Ausangate Trek Peru - Local Tour Operator
Best Seller Ausangate Trek

EXTRAORDINARY,
ONCE IN A LIFETIME EXPERIENCES!

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YOUR ADVENTURE BEGINS HERE, EXPLORE THE
AUSANGATE TREK & RAINBOW MOUNTAIN VINICUNCA
IN THE ANDES OF PERU

Ausangate Trekking Peru is a recognized and professional trekking company based in Cusco. We are a unique company that is 100% specialized in Ausangate Trek and Rainbow Mountain. Our treks are conducted in small groups to minimize our impact on the environment and ensure the highest quality of attention to each passenger. Each tour is operated by our highly accredited and experienced guides who will take you along the famous Apu Ausangate.

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Local ownership and operation

We are a local trekking and tour agency in Peru. Book directly with us.

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Unforgettable experiences

We offer high quality customized services. Reliability and care are our strengths, which have earned us a great reputation..

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Expert local guides

Safety is our top priority and our main concern! All our mountain and trekking guides receive regular training and their skills are updated every year.

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Small groups

A big part of the experience is our small groups. It is these people that make traveling with Ausangate Trekking unforgettable.

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Experience The Ausangate & Rainbow Mountain Trek

Enjoy the incredible hikes to Ausangate and Rainbow Mountain Vinicunca

Spend memorable days hiking through some of Cusco’s most dramatic landscapes. Get a taste of the trail in the rugged Ausangate Mountain before traveling to the Machu Picchu Sanctuary, where thousands of acres of wilderness provide the backdrop to a beautiful hike above sweeping hills and valleys. The Ausangante and Rainbow Mountain of Cusco are full of breathtaking landscapes and awe-inspiring adventures. Rugged highland valleys, towering peaks, pale blue glacial lakes, and vast mountains stretch endlessly toward the sweeping skyline. These hikes focus on a wide range of Cusco and Ausangate’s most iconic destinations, making it the perfect trip for enthusiastic hikers interested in checking Ausangate and Rainbow Mountain off of their bucket lists. The experience of striking out into this amazing wilderness alongside expert Trek Leaders and new friends is not one to be missed.

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Experience the Inca Trail Hike to Machu Picchu

Breathtaking Inca Sites, Overwhelmingly Impressive Verdant Vistas, and Deluxe Camp Under Starry Nights.

“We had the most wonderful adventure celebrating our anniversary by hiking the Inca trail for four days…We cannot say thank you enough to Peru Summit adventures for this trip. We have fallen in love with Peru and will absolutely be back to see Carlos and his team.“ Four days of cold, pain, and exhaustion dissipate as the mist lifts to reveal the emerald peaks and terraced ruins of the mystical ancient city–Machu Picchu. Inca Trail Hike to Machu Picchu is for sure one of the life changing experiences. The amount of hikers a day is limited to 500 and the permits sell out quickly moths in advance, so our recommendation is to book you permit 6 months in advance at least.


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Your Safety is our Priority

Explore with Confidence

We are committed to ensuring the safety and wellbeing of our travelers, and the people and communities impacted by our trips. As firm believers in the human urge to explore and learn, even in times of social distancing, we have established an enhanced set of security guidelines to guarantee the optimal travel experience.

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Peru Packages

Travelling around Peru is a bit more complicated than other countries. Book one of our comprehensive packages and let Vidal Expeditions handle all the difficult logistics and bookings. We have lots of options including all the highlights of Peru including the Amazon, Lake Titicaca, flights over the Nazca Lines, even foodie tours around Lima. And if our published itineraries aren’t perfect, we can customize just for you. We got you covered!

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Trending Adventures Treks in Peru

Suggested Itineraries and Best Alternative Treks in Peru beyond the Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu and the Inca Trail.

These excursions will show you a different side of Peru that is just as extraordinary and breathtaking. With us, you'll experience exceptional hospitality and personal attention to detail as our passionate and professional guides share the best parts of Peru.

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Suggested Peru Destinations

Discover Machu Picchu and Cusco alongside the country's finest travel guides.

