Travel to Cusco and go on the pilgrimage of the sacred mountains: Rainbow mountain (Vinicunca) and Ausangate mountain in the Peruvian Andes.
Ausangate (6,398 m) is the most representative mountain of the Andes in the Cusco region and its surroundings offer breathtaking landscapes of mountains, glaciers, lakes and rivers. Moreover, the Andean people are very welcoming and they have retained all their respect for nature. Farmers have excellent skills in raising cattle, vicuñas, alpacas and llamas, which are valued for the quality of their wool and meat. The 3-hour drive from Cusco to Tinqui is excellent preparation for the changes in temperature and altitude as well as to observe Andean life.
Creating incredible memories!
TREK SUMMARY
Day 1 : Cusco – Tinqui – Upis – Arapa pass – Yanacocha
Day 2 : Yanacocha – Paso de Pucacocha – Anantapata
Day 3 : Anantapata – Montaña Arcoíris, Vinicunca – Ausangate cocha
Day 4 : Ausangate cocha – Paso de Palomani – Jampa
Day 5 : Jampa – Paso de Jampa – Pacchanta – Cusco
After picking you up from your accommodation at about 5.30 am in our private vehicle, we’ll drive for about 3 hours to the Tinqui community (4050m/13287 ft). At this point, you’ll meet the rest of the team: cooks and muleteers as well as the horses and mules that will help us carry our equipment and belongings. After loading the animals, the trek starts with a gradual ascent of 2 hours towards the Upis community (4400m/14435ft). Here, we’ll make a stop for lunch and to recover our energy as we are going to continue ascending to the Arapa pass (4800m/15748ft). Then, we’ll go downhill to get to Yanacocha (4500m/14763 ft), where we’ll camp for the night.
After a healthy protein breakfast made by our cook, we’ll continue with our trek to discover amazing colourful lakes on our way to the Pucacocha pass (4900m/16076ft).Then, we’ll make our way to Anantapata (4750m/15583ft), where we0ll spend the night.
After having breakfast, we’ll follow the path around the Kayrawiri lake characterised by its peaks and great valley. Then the path will take us to the top of Rainbow mountain at 5200 masl. After enjoying the place and taking photos, we’ll head to our lunch spot. Along the way, you’ll see the Andean geese nesting in the Anantapa cliffs from where we’ll descend to the Ausangate Cocha campsite.
On this day, you’ll make it to the highest pass: Palomani (5100masl). From this point, we’ll get a spectacular panoramic view of the snow-capped mountain Ausangate. Our path will take us to Finaya Pampa (4400masl) where you’ll see a variety of Anden camelids: alpacas, llamas and vicuñas and we are lucky enough, we’ll get to see some condors too. From here, we’ll walk to our Jampa campsite (4700masl).
After breakfast, the highlight of the morning is the spectacular ascent amidst a cinematic backdrop of peaks and mountains to the Campa Pass (5,050 m). In addition, we will go very close to several lakes of different colours, which are part of a lake circuit. Pacchanta (4,350m) is the place for lunch. After enjoying and relaxing at the hot springs, we’ll return to Cusco.
RECOMMENDATIONS
Optional services to be hired
Note: The group of Porters/Horsemen and horses are only present in the trekking part.
What we recommend that you bring
1. During high season (May to September), it is difficult to ensure the exact date of entry, due to the restrictions set by the Ministry of Culture to limit the number of entries to the Inca Trail and Machu Picchu; therefore, the date of entry to the Inca Trail could vary for one or two days; then we will adapt the program so you can make the most of it.
2. Entrance tickets to Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu mountain: To hike up Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu mountain, it is required to book well in advance, because the entrance tickets are limited to a certain number of people daily. Therefore, we’ll take care of the reservation and confirm your entrance with an additional charge of 75 USD for adults and 55 USD for students.
Note: If you wish to visit any of the extra mountains, please inform us in due time before purchasing the entrance tickets to the Machu Picchu citadel.
3. A solidarity trip: Feel free to bring pens, notebooks, picture books or other school supplies to give to the children’s community school. The villagers will be very grateful. You can also buy bread on the way to share with the locals you meet.
4. Tips: for porters, cooks and guides tips are always welcome. Porters are also very grateful for a small donation, such as school clothes or supplies for their children.
5. Cancellation policy: For any cancellation; the costs already incurred by the travel agency will be at your expense. For more details on the cost of cancellations by certain participants, please refer to articles 6, 6.4 and our cancellation policies in the sales terms and conditions.
For more information, you may wish to check or consult our FAQ, Safe and Healthy Travel, and Flexible Booking with Explorandino.
BOOK NOW!
Entrance to the Inca Trail and Machu Picchu citadel having been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1983. Entrance to Machu Picchu is limited to 4,044 visitors per day. Thus, it is important to book at least 3 months in advance, especially during the high season (between May and September). During the low season, between December and January, it is possible to still have some places available before your visit. However, it’s always best to book in advance.
If you are interested in this trek, please contact us for more information.
Connection to Machu Picchu
It is possible to have the train connection to Aguas Calientes town from Ollantaytambo town to visit Machu Picchu during day 6. Please contact us to verify availability of entrance tickets to Machu Picchu citadel, train tickets and for any more information.
Trek with the Local Pros!
An incredible experience! Our guide Christian is a local expert and we were in good hands the entire trek. I enjoyed learning history from Christian and he knows so much about the land and how people use natural remedies for ...
Ausengate 7 Lagunas
Our guides were so friendly and were very patient when teaching us Quechua words. They brought a lunch for us that was absolutely delicious and very filling. They were also so attentive to food restrictions and allergies. Would recommend to friends
Awesome
I was originally scheduled for the Inca trail hike but ended up doing the sacred valley and Machu Pichu tours due to some last minute schedule issues. The tour operator was very accommodating in setting me up with hotels, train tickets and entry passes. Guides were knowledgeable and they...
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