The Ausangate to Rainbow Mountain tour is a once in a lifetime experience that will take you through the most spectacular landscapes of the Peruvian Andes. During this tour, you will have the opportunity to hike the impressive Ausangate and Palomani mountains, while admiring glaciers, turquoise lakes and panoramic views of the highest peaks of the mountain range. In addition, you will visit the famous Colored Mountain, also known as Vinicunca, with its vibrant colors ranging from red, pink, green and yellow.
This program lasts 6 days and 5 nights in the Ausangate region. It involves hiking across high terrains with views of mountains and colorful hills. People select this option often as it mixes physical activity with exposure to natural formations and local practices in the Andes. BIO ANDEAN EXPEDITIONS organizes all aspects to keep transitions between camps simple.
BIO ANDEAN EXPEDITIONS works entirely in Peru, based in Cusco. The agency chooses gear and setups that meet solid standards for comfort in distant locations. At the start in Cusco, a staff member picks you up from your hotel using the agency’s own vehicle.
You get a session on the route and all items needed for the hike. Members from BIO ANDEAN EXPEDITIONS support the group at each stage. Extra charges do not appear. The plan covers transport to and from the trail start, plus all ground arrangements. Daily hikes include meals made on site.
The focus remains on the Ausangate path to Rainbow Mountain, drawing from its high passes and vivid landscapes. Hikers learn about area habits through sightings of villages and herds. Lakes and hills show effects from weather and soil over time.
BIO ANDEAN EXPEDITIONS stresses safety and ease, with private transportation the agency owns, run by drivers with top training. These drivers grasp the routes and handle different situations. Guides are specialists in leading groups from various countries, speaking multiple languages for clear sharing.
Each segment has a full account from these guides, who have deep info on tourist paths. They give data on the environment and value of each place. This way helps participants understand the natural importance without rush.
In all, the program fits those wanting active time in Peru or deeper involvement. It balances structured walks with slots for views. Many find the sequence of valleys, passes, and colorful spots gives a full take on the zone’s features.
Day 1: Cusco – Tinqui – Upis
Day 2: Upis – Ausangate Lagoon
Day 3: Ausangate Lagoon – Rainbow Mountain
Day 4: Rainbow Mountain – Ticllaqocha
Day 5: Ticllaqocha – Pacchanta
Day 6: Pacchanta – Tinqui – Cusco
To check availability for any of our services, please contact us at reservas@bioandeanexpeditions.com or via WhatsApp at +51 969 875 999 or +51 984 404 049.
We’ll be happy to provide detailed information, rates, and booking conditions.
We offer special discounts for groups, and all our tours are fully guaranteed with daily departures.
Feel free to get in touch for more details about your preferred experience or to start creating a personalized travel itinerary based on your interests.
Bio Andean Expeditions is a trusted travel agency based in Cusco, Peru, dedicated to offering authentic and memorable experiences throughout the region.
Whether you’re seeking a family adventure, a romantic escape, or a nature-filled journey, our professional team ensures comfort, quality, and a genuine connection with local culture and traditions.
NOTE: At Bio Andean Expeditions, we specialize in custom-made travel experiences across Peru.
With access to exclusive deals and carefully selected partner hotels, we can help you design your perfect itinerary.
For assistance with your tailor-made package, don’t hesitate to contact us anytime.
We depart early from Cusco traveling by private van to the small village of Tinke to begin our trek through the Rainbow Mountains of Peru. We will see the impressive Vilcanota mountain range and pass through several traditional Andean villages along the way and have time to take some pictures. When we arrive in Tinke, we will have a delicious breakfast prepared by our cook.
Then, our riders will organize all the group’s equipment and packs on the horses and our trek will begin, we will start our tour through the agricultural communities and enjoy the breathtaking views of the mountains. We will hike for about 3 hours and then we will have 1 hour to have lunch, after lunch we continue for 2 hours to reach Upis 4,100 m. / 13,448 ft. There we will have the opportunity to soak in the local hot springs before dinner and camp for the night.
