Ausangate Trek to Rainbow Mountain 5 Days

It is rated Strenuous / Demanding. Unlike other regional treks that descend into lower cloud forests, this entire circuit remains in the high puna and alpine tundra. You will hike 6 to 9 hours per day and cross four high-altitude mountain passes over 4,800 meters.

• Highest Mountain Pass: Palomani Pass at 5,100 m (16,732 ft) on Day 4.
• Secondary Passes: Campa Pass (5,050 m), Vinicunca / Rainbow Mountain (~5,036 m), Pucacocha Pass (4,900 m), and Arapa Pass (4,800 m).
• Campsite Altitudes: All 4 nights are set at extreme elevations between 4,500 m and 4,700 m (Yanacocha, Anantapata, Ausangate Cocha, and Jampa).
   

A minimum of 2 to 3 full days of prior acclimatization in Cusco (3,400 m) or the Sacred Valley is mandatory. Prior day hikes to moderate elevations (e.g., Lake Humantay or Pisac) are strongly advised to prepare your cardiovascular system.
Route Highlights & Experience

• Glacial Lakes: Polychromatic tarns ranging from copper-red to turquoise and emerald (Yanacocha, Pucacocha, Kayrawiri, Ausangate Cocha, and the 7 Lagunas system).
• High-Andean Wildlife: Native camelids (domesticated alpacas, llamas, and wild vicuñas in Finaya Pampa), Andean geese (huallatas), vizcachas, and occasional sightings of Andean condors.
• Natural Hot Springs: The trek ends at the thermal baths of Pacchanta on Day 5, offering natural hot pools with direct views of the glaciated peaks.
   

Yes. On Day 3, the route deviates toward the mineral-rich ridges of Vinicunca and Lake Kayrawiri before looping back toward the Ausangate Cocha glacial lake. Arriving on foot via this wilderness trail allows hikers to experience the area far away from the standard bus crowds.
 

No. The Ausangate Trek is a remote wilderness and high-mountain circuit through the Cordillera Vilcanota that does not connect to Machu Picchu. It is focused entirely on glacial landscapes, alpine hiking, and traditional pastoral communities.
 

Weather, Seasonality & Campsites

The optimal window is the dry season from May through September, featuring clear skies, minimal precipitation, and bright mountain vistas. Shoulder months (April and October) are also suitable. Trekking between December and March is not recommended due to heavy rain, snowfall, and limited pass visibility.

• Daytime: Cool and crisp, typically 10°C to 16°C (50°F–61°F) under direct high-altitude sun.
• Nighttime: Sub-zero temperatures are standard. Camp temperatures regularly drop between -5°C and -10°C (14°F–23°F).

This is an authentic wilderness trek with minimal permanent infrastructure. Tents are pitched in designated natural areas near local Andean communities. Standard operations use private portable chemical/dry-toilet tents set up at each camp, and there is no cellular coverage or electrical grid along the route.

Gear & Packing Essentials

A four-season sleeping bag rated for comfort down to at least -10°C / 14°F (down or high-grade synthetic) is essential, paired with an insulated thermal sleeping pad (R-value ≥ 3.5).

• Thermal Layering: Synthetic/merino base layers, heavy fleece or down insulated jacket, windproof/waterproof outer shell, thermal gloves, and a fleece beanie.
• Footwear: Sturdy, waterproof hiking boots with rigid soles and deep tread, fully broken-in, along with moisture-wicking wool socks.
• Sun & Eye Protection: UV-Category 3 or 4 polarized sunglasses (glacier glasses recommended to prevent snow/radiation glare), SPF 50+ sunscreen, and lip balm.
• Mobility Support: Adjustable trekking poles with rubber tips (essential for the steep ascents and loose scree descents on Palomani and Campa passes).
• Power & Water: A high-capacity power bank (cold temperatures drain batteries quickly) and a reusable water bottle or hydration bladder paired with water purification tablets/filters.

Safety & Logistics

Horses and local arrieros (porteadores / llameros) carry heavy camp equipment, kitchen supplies, and client duffel bags (usually up to 7–8 kg per hiker). You only carry a daypack (25–35 L) with your daily essentials: water, layers, rain gear, sunscreen, and camera.

Trekking guides carry a medical first-aid kit, a pulse oximeter for daily oxygen-saturation monitoring, and a portable emergency oxygen bottle. In addition, an emergency horse (caballo de auxilio) accompanies the group along the trail if a hiker requires temporary transport due to exhaustion or mild altitude fatigue.

All briefings are done at our office at 5:00 PM one or two nights before your trek. If you are unable to make this time, you need to coordinate another time with a member of the Xtreme Tourbulencia office team. Briefings are approximately 40 minutes long.

Xtreme Tourbulencia is one of the only companies to pick you up directly from your hotel. As long as your hotel is in the center of Cusco city, we will coordinate this pickup based on a time that your guide will discuss at the briefing. Pick up times may vary 30 – 45 minutes based on traffic conditions and previous pickups.

Cusco is an old city with cobblestoned streets and very narrow passageways. Smaller hotels and Airbnbs are often located on streets that cars can´t pass through.

They also are frequently on hillsides with long steep climbs, making it difficult to carry luggage. We highly recommend that you book accommodations with better access. We have a list of hotels that are all comfortable with easy access to pick up and drop off.

Xtreme Tourbulencia is one of the only companies to pick you up directly from your hotel. As long as your hotel is in the center of Cusco city, we will coordinate this pickup based on a time that your guide will discuss at the briefing. Pick up times may vary 30 – 45 minutes based on traffic conditions and previous pickups.

