Itinerary for Ausangate Vinicunca trek:
Day 1: Cusco – Tinqui – Upis Village – Hot springs
To begin this adventure travel, trekkers will leave from Cusco early in the morning. You will go for 3 hours of drive to the village of Tinqui. On the way you will pass the South valley of Cusco with some picturesque towns as Urcos and Ocongate. There will be some spectacular views of the tall mountains on the Andes, especially Ausangate in the eastern side.
At your arrival to the trail-head our expert chef will prepare a quick breakfast. While the horseman loads on the horses all the camping gear required for the trip. You begin hiking from Upis Village, with great views of Ausangate in front. The trail goes through the farming fields of the local people. Where you also get to see some cattle and Alpaca herds.
After 3 hours of gentle hike you will stop for a refueling lunch. This section has some houses of the locals, who are farmers and they own hundreds of Alpacas. In the afternoon you will hike for another 2 hours until to reach Upis hot-springs (4,200 m / 13,680 ft). You camp in front of Mt Ausangate. Optional to enjoy the relaxing hot springs, while the sun downs. Dinner will be served by our expert chef.
- Meals: Breakfast/lunch/dinner & snacks
- Lowest elevation: 3,800 m / 12, 464 ft
- Highest point: 4,200 m / 13,680 ft
- Estimated walking distance: 12 km / 7 ½ miles
- Estimated walking Time: 6 – 7 hours
- Level
Day 2: Hot spring ‐ Pukacocha lake – Ausangate pass – Anantapata
In the morning a cup of hot coca tea will be served in your tent to wake up. After a nice breakfast you will leave the camp and continue with Ausangate Rainbow Mountain tour. You will start following a scenic path, hiking 2 hours until to reach Arapa Pass (4,850 m / 15,908 ft.). From here you get a wonderful views of the desert hills around, interesting rock formations, spectacular views of Mt. Ausangate, and Ccolque Cruz in the distance. Then you will walk gentle-down to Lake Pukacocha. 30 minutes further up hike will lead you to the Lunch place. A spot with stunning views of Apu Ausangate the back-side.
After lunch you will hike one of the challenging section of this trip. As you gain altitude some turquoise glacier lakes will show up: Pukacocha, Hatun Pukacocha, and Qomercocha. Ausangate pass is the highest point for this day (4950 m /16120 ft). At this place you get breathtaking sights of all the mountains around. Including the towering Ausangate and some reddish ones in the opposite side. After to enjoy the beautiful mountain scenery you will head to Anantapata for the night (4,400 m / 14,435 ft.).
- Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner + snacks
- Lowest elevation: 4,200 m / 13,680 ft
- Highest elevation: 4,950 m / 16,120 ft
- Estimated walking Distance: 13 km / 8 miles
- Estimated walking Time: 7 – 8 hours
- Level of Difficulty: Challenging
Day 3: Anantapata – Warmisaya Pass – Surine cocha – Vinicunca camp
After a delicious breakfast at the camp of Anantapata. You will begin the hike, with 2 hours of uphill to reach Warmisaya Pass (4900 m/ 16110ft.). This will be another great day, if you are lucky you can get to see the Andean Condors gliding on the mountain top. From the pass is also visible the colorful Rainbow Mountain in the distance. There are many stone pails around, as offerings of the locals for the Apus and Pachamama.
Enjoying all the stunning views, you will descent for one hour to Surine cocha for an early lunch. In the afternoon 2 hours of hike will lead you to the famous Rainbow Mountain (5,020 m / 16,469 ft). Taking great pictures from the top, you will walk down to the camp of Vinicunca. Located in the proximity of Rainbow Mountain Peru
- Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner & snacks
- Lowest: Elevation: 4,400 m /14,435 ft
- Highest: Elevation: 5,053 m / 16,480 ft
- Walking distance: 11 km/ 7 miles
- Walking Time: 6 – 7 hours
- Difficulty: Demanding
- Meals: Breakfast0/Lunch/Dinner & snacks
Day 4: Rainbow Mountains – Red Valley – Llaqto – Cusco
Early wake up! It is time to explore the Rainbow Mountains. You will have chance to arrive to the top for the sunrise. Usually some people plan to get there earliest possible and be the first people at the lookout. After to explore Vinicunca, before the crowds arrive there, you will head to Red Valley. Enjoying the amazing view for the top, the trail will take you to Llaqto bus stop. Where our chef will await for you with the final lunch of the trip.
In the afternoon you will have 3 hours of drive to Cusco hotel. You will arrive back in Cusco around 4:00pm. The end of Ausangate Vinicunca trek Cusco.
- Meals: Breakfast/Lunch
- Lowest: elevation: 5,020 m / 16,450 ft
- Highest: elevation: 7 km /4 miles
- Estimated: walking time: 5-6 hours
- Level of Difficulty: Moderate
Ausangate Vinicunca booking
