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Ausangate Trek 3 Days to Rainbow Mountain Vinicunca

This trek takes 3 days/2 nights and ends in rainbow mounatin

3 DAYS / 2 NIGHTS Adventure

23 reviews
Ausangate Trek 3 Days to Rainbow Mountain Vinicunca

Ausangate Trek 3 Days to Rainbow Mountain Vinicunca

This trek takes 3 days/2 nights and ends in rainbow mounatin

3 DAYS / 2 NIGHTS Adventure

23 reviews

Overview

One of the regions that have undergone minor changes by the passing of time is the Andean communities that reside in the mountains of Ausangate. The journey we offer will allow you a glimpse of Peruvian’s living in their natural environment; you will have the opportunity to meet traditional indigenous Quechua-speaking natives who live at an altitude of 14,000 m / 45,932 ft., herding llamas and alpacas. They live in the “Cordillera del Vilcanota” (Vilcanota Mountain Range) isolated region among glaciers, brightly colored lakes, and relaxing hot springs.

Along this Ausangate Trek to rainbow mountain three days, the likelihood of seeing a condor soar is high (South America’s most giant flying bird).  You’ll also be able to witness Andean fauna such; vicuñas, marmots (Vizcacha), geese, falcons, and wild ducks. Although you will be hiking in high elevations, the trek is considered moderate once acclimated.

CAUTION:   Please allow a minimum of two (02) days to acclimate before considering beginning your adventure package

Itinerary

Day 1: CUSCO – TINKI – UPIS

We start at 5:00 a.m. (pick-up at your hotel) and leave the City of Cusco via bus.  We are heading to the “Cusco-Puerto Maldonado Highway” towards Tinki (3,800 m/12.464 ft.).

On the way, we will stop at Urcos, where we can visit a beautiful lake with the same name. Then we will pass to CAPTCHA, a farming community.  Here, we’ll appreciate several spectacular views of the region and finally pass through Ocongate.

After our 3-hour drive, we finally arrived at “Tinki.”  We begin with a light to moderate climb crossing “The Puna” (high dry area with little vegetation) and arrive at our lunch area (3-hour hike).  While enjoying your lunch, you’ll have a fantastic view of the Ausangate Peak (6, 372 m/20,900 ft.).

After lunch, we continued hiking for two hours to get to our campsite called “Upis Alto” 4400 m (14400 ft). Here you’ll have a fabulous view of all the snowy peaks in the area. We’ll camp and dine right before the Ausangate Mountain and close to the hot spring.

Day 2: UPIS – ANANTA

After an appetizing breakfast served by our chef, we ascend hiking for two hours to reach “La Arapa Pass” (4,850 m/15,908 ft.) and then descend to get our lunch.  We’ll view Falcons, Vizcachas, or Andean squirrels and three beautiful lakes with shades of red, green, and turquoise (“Pukacocha,” “Hatun Pukacocha,” and “Qomerqocha”).  Let’s not forget the spectacular landscape of the snow-capped peaks.

After lunch, we continue a slow, steady climb (2 hours), taking us to the footstep of the “Abra de Apuchata” (4,900 m).   Where we will finally descend to our camp in Ananta at night, you Will see an amazing view of the Ausangate glacier

Day 3: ANANTA-RAINBOW MOUNTAIN-CUSCO

Wake up will be with coca tea. After breakfast, we hike gradually uphill for 1 and 45 hours until we reach the Georges Ausangate Trek to Rainbow Mountain (5,030 m / 16,480 ft). Your guide will walk to the best spots to get amazing pictures of these incredible vinicunca rainbow mountains and the other surrounding mountains. Your tour guide will explain why these mountains’ colors are so unique.

After taking pictures and enjoying the view, we will continue the hike until we reach the end of the trek. This is a 2 hour downhill hike. We will have lunch there.

After lunch, we will take our transportation to Cusco and your hotel.

Included

  • Information from your guide the two night before your departure.
  • Pick up from your hotel on your departure.
  • Private transportation with a nice views to Upis ( trail head )
  • Entrance tickets for the atractions
  • The first breakfast on the way, at the beginning of the trek.
  • English speaking tour guide.
  • One professional chef who will prepare delicious food.
  • Horse men and their assistants.
  • Horses to carry all hiking gear such as, tents, food, gas, your bags etc.
  • One emergency horse in case you get tired or you want to try to ride.
  • Camping tent designed for 4 persons , but used only for 2 , for more space and confort
  • 02 Breakfast, 02 Lunch, 02 Dinner
  • Kitchen tent, dining tent, table, chairs.
  • Boiled water is provided in the morning, at lunch time, tea time, and dinner time.
  • Extra warm water for washing proposes every meal time.
  • First aid kit including emergency oxygen bottle.
  • Visit to traditional houses at Ccasccara camp.
  • Foam mat
  • Vegetarian/special diet options available
  • 8 kl (16 pounds) of your stuff included in the price for that we provided to you a duffle bag the night before of your departure.

