Ausangate trek 4 days

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Ausangate Trek 4 days Trip overview

The Ausangate Trek 4 Days is your gateway to an authentic Andean experience. Immerse yourself in the beauty of remote villages where locals still speak the ancient Inca language, Quechua, and maintain their traditional way of life. Along the journey, you’ll encounter breathtaking landscapes dotted with hundreds of alpacas, pristine turquoise lakes, and towering snow-capped peaks. If you’re seeking a truly Peruvian adventure far from the crowds, this off-the-beaten-path trek is perfect for you. Discover the untouched magic of the Andes like never before!

Ausangate Trek 4 days Itinerary

Your adventure begins at 6:00 AM with a pickup from your hotel in Cusco. We’ll journey by private van for two hours to the charming town of Tinki, where you can stretch your legs and admire the locals wearing traditional Andean attire. Afterward, we’ll continue for an hour along scenic, bumpy roads to the trailhead, where you’ll enjoy a hearty breakfast and meet our team of horsemen.

Our trek starts at Upispampa, leading us through picturesque villages and streams. After approximately three hours of easy hiking, we arrive at our campsite in Upis, where you’ll stay in cozy private cabins. Following a delicious lunch prepared by our chef, you have the option to embark on a short hike to the stunning Upis Lake (2 hours round trip). From the lake, take in panoramic views of Mount Ausangate. Relax back in your cabin, sipping tea while gazing at the majestic Andes, before enjoying dinner and a magical starry night.

Elevation Gain: 330 m / 1,082 ft
Elevation Loss: 56 m / 183 ft
Walking Distance: 8 km / 4.9 miles
Hiking Time: ~3 hours
Trailhead Elevation: 4,179 m / 13,710 ft
Campsite Elevation: 4,432 m / 14,540 ft
Highest Point: 4,432 m / 14,540 ft
Accommodation: Private cabins
Difficulty: Moderate

Start your day with a wake-up call of coca tea or coffee delivered to your cabin, followed by a nourishing breakfast. Our trek begins with a gradual ascent to the Arapa Pass (4,968 m). Along the way, enjoy breathtaking views of snow-capped Mount Ausangate, grazing alpacas, and colorful lakes. Your guide will share fascinating insights into the flora, fauna, and local culture.

If you’re lucky, you might spot Andean condors, chinchillas, or vicuñas. After crossing the pass, we descend to our campsite at Puca Cocha, surrounded by towering peaks and hanging glaciers. Take some time to explore the nearby lake, home to various waterfowl, including Andean geese and ducks. Dinner will be served in our cozy dining hut, built from traditional Andean materials.

Elevation Gain: 490 m / 1,607 ft
Elevation Loss: 294 m / 964 ft
Walking Distance: 10 km / 6.2 miles
Hiking Time: 5–6 hours
Campsite Elevation: 4,577 m / 15,016 ft
Highest Point: 4,968 m / 16,305 ft
Accommodation: Mountain huts
Difficulty: Moderate/Difficult

This challenging yet rewarding day begins with an early ascent to the Puca Cocha Pass (5,051 m). Marvel at the vibrant colors of the surrounding mountains, glacial lakes, and the majestic Mount Ausangate. From here, we enter the striking Red Mountain Valley, where llamas graze peacefully amid the surreal landscapes.

After lunch, we tackle the second pass of the day, Warmi Saya Pass (4,500 m), offering a distant view of the famed Rainbow Mountain. From the pass, we descend to Queulla Qocha, our campsite for the night. Weather permitting, we may visit Rainbow Mountain at sunset for an unforgettable experience.

Elevation Gain: 723 m / 2,372 ft
Elevation Loss: 468 m / 1,535 ft
Walking Distance: 8 km / 4.9 miles
Hiking Time: 7–8 hours
Campsite Elevation: 4,864 m / 15,958 ft
Highest Point: 5,051 m / 16,565 ft
Accommodation: Camping in tents
Difficulty: Difficult

Today is the highlight of your trek! After an early breakfast, we hike for about 45 minutes to the iconic Rainbow Mountain (5,040 m), where you’ll have time to explore, take photos, and soak in the awe-inspiring views.

From there, we continue to the lesser-known yet equally stunning Red Valley, a 30-minute hike from Rainbow Mountain. After exploring this incredible area, we descend to the bus station to catch our private van back to Cusco. Along the way, we bid farewell to our horsemen and chef, concluding an unforgettable journey. You’ll arrive in Cusco around 3:00 PM, with memories to last a lifetime.

Elevation Gain: 194 m / 636 ft
Elevation Loss: 435 m / 1,427 ft
Walking Distance: 5 km / 3.1 miles
Hiking Time: ~2 hours
Trailhead Elevation: 4,864 m / 15,958 ft
Highest Point: 5,040 m / 16,535 ft
Difficulty: Easy

Included

Accommodation

Instead of sleeping in small tents, we set up a 4-person tent for 2 people to ensure greater comfort.

🍽️ Meals

Meals as indicated in the itinerary (3x Breakfast, 4x Lunch, 3x Dinner).
Professional chef and cooking equipment.
Dining tent and kitchen tent where the chef prepares your meals fresh.
Meals can be adapted to dietary requirements such as vegetarian or vegan. Please inform us in advance if you have specific preferences.
A cup of hot coca tea every morning.
Boiled water provided at the campsites for drinking (to be carried in your own reusable water bottle).

🚗 Transportation

Private transportation from your hotel in Cusco to the starting point of your hike.
Private transportation back to your hotel in Cusco (on day 4).

Local Guides and Team

Professional English/Spanish-speaking guide, plus an assistant guide for groups of more than 12 people.
Horses and horsemen to carry camping equipment, food, and cooking utensils.
All our trekking guides have a minimum of 3 years of experience and are certified. They carry a first aid kit and an additional oxygen bottle for emergencies.
We provide duffel bags during the briefing for personal items (up to 5 kg per person).
Sleeping bag included.

🎟️ Entrance Fees and Briefing

Briefing: You will have a meeting with your guide in our office to review all the details regarding your trip. The briefing will take place between 5:00 PM and 7:00 PM at our Cusco office the day before departure.
Entrance fee to Vinicunca Rainbow Mountain.