Ausangate Trek to 7 lakes and Rainbow Mountain 3 days / 2 nights
Ausangate trek 3 days is a short hike that will take you to see 7 lakes of ausangate the rainbow mountain and the red valley, through impressive landscapes and colorful lakes. If you are looking to see the best part of the rainbow mountain and at the same time get to know the Ausangate mountain this 3 day trek is perfect for you, as you will be the first to arrive at the rainbow mountain around 5:00 PM. You will also enjoy the sunrise without people around you.
The solid ice of Ausangate, the red valleys, the colorful mountains, the turquoise lakes and the impressive peaks of the Ausangate snow-capped mountain make this adventure unique. Due to its lesser known location, the area receives relatively few visitors. This means that you can experience local history almost on your own, surrounded by nothing but spectacular views and mountains stretching across the Vilcanota Mountain Range. Spectacular views of the Andes are found throughout the trek in Ausangate, a journey full of incredible stories, breathtaking views, herds of llamas/alpacas and a visit to Rainbow Mountain.
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What’s included
Not included
What to expect
Itinerary
Day 1: Cusco – pacchanta – 7 lakes – upis
We’ll pick you up from your accommodation at 5:00 am to start our rural adventure and drive for 3 hours, in our private transport, to the town of pacchanta.
PACCHANTA (4,100 m) which is located close to snowy Ausangate Mountain.
When we get there to the small town, we’ll introduce you to the rest of your trekking team of cooks and horsemen. We’ll then be on our way and start by hiking up a wide, ascending path to the northeast face of the impressive mountain Ausangate and 7 lakes
Then we hike into the middle of the Andes mountain range to explore “7 beautiful Ausangate lagoons”, and on the way we will enjoy the view of the majestic Ausangate Mountain at the beginning we will walk about 4 to 5 km. to visit the first lagoon .
After enjoying the 7 lagoons, we headed to the lunch point which is located in the last lagoon at approximately 12:30 pm
After that we will continue this fascinating adventure by visiting other lagoons, to Upis camp side you can enjoy the hot springs when we arrive at the camp perched in the middle of the Andes mountain range, surrounded by Later in the afternoon, We’ll camp surrounded by the sacred mountains of Ausangate who’ll watch over you while you sleep.
- Meals: Breakfast, Llunch and Dinner.
- Accommodation: camps
- Difficulty: moderate
- Walking distance: 14 km /
- Highest elevation: 4,450 m / 14,600 ft
- Camp altitude: 4,250 m / 13,944 ft.
Day 2: Upis Campsite – Arapa Pass -Pukaqocha -Ananta
We will wake you up today with hot herbal tea of coca leaves I your tent to give you the energy boost you need to get going ,after breakfast we begin our second day of the hike.
You will hike very close to the Ausangate glacier peak and will have incredible views of this mountain as well as beautiful lakes and waterfalls. We may see some llamas, alpacas and wild vicuñas (the undomesticated ancestor of the alpaca) and perhaps a rare condor soaring above. We will have a 3-hour uphill hike to reach the first pass (4800m/15,748ft) where you will have magnificent views of the surrounding area. After taking a few amazing pictures we continue hiking gradually downhill for another 1½ hours to our beautiful lunch spot (Puca Cocha).
After eating our lunch, we will hike up to Puca Cocha Pass, from where we will have an amazing view of Ausangate Mountain with 3 lakes below. Then hike down to our campsite in Ananta where we are going to spend the night. As usual, tents are going to be set up for us to change, take a nap, and have our dinner prepared by our professional chef.
- Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner & snacks on the trail, boiled water at breakfast, lunch, and camp
- Accommodation: Camps
- Difficulty: Difficult
- Walking distance: 14km/8.68 mi.
- Highest elevation: 4800m/15,748ft.
- Starting elevation: 4250m/13,944ft.
- Walking time: 8 Hours.
- Campsite elevation: 4700 m/15,400 ft.
Day 3: Ananta -Rainbow Mountain – Cusco
Today is the day you have been waiting for. We will wake you up at 03:45 am with coca tea delivered to your tent then we start with first uphill until Ananta pass(15,090ft-4500m-14,000feet)from where you see this amazing Rainbow Mountain in the distance, but you are not quite there yet! From this place you go downhill to circle the lake and keep walking a Peruvian flat until we reach the final uphill to Rainbow Mountain then we have 360 views of the spectacular landscape that surrounds you, Soak in the vistas and enjoy as much as possible the place.
After enjoying this gem from the Peruvian Andes, we will begin our trek towards the spectacular Red Valley. very few tourists visit this place that seems to be taken from another planet almost like Mars. you will be surprised not only by its incredible beauty but also by the immense tranquility that will surround you, take your wonderful pictures at that point.
After enjoying the sunrise view we hike for 40 minutes down to the buss station . After our private transport will drive us back to your hotel in Cusco – about a 3.4-hour drive that provides nice views of the Andes, passing some traditional villages along the way.
- Meals: Breakfast, lunch & snacks on the trail, boiled water at breakfast
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Walking distance: 10km/6.2137119mi.
- Highest elevation: 5030m/16,568ft.
- Starting elevation: 4630 m/15,190ft.
- Walking time: 6 Hours.
Additional information
What to bring
Everything you need for the day should be kept in your daypack that you carry because all the items you leave with your porter will not be available to you until the evening at the campsite. It is recommended not to hike in cotton or jeans in the event of rain as cotton takes a very long time to dry. It is also recommended to bring true hiking boots or trail running shoes as regular running shoes do not get very good traction, especially when it has rained.