This early morning, after breakfast we cross the Arapa pass (4,850 m.a.s.l.) from here, we continue for 3 hours through the valley, passing the Pucaqocha lagoon, arriving at Jatun Pucaqocha, then we climb to the Laguna pass (4,850 m.a.s.l.), overlooking the impressive Ausangate lagoon. This lake is fed by the melted snow of Ausangate, here is our campsite.
We have breakfast with the sun, to continue our hike, we will climb a slope to reach the Palomani Pass (5,100 m.a.s.l.), from here we can see the true panoramic view of Ausangate. Then we will descend by a path that is an impressive route, and we will arrive to Vinicunca (Mountain of colors), here we see the magnificent red hill, called for having spots of arsenic stone sediments, in this place we will camp.
This day we will arrive to Ticllaqocha, accompanied by the Colorado trails, we will arrive to Paso Apacheta, then we will descend to Huchuy Jampa, from here, we will follow a light trail, Ticllaqocha will be our campsite.
We will wake up early in the morning, have breakfast with a view of the beautiful mountains, then go up the Jampa (5,100 m.a.s.l.) and then descend, observe and appreciate the lakes, and we will continue our trail, always appreciating the beautiful landscapes and then we will arrive to Pacchanta (4,200 m.a.s.l.) where it will be our camp and relax our muscles, we have the opportunity to enjoy the hot springs.
Today is the last day of our trek in the Peruvian Andes, so we get up early, have breakfast and descend with all the memories and vivid landscapes, stored in our life history, to the town of Tinque (3,950 m.) and then we go to the imperial city of Cusco.
| Service Type | Price per Person (USD) | Details |
| Group Service | $660 | Shared up to 12, all listed. |
| Private Service | $800 | Exclusive party, dedicated flex. |
Ausangate has dry May-October sunny days cold nights, 0-15 Celsius. Wet November-April afternoon rains, slippery greener. Check forecasts; wind passes strong. Once valley shower sudden—poncho from vendor quick save.
Layers: breath base, fleece eve, water out year. Boots grip mud snow. Summer December-February light gloves; winter June-August thick hats. Avoid heavy—movement matters. Stats 65% underdress nights, discomfort.
People Quechua roots Spanish influences, herding colorful ponchos. Villages Tinqui communal living shared fields. Respect photo ask; basic English some. Anecdote: Upis resident hot springs story tea, culture gap bridge.
Greet buenos días smile. Tip 10-20 soles good. Quiet sites—no loud preserve. 60% locals tourism depend, purchases families direct.
Meals potatoes many varieties, quinoa corn. Try aji gallina lomo saltado flavors. Organic produce dominates, farm fresh. Cheap stalls empanadas 5 soles; sit spots full under 20 soles.
Vegetarians alpaca-free easy. International pizza Cusco center 30-50 soles. Mate tea hydrate. Comparison: Local 15 soles avg, tourist 40—budget choose.
| Meal Type | Average Cost (Soles) | Examples |
| Street Food | 5-10 | Empanadas anticuchos |
| Market Lunch | 15-25 | Ceviche soups |
| Restaurant Dinner | 30-50 | Trout stews |
Walk Tinqui paths village views—no cost people arch. Pacchanta meadows open strolls. Hot springs low 10 soles, trails near free.
Observe herders roads freely; inside ticket. Valley viewpoints photos no fee. Statistics 40% skip free areas, miss authentic.
Tinqui stands full meals 10-15 soles juices fresh. Pacchanta corner shops sandwiches under 20 soles. Look “menu del dia” signs value.
Trek 3-5 hours daily inclines, moderate regular walkers. Altitude heightens; build endurance pre hikes. Health: Vaccinations hep suggested; height rest prep. Heart conditions doctor—oxygen helps. Anecdote: Paced slowly first, avoided fatigue. Stats 35% mild altitude, water key.
What months are best for this 6-day trek?
