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This four-day trek is a high-altitude circuit within the Ausangate region of the Vilcanota mountain range. The route is intended for hikers interested in seeing remote Andean landscapes. It includes a visit to the Rainbow Mountain as part of a longer journey, offering a different experience than the standard day trip to that site.
The tour starts with a drive from Cusco to the trailhead at Upis. The first day consists of a demanding climb to the campsite at Apacheta. The following days continue through high-altitude terrain, passing by colorful lagoons and areas with native wildlife, such as alpacas and vicuñas. Accommodation is in mountain tents for all three nights.
Key features of the tour include crossing high mountain passes, visiting the Rainbow Mountain, and seeing the red sandstone formations near Puca Punta. The trek also provides a look at local Quechua communities. The final day features a visit to the Osqolloñan waterfall before the return drive to Cusco.
This early morning our minivan will drive us from Cuzco (3326m, 10912.07ft) to Upis (4400m, 14435.7ft). We will relax and acclimatize to the higher altitude for a while. A 6-hour hike takes us across Quimsacocha (4797m, 15738.19ft). We hike through a variety of landscapes. The Ausangate region is very colorful with its four lagoons: YANACOCHA, VINOCOCHA, HUCHUYPUCACOCHA, HATUNPUCACOCHA. Then we continue to the Apacheta (4756m, 15603.67ft) area where we arrive for camping and overnight. This is the longest day, with an almost 1000m climb. It looks difficult, but it is worth it.
SNACKS, LUNCH & DINNER
ACCOM: CAMPING (WITH BASIC FACILITIES) – 01
After breakfast, our trip brings us more surprises. We will meet native communities of Quechua-speaking Inca descendants that use the vast altiplano. We will see snowcapped mountains, shepherd’s paths, alpacas, and maybe the Andean condor on the way to the landscape of Vinicunca. A 2-hour more hike takes us toward Alqatarwi, where we will camp for the night.
BREAKFAST. LUNCH & DINNER
ACCOM: CAMPING (WITH BASIC FACILITIES) – 01
This day, after seeing a variety of colorful lagoons and scenery, we will do a long, steady climb with plenty of rest stops. We take the trail to another mountain pass, dropping down by Puca punta. We continue as far as we can towards the red sandstone formations. We will return, camp, and stay overnight.
BREAKFAST, LUNCH & DINNER
ACCOM: CAMPING (WITH BASIC FACILITIES) – 01
Here we will see vicuñas and maybe the famous Andean condor. To shorten the climb, this is a relatively short day and we eventually encounter the waterfall of OSQOLLOÑAN, (CAT WATERFALL). We will have had a marvelous time and arrive in Cusco.
BREAKFAST & LUNCH
This is a personalized and exclusive tour for your private group, whether it’s family, friends, or colleagues. You’ll set the pace, with plenty of time to take photos and fully enjoy the adventure.
The price per person varies based on the size of your group:
You can add these services to your reservation if you wish:
When to Visit The recommended time to do this trek is during the Andean dry season, which runs from May to September. This period provides the best chance for clear skies and stable weather, although conditions can still change quickly.
Recommendations
Climate The climate is of the high Andes. Expect intense sun, strong winds, and very cold temperatures. Days can be pleasant while walking in the sun, but temperatures drop instantly in the shade or when clouds appear. Nights are consistently below freezing.
Local People The Ausangate region is home to some of the last remaining pastoralist communities in the Andes. These Quechua-speaking people live a traditional lifestyle herding llamas and alpacas. Be respectful of their land and customs.
How to Prepare for the Tour You must have a high level of cardiovascular fitness. Prepare by doing long-distance hikes with elevation gain for several weeks or months before your trip. Being physically and mentally prepared for challenging conditions is key.
Recommended Age Due to the extreme altitude and physical demands, this trek is recommended for experienced adult hikers, generally between the ages of 18 and 60, who are in excellent health. It is not suitable for children.
How to Acclimatize Proper acclimatization is mandatory. You must spend at least three full days in Cusco (3,400m) or a similar high-altitude location before starting. This is the most critical step to prevent serious altitude sickness and ensure you can complete the trek safely. During this time, rest, stay hydrated, and eat moderately.
How difficult is this trek? This is a difficult and demanding trek. It involves long daily hikes at very high altitudes with significant elevation changes and is only suitable for people in excellent physical condition.