Peru offers world-class tourist attractions, with mysterious archaeological sites, awe-inspiring landscapes and diverse wildlife. In this vast and storied land, ancient, colonial, and modern traditions meld together for an unforgettable cultural experience. No matter the type of traveler—history buff, adventurer, or foodie—Peru offers a myriad of activities to satisfy every appetite.

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Frecuently Asked Questions

The Most Frecuently Asked Questions at Ausangate Trekking

How do you prevent altitude sickness in Cusco?

The best way to prevent altitude sickness in Cusco is to be prepared. During your first 2 days you should take things easy. This means you shouldn’t take part in any strenuous activity. You should rest a lot and drink plenty of water. Alcohol and smoking isn’t a good idea as it can agitate you and make you feel a lot worse.

How to avoid altitude sickness in Peru?

You can avoid altitude sickness by spending a few days taking it easy in Cusco before you head off on any kind of trek. Trying to do a tough activity too soon could make you very ill. You should also eat lightly and avoid alcohol to feel your best.

What is the best trek to Machu Picchu?

There’s no definite answer to this as there are many options. The Inca Trail is the most popular and needs to be booked months in advance as there are only a certain number of spots each day. The best alternative trek is considered to be Ausangate Trek, which offers a real adventure and fantastic scenery. Inca Jungle is great for those seeking a thrill and Lares is a top option if you want a quieter and more rural experience. If you have a lot of time and want to experience two incredible Inca sites, you can opt for the Choquequirao trek.

When to do the Ausangate Trek?

The best time to do the Ausangate Trek is between the months of May and September which coincides with the dry season. Rainfall is low and there is more chance of blue skies.

Is the Ausangate Trek dangerous?

No. There are no dangerous areas or anything like that, the danger lies only in the altitude, the cold and the isolation. If you are lucky you will come across a couple of llama herders who may not even speak Spanish. In 3 days of trekking we may have met 12 people in total and 10 of them were in the same group. A week earlier some French people did it and they met ZERO people. It is assumed that we did it at the time of the year when most people do this trek.

Is the Ausangate Trek difficult?

It has no technical steps but it is a physically very hard route due to the altitude. A perfect acclimatization is necessary. Also, keep in mind that it is a very uncrowded route and in case of emergency it is very likely that you will not find anyone to help you. Of course, it is essential to have a travel insurance that includes assistance up to 5,400 meters (not all of them). If you are not sure you can do it, do not risk it, you have other routes such as the Salkantay Trek which is much easier and more accessible and very beautiful.

How high is the Ausangate Trek?

The Ausangate Trek is a high altitude 70km hike in the Peruvian mountains near Cusco with an average altitude of over 4000m.

Is it cold on the Ausangate Trek?

Very cold. The cold can be intense, especially at night. In summer the temperature can drop to -5 or -10 degrees and there is always the possibility of a snowfall. Keep in mind that most of the time you walk above 4,000 meters above sea level.

Is it easy to get lost?

Yes, it is not that there is not a marked path, it is that there are many and they cross each other, plus you get to esplanades where it is very easy to get disoriented. We recommend 100% the use of a GPS that works in the mountains, or an offline map. We used Maps.me and it worked for us.

How can I prepare for Ausangate Trek?

To prepare for trekking at high altitudes we recommend you start to prepare a few weeks before. You should start a fitness regime that includes daily stretching and exercises, particularly for your legs. We recommend taking hikes at home weekly before you come to do the trail.

What helps altitude sickness in Cusco?

If you do feel sick, there are a few things you can try. One is to speak to your doctor before you come to see if you can get a prescription for pills to help. These can also be bought in pharmacies in Cusco. Other helpful ways are to drink coca or muna (Andean mint) tea, which have been in use since the Inca times. Small oxygen bottles are also available in pharmacies and can really help.

What are the coldest months in Cusco Peru?

The coldest months in Cusco are from May to July. During this time the sun is strong in the day, but once it goes down or you spend much time in the shade, it can get very cold. It can go below zero at night, so warm clothes are a must during these months.

What is the best month to go to Machu Picchu?

The best month in all the year is October. The climate is just right and the sky is usually very clear. It’s also not the busiest season so it isn’t overrun by visitors. However, anytime from May to October is a good time as it’s the dry season so you won’t get wet.

What’s the Difference Between the Different Ausangate Treks?

