional, certified bilingual tour guide (English/Spanish)
Private camping equipment: spacious dining and kitchen tents, tables, chairs, cooking utensils
Portable travel toilet
Duffel bag (for personal belongings, max 5 kg / 11 lbs, carried by mules)
Medical first-aid kit and emergency oxygen
Small sleeping pillow and backpack rain cover
24/7 customer service via phone
Satellite phone for emergencies (carried by guide)
High-quality camping tents (Eureka Timberline or Mountain Hard Wear, 4-person capacity shared by 2 trekkers)
Meals: 4 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 3 dinners (vegetarian, vegan, and special dietary menus available upon request)
Hot drinks and snacks during meals
Boiled, filtered, and chilled water provided daily (bring a 2-liter reusable bottle or hydration pack)
Wake-up coca tea served in your tent each morning
Afternoon tea time / Happy Hour with popcorn, cookies, coffee, hot chocolate, and teas
Daily trail snacks (local fruits, cookies, chocolates, candies)
Fabric snack bag for keeping the environment clean
Basic hygiene products: small towel and hand soap before meals
Private transportation: Day 1 from your Cusco hotel to Upis (trek starting point); Day 4 from Llacto back to your Cusco hotel
Mule support for carrying all camping equipment and your personal duffel bag (max 5 kg / 11 lbs) between camps

What's not included

Sleeping bag (rental available for $20.00 USD)
Hiking poles (rental available for $20.00 USD per pair)
Dinner on Day 4
Personal clothing and trekking gear beyond what is provided
Travel insurance
Tips for trekking staff (guides, cooks, muleteers)
Additional costs or delays due to unforeseen circumstances beyond our control, Any extra costs incurred under these circumstances must be covered by the traveler.

Packing List

What to Bring

Passport or ID
Small backpack
Warm clothing
Waterproof jacket or windbreaker
Trekking pants
Thermal clothing
Gloves and warm hat
Trekking socks
Hiking boots
Sun hat or cap
Sunglasses
Sunscreen
Water bottle or thermos
Headlamp
Trekking poles
Personal toiletries
Personal medication
Camera or smartphone
Power bank
Cash
Energy bars or snacks
Extra clothes
Small bag for personal belongings

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the recommended booking window for this trek?
While it’s possible to book closer to your travel date, we highly recommend booking at least 2-3 months in advance, especially during peak season (May to October). This ensures availability, particularly for desired departure dates and any additional services. The tour is available from March to January, excluding February.

2. Are there any age restrictions or specific fitness requirements for this trek?
There are no strict age limits, but participants should be in good physical condition and have prior hiking experience at high altitudes. The trek is rated ‘Moderate to Challenging,’ requiring sustained effort over several days. We recommend consulting with your doctor, especially if you have pre-existing medical conditions. Children under 17 may qualify for a student discount with a passport copy.

3. What are the bathroom and showering facilities like during the trek?
During the trek, we provide a portable travel toilet for convenience and hygiene at our campsites. Showers are generally not available on the trail due to the remote nature of the camps and cold temperatures. Basic hygiene is maintained with warm water for washing hands before meals, and we recommend bringing wet wipes and hand sanitizer for personal use.

4. Can I charge my electronic devices during the trek?
Due to the remote mountain locations, there are no electrical outlets available at the campsites. We strongly recommend bringing a portable power bank or extra batteries for your camera and other electronic devices. Please ensure all devices are fully charged before starting the trek.

5. Is travel insurance mandatory for this trek?
While not strictly mandatory, we highly recommend purchasing comprehensive travel insurance that covers trekking at high altitudes, medical emergencies, emergency evacuation, trip cancellation/interruption, and lost luggage. Unforeseen circumstances can occur, and having insurance provides peace of mind and financial protection.

Starting at

$500per person

4.9

37 Reviews

Please review our policies before booking your tour.

Do you have any questions?

Feel free to call us. We’re a team of experts and would be happy to speak with you.

Customer Experience

      
   Trails to Machu Picchu
   45 Tripadvisor reviews 
  Write a review 
  
 
 
   
 
 
       Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   Rachel C 
 
 
 
 Verified Thanks Richard Did this four day Salkantay Trek with them as the Inca Trail was sold out. It was very pleasant experience and Richard, our guide took great effort inmaking this trip a memorable one. The camping sites were located in quiet parts of the trek, giving us opportunity to get good rest after a day full of hike. The food were all freshly cooked and authentic. Highly recommend
  
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   Jeniffer P 
 
 
 
 Verified Immervie, cultural and traditional I booked this four day Choquequirao trek after not being able to hike the Inca Trail due to lack of availability. The trip was very well organised, the tour company took care of everything from transport and food to accomodation and entrance tickets. The guide was very nice and spoke good English. The site itself was very less crowded and scenic. Higly recommend visiting Choquequirao if you want to know more about the Incas history.
  