Cusco is an old city with cobblestoned streets and very narrow passageways. Smaller hotels and Airbnbs are often located on streets that cars can´t pass through.

They also are frequently on hillsides with long steep climbs, making it difficult to carry luggage. We highly recommend that you book accommodations with better access. We have a list of hotels that are all comfortable with easy access to pick up and drop off.

You must be honest with your guide about any health conditions or concerns you might have. While our guides are not medical professionals, they do have first aid training. We also work with a clinic in Cusco that can help assist our team.

You are responsible for assessing whether a tour is suitable for you. You should consult your physician to confirm your fitness for travel and participation in any planned activities. You should seek your physician’s advice on vaccinations and medical precautions.

Xtreme TourBulencia will not provide medical advice. It is your responsibility to assess the risks and requirements of each aspect of the tour based on your unique circumstances, limitations, fitness level, and medical requirements.

If you develop extreme altitude sickness or any other illness that prevents you from hiking, and you still wish to visit Machu Picchu by train, we will work with you to coordinate this trip. Since this will be a new trip, it may require additional fees. We will use as much of the original itinerary to keep costs low.

If you experience issues while hiking and can not continue, a porter will accompany you to the closest road and wait while a car comes to pick you up and bring you to the nearest health clinic.

Group tours are made up of all different types of people, with various hiking skills and ages. By agreeing to a group tour, you agree that some people might be slower or faster than you are.

Everyone can go at their own pace for the trek, and the guide will work with the group to spend time with everyone. Groups might request some modifications to the tour, and the guide will work with everyone to make the best decision for the group.

Unfortunately, strikes are frequent in Peru and can disrupt our tours. Roads are often blocked, and trains stopped. We will make sure your trek continues as planned, even if that means leaving the night before your start date.

Under these circumstances, tours might need to be canceled. But our operations department will coordinate with you in this situation. Your safety is always our top concern and will dictate how we decide.

You are responsible for your items throughout the tour. Please be diligent about where you leave your things and remember to remove all items from our vans, your tents, restaurant, etc.

Do not leave anything unintended during your hike. Other trekkers or teams might pick it up not knowing whose it is.

Tipping is part of the tradition of any trek to Machu Picchu. While we pay good wages to our entire team, anything extra is always appreciated. Please know that this is not obligatory and that you should never feel pressured into this.

Typically the participants in a group pool their tipping money together for the porters and chef. The amount recommended is $20 USD per person per trek.

For the guide, this is more personal and needs to be decided based on your relationship with them and done separately from the group. Porters and Chefs prefer soles if possible. Guides are happy with U.S. dollars, Peruvian Soles, or even your credit card.

Travel insurance is inexpensive and strongly recommended. With trips being planned months ahead of time, you never can predict what could happen. Adventure travel includes more risk than the average trip.

Insurance is a way to protect the investment you have made on this journey. We can help recommend an agent to walk you through this type of insurance if needed.

Of course, the weather is unpredictable. Typically the dry season in Cusco is from April through October, but this does not stop rain from falling in June or the sun from coming out in December so just be prepared.

No matter what month you are doing the trek, make sure that you have rain gear that includes a waterproof jacket, pants, poncho, and waterproof gloves. Many people forget about gloves, but being cold and wet makes hiking very unpleasant.

Also, prepare for four seasons. Several of the treks through the Andes involve various microclimates and you will need to be prepared. Layers are always key since they are easy to adjust to different temperature changes. Be prepared with a warm packable down jacket since the evening will be cold.

It’s also important to note that the weather can change a listed itinerary. There are times that routes become impassable, and our guides will be forced for your safety to rework your tour.

At high altitudes, the air contains less oxygen, forcing your body to work harder. Over a few days, your system naturally adjusts, which is why spending at least two full days acclimating in Cusco before any trek is essential.

a) Symptoms & Warning Signs

Altitude sickness often feels like a hangover or the flu. Common mild symptoms include headache, fatigue, dizziness, loss of appetite, nausea, and mild shortness of breath during exertion. If symptoms become severe, alert your guide immediately so they can assist you or connect you with medical care.

b) Essential Prevention Tips

• Hydrate Strategically: Drink plenty of water and traditional coca tea, which naturally helps oxygenate your blood.
• Substances to Avoid: Limit alcohol, coffee, smoking, and sleeping pills, as they cause dehydration, reduce oxygen intake, or slow nocturnal breathing.
• Pace Yourself: Trekking is not a race. Walk slowly and steadily to allow your body to continuously adapt to the elevation.
• Preventative Medication: Consult your doctor about medications like acetazolamide (Diamox) to start two days before arriving at high altitude.

Relax, take activities at an easy pace, stay well-hydrated, and immediately notify your guide if you start feeling unwell.

The airport in Cusco currently is only for domestic flights, so all international travelers by plane must disembark in Lima and go through Customs. Even if your flight to Cusco is the same day by the same airline carrier, you must grab your bags in Lima and then check them back in.

The best way to get to Cusco is by air, and there are several options in airlines. LATAM tends to be the most expensive but has the most options and flights. Expect delays or flight cancellations. Due to the high altitude of Cusco, it tends to be difficult to land, and any inclement weather will stop air traffic.

Bus travel is always available, and while the trip can be long, especially from Lima, the buses in Peru are very well maintained and comfortable. This option is strongly encouraged if coming from a city closer to Cusco, like Puno. Lima buses will take about 20 hours to arrive.