All the Ausangate treks – including those to Rainbow mountain Peru – are done in the shadow of Apu Ausangate, Cusco’s most sacred mountain. You will walk among villagers and their alpaca herds past glaciers and high alpine lakes, with rarely another trekker in sight.
Coming in at nearly 6400m, Ausangate is the highest peak in the Cusco region and the most sacred apu (mountain deity) in Andean cosmology. Also spelled Auzangate, the 5-day Ausangate trek begins about 100 km southeast of Cusco city at the trailhead in Tinki.
The Ausangate hike is a strenuous high-altitude route, with many passes reaching close to 5000m – it offers the bonus of being able to combine your trek with a visit to the recently famous Vinicunca Rainbow Mountain. It is also one of the most breathtaking Andean hikes, with stunning crystalline lakes, soaring peaks and an abundance of wildlife, from llamas and alpacas, to the rare and endangered vicuña, and – if you’re lucky – the cute, rambunctious vizcacha, a relative of the chinchilla. Another treat on the Ausangate trek is the chance to bathe in several natural hot springs along the way!
What if you are looking for an Ausangate trek in 3 days, or in 4 days? Well, you’d have to be extremely fit to do the Ausangate trail in 3 days but… we will adapt our 5 day Ausangate itinerary for 4 days if you require a customised trek.
As trek specialists we are always looking for the most unique trek options. If you don’t like crowds and would enjoy visiting a rainbow mountain without lots of people then a Palcoyo rainbow mountain tour might be your best option.
Palccoyo Mountain Tour 1D – an innovative new tour that visits this little known Rainbow Mountain.
Our specially crafted 2 day rainbow mountain trek is designed so that you visit the Rainbow Mountain when there aren’t so many people!
Rainbow Mountain Trek 2D – camp close to the famous mountain and visit when no one else is there!!! Super special!
If you are short of time, and want a one day tour to the Rainbow Mountain, here is our quality private tour Rainbow Mountain Day Trip 1D
Ausangate is also known for the once in a lifetime visits to the Qoyllur Riti festival – an annual pilgrimage that blends Christian and Andean faiths with. Explore this fascinating event with 2- and 4-day pilgrimages to Qoyllur Riti. Like all of our treks, these Ausangate treks are designed to get you off the beaten path – ideal for the adventurous trekker looking to escape the crowds and see the real Peru.
More inspiration All About the Señor de Qoyllur Riti Pilgrimage
Be inspired by the cosmology and people of the sacred Apu Ausangate.
How do Ausangate treks compare to the other treks around Cusco, discover Why You Should Trek to Ausangate Cusco