DAY 1 : CUSCO UPIS.

Early in the morning our staff from Peru Is travel, will collect you from your hotel and we will head off in the direction of Ocongate the main village of Ausangate mountain where we will stop for a brief break. Along the way we will pass through many different villages in the region of Cusco, where you will be able to see the local cultivations and crops of the high Andean communities, until we arrive at the village of Upis. This will be starting point of our hike. Here we will take a pathway to our camside, where we will spend the evening. On the way we will enjoy a delicious lunch and during the afternoon, you will have some free time to spend in the hot springs of Upis. Right after dinner, we will meet to appreciate the starry night time sky and the Milky-way galaxy.

• Hiking distance: 8 km
• Starting elevation: 3950 m / ft
• Maximum elevation: 4560 m / ft
• Campsite elevation:4450m. / ft
• Hiking time:5 hours aprox.
• Daytime temperature:Max. 16°C.
• Night time temperature:Min. -10°C.
• Difficulty:Moderate.
• Accomodation:Camping
• Meals:Lunch and dinner

DAY 2: UPIS – ANANTA PATA

After an energizing breakfast, we will begin our ascent along a trail to the Arapa pass at 4750 meter elevation. Ausangate mountain is always with a spectacular view. Late in the afternoon we will have the best panorama of the glaciers with many lagoons of different colours. Our lunch will be at the viewpoint where we will have the perfect view of the mountains in all their splendour, We will then continue on our ascent to Pucacocha  pass at 495 m elevation. It is one of the best spots for pictures. Then we will begin our descent to the campsite at Ananta Pata where we will spend the night.

• Hiking distance:18 km
• Starting elevation: 4450 m / ft
• Maximum elevation: 4950 m / ft
• Campsite elevation:4750m. / ft
• Hiking time:9 hours aprox.
• Daytime temperature:Max. 16°C.
• Night time temperature:Min. -12°C.
• Difficulty:Moderate to challenging
• Accomodation:Camping
• Meals:Breakfast – Lunch – Dinner

DAY 3: ANANTAPATA – RAINBOW MOUNTAIN- AUSANGATE COCHA.

When you hike around the Ausangate mountain, you will be constantly surprised by the spectacular and exceptional panoramas.

Very early in the morning we will start with a hearty breakfast. We will then head off on first pass of Warmisaya rihg. From this spot you will have a glance of the Rainbow mountain in the distance. After couple of hours more hiking, finally we will arrive at this famous and fascinating Rainbow Mountain, Vinicunca. The idea to start early is to be the first group arriving at our destination before the clouds arrive. On day’s tour from Cusco, we will be returning to our camping area for lunch and continue to the next camping site at Ausangate Cocha lake fed by the Ausangate glacier.

• Hiking distance:18 km
• Starting elevation: 4750 m / ft
• Maximum elevation: 5040 m / ft
• Campsite elevation:4700m. / ft
• Hiking time:8 hours aprox.
• Daytime temperature:Max. 16°C.
• Night time temperature:Min. -15°C.
• Difficulty:Moderate to difficult.
• Accomodation:Camping
• Meals:Breakfast – Lunch – Dinner

DAY 4: AUSANGATECOCHA – HUANO HUANO

For best view camping, we will wake up at 06.30 am, have breakfast with stunning view. As we continue, we will be able to appreciate a number of lagoons of all different sizes and colours, ideal for taking photos. The panoramic view behind the mountains is spectacular. We can reflect on our own existence and feel the immensity of nature with these incredible mountains. We will be ascending to the highest mountain pass in the trek- Palomani pass. From this point, we will have a unique panorama which will be engrained in memory forever. Finally we will descend to the red lake on the base of the glacier. In the late afternoon, we will be continuing to our camp side for few hours to spend the night.

• Hiking distance:16 km aprox.
• Starting elevation: 4720 m / ft
• Maximum elevation: 4200 m / ft
• Campsite elevation:4650m. / ft
• Hiking time:8 hours aprox.
• Daytime temperature:Max. 15°C.
• Night time temperature:Min. -13°C.
• Difficulty:Difficult.
• Accomodation:Camping
• Meals:Breakfast, lunch and dinner

DAY 5: HUANO HUANO – PACCHANTA – HOT SPRINGS – CUSCO.

This is our final day. We will start climbing up the last mountain pass Jampa at 5100 m elevation. Then we will descend to Pacchanta. Here waiting for you is a natural hot spring to relax bodies. Then we would be taking the bus back to Cusco.

