Overview
Start a 3-day journey that connects you with the true essence of the Andes. From the vibrant colors of Rainbow Mountain to the pure glaciers that surround Ausangate, discover a unique hike that takes you through landscapes only the Peruvian Andes can offer.
In 3 days, you will walk among turquoise lakes, red valleys, glaciers and herds of alpacas, far from crowds. You will camp at Anantapata with views of Ausangate and at Upis with its thermal views, and finish in the natural hot springs of Pacchanta.
If you want Rainbow Mountain without the day tour crowds, plus Ausangate, Upis Lake and 7 Lakes in one short trek, this adventure is for you.
What to Expect on the Ausangate Trek 3 Days
- Walk to Rainbow Mountain early via Llaqto route, not the crowded Cusipata route
- Visit Red Valley with red trails that look like Mars
- Cross high passes Warmisaya at 5,000m and Apacheta at 4,903m with close views of Ausangate glacier at 6,384m
- Camp in unique places with spectacular views and full camping logistics
- Calm hike away from crowds, only 2 to 8 people
- Visit Upis Lake and the 7 Lakes of Ausangate: Otorongo Male and Female, Azulqocha, Alqacocha, Pukaqocha, Qomerqocha and Orqoqocha
Highlights
- Rainbow Mountain at 5,020m, a natural wonder with mineral colors
- Red Valley viewpoint with 360-degree views
- Upis Lake with Ausangate glacier reflection
- 7 Lakes of Ausangate circuit with crystal clear lakes
- Pacchanta hot springs at end of trek, natural reward after hiking
- Remote camping with spacious tents and local crew
Who Is This Trek For?
This trek is for travelers who want a short but real high-altitude experience. It is moderate due to altitude, not distance, with 12 to 16 km per day. It is perfect if you have 2 days acclimatization in Cusco, you want Rainbow Mountain without crowds, you love lakes and glaciers, and you want to camp under stars. Not recommended for travelers with no acclimatization.
Itinerary Overview: Ausangate Trek 3 Days
This 3 day Ausangate Trek combines the three best highlights of the Ausangate region in one short route. You will hike to the famous Rainbow Mountain, camp at Upis with views of Upis Lake and the Ausangate Glacier, and finish with the stunning 7 Lakes of Ausangate before relaxing in the Pacchanta Hot Springs.
- Duration: 3 Days / 2 Nights
- Trek Style: Moderate, off the beaten path, fully guided
- Group Size: 2 to 8 people
Day 1: Cusco to Llaqto to Red Valley to Rainbow Mountain to Anantapata Campsite
Your adventure starts with an early pickup from your hotel in Cusco. We drive to Cusipata and then continue for about 45 minutes to Llaqto at 4,700 meters, the starting point of the trek.
From Llaqto we begin a steady ascent for about 1.5 hours to the Rainbow Mountain Viewpoint at 5,020 meters. As you get closer, the natural colors appear in layers, forming a perfect rainbow across the mountain. Your guide will give you time for photos and explain the geology of this unique natural wonder, with the massive Ausangate Glacier in the background.
We then continue to the Red Valley. In just 45 minutes you reach the Red Valley Viewpoint. The deep red trails and hills make you feel like you are walking on another planet. This area is much quieter than Rainbow Mountain itself and offers the best photos.
From the viewpoint we hike down to a scenic lunch spot in the middle of the mountains. You will enjoy a fresh, hot picnic lunch prepared by our chef, surrounded by nature.
After lunch we hike for about 2 more hours to Anantapata. To reach our campsite we cross the Warmisaya Pass at almost 5,000 meters. Here you stand face to face with the Ausangate Glacier. Take a moment to breathe the pure mountain air and admire the view.
We arrive at Anantapata Campsite in the afternoon. You will have time to settle in, enjoy hot tea and a delicious dinner prepared with fresh local ingredients, and rest for the next day.
Day 1 Highlights
- Distance: 12.64 km / 7.8 miles
- Maximum Altitude: 5,000 meters / 16,404 ft
- Meals Included: Lunch, Dinner
- Accommodation: Anantapata Campsite with quality camping equipment
Day 2: Anantapata Campsite to Apacheta Pass to Upis Campsite and Upis Lake
After a good breakfast and a warm night in camp, we start our second day. Today we hike towards the Apacheta Pass at 4,903 meters. This is the highest point of the day and one of the best places to admire the Ausangate Glacier, the sacred protector mountain of Cusco. Our guide will share the local Andean tradition and we take a moment to thank Pachamama, Mother Earth, for this experience.
From the pass we descend for about 2.5 hours along the classic Ausangate Trail towards the community of Upis. The trail offers open valleys, herds of alpacas, and constant views of snow capped peaks. On the way we stop for a hot lunch.
