Photo gallery
Ausangate Trek photos
Tour overview
Ausangate Trek at a glance
Ausangate (6,384 m) is the sacred mountain of Cusco, and this trek circles its glaciers, turquoise lagoons and alpaca herds far from any road. It ends at Rainbow Mountain from the quiet side, before the day-trip crowds arrive. This is a high-altitude trek for experienced hikers.
Our Cusco team checks the services, timings and availability for your dates and sends the options in a written quote.
Journey highlights
Highlights of the Ausangate Trek
- Glaciers and turquoise lagoons around Ausangate (6,384 m)
- Alpaca herds and remote highland villages
- Rainbow Mountain at the end, away from the day-trip crowds
- Small groups of up to 8 hikers
Detailed itinerary
Ausangate Trek itinerary: day by day
Times and services are indicative. Your final schedule is confirmed in your written quote.
Day 1 — Cusco to Upis
We drive about 3 hours from Cusco through the Vilcanota valley and the town of Ocongate to Tinki, at the foot of the Ausangate range, and on to the trailhead (4,155 m). After breakfast, the horsemen load the gear and you start walking through Andean villages and wide grasslands where families herd alpacas and llamas. The trail rises gently toward the glaciers of Ausangate (6,384 m), the most sacred mountain of Cusco. The camp at Upis (4,425 m) has cabins and natural hot springs nearby. If you still have energy, take the optional 2-hour round trip to Upis Lake, right under the ice.
Day 2 — Arapa Pass and Pucacocha
A steady climb takes you to the Arapa Pass (4,753 m), with views of red and ochre mountains. On the far side you walk past the turquoise Yanacocha lagoon and a series of smaller lakes fed by the glaciers. The camp at Pucacocha (4,613 m) sits beneath hanging glaciers, and on a quiet evening you may hear the ice cracking. Nights here are cold, so the mountain huts make a real difference.
Day 3 — Pucacocha and Warmisaya passes
The hardest day. You climb to the Pucacocha Pass (4,915 m) and descend into the valley of the red mountains, where the colors of the minerals show in every slope. After lunch comes the Warmisaya Pass (4,981 m) and your first view of Rainbow Mountain from its quiet side. Camp is at Queullacocha, about 45 minutes from Vinicunca. If the sky is clear, you can walk up for a sunset visit, with the mountain almost to yourselves.
Day 4 — Rainbow Mountain and the Red Valley
An early start takes you to the top of Rainbow Mountain (5,034 m) around 6:45 am, before the day-trip groups arrive from Cusco. After photos, you walk down through the Red Valley, with its deep red slopes and views back to Ausangate, to meet the van. Lunch is on the way, and you arrive at your Cusco hotel in the afternoon.
What's included
What's included in the Ausangate Trek
Included
- hotel pickup and drop-off in Cusco
- private transport
- pre-trek briefing in Cusco
- English-speaking guide, cook and horsemen
- horses for all the gear and up to 7 kg of your belongings (sleeping bag included) in a duffel bag we provide
- cabins, mountain huts and 3-person tents shared by 2
- foam mattress
- dining and toilet tents
- 4 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 3 dinners, daily snacks and afternoon tea
- boiled and filtered water from Day 1 lunch
- Rainbow Mountain, Red Valley and private-land fees
- satellite phone, radios, emergency oxygen and first-aid kit
- rain poncho and backpack cover
- free luggage storage in Cusco
Not included
- sleeping bag rated to −15 °C (rental US$ 20)
- trekking poles (US$ 20)
- riding horse (must be booked in advance; none are available on the trail)
- travel insurance
- tips
Plan with confidence
Duration, difficulty and price
Good to know
Good to know before you go
Planning guides
Planning guides
What to bring
What to pack
- Original passport
- Daypack of 25–30 liters and a refillable 2-liter water bottle
- Sleeping bag rated to −15 °C (or rent one) and a liner
- Broken-in hiking boots, sandals for camp and wool socks
- Thermal base layers, fleece, down jacket, wool hat, gloves, rain jacket and rain pants
- Sunglasses, sun hat and high-SPF sunscreen (the sun is strong at 5,000 m)
- Headlamp, power bank, trekking poles and personal medication
- Cash in soles for the Upis hot springs, snacks and tips
Carry the original passport used to book. Check your confirmed ticket and operator instructions for current baggage and site rules.
Frequently asked questions
Ausangate Trek FAQs
Can I add Machu Picchu?
Yes. Combine it with the Machu Picchu 2-Day Tour after the trek, ideally with a rest day in between.
Ausangate or Salkantay?
Ausangate is higher, colder and wilder, with no villages or roads. Salkantay ends at Machu Picchu and is better known.
How hard is the Ausangate Trek?
Challenging, mainly because of the altitude: about 36–40 km over 4 days, with passes close to 5,000 m and Rainbow Mountain (5,034 m) as the highest point. Spend at least 3 days in Cusco before the trek.
Where do we sleep?
In cabins on the first night (Upis, with hot springs nearby), mountain huts on the second (Pucacocha) and tents on the third (Queullacocha). Tents are 3-person tents shared by 2.
How cold does it get?
Nights can drop to −10 °C, so bring a down jacket and warm layers. The trek runs all year thanks to the shelters, but January and February bring heavy rain.
How much do the horses carry?
Horses carry all the gear and up to 7 kg of your belongings, including your sleeping bag, in a duffel bag we provide.
How big are the groups?
A maximum of 8 hikers. There is no phone signal on the route, and your guide carries a satellite phone, radios, emergency oxygen and a first-aid kit.
Tripadvisor reviews
What travelers say about our team
Reviews of Traveleez Peru SAC, the operator of Machu-Picchu.tours, on our Tripadvisor profile Machu Picchu by Traveleez.
★★★★★
Seamless Last-Minute Machu Picchu Trip!
“The entire process was seamless, and everyone was absolutely wonderful to work with.”
★★★★★
Once in a lifetime experience, curated by kind professionals.
“All this mess of mine was treated with kind understanding, prompt replies, and genuine friendliness.”
★★★★★
Professional attention and impeccable support
“Always responding quickly, clearly, and professionally.”
Translated from Spanish
