Full itinerary for Vinicunca Ausangate hike
Day 1: Cusco ‐ Ocongate – Tinqui – Upis Village
At the scheduled time travelers will be picked up from their hotels in Cusco, we then start traveling in our private transportation through the South valley with direction to Urcos; where you can still buy some fresh last minute supplies for our trip. Following the road to Puerto Maldonado we will arrive to the village of Tinqui, on the way we will pass several villages and we also will enjoy the beautiful mountain scenery mixed with the Andean people.
The trek to the Rainbow Mountain Peru will start after breakfast provided by our chef, at Tinqui the horseman will pack and load on the horse all the equipment required for this 4 day trek; we will hike for about 3 hours through some local farming lands and communities; we will stop for a refueling lunch with mind blowing views of Mt Ausangate. In the afternoon we will hike for another 2 hours to arrive to Upis hot-springs (4,100 m / 13,448 ft). There we will have chance to enjoy the beautiful hot springs before dinner, and we will set up camp here.
- Meals Included: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner & snacks
- Lowest point: 3,800 m / 12, 464 ft
- Highest point: 4,400 m / 14,432 ft
- Estimated distance of walking: 12 km / 7 ½ miles
- Estimated Walking Time: 6 – 7 hours
- Level of Difficulty: Moderate
Day 2: Upis ‐ Arapa Pass – Pukacocha lake
In the morning we will be woken up by our crew members with a cup of coca tea in our tents; after a delicious breakfast we will set up from the camp and continue our trek to the Rainbow Mountain Cusco. We will hike uphill for about 3 hours to arrive to Arapa Pass (4,850 m / 15,908 ft.). From this point there is a wonderful and breathtaking views of the desert hills, beautiful rock formations, astonishing views of Mt. Ausangate, Ccolque Cruz and Pukacocha itself, this portion of the trail is still part of the challenging Ausangate trek.
After to have our snacks and enjoy the stunning scenery we will walk down, on the way to our camp we will pass some other interesting lakes as: Pukacocha, Hatun Pukacocha, and Qomercocha, which makes the Ausangate trek a unique experience in the Peruvian Andes. This second night Camp is close by the foot of Mt Ausangate.
- Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner + snacks
- Lowest Elevation: 4,100 m / 13,448 ft
- Highest Elevation: 4,850 m / 15,908 ft
- Estimated walking Distance: 12 km / 7 ½ miles
- Estimated walking Time: 7 – 8 hours
- Level of Difficulty: Challenging
Day 3: Pukacocha – Ausangate Pass – Minasmoqo Pass – Surina Cocha
Our day starts again with coca tea wake up! This portion of the trek is probably the most beautiful part of our hike, today we will get to see the famous Rainbow Mountains in the distance, and also we will pass through the traditional village of Alkatauri. This area is totally isolated and there is no vegetation around, but is very amazing and interesting the techniques of the villagers to survive up here and the way how they build their homes.
In the morning we will have a hike of 1 ½ hours uphill until we arrive to the Ausangate pass (4,930 m / 16,170 ft.). From this pass is visible some beautiful red color mountains and if we are lucky we will see Chinchillas and alpacas. After to enjoy all the mountain scenery from the pass, we will descend for 1 ½ hours to arrive to the traditional village of Ananta Pata (4,400 m / 14,435 ft.). where our chef awaits us with a delicious lunch.
In the afternoon we will continue with our Ausangate trek walking for 2 hours to arrive to the next pass called warmysaya. From here we will have our first sights of the Rainbow Mountain or Vinicunca (5,020 m / 16,469 ft). This pass has a lot of offerings of travelers or locals for the tall mountains and Pacha Mama (Mother Earth).The final part of this day will be down-hill hike for about one hour until we arrive to the beautiful campsite at Surine Cocha (4,800 m / 15,748 ft).
- Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner & snacks
- Lowest Elevation: 4,400 m /14,435 ft
- Highest Elevation: 5,023 m / 16,479 ft
- Estimated walking distance: 12 km/ 7 ½ miles
- Estimated walking Time: 8 – 9 hours
- Level of Difficulty: Demanding
Day 4: Surina Cocha – Rainbow Mountain – Llaqto – Cusco
After a delicious breakfast 2 hours of up-hill hike will let us to arrive to the popular Rainbow Mountain Cusco (5,020 m / 16,469 ft.). there will be plenty of time to explore and enjoy of this natural wonder, the guide will show you the best spots to take the best pictures of this incredible mountain formation called Vinicunca Peru. After to explore and enjoy this astonishing Rainbow Mountains we will walk down for 2 hours until we reach Llaqto for lunch
In the afternoon we will have 3 hours bus drive back to Cusco city, we will drop off you at the hotel around 5pm.
- Meals: Breakfast/Lunch
- Lowest elevation: 5,020 m / 16,469 ft
- Highest elevation: 10 km /6.2 miles
- Estimated walking time: 5-6 hours
- Level of Difficulty: Moderate
