Our Mother Nature will surprise you with an impressive display of vibrant and varied colors spread over the high peaks of Cusco. Remember that when you put your eyes on Rainbow Mountain, you’ll be contemplating millions of years of geological history and a natural wonder that’s not repeated on almost any other corner of the planet. You can also feel extreme tranquillity as you walk through the surreal Red Valley, surrounded by majestic snow-capped mountains and beautiful slopes. At times, your only company will be alpacas, llamas, and vicuñas. Also, from time to time, you’ll be able to observe the daily life of the Andean communities that are located in that sector.
It is not easy to believe in the beauty of the Andean night skies if you do not see them with your own eyes. Let the constellations and shooting stars hypnotize you before sleeping in our comfortable tents that you will find ready, with mattresses and pillows. So why not escape the hordes of tourists that saturate Cusco?
Send us the exact address of your hotel or Airbnb for pick up.
We will meet in the middle of Cusco's main square at 4:30 am.
We begin early at 5:00 am with hotel pickup in Cusco and a scenic 3-hour drive through traditional Andean villages toward Upis community (4,250 m / 13,943 ft). After a nourishing breakfast, we start hiking across the wide plains of Upis Pampa, surrounded by grazing alpacas and dramatic mountain landscapes. As we move forward, the massive glaciers of Ausangate Mountain (6,372 m / 20,906 ft) dominate the horizon. We visit the stunning Upis Lagoon (4,480 m / 14,698 ft), a turquoise glacial lake perfect for photos and rest. By midday, we reach Upis Hot Springs Camp (4,400 m / 14,435 ft), where you can relax in the natural thermal baths while enjoying breathtaking views of snow-capped peaks.
After breakfast, we begin a gradual ascent toward Arapa Pass (4,800 m / 15,748 ft). Along the way, we pass herds of alpacas and enjoy expansive views of glaciers and colorful hills. From the summit, the panoramic scenery of snow-covered peaks and deep valleys is truly impressive. We descend to Yanacocha Lake (Black Lake) and continue toward the beautiful Pucacocha Lagoon, surrounded by reddish mountains and unique rock formations. After lunch, we climb to Pucacocha Pass (4,870 m / 15,978 ft), one of the most scenic points of the trek. In the afternoon, we descend gently to Anantapata Camp (4,750 m / 15,583 ft), where we enjoy tea time and dinner in a peaceful mountain setting.
We start before sunrise to reach Warmisaya Pass (4,985 m / 16,354 ft). From here, we get our first incredible views of Rainbow Mountain (5,100 m / 16,732 ft). Arriving early allows us to experience the vibrant mineral colors—reds, yellows, and greens—under soft morning light. After exploring and taking photos, we may visit the nearby Red Valley if time permits. We return for lunch and then continue trekking through high Andean valleys toward Ausangate Cocha Camp (4,500 m / 14,763 ft), located beside a beautiful turquoise glacial lake with spectacular views of surrounding peaks.
Today is the most demanding day of the trek. After breakfast, we begin a steady climb toward Palomani Pass (5,200 m / 17,060 ft), the highest point of the entire route. The ascent is challenging but rewarding, with dramatic glacier views and vast Andean landscapes. From the summit, we enjoy breathtaking panoramic views before descending into the green valley of Huchuy Finaya for lunch. In the afternoon, we continue through open highland terrain known for wildlife such as vicuñas and chinchillas, arriving at Jampa Camp (4,700 m / 15,419 ft) for dinner and rest.
On our final day, we hike to Jampa Pass (5,050 m / 16,568 ft), enjoying one last spectacular view of the Vilcanota mountain range. We then descend into a valley dotted with the famous Seven Lakes of Ausangate, known for their intense turquoise and emerald colors created by glacial meltwater. We continue to the traditional village of Pacchanta (4,100 m / 13,450 ft), where you can relax in the hot springs with views of Ausangate’s snowy summit. After a final lunch prepared by our trekking team, we return by private transport to Cusco, arriving in the late afternoon.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
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