Ausangate 7 Lakes + Rainbow Mountain 5 Days this trek is surrounded by the highest mountain Ausangate in the Cusco region. Along the trek you will see alpacas and llamas which the local people keep with their animals. Ausangate Trek offers some of the most wonderful scenery in the entire Cusco area, with many birds and wildlife, plus glaciers and high mountain lakes. It is also one of the most challenging in the region, with three high passes over 5,000 metres/16,000 feet. On a clear day, Apu Ausangate dominates the skyline of southern Cusco. As we approach this massive massif (6,380 metres/20,926 feet), one becomes increasingly impressed and fully understands why the ancient Incas held this spectacular mountain in such high regard. Throughout the circuit of the Apu Ausangate trek we pass through local villages where people dress in their typical attire (the women in beautiful flat-top hats with ornaments) and llamas graze freely.
04.00 in the morning, we pick you up from your hotels, and we start our journey towards the town of Pacchanta, after stopping at Tinki where we will take a short but relaxing break. The bus drive from Tinki to Pachanta lasts approximately 45 minutes where a delicious breakfast (Pacchanta) awaits us. From this place, we will start our trek to the beautiful lagoons of Ausangate.
On our hike to the 7 lakes Campsite, we’ll catch the first glance of the Ausangate glacier welcoming us to this beautiful place. After a few hours, we’ll get to the place where we’ll have lunch. After enjoying this delicious food prepared by our chef, we’ll rest a bit and then, in the afternoon, We will have a walk a few hours visiting the lagoons of Azul Cocha, Otorongo, Puca Cocha, Alqa Cocha and Q’omer Cocha, we can also appreciate the magnificent snow-capped mountains of Ausangate (6,834 m.), Mariposa (5,842 m.), Jampa (5,500 m.), Pucapunta (5740 m), Caracol (5625 m.), Tinke (5300 m.) And the entire Qayangate mountain range, we will also see a varied fauna bird, alpacas, llamas, vizcachas and with luck until the Condor Andean. We’ll finish the day with tea time and dinner and then be able to get to sleep.
After a restful night, we’ll have an energizing breakfast and leave on our hike, accompanied by the classic chill of the Andean sunrise. We’ll go up to the Arapa Pass (4,800 m / 15,748 f). We’ll hike slowly to save our energy and take in the surroundings, so it will take about two and a half hours. Once we’re at the peak, the horizon will open up, showing us picturesque, Andean landscapes.
We’ll continue moving forward then and, after an hour and a half, we’ll have lunch near the Yanacocha Lagoon. We’ll rest and then continue downhill. The mood will change as we get closer and closer to our campsite. After an hour, we’ll arrive near the Hatun Pucacocha Lagoon, where we’ll spend the night. If you still have energy, you can go to visit the nearby lagoon.
Today, we’ll go up two and a half hours to the Ausangate Pass (4,750 m / 15,584 f), known by natives as the Apacheta Pass. You’ll probably see the picturesque apachetas on the peak, stacked stone columns left by passers by as a way of showing respect to the mountain. After this amazing experience, we’ll hike down for an hour and a half to the Ausangate Cocha Lagoon to have a scrumptious lunch, accompanied by the spectacular views of an impressive canyon.
The best part of the trek has now arrived! We’ll start off toward our goal, the Palomani Pass (5,200 m / 17,060 f), the highest point on our journey. For the local inhabitants, this part of the mountains is especially important because it’s a place where you can recharge with positive energy. From here, you’ll be able to see other glaciers and high mountains: Santa Catalina or Mariposa (Butterfly), Ausangate and Jampa. After enjoying this outstanding scenic landscape, well descend to the small community of Huchuy Phinaya (4,700 m / 15,420 f) where you’ll get a close-up view at some of the townspeople’s customs and routines, for example taking their animals out to graze on the mountain’s fields.
After that, we’ll gradually go down to Sorapata, where our campsite will be set up. That night, after a pretty long day, we’ll enjoy a well-earned dinner together before getting to bed, excited for what’s coming tomorrow.
We’ll start off the day with a two-hour uphill hike to Huanopata. From the first step, we’ll enjoy the view of three peculiar peaks called the Tres Marias, or Three Marias. Next, we’ll continue to our destination – the Jampa Pass (5,070 m / 16,634 f) – on a trail filled with scenic wonders that will leave you breathless.
Then, we’ll be on our way to rest at our campsite. On the way, we’ll see the famous lakes of ausangate coha and Qomer Cocha, respected in the spiritual world of the Andes for their mysticism. Here, we’ll stop for a moment to take part in a small offering ceremony of thanksgiving for the hospitality of the Pachamama (Mother Earth) on this beautiful mountain trail.
After spending time wrapped up in the scenic beauty of this place, we’ll continue on to chillihuani to spend the night. There, you’ll be able to swim in its refreshing hot springs, and we’ll take advantage to relax our legs and muscles after a few difficult days of trekking. We’ll finish the day with a satisfying dinner.
Today is the time to say goodbye to the trekking team that accompanied us on our journey. Without them, it would have been an overwhelming and impossible hike. We’ll have our last breakfast and then begin today’s hike, which will last an hour and take us to Rainbow Mountain. After taking photos at this picturesque mountain, our guide will explain how the colors were formed. Finally, we’ll say goodbye to the team after lunch and then take one last look at the surrounding landscape, cherishing all these pleasant moments in our hearts. Our private vehicle will be waiting to take us back to Cusco.