- Sleeping bags and walking poles (poles must have intact rubber bottoms) Recommend a sleeping bag rated for 20F/-7C or below for this trek
- Sleeping bag liner (for your sleeping bag if you wish)
- Mattress pad – while we provide a mattress pad, being rested is essential for a great hiking experience and we find that sleep habits are very individualized. Therefore, we recommend bringing your own pad that you know you are comfortable sleeping on, as well as any other sleep items you might want to have (camp pillow, etc.).
- Sunscreen: the sun is very strong in Cusco
- Sun hat
- Sunglasses
- Lip balm
- Hiking shoes/boots with good, grippy tread
- Hiking pants (or shorts) and shirts (layers)
- Layers – long underwear and/or warm sleep pants for cold nights
- Hand warmers if you wish
- Warm hat, gloves, scarf and thick warm socks (or you can buy a traditional Peruvian hat and scarf – they are beautiful!)
- Daypack and rain cover
- Rain gear – rain jacket and rain pants (optional for the pants), can buy an inexpensive poncho before the trek
- Cash for tipping porters (USD or Peruvian Soles are fine), cooks, horsemen, guides, buying items along the trail, for in town, emergencies, etc. Note: Cash should be in perfect condition (ripped, damaged bills of any kind are NOT accepted anywhere in Peru)
- Swim suit, flip flops, towel for any hot springs you may visit (not every trek/trip has this) if you wish to go
- Sandals
- Torch/flashlight/headlamp (and batteries)
- Insect repellent if you visit Machu Picchu
- Hand sanitizer and face covering (for COVID-19 Pandemic)
- Extra snacks if you wish (beyond snacks provided by us)
- E.g., if you have a favorite protein bar as Cusco doesn’t sell items like this
- First aid kit, including blister protection (though your guide will have one, you may wish to carry one of your own)
- Personal medication and toiletries you might want/need
- Camera, extra memory cards, batteries and solar panel/power bank
- Water bottle or water bladder to refill
- Passport (must be valid 6 months past your final travel dates for most countries)
- Copies of passport (keep copies separate, give to travel friends to keep, etc.)
- Power plug adapter
- Any medications you currently are taking or need/may need
- Small quick-dry pack towels and/or compostable wipes for a quick wipe down at the end of the day.
Please note
Information Before leaving for the Ausangate Trek 3 days To 7 lakes and Rainbow Mountain
We want to make your trip to Peru as memorable and as easy as possible. In this section, you will find speedy answers to all those questions you had about Ausangate trek + 7 lakes and Rainbow Mountain 3 days in one place. Please read the following information carefully – it will help you with any questions about our services.Has another question that we haven’t answered here? Drop us a line, and we will get back to you asap!
Briefing or informative meeting
All information meetings are held in your hotel at 6:00 p.m., one night before the tour begins. If you cannot attend, you must coordinate another time with (TREKS AUSANGATE) . These meetings last approximately 30 to 45 minutes and there you will be given a small duffel bag, in which you’ll put all the belongings you intend to bring on the trek that won’t be in your day pack.
Duffel bag or canvas case
Ou’ll receive a canvas case or duffel bag during your briefing. The porters will take them on the way and will deliver them to you when you get to each camp. They measure 66 cm / 2 ft. Long x 36 cm / 1 ft. Wide.
A maximum of 5 kg is allowed for each duffel bag that includes the weight of your sleeping bag, mat, clothes and other personal items.
Payment of Trek Balance (in Cusco)
The trek has to be paid for in full by at least 7.30 pm two days before departure. For example, if your tour departs on a Wednesday, then you must come to our office before 7.30 pm on Monday.
It would be much appreciated if you pay the trek balance in cash US dollars or local currency. You can withdraw some money from several ATMs along Avenida Sol (either in US dollars or local Peruvian Soles). You can pay by credit card or PAYPAL online, but you will have to pay an 6% service charge, charged by VISA and PAYPAL. We do not accept bank checks or payment of the balance by traveler’s checks.
Any equipment that you are not going to need on the trek can be stored safely in your hotel. Nearly every hotel will provide this service. Don’t leave items of value with your bags, put them in the hotel safe and obtain an itemized receipt (In the unlikely case of theft many insurance companies require that you have a copy of the receipt itemizing all the items). Best put items such as credit cards inside a sealed, signed envelope for extra peace of mind.
Pick up of guests
(TREKS AUSANGATE) Company can pick you up from your hotel, as long as it’s in the Historic Center of Cusco. The pickup time will be coordinated with your guide in the briefing. The pickup time may vary between 30 and 45 minutes due to traffic. Cusco is a very old city, therefore, it has many narrow cobbled streets. Some hotels and Airbnbs may be located on streets without access to cars or on long, steep slopes, making it difficult to transport luggage. We strongly recommend that you book accommodation with good access.
Group tours
Group tours are made up of different types of people. Physical conditions and ages can vary. By agreeing to be part of a group tour, you also accept that some people may be faster or slower than you. Therefore, each person can go at their own pace on the route. It may be the case that a group wishes to modify the tour; however, it will be the guide who decides, after consulting with all the participants, if said modifications can be made.
Strikes and demonstrations
Strikes and demonstrations are usually frequent in Peru and this may interrupt some of our tours. Roads can be blocked and train tracks can be taken over. However, we will try to keep your excursion as planned, even if it means leaving the night before the scheduled date. Under these circumstances, tours may also be cancelled. In case of changes or cancellations, all situations will be coordinated with you by our operations department. Your safety is our highest priority and our decisions will be made to protect it.
Lost objects
You’re responsible for your objects during the tour. Please pay attention to where you leave your things and remember to take everything once you leave our trucks, tents, or restaurants.
Price varies by group size. Get a price quote or ask for a price now
24/7 Assistance
We will contact you as soon as possible, approximately 10 minutes by WhatsApp and up to 5 hours by email.