Ausangate Trek - 3D/2N
Expedition Overview
Ausangate trek 3 days is a short hike that will take you to see the 7 lakes of Ausangate, Rainbow Mountain, and the Red Valley, through impressive landscapes and colorful lakes. If you are looking to see the best part of Rainbow Mountain and get to know the Ausangate mountain, this 3-day trek is perfect for you. You will be among the first to arrive and enjoy the sunrise without the crowds. The solid ice of Ausangate, the red valleys, the colorful mountains, the turquoise lakes, and the impressive peaks make this adventure unique. Due to its lesser-known location, the area receives relatively few visitors, meaning you can experience local history almost on your own, surrounded by spectacular views stretching across the Vilcanota Mountain Range. A journey full of incredible stories, breathtaking views, herds of llamas and alpacas, and a visit to Rainbow Mountain.
Day by Day 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 to the town of Pacchanta (4,100 m), located close to the snowy Ausangate Mountain. We'll introduce you to your trekking team and start hiking up a wide path to the northeast face of Ausangate. We hike into the Andes to explore the '7 beautiful Ausangate lagoons'. After enjoying the lagoons, we head to our lunch spot at the last lagoon around 12:30 pm. We continue to the Upis campsite where you can enjoy the hot springs. We'll camp surrounded by the sacred mountains of Ausangate. • Walking distance: 14 km • Highest elevation: 4,450 m / 14,600 ft • Camp altitude: 4,250 m / 13,944 ft • Difficulty: Moderate
Day 2: Upis Campsite – Arapa Pass – Pukaqocha – Ananta
We wake you up with hot coca tea in your tent. You will hike very close to the Ausangate glacier peak with incredible views, lakes, and waterfalls. We may see llamas, alpacas, vicuñas, and perhaps a condor. We have a 3-hour uphill hike to reach the first pass (4,800 m / 15,748 ft). We continue downhill for 1.5 hours to our lunch spot at Puca Cocha. After lunch, we hike up to Puca Cocha Pass with amazing views of Ausangate and 3 lakes below. Then we hike down to our campsite in Ananta where we spend the night. • Walking distance: 14 km / 8.68 mi • Highest elevation: 4,800 m / 15,748 ft • Campsite elevation: 4,700 m / 15,400 ft • Walking time: 8 Hours • Difficulty: Difficult
Day 3: Ananta – Rainbow Mountain – Red Valley – Cusco
We wake you up at 3:45 am with coca tea. We start uphill to the Ananta pass (4,500 m / 15,090 ft) where you see Rainbow Mountain in the distance. We go downhill to circle the lake and walk a 'Peruvian flat' until the final uphill to Rainbow Mountain (5,100 m / 16,732 ft) for 360-degree views. After enjoying the gem of the Andes, we trek towards the spectacular Red Valley, a tranquil place that seems taken from Mars. We hike down for 40 minutes to the bus station, and our private transport will drive us back to your hotel in Cusco. • Walking distance: 9-10 km • Highest elevation: 5,100 m / 16,732 ft • Hiking time: 5-6 hours roughly • Difficulty: Difficult
Guaranteed departure dates, official DIRCETUR entrance permits, and zero intermediary commission fees when you reserve directly with our Cusco headquarters.
✅ What is Included
- ✓Pre-Departure Briefing at your hotel or our office
- ✓Pick up from your hotel and transportation to Pacchanta
- ✓Professional bilingual trekking guide
- ✓Cook and horsemen team
- ✓Horses to carry equipment and up to 8kg of personal gear (in a duffel bag)
- ✓High-quality tents and camping equipment
- ✓All meals during the trek (Breakfasts, lunches, dinners, and snacks)
- ✓Hot water for washing and boiled water for bottles
- ✓Private transportation back to your hotel in Cusco
- ✓Emergency oxygen and medical kit
✕ Not Included
- —Sleeping bag (can be rented from us)
- —Trekking poles (can be rented from us)
- —Travel Insurance (highly recommended)
Need Custom Itineraries or Private Dates?
Speak instantly with our experienced mountaineering coordinators in Cusco for immediate itinerary customization and permit verification.