No Included

  • Water on Day 1, just half day
  • Energy snacks which can very useful such as chocolate and granola bars and dried fruits
  • ** Tips for horse men, cooks or guides

Recommendations

  • The clients that live in places of less than 1000 meters of altitude, we recommend that at least they are in Cusco 2 to 3 days to acclimatize before making this tour.
  • For the best acclimatization, drink the infusion of coca leaves, you must make short walks through the city of Cusco on your own, or you can also hire a short tour like the City Tour, the Sacred Valley, the mines of salt of Maras – Moray or Machu Picchu full day (reservation separately)
  • If you have difficulty in making the trek to the rhythm of your team, then you can hire a horse to ride the entire route. This service has a cost of US $ 12.00 per day.

Packing List

What To Bring

  • A backpack with a change of clothes for the whole period of the trek
  • Rain gear (jacket and pants if available) or rain poncho (plastic ponchos can be purchased in Cusco)
  • Strong footwear, waterproof trekking boots recommended
  • Sandals or jogging shoes for a higher comfort while at camp
  • Warm clothes, including jacket, fleeces. Thermal clothing is also recommended, especially for sleeping. A down jacket is especially recommended for this trek since it runs at high altitude and temperatures may easily drop below freezing in the evening and at nights
  • Flashlight/headlamp and batteries
  • Camera and batteries (batteries consume more quickly under cold conditions)
  • Hat or cap to protect you from the sun, rain and cold
  • Sun block
  • After-sun cream or hydrating cream for face and body
  • Handkerchiefs
  • Toilet paper
  • Snacks: biscuits, energy bars, chocolate, raw fruits, muesli, etc. Please note that we do provide a daily morning snack and our meal service is very complete and well supplied. This recommendation applies for all clients being used to a specific snack, as it may happen that it is not included in our selection
  • Water container and water for the first morning
  • Optionally: water- sterilizing tablets in case you pick up water from streams or rivers along the route.
  • Otherwise, we provide filtered boiled water, which is safe to drink and has not reported any health problem so far
  • Small towel
  • Swimsuit (if you wish take a dip at the hot springs along the route)
  • Cash in soles and/or US$
  • Copy of original passport
  • Optional: walking sticks or poles

Travel Guide

AUSANGATE

Ausangate is the best option for high altitude trekking in the Cusco region. It is a hike through spectacular mountain scenery, snow-capped peaks, hot springs, turquoise lakes and glaciers. We will have the opportunity to meet the native inhabitants who live more than 4000 m. away in the remote region of the Cordillera Vilcanota.

Climate:

  • High Andean (Puna) cold nights with constant rain throughout the year.
  • Minimum: Between 4 °C – 11 ºC Cusco (June)
  • Maximum: Between 7 ºC – 15 °C Machupicchu (June).
  • Rainfall: November to April
  • Total distance: 60 km / 37 miles

Difficulty:

Considerations according to difficulty:

Physical Condition.

Good health condition. It is recommended to pass a medical check-up before your arrival in Peru or before 72 hours of the activity (trekking).

Age: Minimum – 12 years old

Notes:

For minors (up to 17 years and 11 months) must have the authorization of their parents or guardians according to the form “Affidavit of authorization for minors and conditions for the provision of the service”.
For passengers over 65 years of age, it will be mandatory that they have a medical check-up prior to their arrival in Peru or within 72 hours of the activity (trekking).

Acclimatization

High: To have done a hike of one or more days that has exceeded 4800 meters above sea level. Otherwise, it is recommended to stay 07 days in places over 3000 m.a.s.l. before starting the service.

Difficulties of the terrain

Horseshoe trails, with animal crossings, in rainy weather it can be slippery, it is highly recommended to use traction shoes and walking sticks with rubber protection on the tips (protection of cultural heritage). Very steep slopes, people with balance problems and vertigo would not be suitable for this hike/trekking.

Items not allowed

  • Bladed weapons and firearms.
  • Hunting and fishing implements
  • Alcoholic beverages
  • Pets/animals
  • Fuels
  • Transportation vehicles. (scooter)
  • Single-use plastics.
  • Use of bonfires in non-permitted places.

Prices

Number of persons Price per person
1 $620.00
2 $590.00
3 $560.00
4 $530.00
5 $500.00
6 $470.00
7 $470.00
8 $470.00

Permits are needed for your chosen start date. Tour prices are based on the number of people in a group. Prices are valid from March 2022 through January 2023. All prices quoted are $USD

    • group price :  $470 per person

Important: Price includes up to 7 kilos of your personal belongings to be carried by the mules (NO need of extra Porter hire!).

