Ausangate 7 Lagoons + Rainbow Mountain Trek 3 Days

You will be picked up early from your hotel in Cusco at 4:30 a.m. and begin a scenic 3-hour drive to the beautiful village of Pacchanta, surrounded by majestic Andean peaks and breathtaking high-altitude landscapes.

Upon arrival, you will enjoy a traditional Andean breakfast before starting your 2-hour hike to the spectacular 7 Lagoons of Ausangate—one of Peru’s most iconic high-altitude trekking highlights. Along the way, your expert guide will share insights into Quechua culture, ancestral traditions, and the spiritual significance of the sacred Apus.

After exploring the lagoons, you will descend on foot to the serene Azul Cocha Lake, where a freshly prepared lunch awaits in a peaceful and unique natural setting.

In the afternoon, you will continue a 3.5-hour trek toward the remote Upis campsite, surrounded by dramatic Andean scenery. Optionally, you may hike to Upis Lake for even more stunning panoramic views.

You will end your day relaxing in natural hot springs at sunset, followed by a freshly prepared dinner under a brilliant star-filled Andean sky in the heart of the mountains.

After a delicious breakfast, you will begin your trek through the peaceful high Andes under the golden glow of a breathtaking sunrise. This remote region is rich in native flora and fauna, and along the way you may spot rare birds, wild vicuñas, or even a majestic condor soaring above the mountains.

After approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes of hiking, you will reach Arapa Pass (4,989 m / 16,567 ft), where you will be rewarded with panoramic views of colorful mountains and vast high-altitude landscapes.

From there, you will gradually descend toward Puca Cocha Lake, with the snow-capped peak of Ausangate standing to your left. Along the trail, you will walk among llamas and alpacas grazing in their natural habitat while your expert guide shares insights into Andean culture, local traditions, and mountain wildlife.

Next, you will ascend to Puca Cocha Pass (4,915 m / 16,125 ft), where you will enjoy a breathtaking panoramic view of Ausangate and three turquoise glacial lakes below—one of the most spectacular viewpoints of the entire trek.

From there, you will descend to Ananta campsite, where you can rest, change, or relax before enjoying a freshly prepared dinner served by your professional chef. You will end the day surrounded by silence, towering peaks, and a brilliant star-filled Andean sky.

You will wake up early at 3:00 a.m. to begin your final ascent toward Rainbow Mountain, one of Peru’s most breathtaking natural wonders, famous for its vibrant mineral colors formed over millions of years.

After a light breakfast, you will start hiking uphill toward Ananta Pass (4,500 m / 15,090 ft), where you will catch your first distant view of Rainbow Mountain—an unforgettable preview of what awaits ahead.

From Ananta Pass, you will descend toward Circle Lake and continue along a scenic, relatively flat trail. As you approach the final climb, anticipation builds before reaching the spectacular Rainbow Mountain.

At the summit, you will enjoy breathtaking 360-degree views of the surreal, colorful landscape—an extraordinary moment to take in the beauty, silence, and energy of the Andes.

If you wish, you may also visit the impressive Red Valley, a hidden gem known for its deep red tones and dramatic scenery, offering a striking contrast to the surrounding green valleys.

You will then begin your descent to Quesiuno, a peaceful 1-hour walk ideal for reflecting on your journey through the Andes and the incredible landscapes you have experienced.

At the end of the trail, transport will be waiting to take you back to Cusco, arriving around 3:00 p.m., with unforgettable memories of one of the most spectacular trekking experiences in Peru.

F.A.Q. ¿What should I pack in my backpack?

If you are going on the Inca Jungle Trek, the ideal to prepare your backpack in advance. We recommend that you bring a small backpack, and leave your bigger one at the hostel in Cusco. Make sure you only bring your necesary things you will need for 4 days of the trek

During the days on the trek, Remember, you will be carrying your backpack with you for the entire trek, so you should carry a light, comfortable and good quality backpack. 

here, we give you the list of items which you have to carry in your personal backpack. 

• Hats and sunglasses: The sun is intense at high altitude and you should protect your eyes from the glare. Wear one that offers UV protection and is comfortable.
• Rain gear: The trail can be wet especially in the rainy season. Have quality gear and clothing with materials such as Gore-tex that will keep your skin dry while you perspire during the hike.
• Warm clothing: During the Inca Trail, where the temperature fluctuates during the day and night, it is mandatory to have good clothing equipment such as: fleeces, long-sleeved shirts, down jackets and a waterproof layer.
• Sunscreen: Choose a good sunscreen (high factor) and apply it before starting the hike and regularly during the day if you are sweating.
• Hand sanitizer: Carry a good hand sanitizer to disinfect hands before eating, drinking and after using the bathroom. We recommend carrying a small bottle of hand sanitizer throughout the day.
• Headlamp: carrying a headlamp is especially useful for those who hike the Inca Trail because it keeps your hands free for other tasks. It is useful to choose a headlamp for brightness, weight and comfort.
• Snacks: bring snacks that are rich in energy and easy to digest. This, because chocolate bars or cookies are not ideal, as they can be heavy for the stomach and leave you with an impression of sluggishness, so we recommend taking granola bars or a mixture of nuts which will give enough energy to perform the walk.
• Extra money: take money preferably in soles for drinks, tips and souvenirs: during the excursion you will find facilities or bathrooms where you will have to pay for the use of some of them, especially the first day.

Peru Travel will provide you with a duffel bag to pack your belongings that you don’t need during the day, the Horses will carry the duffel bag, and please note that it must have a maximum weight of 7 Kg, including your sleeping bag and your air mattress (if you bring or rent one). The duffel bag will be provided to you one day before the trek at your hotels or our office.

• Sleeping bag: if you don’t have one, you can rent it from us; also if you want to buy it it has to have the estimated weight of 2 kilos and remember to pack it in a plastic bag to keep it during the excursion, we recommend a -10°C sleeping bag.
• Rain Gear: The trail can be wet especially in the rainy season. Have quality gear and clothing with materials such as Gore-tex that will keep your skin dry while you perspire during the hike
• Warm jacket: The weather during the excursion fluctuates and can drop sharply during the day and night, so it is essential to bring layers of clothing for the sun and a waterproof outer layer in case of rain or snow
• 4 to 5 T-shirts: Absorbent T-shirts that dry quickly are recommended. Synthetic fabrics such as polyester or nylon are the best choice, as they will hold sweat and dry quickly, avoid cotton shirts as they retain moisture and cause chafing and are difficult to dry
• 2 to 3 trekking pants: there are a variety of types of trekking pants one of them is the cargo pants which have large pockets on the side of the legs and the convertible pants have legs that zipper at the knee, those are ideal especially in hot climates or changing conditions during the trail for women leggings or leggings work perfectly
• 4 pairs of underwear: wearing a sports bra and compression shorts will be helpful and keep you comfortable to avoid chafing. If you are hiking in cold weather, wear thermal underwear that will keep you warm
• Snacks: bring snacks that are rich in energy and easy to digest. This, because chocolate bars or cookies are not ideal, as they can be heavy for the stomach and leave you with an impression of sluggishness, so we recommend taking granola bars or a mixture of nuts which will give enough energy to perform the walk
• Extra money: take money preferably in soles for drinks, tips and souvenirs: during the excursion you will find facilities or bathrooms where you will have to pay for the use of some of them, especially the first day.