The Ausangate and Rainbow Mountain trek offer us a spectacular landscape, where glaciers and lakes will surround us, and camelids will accompany us.
Description
Ausangate Peru Rainbow Mountain is one of the spiritual routes, of magical-religious character by the presence of the Cordillera del Vilcanota where the highest peak of Cusco is imposed. Ausangate is a mountain with stripes, of various colors, located in a remote part of the Ausangate region. Before 2015, the Rainbow Mountains of Peru were a little-visited attraction. Recently have they begun to gain international attention among travelers and hikers to Peru. We believe that the Rainbow Mountain of Peru will become as popular as some of the many other well known attractions of Peru. We have specially designed this Ausangate and Vinicunca Trek in response to the requests of our customers. The mountain is known locally as Vinicunca. Cuncaa in Quechua means "neck". The meaning of Vini is unknown, but it could possibly refer to the different colors of the mineral layers that make up the rock formation.
What to Expect
Quick Itinerary:
Day 01: Cusco - Tinki - Pacchanta - Qomerqocha
Day 02: Qomerqocha - Abra Janca - Huchuy Phinaya
Day 03: Huchuy Phinaya - Abra Palomani - Ananta
Day 04: Ananta - Rainbow Mountain - Ananta - Yana Qocha
Day 05: Yana Qocha - Upis - Cusco
Important Information:
Modality: adventure, landscaping and cultural
Departure: daily departures
Accommodation: camping
Travel duration: 5 days and 4 nights
Difficulty: moderate to hard
Group Size: minimum 2 People
Maximum height: 5,150 mt
Itinerary Details
Day 01: Cusco - Tinki - Pacchanta - Qomerqocha
We will leave at 6:30 a.m. In the direction towards the south of Cusco. On the way we will make short stops until we reach Tinki to see some old buildings and enjoy excellent panoramic views. Tinki is a small town where you can see the customs and ancient traditions. It is also the last place to stock up on some supplies and from here we will leave the paved road to continue our trip to the community of Pacchanta (4,200 m / 13,776ft).
When arriving at Pacchanta, while our chef prepares lunch, we will have a moment of relaxation in the thermal waters medicinal springs, this moment will be the only experience in this adventure of Ausangate trek - Mountain of Colors.
After our delicious lunch, we will start walking for 2 and a half hours to our Qomerqocha camp (4,400 m / 14,432 ft).
At 6:30 AM. Our challenge will begin, because today we will ascend to the first highest point of our trek, Abra Janca (5,015 m / 16,450 ft). From here, we will have wonderful views, then we will go down to Hampa Pampa to have lunch. Undoubtedly, while we have lunch we will enjoy a beautiful landscape of the Andes where llamas, alpacas, vicunas, deer, etc. they live under the careful care of the snow-covered high mountains, then we will continue descending until we reach Huchuy Phinaya, our second night of camping.
Travel distance: 12 km / 7.5 miles
Approximate walking time: 7-8 hours
Day 03: Huchuy Phinaya - Abra Palomani - Ananta
Today we will have beautiful sunrise with excellent views towards the high mountains covered with snow.
At 6:30 am, we will start the moderate hike until we reach the highest point of hiking, Abra Palomani (5,130 m / 16,825 ft) . Here, we will be very close to the glacier and we can take many photographs.
After appreciating the scenic beauty, we will descend to the Ausangate lagoon for lunch.
After lunch, we will continue our tour until we reach the Ananta camp where we will spend the third night of Ausangate trek Rainbow Mountain.
Travel distance: 11 km / 6.8 miles
Approximate walking time: 7-8 hours
Day 04: Ananta - Rainbow Mountain - Ananta - Yana Qocha.
Today, we will visit the busiest and most colorful place of this hike, Rainbow Mountain (5,000 m / 16,400 ft).
To be the first tourists to visit, we will have breakfast at 5:30 a.m. At 6 am. We will start 2 and a half hours walk towards the Rainbow Mountain, we will arrive at the viewpoint at approximately 8:30 a.m., we will take many photographs without tourists, then we will go to the red valley (optional). It is another natural wonder and, finally, we will return by the same road to our Ananta camp, where we will have a 1 hour break for lunch.
Passing lunch, we will complete the small part of the walk that we need to get to Yana Qocha, which is the place of our fourth and last camp. In this part of the walk, we will cross Abra Chillka from where we will have fantastic views with many colored lagoons and snow-covered peaks.
Finally, we will arrive at our campsite where we will spend the night among beautiful and rugged mountains formed by rocks.
Travel distance: 15 km / 9.3 miles
Approximate walking time: 8-9 hours
Day 05: Yana Qocha - Upis - Cusco
Today is the last day of our 5-day adventure. We will have breakfast at 6:00 a.m. then we will begin to enjoy the last part of our expedition.
Then, we will walk 4 hours to the Upis community, where we can enjoy the thermo medicinal waters, it will be totally healthy to relax after a long walk.
After our last lunch, we will say goodbye to our muleteer and finally we will take our private mobility to the city of Cusco.
We will arrive at the city of Cusco - hotel at approximately 6 p.m.
Already planning your Inca Trail dates? A few other departures still have discounted spots open this season. The Inca Path Tour combines Lima, Cusco, and the trail itself into one 9-day trip, while the Vilcabamba route offers a less-traveled path to Machu Picchu with the same final destination. Both are shown below with current pricing — reach out if you want us to check specific dates for your group.
Discover Peru’s highlights with our 9-day Inca Path package. Includes Lima city tour, Cusco, Sacred Valley, and the legendary Inca Trail. Permits sell out fast!
Four days, three mountain passes, and a sunrise arrival at the Sun Gate — the Inca Trail is the trek most people picture when they imagine Machu Picchu. Tierras Vivas runs it with licensed local guides and small groups, departures guaranteed for 2026.
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