Do I need previous trekking experience? Yes, previous experience with multi-day, high-altitude hiking is strongly recommended. This trek is not for beginners.
What are the sleeping arrangements? Accommodation is in mountain tents for three nights. A foam sleeping mat is usually provided, but you must bring your own warm sleeping bag.
What is the highest altitude on the trek? The trek consistently stays above 4,400 meters (14,435 ft). The highest passes will be close to 5,000 meters (16,400 ft).
Are meals provided? Yes, all meals are provided from lunch on Day 1 through lunch on Day 4. The food is prepared by a designated cook.
How cold will it be? Very cold, especially at night. Temperatures can easily drop to -10°C (14°F) or colder. You must be prepared with appropriate cold-weather clothing and a four-season sleeping bag.
Is there a toilet at the campsites? A portable toilet tent is set up at each campsite for the group’s private use.
What is the best time of year to do the Ausangate trek? The dry season, from May to September, is the best time. This period offers the most stable and dry weather, though nights will still be very cold.
Do I have to carry all of my gear? You will only carry a small daypack with personal items like water, snacks, sunscreen, and a jacket. Pack animals (horses or mules) carry the larger equipment, food, and the rest of your personal luggage.
Will I have a chance to see the Rainbow Mountain? Yes, a visit to the Rainbow Mountain (Vinicunca) is included in the itinerary on the second day of the trek.
Andes Path Peru is a locally-owned and operated family travel agency and tour operator based in Cusco, built on many years of first-hand trekking experience. As a 100% Cusqueñian company with no external shareholders, we are deeply rooted in our community.
Our vision as a local company is to craft small, customized tours and treks that are exclusively operated by our team of local professionals. We are dedicated to providing a PERSONALIZED and HIGH-QUALITY SERVICE.
We take great pride in our reputation as a RESPONSIBLE & SUSTAINABLE tour operator. We consider our staff to be our extended family and ensure they receive fair wages for their hard work. We are incredibly proud of our team! Without their dedication, we couldn’t offer the exceptional service and create the lifetime experiences our clients cherish.
Andes Path Peru understands the importance of trusting a reliable and honest operator to plan your adventure of a lifetime in Peru. We invite you to read our outstanding reviews and view our certificates of excellence on TRIPADVISOR! We also come highly recommended by publications such as Conde Nast Travelers and Lonely Planet.
To provide a more customized experience for our guests, Andes Path Peru has a strict policy of limiting our groups to a maximum of 8 people. This commitment to small group sizes is a key factor that distinguishes us from other companies that operate with much larger tour groups.
We are incredibly proud of our guides! They are consummate professionals who are fluent in English. They possess a deep knowledge of and a true passion for Inca heritage and history. Our guides are committed to continuous professional and personal growth, constantly researching to ensure you receive accurate and recognized information about Inca and Andean culture. Our crew is fun-loving, engaging, and highly educated. Each guide holds a university degree in a relevant field such as Archeology, Tourism, Botany, History, or Anthropology.
Trekking with Andes Path Peru is a life-changing journey. We offer a fully portered experience where your comfort and enjoyment are our highest priorities. We are dedicated to making sure you have the best possible holiday in Peru, allowing you to interact with local people, explore breathtaking sites, and rediscover remote ancient Inca towns. Our porters will carry your gear, prepare delicious meals, set up your tents in quiet locations away from crowded campsites, and take care of you, allowing you to simply sit back and relax.
We provide the following equipment to our porters at no cost: a jacket, sun hat, warm hat, t-shirt, pants, hiking boots, comfortable duffel bags, a canteen, a supportive girdle to protect their backs, sleeping bags, mattresses, and travel insurance. All of our porters are hired from isolated communities, giving them the opportunity to improve their economic situation and help support their children’s education. We ensure that every one of our porters is treated like family!
The quality of our team (guides, cooks, porters, horsemen) and our top-of-the-line equipment truly makes Andes Path Peru stand out from the competition. For all of our adventure hikes, we include the following:
At Andes Path Peru, we have always believed in the importance of giving back to the local, isolated communities. Therefore, as part of our commitment to responsible tourism, we consistently run social projects and prioritize local hiring.
Andes Path Peru is proud to be able to support our local people. We do more than just employ them; we go back to our grassroots as they share with their families. We are delighted to have this holistic and supportive relationship with our highland employees and their families!