Peru Classic Tours

Ausangate Vinicunca trek, 4D

Ausangate, Vinicunca Trek

The Ausangate Vinicunca trek 4 day, is a properly authentic Andean hike. it takes hikers in the most stunning trekking trail with formidable views of tall glaciers as the popular Mt Ausangate (6380m / 21000 ft.) the tallest and most spectacular in the Andes of Cusco. At the beginning hikers will follow the path for the classic Ausangate tour Peru. But after a couple of day of scenic trip, trekkers will turn into the beautiful area of Rainbow Mountains or Vinicunca, with final destination of Red valley.

Our Ausangate Vinicunca trek, gives you the chance to explore the pristine and well preserved landscapes in the cordillera de los Andes. You will go on places, where usually nobody else goes and it will be an authentic rural experience traveling in the land of Alpca herds. This trek is the only one less traveled in Cusco region, accessible for experienced hikers and requires a good acclimatization to the high altitude. So trekkers will connect it as part of the full circuit Ausangate trek 6 day.

Ausangate mountain being the tallest and the most holliest for the locals has a very important significant, considered as the protector & major Apu in the whole mountain range. This is why you find lots of offerings on the passes through the mountains. Ausangate is the area where you still find native Quechuas descendents of the Incas, with its traditions and believes surviving up in the high Andes Mountains in Peru.

Overview

Highlights for Ausangate Vinicunca trek:

  • The stunning  mountain scenery
  • Spectacular red Mountains
  • The incredible Rainbow Mountains of Peru
  • Authentic Andean people
  • Beautiful turquoise color lakes.
  • Spectacular Mt Ausangate and Ccolque cruz.
  • Crystal color Rivers
  • The great hot springs of Upis
  • Typical Andean wildlife (birds and chinchillas)
  • Classic herds of Llamas and Alpacas

Itinerary

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

Inclusions

Included for Ausangate Vinicunca trek:

  • Expert mountain tour guide
  • Pre-Departure Briefing at your hotel 1 or 2 days before the Trip.
  • Private transportation from your Cusco hotel to Tinqui trail-head of Rainbow Mountain tour
  • Private transportation from Llaqto to Cusco hotel
  • Four person tent for each 2 people.
  • Thermarest Inflatable Mattress
  • Kitchen tent
  • Expert chef to prepare the meals
  • Dining tent with tables and chairs
  • Toilet tent to set up at the camp
  • Wranglers and horses to carry all the equipment (food, tents, chairs, table, etc)
  • Horse to carry 7 kg of your personal items
  • Emergency riding horse in case need it
  • Meals:4 breakfasts, 4 lunches, and 3 dinners
  • Hot water for washing at every camp
  • Daily morning boiled and cold drinkable water
  • Emergency oxygen tank and medical kit.
  • Admission fee for Ausangate trail and Rainbow Mountain
Not Included for  Ausangate Vinicunca trek:
  • Sleeping bag (can be rented from us)
  • Trekking poles (can be rented from us)
  • Travel Insurance
  • Day 4 dinner
  • Tips for the crew on your Rainbow Mountain trip (muleteers, chef and guide)

Packing List

You should bring for Rainbow Mountain tour:
  1. Original passport
  2. Down sleeping bag (can be rented from us)
  3. A change of clothes  for cold and warm weather
  4. Toiletries (toilet paper, wet wipes, cleaning towels)
  5. Sunscreen SPF 50+ recommended, sun hat and sunglasses
  6. Head lamp or flashlight
  7. Camera with spare batteries
  8. Binoculars (optional)
  9. Trekking poles (can be rented in our office)
  10. Insect repellent
  11. Little gifts for the villagers.
  12. Little gifts for the local people at the villages.

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