Rainbow Mountain and 7 Lagoons Ausangate tour

Travel Itinerary

DAY 1: RAINBOW MOUNTAIN (VINICUNCA)

Maximum altitude: 16,732 ft above sea level
Minimum altitude: 14,764 ft above sea level
Trail distance (start - Vinicunca): 5 miles
Difficulty level: Intermediate (Level 2)
Hiking duration: Approximately 3 hours and 20 minutes

We will begin our adventure very early. At 4:00 a.m. we will pick you up from your accommodation in Cusco to head south by vehicle for about 3 hours until reaching the district of Cusipata - Paucarpata, located in the province of Quispicanchi. There we will enjoy a nutritious breakfast to prepare ourselves before starting the hike.

After breakfast, we will continue for 10 minutes by transport to the first checkpoint, corresponding to the rural communities of Tintinco and Paucarpata, where visitor registration will take place. Later, after an additional 25 minutes by vehicle, we will reach the second checkpoint in the community of Chillihuani. From here we will begin our hike to the impressive Rainbow Mountain, following a flat trail surrounded by mountains.

The walking route will last around 1 hour and 40 minutes, although this may vary according to the group's pace. Along the way it is possible to observe llamas, alpacas, guanacos and some bird species native to the Andean region.

Upon reaching the Vinicunca viewpoint, at 16,732 ft above sea level, our guide will share valuable information about the geology, local biodiversity and the origin of the mountain's coloring, formed by the oxidation of different minerals. The landscape offers a spectacle of tones ranging from red and purple to green, pink and yellow, in a play of colors that captivates all visitors. We will also be able to contemplate the majestic snow-capped Ausangate, with an altitude of 20,945 ft above sea level, being the fifth highest peak in the country. We will have time to take photos and appreciate the natural splendor of the place.

After the visit, we will return walking to the point where we started, board our vehicle and head towards the community of Pacchanta, where we will arrive at approximately 8:00 p.m. On the way we will enjoy a typical lunch. Once in Pacchanta, you can relax in its famous medicinal hot springs. We will spend the night in cabins prepared by the local community members.

DAY 2: PACCHANTA – 7 LAKES CIRCUIT

Maximum altitude (Patacocha Lake): 15,945 ft above sea level
Minimum altitude: 13,780 ft above sea level
Route distance: 4.7 miles
Difficulty level: Moderate – Advanced (Level 3)
Estimated hiking time: 5 hours

The second day we will start the day at 8:00 a.m. with a typical breakfast prepared by the residents of the Pacchanta community. This community is mainly dedicated to herding Andean animals such as llamas, alpacas and guanacos, and they also take care of their natural hot springs.

At 9:00 a.m., we will begin our hike. Our guide will provide us with walking sticks and we will start the route, carrying a backpack with essentials: water, snacks, warm clothing, etc. The trail begins with a slight slope and soon we will find ourselves crossing small streams fed by the lakes.

During the route, we will be able to admire the snow-capped Ausangate and Callangate, as well as a series of lakes with strikingly colored waters. The first one we will visit will be Puca Cocha (14,764 ft above sea level), known as the "red lake" for its waters tinted with iron-rich minerals. We will continue ascending until reaching Patacocha (15,945 ft above sea level), the highest in the circuit, from where you can appreciate a spectacular view of the snow-capped peaks reflected in its waters.

Descending a bit, we will reach Alqacocha (15,584 ft above sea level), located at the foot of Ausangate. Later we will encounter Qomerococha, turquoise in color due to the minerals carried by the meltwater.

Finally, we will visit the Orco Otorongo (15,157 ft above sea level) and China Otorongo (15,092 ft above sea level) lakes, whose names refer to the spotted coat of the jaguar, reflected in their waters. Our last stop will be at the beautiful Blue Lake, where we can observe high Andean birds such as Andean geese, ducks and ibis.

We finish the hike descending back to Pacchanta, where a delicious lunch awaits us at 2:00 p.m. After lunch, we will begin the return journey to Cusco, arriving at approximately 6:00 p.m.

What does it include?

Includes

• Informational briefing before the tour.
• Round-trip tourist transportation from Cusco, equipped with oxygen.
• Walking sticks.
• Accompaniment throughout the entire route.
• Professional bilingual guide (Spanish - English).
• Breakfasts, lunches and dinner in Pacchanta.
• Entrance to Rainbow Mountain.
• Entrance to the Ausangate area.
• Entrance to the hot springs.

Does not include

• Accommodation in Cusco.
• Horse rental.
• Other services not mentioned.

We Recommend Bringing:

• Bring warm and comfortable clothing.
• Towel and sandals for the hot springs.
• Sunscreen (preferably with high SPF).
• Sunglasses and hat.
• Waterproof poncho during rainy season.
• Appropriate footwear for trekking.
• Water bottle.