• Hiking distance: 18 km aprox.
• Starting elevation: 4450 m / ft
• Maximum elevation: 4600 m / ft
• Hiking time:3 hours aprox.
• Daytime temperature:Max. 16°C.
• Dificulty:Easy.
• Meals:Breakfast – lunch (Pachamanca)

Practical Information Including

• Briefing at your hotel before the trip.
• Pick up from the hotel in the morning.
• Private transport Cusco to Beginning point in Upis and back from the final spot
•  Professional Guide leader.
• Languages: English, Spanish and Quechua.
•  Entrance ticket to places to visit and camp sides.
•  Double 4season tents.
•  Dining tent, with table and chairs, kitchen tent for the cook to prepare the food with care and hygiene.
•  Bathroom tent
•  Mattresses
•  Cook and cooking equipment (assistant cook for large groups).
•  Food as indicated in the itinerary, (we have the option of vegetarian food).  Our professional cook incorporates international, national and typical food of the region. If you have any dietary restrictions, let us know.
•  Pack horses (for camping equipment, food, cooking utensils and passengers’belongings).
•  We will provide each of our passengers with an extra backpack for their personal belongings (maximum 10 kg), if you wish to carry more, you can rent an extra horse.
•  Emergency horse which can be used when you feel tired or sick only.
• Tents for the staff working with us and food during the trip.
• First aid kit and oxygen.

Not included

• Breakfast in the morning before departure.
•  Sleeping bag (you can rent at the office $4 per day) if you don’t want to transport from your home to Peru.
• Tips for the Guide, cook and porters and/or muleteers.
•  An additional horse if you have too much stuff. The cost is $10 US per day.

Itinerary Notes: Ausangate – Rainbow Mountain.

• The times quoted in this itinerary are approximate. The time of the trek varies depending on weather and how the group progresses. The Guide may change the lunch and campsites depending on the progress of the group.
• Acclimatization is very important at least 3 to 4 days prior to departure because every day the  hiking and camping is around 5000 meter elevation.
• This is a very adventurous trip. You should be sure to bring an open mind, flexibility and a sense of humor for a satisfying unforgettable experience. All of you should be physically and mentally prepared.
• In case you want to hike more in relaxed manner, we recommend you to do this trek in 6 days
• If you require an extra horse to ride or for your extra backpacks you can request it with prior notice.
• The Ausangate trek is very adventurous, crossing some very high passes, above 5300 m. We do not recommend doing this trek in the rainy months of December, January, February, March. This recommendation is according to the weather conditions in the Andes.
• If you have ever had an accident with your knees or ankles, we recommend that you carry walking poles.
•  A reasonable level of fitness is required.
•  This region is remote so it is not saturated by many tourists and therefore the tourist infrastructure is limited to the basics. In some cases, we will use public transportation and facilities in the area. Visitors might be surprised by the changes in the plan. This is all part of the adventure. !!

You should bring:

• A light day pack, clothes for all the different periods of the trek. Be prepared for all weather changes.
•  Waterproof jacket and an extra rain poncho. Plastic ponchos can be purchased in Cusco for $3 USD
• Good comfortable waterproof shoes for the trek.
•  Sandals to take a shower in the hot springs and rest your feet after each day.
•  Warm clothes including jackets, gloves, shawls, shawls, chullo. We recommend that you bring thermal clothes, especially for sleeping as the nights are very cold.
• Sleeping bag (rented from the office).
•  Torch, binoculars and walking sticks for the hike.
• Camera.
•  Hat to protect you from the heat, sun cream and a moisturizing cream for your skin lipsticks.
• Paper for the SS. HH.
• Snacks such as chocolates, biscuits, dried fruit, sultanas etc. as well as water purification tablets.
•  Your own emergency kit if you have special medication.
• Enough cash for lunch in hot springs, tips and to buy some drinks on the way.
•  Original passport or valid student card.

What fitness/training do you recommend?

Our most basic advice for any trek in the Andes is: the fitter you are, the easier you will find it!

If you are seasoned multi-day hiker with a well-established exercise routine, you are probably already well prepared to meet the challenges of this trek as long as you take the time to properly acclimatize.

On the other hand, if you’re new to hiking or don’t normally exercise that much, you should definitely spend time preparing for this trek. What that training regimen includes will depend on your physical abilities and current fitness levels, and it should be developed alongside a medical or fitness professional.

Most likely you will want to combine a cardiovascular training plan with some long-distance “practice” hikes in your area. Day hikes, or even some multi-day hikes, will help you to build up your stamina so you can endure long days of trekking.