At Ausangate Trekking, we offer two variations of the Ausangate Trek, over four or five days.

The main difference is that on the 4-day trek, you’ll visit Rainbow Mountain, aka Vinicunca, which is a highly sought-after tourist destination. Do keep in mind, though, that if you opt for this trek, you’ll see more people and larger crowds when descending from Rainbow Mountain. Your time at the mountain itself will be quiet as we get there before the large groups.

The other main difference is the length and what you’ll see. Obviously, the 5-day trek is a little more challenging as it’s over more days. You’ll also get the chance to see more stunning views, visit different thermal baths, and spend more time in local communities to learn their customs and traditions.

What Is the Food Like on the Trek?

One of the aspects you’re likely to be most amazed by is the food on the trek. Most guests mention how much they enjoyed the array of dishes prepared by our professional chefs on the route. You’ll be blown away by the food you eat in the middle of the mountains.

We know that nutrition on the routes is essential, as you need plenty of energy to get you through each day. For this reason, we worked long and hard, together with our chefs and top nutritionists to put together the most well-rounded menu possible for the Ausangate Trek.

Every time you sit down for a meal, you’ll be greeted with an array of options for you to choose what you like from and that include all the essential food groups for a well-balanced meal every time.

If you have an allergy or prefer not to eat certain foods, you don’t need to worry. All you need to do is let us know before the trek and we’ll ensure you eat as well as everyone else in your group and enjoy all the fresh and local ingredients possible.

It gets even better—we¿ll also give you a cloth bag that we provide snacks for every morning to keep you going. We also prepare a special “tea time” at every camp with tasty light bites and hot drinks to tide you over until dinner.

You can see that you certainly won’t go hungry on the Ausangate Trek and will get to try many of our traditional Peruvian dishes.

How Much Does the Ausangate Trek Cost?

The price of the Ausangate Trek will differ depending on the company you travel with and the number of days you opt for. This is a summary of the costs when you decide to travel in a group tour with Ausangate Trekking. Prices are per person.

  • AUSANGATE & RAINBOW MOUNTAIN TREK 4 DAYS — $450 USD
  • AUSANGATE TREK 5 DAYS — $500 USD

How Far Do We Walk Every Day?

Every day, you’ll walk around 6–7 hours on average. You’ll walk the furthest on day 4, but because it’s not as much uphill, it isn’t as difficult as days 2 and 3. Below is a breakdown of the distance you’ll cover on each day of the Classic Ausangate 5 Days Trek:

  • DAY 1: 10 km / 6.21 miles
  • DAY 2: 12.1 km / 7.5 miles
  • DAY 3: 13 km / 8.1 miles
  • DAY 4: 15 km / 9.3 miles
  • DAY 5: 7.1 km / 4.4 miles

Is the Ausangate Trek Worth It?

Yes. Most definitely! The Ausangate Trek is one of the best alternative routes in the Cusco region. This trek is especially suited to those who like to get off-the-beaten-path and escape the large crowds on some of the more popular trails.

You’ll be rewarded with some of the most incredible scenery imaginable after relatively difficult days of trekking. Expect to see snowy mountain peaks, crystalline lagoons, and plenty of local flora and fauna.

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Our Flawless Reviews

Your Words -- We Tell It Like It Is!

Our travellers are our best advocates, and they frequently recommend our specialist travel services to friends, colleagues and family when planning a trip to our region.

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There's a reason why so many people recommend our adventure holidays.

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Join Upcoming Trips

Book this trip with us. Here are the upcoming dates. Feel free to share this trip with your friends and family. For custom trips or general inquiries

Trip Name Departure Date Trip status
Rainbow Mountain Full Day 0000-00-00 BOOKING OPEN Enquire Now
7 Lagoons Ausangate Full Day 0000-00-00 BOOKING OPEN Enquire Now
Ausangate Trek 2 Days 1 Nights 0000-00-00 BOOKING OPEN Enquire Now
Ausangate Trek 3 Days 2 Nights 0000-00-00 BOOKING OPEN Enquire Now
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Ausangate Lodge Pacchanta

We are a nice place to rest. Road to the amazing snow capped Ausangate. With many services for your enjoyment.