Ausangate and Rainbow Mountain 4 Days from the Glaciers to Vinicunca
Hot springs at Upis, red and turquoise lakes beneath the Ausangate glacier, passes near 5,000 m and a final walk to Rainbow Mountain from the side the day tours never see, from $450.
This trek is the most rewarding way to reach Rainbow Mountain: instead of a day trip with hundreds of other visitors, you arrive on foot after three days in the high Vilcanota range, sleeping beside lakes and glaciers of Ausangate (6,384 m), the sacred mountain of Cusco.
Day one ends at Upis and its hot springs. Day two crosses the Arapa pass (4,850 m) to the red, green and turquoise lakes of Pucacocha and Qomercocha. Day three climbs the Ausangate pass (4,930 m) and the Minasniyuq pass to camp at Surine lake, and on day four a two-hour walk brings you to the striped ridge of Vinicunca (5,030 m) before lunch at Quesiuno and the drive back to Cusco. Private transport, a cook, horses and camping gear are included for US $450. Read our 4-day trek guide.
Reach Vinicunca on the last morning, from the quiet side of the mountain.
Ausangate, 6,384 m
Three days beneath the glaciers of the most sacred peak in Cusco.
Lakes of many colours
Pucacocha, Hatun Pucacocha and Qomercocha in red, green and turquoise.
Upis hot springs
A warm soak at the end of the first day on the trail.
Passes near 5,000 m
Arapa (4,850 m), Ausangate (4,930 m) and Minasniyuq, with wide Andean views.
Andean wildlife
Vicuñas, viscachas, alpacas and llamas across the high puna.
A traditional offering
A Pacha Mama ceremony on the pass facing the Rainbow Mountains.
Full camping support
A cook, horses, an emergency horse, oxygen and a medical kit.
Day-by-day itinerary
Your complete day-by-day itinerary for the Ausangate and Rainbow Mountain 4 Days, with distances, altitudes, meals and what to expect each day.
DAY 1
Cusco to Tinki and Upis hot springs
A private van through the Vilcanota range reaches Tinki for breakfast, then you trek through farming communities about three hours to lunch and on to Upis (4,100 m), with hot springs to soak in before dinner.
Distance
12 km / 7.5 mi
Duration
6–7 hours
Max altitude
4,400 m
Campsite
4,100 m
Meals
Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Difficulty
Moderate to hard
DAY 2
Upis, Arapa Pass and Pucacocha
You climb the Arapa Pass (4,850 m) for a striking contrast of arid hills and snow peaks, with the red, green and turquoise lakes of Pucacocha, Hatun Pucacocha and Qomercocha, camping near the Ausangate Glacier.
Distance
12 km / 7.5 mi
Duration
7–8 hours
Max altitude
4,850 m
Meals
Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Difficulty
Hard
DAY 3
Pucacocha, Ausangate Pass and Surine Cocha
Over the Ausangate Pass (4,930 m) you reach red mountains and the village of Alccatauri, then climb to the Minasniyuq Pass for first views of the Rainbow Mountains (5,030 m) and a Pacha Mama offering, camping by Surine lake (4,800 m).
Distance
12 km / 7.5 mi
Duration
8–9 hours
Max altitude
5,023 m
Campsite
4,800 m
Meals
Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Difficulty
Hard
DAY 4
Rainbow Mountain and return to Cusco
A two-hour hike reaches the famous Rainbow Mountain (5,030 m) for its mineral-striped colors and surrounding peaks, then you descend to Quesiuno for lunch and drive 3.5 hours back to Cusco, arriving around 6:00 PM.
Distance
10 km
Duration
5–6 hours
Max altitude
5,030 m
Meals
Breakfast, lunch
Return
Private van to Cusco
Difficulty
Hard
Inclusions & exclusions
Exactly what is covered in your Ausangate and Rainbow Mountain 4 Days tour — and what to budget separately.