Discounts:

    • Student Discount 20$ dollars
    • Under 15 years will pay as student: US$20.00
    • Under 7 years Discount: US$35.00

Why Choose us

SUMAQ ENCANTO TRAVEL is a Local Travel Agency and Tour Operator with 10 years of experience in the world of tourism. We are specialists in organizing travel packages that include Machu Picchu (the main tourist destination in our country), Adventure tours such as the Inca Trail and alternative tours that also reach Machu Picchu. This article will help you know why you should choose SUMAQ ENCANTO TRAVEL, the local travel agency that personalizes services for demanding clients like you.

Get to know our work and entrust your trip to SUMAQ ENCANTO TRAVEL!

SUMAQ ENCANTO TRAVEL is a local travel agency and tour operator authorized by the institutions that govern tourism regulations in Peru. That is why we have the necessary licenses and permits to operate within our country.

We offer a variety of travel styles for all tastes, our programs are flexible and we can create personalized tour packages that meet all the plans and expectations of our clients. We also carry out tours for clients with disabilities.

We provide personalized assistance 24 hours a day, before and during your trip. When you contact us, you will be assisted by our experts in travel to Peru, who will be happy to assist you and assist you as soon as possible, responding to your concerns and requested information.

We are specialists in offering individual services such as accommodation, travel tickets, entrance tickets to various tourist centers and much more, to make your trip a totally pleasant vacation.

We know you’ll be happy with our service, as evidenced by the hundreds of testimonials from our traveling customers from around the world. See the video testimonials on our YouTube channel, the recommendations and memories of travel experiences on various social networks such as TripAdvisor, which will explain why you should choose SUMAQ ENCANTO TRAVEL for your next 2023 vacation in our country.

About our growth process

Continuous improvement is one of our commitments. One of our principles is that the work of each area is important in order to achieve the best final product. Therefore, throughout our history we have developed various projects with different areas, which have given us the following results:

We have completed the policy of our Integrated Management System as a sign of the guarantee of our organization. Also, read about our mission, vision and values on which we base this company.

Continuous training for tour guides, cooks, porters, drivers, those responsible for various areas such as Sales, Reservations, Operations, Administration, etc., on issues of customer service, quality of service to tourists, knowledge of the route and other issues concerning the tourism industry in Peru. Due to our progress in these areas, we have received the CALTUR 2018 Certification from the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Tourism.

About the Licenses and Authorizations of SUMAQ ENCANTO TRAVEL

SUMAQ ENCANTO TRAVEL – Travel Agency and Tour Operator, meets all the requirements and licenses necessary to operate and offer various services in the field of tourism throughout the Peruvian territory. The institutions mentioned below are in charge of regulating the tourism industry in Peru and we are subscribed to them:

We have the authorization of the DIRCETUR (Regional Directorate of Foreign Trade and Tourism of Cusco), a government organization that promotes competition, sustainability and the diversification of Peruvian exportable products, tourism and crafts.

We are subscribed to PROMPERU (Commission for the Promotion of Peru for Exports and Tourism), an institution belonging to the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Tourism of our country.

We are also subscribed to SERNANP, to be able to operate on the Inca Trail Network. The National Service of Natural Protected Areas by the State, which is a specialized public technical body of the Peruvian government, dependent on the Ministry of the Environment of Peru, in charge of directing and establishing the technical and administrative criteria for the conservation of the Natural Protected Areas of Peru.

On the other hand, we have the recognition of our clients like you, who recommend us through TripAdvisor. You can view their travel testimonials with our company.

If you want to know more about SUMAQ ENCANTO TRAVEL, then you can also visit our YouTube channel, where you will find real opinions from traveling clients like you.

We invite you to read our article on the Responsible Tourism Commitment of SUMAQ ENCANTO TRAVEL.

Among the reasons why choose SUMAQ ENCANTO TRAVEL, one of the main tasks of our organization is to promote responsible tourism. In this context, we handle three basic concepts:

We promote respect for culture, providing our clients with all the necessary information about the tourist destinations to visit so that they are aware of the customs, traditions, beliefs and different ways of life of the residents of the various populations of our country.

We promote the protection of the environment, through the care of the flora and fauna of the various destinations we visit, recycling, reduction in the use of water and electricity. For this reason, we recommend hiring the services of environmentally responsible tour operators like us, SUMAQ ENCANTO TRAVEL.

We are committed to local initiatives, promoting the purchase of handicrafts, the consumption of excellent national cuisine, and support for community projects. You can be part of responsible tourism by helping to conserve the areas we visit and, if you wish, by directly supporting the residents of the local communities.

Why Choose SUMAQ ENCANTO TRAVEL: We are a Team of Travel Experts

SUMAQ ENCANTO TRAVEL has a team of professionals with extensive knowledge and experience in the area of tourism, who work together and efficiently to make your trip a perfect, pleasant, and unforgettable experience. Start dreaming of your next vacation to Machu Picchu with our help.

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