Ausangate Trek 3 days with Rainbow Mountain + Upis Lake + 7 Lake Hike
Activity Level : Moderate
Overview
Start a 3-day journey that will connect you with the true essence of nature. From the vibrant colors of the Rainbow Mountain to the pure glaciers that surround Ausangate, discover with us a unique hike that will take you through landscapes that only the Peruvian Andes can offer. Enjoy 3 days among lakes, mountains, and glaciers. Are you ready?
HIGHLIGHTS
- Walk through the Rainbow Mountain, a natural wonder unique in the world.
- Visit the Red Valley and feel like you are walking on Mars through its red trails.
- Camp in unique places with spectacular views and the best equipment.
- Enjoy a calm hike away from the crowds.
- Admire crystal-clear lakes with vivid colors
- Hike up to the Upis Lake
- Explore the 7 lakes in Ausangate.
Itinerary
Day 1: Cusco – Llaqto – Red Valley – Rainbow Mountain – Anantapata Campsite
Our adventure will start with a pick-up from your hotel in Cusco to go toward Cusipata, then continue for about 45 minutes to Llacto, the starting point of the hike.
We will get ready and begin the ascent for about 1 hour and a half to reach the viewpoint of the Rainbow Mountain. As we get closer, we will see how the colors lie on the mountain, perfectly forming a rainbow.
After taking pictures and admiring the impressive Ausangate mountain in the distance, we will continue toward the Red Valley, with its red trails that look like another planet.
After 45 minutes, we will arrive at the viewpoint of the Red Valley. Surrounded by so much beauty, it will be time to continue walking down to our lunch spot in the middle of the mountains, where you can enjoy a picnic surrounded by nature.
After recharging energy, we will continue for about 2 more hours toward Anantapata. To reach our campsite, we will cross the Warmisaya pass, located at almost 5000 m.a.s.l. Here you will be face to face with the glacier—take a moment to admire its beauty and breathe the pure mountain air.
In the afternoon, we will arrive at the campsite to enjoy a delicious dinner and hot tea, ready to rest and excited for the next day’s adventure.
Highlights of the day:
- Distance: 12.64 km / 7mi
- Maximum altitude: 5000 m / 16404 ft
- Meals: Lunch, Dinner
Day 2: Anantapata Campsite – Apacheta Pass – Upis Campsite
After a good night’s rest, a new challenge awaits us. Today, after breakfast, we will continue our hike toward the Apacheta pass at 4903 m.a.s.l. This will be the highest point of the day and a great place to admire the impressive Ausangate glacier, the sacred protector of Cusco. Here, we will take a moment to thank Pachamama (Mother Earth) for allowing us to visit such incredible places.
We will then descend for about 2 and a half hours along the Ausangate trail toward the community of Upis. Along the way, we will stop for a well-deserved lunch before reaching our campsite. Full belly, happy heart!
Continue the trail until you reach Upis Lake, where you can enjoy beautiful views and the peace of the mountains. Dinner will be served at camp, and afterward, you can rest under a million stars—the best natural hotel there is!
Highlights of the day:
- Distance: 16 km / 10 mi
- Maximum altitude: 4903 m / 16086 ft
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 3: Upis Campsite – 7 Lakes of Ausangate – Pacchanta
Today we’ll wake up early, full of energy after a delicious breakfast, because the reward is getting close: the Pacchanta hot springs and the 7 Lakes of Ausangate!
We will follow the trail down toward the viewpoint of the 7 Lakes, passing through valleys and snow-capped peaks, enjoying nature on this final part of our adventure.
Upon reaching the Azulcocha area, our team will be waiting to serve our last lunch surrounded by mountains. After this farewell meal, we’ll continue to visit the lakes:
- Male and Female Otorongos
- Azulqocha
- Alqacocha
- Pukaqocha
- Qomerqocha
- Orqoqocha
After taking our last photos, we will descend to the village of Pacchanta, where at the end of the trail, we can relax in the natural hot springs—a true reward after our hike.
After some relaxing time, our transportation will take you back to Cusco.
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
Prices
The Ausangate Trek 3 days is available on almost any day that suits your schedule! We only need a minimum of two people in order to book!
- US$499 per person
Packing List
WHAT SHOULD YOU TAKE WITH YOU ?
- Original Passport (it has to be the same you have used for booking your trek)
- Comfortable daypack (the smaller, the better)
- Water storage: 2-3 litre reusalbe bottles (please do not bring disposable bottles)
- Comfortable hiking boots with ankle support
- Sleeping bag
- Headlamp: essential
- Toilet paper
WHAT TO PUT IN YOUR DUFFEL BAG
As a Professional Direct Local Tour operator we provide you with a duffel bag at your briefing and INCLUDE an extra pack horse who will carry up to 7 kgs or 15 pounds including your 2.5kg sleeping bag, mattress and extra clothing. By Peruvian law, a duffel bag must not weigh more than 7 kilograms (15lbs). This limit is set to protect the health of the porters or horses. All bags will be weighed before being accepted. If you require more than 7 kilograms, it will then be your responsibility to carry the extra weight with your day pack. In this 7 kilos, please count 2 kilos for your sleeping bag and 1 kilo for your sleeping pad. This leaves you about 4 kilos for your personal gear.
- 2 t-shirts
- 2 hiking pants at least
- 4 sets of undergarments
- 3 sets of hiking socks
- Bathing suit for the thermal waters
- Fleece/ Thermals
- Warm clothes, down jacket — 2nd campsite temp around 3º Celsius.
- Waterproof gloves (even if they are ski gloves, take them)
- Comfortable shoes for camp
- Quickdry towel. We provide small ones, you might prefer something larger.
- Small bottle of soap: we provide warm water each day to wash.
- Battery Charger: No electricity along the trek
- Large plastic bags will be provided at the office to line your duffel
- Sleeping bag: It has to be at least -15ºC – This can be rented from us.
TOILETRIES
- Face moisturizer
- Hand sanitizer
- Wet wipes
- Toothbrush and paste
- Personal medications
- First aid kit: band aids, moleskin, etc.
WHAT TO PUT IN YOUR BACKPACK
We highly recommend a small backpack 30 to 40Litres for hiking in the day. A big backpack will not be allowed into Machu Picchu. The remainder of your belongings will be in your duffel bag at camp.
- Water: Please supply your own water until the first lunch spot, then we will provide you with cold boiled water at every meal time. Please bring your canteens.
- Sun hat
- Sunscreen
- Headlamp: essential
- Wool hat
- Rain gear
- Fleece
- Snacks like chocolate bars, cereal bars or any dry fruits
- Rain plastic poncho
- Gloves
- Camera
- Hand sanitiser
- Toilet paper and small plastic bag for waste
- Extra money for souvenirs, drinks & tips
- Valuable items
Why choose our tour services
Small groups
Join a small group of like-minded travellers that, like you, are eager to safely and confidently experience all the things that make our world worth exploring.
Philosophy & values
We are experts in the field of making dreams come true! With a unique experience in all of Cusco, wherever you want to go, we can take you there
Locally based guides
At Hotel Andenes del Inca, we have experienced tour guides. And they are all locals, which means they know the area you are exploring like the back of their hand.