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   Erick W 
 
 
 
 Verified Thanks Richard! Did this two day trek with Richard, our guide. He was very friendly, informative and passionate to share his knowledge about the local traditions and customs. The trek included all meals and were all freshly cooked. The camping sites were located overlooking the valley. The red valley trip was the highlight and i truly enjoyed it more than the rainbow mountain.
  
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   Valery H 
 
 
 
 Verified Viaje mágico ✨️ I took the 4-day, 3-night tour to Choquequirao, and it was definitely an amazing experience. The organization was excellent, the service was outstanding throughout, and the team was always attentive and professional. Plus, the atmosphere was super fun, which made the whole trip even more special. I highly recommend this tour company if you're looking for a well-planned adventure full of great moments 😉
  
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   Miguel Ángel M 
 
 
 
 Verified Choquequirao Hi everyone, I highly recommend the Choquequirao tour (the one I did) with this agency because of all my options, it offered the best guaranteed service. There were no problems, so I'm very satisfied.
  
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   Navigate03655434048 
 
 
 
 Verified Recommended I did the Machu Picchu-Inca Trail tour with this agency, 100% recommended guys, the service was excellent and seeing all these places was simply beautiful
  
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   Navigator25956226682 
 
 
 
 Verified A really wonderfull experience Visiting Manu National Park with this agency was truly the best choice! 👌 The Peruvian rainforest is truly magnificent and wonderful, and the agency really gives you the opportunity to experience the best of it.
  
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   Luis 
 
 
 
 Verified A Remarkable Journey to Choquequirao An unforgettable 5-star adventure to Choquequirao, with breathtaking views, incredible Inca ruins, and a true sense of untouched beauty throughout the trek. The experience was made even better by our tour guide, Richard, who was knowledgeable, funny, and kind—he kept us motivated, shared fascinating insights, and made every moment along the journey even more enjoyable.
  
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   Nancy M 
 
 
 
 Verified The trip of my dreams!!! I'm Nancy and I loved the experience we had with the tour. We had a wonderful experience to remember. The service was excellent, punctual, and professional from everyone who accompanied us. We'll definitely be back, thank you so much! 🤗
  
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   rocio c 
 
 
 
 Verified beautiful experience We had an unforgettable experience with this company visiting Manu National Park for two days. My family and I are very happy to have enjoyed such a well-organized tour. We saw monkeys, birds, snakes, capybaras, caimans, and much more. Thank you for this great experience, Trails to Machu Picchu.

      
   Trails to Machu Picchu
   11 Google reviews 
  Write a review 
  
 
 
   
 
 
       Posted on Google  
   
   Fede 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I did the Machu Picchu-Inca Trail tour with this agency, 100% recommended guys, the service was excellent and seeing all these places was simply beautiful
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   sofi_so 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Visiting Manu National Park with this agency was truly the best choice! 👌 The Peruvian rainforest is truly magnificent and wonderful, and the agency really gives you the opportunity to experience the best of it.
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Luis Fernando Chullo Ochoa 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Tuvimos un viaje inolvidable al parque manu de 2 dias 1 noche. Fue un tour inolvidable para nosotro y lo disfrutamod al maximo. Esta agencia de viajes es muy recomendable, desde el transporte, aalimentacion, guiado profecional y toda la logistica muy bien organizada gracias por todo señores de traisl to machupicchu
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   David Soncco C. (D.v.D) 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Fue uno bonita experiencia realizar el tour al Parque Nacional del Manu por 3 días, los guías super buenísimos que  nos ayudaron a llevarnos una bonita experiencia, muy atentos y super divertidos!!!
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Ahsan 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. They made my day 😊⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Ahsan Visa services 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I had a great experience with them, recommended
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   DivCode 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Very good tour that I have done, highly recommended to know the Inca Trail🙂😌
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Nelly Montalvo Pacco 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Tuvimos la oportunidad de ir con mi familia a conocer Cusco y la experiancia fue única, lo pasamos muy bien desde el transporte, nuestro guía fue muy profesional, la alimentación   excelente. Hizo que mi estancia fuera realmente memorable. Estamos muy agradecidos y recomendamos la Agencia de viajes.
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   david abraham soto lopez 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Buen servicio... me encanto el Guiado de la agencia ... siempre atentos y aclarando cada duda y pregunta con mucho conocimiento.