Ausangate to Rainbow Mountain – 6D/5N
Tour Overview
The Ausangate to Rainbow Mountain tour is a once in a lifetime experience that will take you through the most spectacular landscapes of the Peruvian Andes. During this tour, you will have the opportunity to hike the impressive Ausangate and Palomani mountains, while admiring glaciers, turquoise lakes and panoramic views of the highest peaks of the mountain range. In addition, you will visit the famous Colored Mountain, also known as Vinicunca, with its vibrant colors ranging from red, pink, green and yellow.
Full Itinerary
Day 1: Cusco - Tinqui - Upis
We depart early from Cusco traveling by private van to the small village of Tinke to begin our trek through the Rainbow Mountains of Peru. We will see the impressive Vilcanota mountain range and pass through several traditional Andean villages along the way and have time to take some pictures. When we arrive in Tinke, we will have a delicious breakfast prepared by our cook.
Then, our riders will organize all the group’s equipment and packs on the horses and our trek will begin, we will start our tour through the agricultural communities and enjoy the breathtaking views of the mountains. We will hike for about 3 hours and then we will have 1 hour to have lunch, after lunch we continue for 2 hours to reach Upis 4,100 m. / 13,448 ft. There we will have the opportunity to soak in the local hot springs before dinner and camp for the night.
Day 2: Upis - Ausangate lagoon
This early morning, after breakfast we cross the Arapa pass (4,850 m.a.s.l.) from here, we continue for 3 hours through the valley, passing the Pucaqocha lagoon, arriving at Jatun Pucaqocha, then we climb to the Laguna pass (4,850 m.a.s.l.), overlooking the impressive Ausangate lagoon. This lake is fed by the melted snow of Ausangate, here is our campsite.
Day 3: Ausangate lagoon - Rainbow mountain
We have breakfast with the sun, to continue our hike, we will climb a slope to reach the Palomani Pass (5,100 m.a.s.l.), from here we can see the true panoramic view of Ausangate. Then we will descend by a path that is an impressive route, and we will arrive to Vinicunca (Mountain of colors), here we see the magnificent red hill, called for having spots of arsenic stone sediments, in this place we will camp.
Day 4: Rainbow mountain - Ticllaqocha
This day we will arrive to Ticllaqocha, accompanied by the Colorado trails, we will arrive to Paso Apacheta, then we will descend to Huchuy Jampa, from here, we will follow a light trail, Ticllaqocha will be our campsite.
Day 5: Ticllaqocha - Pacchanta
We will wake up early in the morning, have breakfast with a view of the beautiful mountains, then go up the Jampa (5,100 m.a.s.l.) and then descend, observe and appreciate the lakes, and we will continue our trail, always appreciating the beautiful landscapes and then we will arrive to Pacchanta (4,200 m.a.s.l.) where it will be our camp and relax our muscles, we have the opportunity to enjoy the hot springs.
Day 6: Pacchanta - Tinqui - Cusco
Today is the last day of our trek in the Peruvian Andes, so we get up early, have breakfast and descend with all the memories and vivid landscapes, stored in our life history, to the town of Tinque (3,950 m.) and then we go to the imperial city of Cusco.
Inclusions
Included
- Professional bilingual guide (spanish – english).
- Pick up from the hotel.
- Transportation (Cusco – Upis and Tinki – Cusco).
- Entrance fees to the Rainbow Mountain.
- Horsemen and mules to transport equipment, food and personal luggage (7 kilos per person).
- A cook to prepare all meals.
- Meals: 5 breakfasts, 6 lunches and 5 dinners.
- Kitchen equipment: dining tent, kitchen with table and chairs.
- Camping tent.
- Therma-rest air mattress.
- First aid kit.
Not Included
- Last dinner.
- Sleeping bag.
- Trekking sticks.
- Additional horse to ride.
What to bring
- Walking boots (with ankle protectors).
- Waterproof jacket / rain poncho.
- Warm jacket, hat and gloves.
- Comfortable shirts and pants.
- Sun protection cream (factor 35 is recommended).
- Insect repellent minimum 30% DEET.
- Toiletries.
- Personal medications.
- Camera.
- Flashlight with spare batteries.
- Water purification tablets (Micropur recommended).
- Toilet paper.
- Suggested extra contribution.
Pricing & Dates
FAQs
1️⃣ What makes this trek unique?
Walk alongside llamas and alpacas along ancient Inca trails, immerse in local communities, and experience authentic Andean culture.
Packing Guide
Essential Documents
- Original passport (required to enter the Inca Trail and Machu Picchu)
- Valid Inca Trail permit and travel documents (provided by your tour operator)
- Travel insurance information (recommended)
- Student ID (if you booked with a student discount)
Trekking Essentials
- Daypack (20–30L)
- Reusable water bottles or hydration bladder (2–3 liters capacity)
- Comfortable, broken-in hiking boots with good ankle support
- Trekking poles with rubber tips (optional, but highly recommended)
- Waterproof rain jacket or poncho
- Warm thermal base layers
- Fleece or insulated jacket
- Hiking pants and moisture-wicking shirts
- Hat or beanie for cold mornings
- Sun hat or cap for daytime hiking
- Lightweight gloves
Personal Items
- High-SPF sunscreen
- Insect repellent
- Lip balm with SPF
- Sunglasses with UV protection
- Personal toiletries
- Personal medications
- Basic first-aid essentials (blister treatment, pain relief, bandages)
- Hand sanitizer and wet wipes
- Toilet paper or travel tissues
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