What's Included
Bilingual professional guide (English and Spanish)
Pre-trek briefing at your hotel
Private transport from Cusco to the trailhead and back
Full camping equipment, dining tent and portable restroom
Chef and kitchen assistant
Muleteer, horses and an emergency horse
Breakfasts, lunches and dinners as detailed
Boiled and cold water
Emergency oxygen and medical kit
Entrance ticket (Ausangate / Rainbow Mountain)
Special final dinner
Not Included
Sleeping bag (rent, $40)
Trekking poles (rent, $15)
Optional activities and souvenirs
Tips and gratuities
Before you go
A few essentials we recommend to make your Ausangate and Rainbow Mountain 4 Days day the most rewarding possible.
Acclimatize in Cusco first
Spend a day or two in Cusco (3,400 m) before this high-altitude trek. Hydrate well, eat light, drink coca tea and avoid alcohol. Our guides carry oxygen and a first aid kit throughout.
Physical fitness
Challenging. Four days at very high altitude, with stages of 5–7 hours and a highest point of about 5,030 m around Rainbow Mountain. Recommended for fit hikers who have spent at least three days in Cusco.
Best time to go
Dry season: April to October, with clear skies and firm trails; nights at camp are cold, especially from June to August. From December to March rain, mud and cloud are frequent, and snow is possible on the high passes.
Sun & weather
The Andean sun is intense at 5,030 m. Bring sunscreen SPF 50+, a wide-brim hat, sunglasses and lip balm with SPF. Nights at camp can drop below freezing, so pack a warm jacket, hat and gloves.
Cancellations & weather
You can cancel up to 24 hours before the tour if a verifiable emergency keeps you from joining — an illness, an accident or a cancelled flight, for example, with a document that shows it. If weather or road conditions make the trip unsafe, we will offer you a new date or a full refund. See our refund policy.
What to pack
Travel light but smart. Here's exactly what we recommend bringing for a comfortable, safe day at altitude.
Essentials
Passport — required for the entrance ticket.
Hiking boots (broken in) — terrain is rocky & uneven.
Transparent pricing — no hidden fees. The more travelers in your group, the lower the price per person.
Group Type
Group Size
Price / Person
What's Different
Shared Group Most popular
2 – 14 travelers
US $450 / pp
Mixed international group · set departure
Family Package
4+ adults & kids
US $428 / pp
5% discount for adolescents & children
Group of 8+
8 or more travelers
From US $405 / pp
Automatic group discount at checkout
Group discounts apply automatically. Book 4+ travelers and we'll send a custom quote within 2 hours. Larger groups (10+) qualify for additional savings — message us on WhatsApp.
Payment & refund highlights
Secure online payment
Pay with Visa, MasterCard, American Express. All transactions SSL-encrypted via Izipay.
Cancellation policy
We accept cancellations up to 24 hours before the tour when a verifiable emergency prevents you from attending. Refunds go back to your original payment method and are processed by your bank, not by us: any bank fees are applied by the bank, and the money can take up to 30 business days to reach your account. Thank you for your patience. Read the full policy.
Frequently asked questions
Quick answers to the questions we hear most often. More? See the full FAQ page or reach us on WhatsApp.
Challenging. You walk about 12 km a day for six to nine hours, crossing passes between 4,850 and 4,930 m and finishing at Rainbow Mountain (5,030 m). Spend two or three days acclimatizing in Cusco before you start.
It is a different experience. The day trip is quicker and cheaper; the trek adds three days of glaciers, lakes and communities and lets you approach Vinicunca on foot from the Ausangate side.
The 5-day trek circles Ausangate over higher passes (up to 5,200 m) and ends at the Pacchanta hot springs; this 4-day route turns towards Vinicunca and finishes at Rainbow Mountain.
Three nights in tents at Upis, near the Ausangate glacier and at Surine lake, with a dining tent and portable toilet. Nights are cold, often below freezing.
Around 6:00 PM on day four, after lunch at Quesiuno and a drive of about three and a half hours.
May to September, the dry season, for clear skies and the brightest colours. From December to March expect rain and snow on the passes.
