Photo gallery
A glimpse of the journey
Tour overview
Ausangate Trek, thoughtfully organized
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
What makes this trip special
- 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
Detailed itinerary
Your journey, step by step
Times and services are indicative. Your final schedule is confirmed in your written quote.
Cusco to Upis (13 km, about 5 h)
Pickup around 6:00 am and a 3-hour drive through Ocongate and Tinki to the trailhead (4,155 m). Breakfast, then an easy walk through Andean villages to the Upis camp (4,425 m). Optional 2-hour round trip to Upis Lake at the foot of Ausangate. Night in cabins.
Arapa Pass and Pucacocha (10 km, 5–6 h)
Climb to the Arapa Pass (4,753 m), pass the Yanacocha lagoon and reach the Pucacocha camp (4,613 m), surrounded by hanging glaciers. Night in mountain huts.
Two high passes (9 km, 7–8 h)
The hardest day: the Pucacocha Pass (4,915 m), the Red Mountain valley, lunch, then the Warmisaya Pass (4,981 m) with the first view of Rainbow Mountain. Camp at Queullacocha (4,875 m), about 45 minutes from Rainbow Mountain, with a sunset visit if the sky is clear. Night in tents.
Rainbow Mountain and the Red Valley (7 km, 4–5 h)
Reach Rainbow Mountain (5,034 m) around 6:45 am, before the day-trip crowds, then walk through the Red Valley and drive back to Cusco, arriving around 3 pm.
What's included
Clear inclusions, no guesswork
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
Essential trip details
Good to know
Before you travel
Planning guides
Useful reading before you book
Frequently asked questions
Before you book
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.