Dry season May to September provides clearer skies and drier paths, ideal for crossing passes like Palomani at 5100 meters. Fewer rains mean safer descents to Rainbow Mountain. However, nights remain cold, so warm layers essential. Wet season November to March offers greener valleys but muddier trails; ponchos help. Temps range 0 to 15 Celsius, any time works with prep.
How handle altitude sickness on route?
Ausangate reaches 5100 meters, can cause headaches nausea. Drink water plenty, avoid alcohol, rest camps as itinerary builds gradual. Guides carry oxygen minor symptoms. Coca tea local eases mildly; consult doctor pre meds if prone. About 40% hikers feel some, pacing hydration resolve most without issue.
Trek suitable families children?
Families join, kids under 12 discounts entries, guides pace slower young. Camps family tents, meals kid options fruits organic. Hydrate children height; hot springs relax all. 6 days moderate walks, ensure fitness; village stops interest without overexert.
Physical fitness required?
Moderate level suits regular walkers, daily 3-5 hours inclines. Train cardio legs pre. Healthy manage, joint issues doctor. Distances 8-12 km varied ground; breaks lakes. No tech skills, stamina key passes.
Customize itinerary possible?
BIO ANDEAN EXPEDITIONS allows adjustments extra rests cultural. Contact pre-book adds like photo stops. Costs shift, core passes Rainbow remain. Flexibility matches personal fitness interests.
Currency bring trail?
Soles tips hot springs, minimal opportunities. ATMs Cusco pre; dollars exchange rates good. $70 USD person extras souvenirs over 6 days; cash rural no cards.
Vegetarian meals available?
Restaurants provide veg local vegetables quinoa. Inform BIO ANDEAN EXPEDITIONS advance arrangements. Meals emphasize organic, fresh salads grains feature. International veg choices add costs offer variety desired.
Area safe solo travelers?
Cusco region safe tourists, BIO ANDEAN EXPEDITIONS constant support. Group activities, no isolated nights. Petty theft crowds rare, hotel safes valuables. Guides tips, comfortable individuals.
Flight delayed happens?
Notify BIO ANDEAN EXPEDITIONS contacts delay; reschedule pickup free. Representative waits later transfer. Join Tinqui hike adjust, rest itinerary intact.
Wi-Fi during trek?
Hotels Cusco free Wi-Fi, speeds vary remote. No camps passes. Basic checks; offline maps beforehand. BIO ANDEAN EXPEDITIONS suggests better connections work needs.
Extend stay Pacchanta?
Extensions possible; add nights BIO ANDEAN EXPEDITIONS more hot springs time. Costs $80 USD night breakfast. Allows relaxed after guided days.
Wildlife might see?
Valleys llamas alpacas herds locals use. Lakes huallatas ducks small fish. Guides point species tied Andean ecology, birds prey overhead. No dangerous, repellent warm zones.
Buy souvenirs how?
Villages like Tinqui textiles fair prices; bargain polite deals. Quality check authentic materials. Cusco shops unique pieces. $30-100 USD interests; cash preferred.
Medical help need?
Guides first aid minor, hotels clinics connect. Serious BIO ANDEAN EXPEDITIONS transport Cusco facilities. Insurance covers; altitude meds local. Prevent acclimatizing slow schedule.
Age restrictions?
No strict, over 70 under 5 doctor altitude risks. Guides adapt seniors short walks. Families teens enjoy views; package various ages balanced pace.
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From November to January — especially in December — Machu Picchu Circuit 2 tickets, the most complete and popular route we usually include, are sold out on many dates.
For new bookings with departures during these months, if Circuit 2 is not available for your travel date, we will secure Circuit 3 first (lower urban sector with a longer, more immersive walk) or, if that is also unavailable, Circuit 1 (upper panoramic area with the iconic postcard view). All options are subject to availability.
Your personal expert will invest the time to grasp your preferences and craft them into a tailored itinerary that aligns with your budget. They will continue refining it until you're fully satisfied and prepared to confirm.
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