In the afternoon we reach Upis Campsite. After settling in, we walk for a few minutes to Upis Lake. This is one of the most peaceful places on the trek. The lake reflects the glacier and you can enjoy the silence of the mountains away from the crowds.
Dinner is served at camp. At night you will sleep under a sky full of stars, the best natural hotel you can imagine.
Day 2 Highlights
- Distance: 16 km / 10 miles
- Maximum Altitude: 4,903 meters / 16,086 ft
- Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Accommodation: Upis Campsite with views of Ausangate
Day 3: Upis Campsite to the 7 Lakes of Ausangate to Pacchanta Hot Springs to Cusco
We wake up early with energy for the final day. After breakfast we start hiking towards the viewpoint of the 7 Lakes of Ausangate.
The trail takes us through wide valleys and close to snow capped peaks. Around midday we reach the Azulcocha area. Our team will be waiting with our last lunch in the mountains.
After lunch we visit the 7 Lakes of Ausangate, each with its own color and character:
- Otorongo Male and Female Lake
- Azulqocha Lake
- Alqacocha Lake
- Pukaqocha Lake
- Qomerqocha Lake
- Orqoqocha Lake
Our guide will explain the names and local stories of each lake while you take your final photos.
We then descend to the Andean village of Pacchanta at 4,100 meters. This is the end of the trail and your reward. You can relax and soak in the natural Pacchanta Hot Springs, with views of the mountains around you. It is the perfect way to recover after three days of hiking.
After relaxing, our private transport will take you back to Cusco. You will arrive in the evening.
Day 3 Highlights
- Distance: 12 km / 7.5 miles
- Maximum Altitude: 4,650 meters / 15,255 ft
- Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
- Optional: Pacchanta Hot Springs entrance included
This is a real Andean trek led by local expert guides from Cusco. We include quality camping equipment, emergency oxygen, first aid kit, mule support for your gear, and meals prepared by a professional trek chef.
Included
- Private transportation to start of the trek
- Professional guide, fluent in English
- Meals as indicated in the itinerary
- 7kgs personal luggage allowance to put on the horses
- Personal duffel bags for your extra luggage to put on the horses
- Spacious tents ; sleeping mats ; dining tent, kitchen tent, toilet tent
- Horses to carry the group’s equipment (food, tents, tables, etc.)
- Emergency horse to ride if you are tired or ill
- Emergency oxygen bottle and first aid kit
Excludes
- Breakfast on the 1st day
- Dinner on the 4th day
- Sleeping Bag –$20 USD per person per trek (It will be clean and warm)
- Air Mattress –$20 USD per person per trek (Therm-a-rest mattresses)
- Walking Poles –$15 USD per pair per trek (Professional Poles that can be extended)
- Personal tent -$30 USD – (Tent for solo trekkers)
- Tips for the crew, guide, cook
Price – Ausangate Trek to Rainbow Mountain 3 Days
$499 USD per person for 2 or more people. Pack horses included for 7 kgs personal gear. Large Eureka 4 person tents for each 2 trekkers. Available almost any day that suits your schedule, minimum 2 people.
- Standard Price – 2 or more people$499 USD
Pack horse included for 7 kgs, duffel bag provided, all camping equipment, entrance tickets to Rainbow Mountain, Red Valley and Ausangate 7 Lakes, hot springs in Pacchanta
- Sleeping Bag$20 USD
Per person per trek, clean and warm, minus 10C, recommended for cold nights at Anantapata and Upis 4,400m
- Air Mattress$20 USD
Per person per trek, Therm-a-rest mattresses for better sleep at high altitude camps
- Walking Poles$15 USD
Per pair per trek, professional extendable poles, recommended for Warmisaya and Apacheta Passes 5,000m
- Personal Tent$30 USD
For solo trekkers only, single tent for more privacy at Anantapata and Upis
- Duffel Bag and Liner Bags – FREEFREE
Included in trek price, duffel for 7 kgs personal gear on pack horses to Upis Lake
- Extra Pack Horse up to 7 kgs – FREEFREE
Will carry sleeping bag, mattress, clothes, duffel included for Anantapata and Upis camps
- Boiled Water – FREEFREE
Included daily along the trek for drinking, bring reusable bottle, available at camps
- Oxygen Tank and First Aid Kit – FREEFREE
Available along the trek for emergency, guide certified Wilderness First Aid for high passes
- Emergency Horse – FREEFREE
Can be ridden if you get tired or sick on ascents to Rainbow Mountain and Apacheta Pass
- Entrance to Rainbow Mountain, Red Valley and 7 Lakes – FREEFREE
All park entrance tickets included in $499 price, including Pacchanta community
What you need to pack for Ausangate Trek to 7 Lakes and Rainbow Mountain 3 Days
35km / 22 miles over 5,050m passes to Rainbow Mountain, Upis Lake and 7 Lakes – 2 nights camping + hot springs – Moderate trek at high altitude
- Original Passport Required
You must carry the original passport you used for your booking. It is checked at Rainbow Mountain and Pacchanta community checkpoints. Name and number must match your ticket exactly. If you renewed after booking, bring both passports. Our licensed guides verify documents the night before in Cusco during briefing.
- Daypack and Duffel Bag – How Your Gear is Carried
As a professional direct local tour operator we provide you with a duffel bag and liner bags at your briefing. We INCLUDE an extra pack horse that will carry up to 7 kgs or 15 pounds including your sleeping bag, mattress and extra clothing. By Peruvian law a duffel must not weigh more than 7 kgs to protect the health of the horses. All bags are weighed before being accepted. In that 7 kgs please count 2 kgs for your sleeping bag and 1 kg for your sleeping pad. This leaves you about 4 kgs for personal gear. If you need more than 7 kgs you must carry the extra weight in your daypack. Horses carry gear to Anantapata and Upis camps.
- Clothing for Your Duffel Bag – 7kg Limit
Pack for extreme temperature changes from -5C at night to 18C in sun. Bring 2 quick dry t-shirts, 2 hiking pants at least, 4 sets of undergarments, 3 sets of hiking socks wool type, fleece or thermals top and bottom, warm down jacket essential, second campsite at Upis is around 3C at night. Waterproof gloves even if they are ski gloves, take them. Comfortable shoes or sandals for camp evenings. Bathing suit for Pacchanta Hot Springs on Day 3.
- Sleeping Bag for -15C – Mandatory
Sleeping bag must be rated at least minus 15C for nights at Anantapata 4,600m and Upis 4,400m. You can rent a clean warm minus 10C to minus 15C bag from us for 20 USD for the whole trek. We recommend bringing a liner for extra warmth. Air mattress Therm-a-rest available for 20 USD for better sleep at high altitude.
- Footwear for High Altitude Rocky Trail
Comfortable waterproof broken in hiking boots with ankle support are mandatory for 35km over rocky, sandy and sometimes snowy trail to 5,050m. Do not bring new boots. Bring comfortable shoes for camp and quick dry towel. We provide small towels, you might prefer something larger. Small bottle of soap provided, we give warm water each day to wash at camps.
- Water Storage – No Disposable Bottles
Bring 2 to 3 liter reusable bottles or hydration bladder, please do not bring disposable plastic bottles. Carry your own water until first lunch spot in Red Valley. After that we provide you with cold boiled water at every meal time at camps. High altitude trek requires strong hydration for Warmisaya 5,000m and Apacheta 4,903m passes.
- Headlamp, Warm Hat and Sun Protection
Headlamp essential with extra batteries for early mornings and toilet tent at night, no electricity along the trek for 2 nights. Bring wool hat for cold mornings, sun hat with brim for strong sun at 5,000m, sunglasses UV protection, sunscreen SPF 50 plus and lip balm. Battery charger or power bank 10,000 mAh minimum, no electricity at Anantapata and Upis camps.
- Rain Gear for Ausangate Weather
Ausangate weather changes fast even in dry season May to September. Bring waterproof jacket with hood, rain pants, and rain plastic poncho that covers your daypack. Essential for Warmisaya Pass and Apacheta Pass where wind and snow are common. Gloves waterproof, fleece layer for layering, down jacket for evenings.
- What to Put in Your Daypack 30 to 40 Liters
We highly recommend a small backpack 30 to 40 liters for hiking in the day. Your duffel will be at camp with horses. In your daypack carry water, sun hat, sunscreen, headlamp, wool hat, rain gear, fleece, snacks like chocolate bars, cereal bars or dry fruits, camera, hand sanitiser, toilet paper and small plastic bag for waste, passport, and extra money. Large backpacks make steep ascents to Rainbow Mountain harder.
- Toiletries, First Aid and Personal Medications
Bring face moisturizer for dry high altitude air, hand sanitizer, wet wipes, toothbrush and paste, toilet paper, personal medications including altitude medication if prescribed, first aid kit with band aids, moleskin for blisters, painkillers. Our guides carry oxygen tank and full first aid kit. Large plastic bags will be provided at office to line your duffel for rain protection.
- Camera, Extra Money and Valuables
Bring camera with extra batteries, cold drains batteries fast at 4,400m. Small dry bag for electronics. Extra money in Peruvian Soles in small bills for tips for crew, first breakfast and last dinner in Cusco are not included, drinks, souvenirs at Pacchanta village, and entrance to hot springs if not included. Keep valuable items to minimum, you can leave extra luggage in our office storage in Cusco for free.
