This 4-day trek lets you step into the real Andean world. You’ll visit small villages where people still speak Quechua (the ancient Inca language) and live much like their ancestors did. Oh, and you’ll meet more alpacas than you can count! If you want a true Peruvian hiking experience far from the crowds, this is your trip.
This trek mixes crazy mountain views, wild landscapes, and local culture. Day 1 takes you to Rainbow Mountain, that Instagram-famous spot with stripes of red, yellow, and turquoise. But the real star is Ausangate—Peru’s sacred 6,384m peak. Andean communities still hike here yearly for spiritual rituals. You’ll pass glaciers, neon-blue lakes, and maybe spot vicuñas or condors. Warning: This is for fit hikers ready for high altitudes and long days. No crowds, no fancy lodges—just raw nature.
Duration: 4 Days / 3 Nights
Locations: Cusco, Rainbow Mountain, Ausangate Mountain, 7 Lakes, Hot Springs
Group Size: Max 8 people
Max Altitude: 5100m (16,732ft)
Service Type: Group or Private
Transport: Van + Trekking
Difficulty: Challenging (Not for beginners!)
Start: 4:00 AM pickup from your Cusco hotel. Yeah, it’s early, but coffee helps.
Drive: 2hrs to Pitumarca village (grab snacks here), then 1hr more to Q’esuyuno. The road’s bumpy, but you’ll see epic canyons and old Inca terraces.
Hike: Meet the horsemen, load gear onto horses, and start walking. The trail climbs slowly to Kayrawiry (4,800m). Lunch here—maybe quinoa soup or lomo saltado.
Rainbow Mountain Detour: After eating, hike 1.5hrs uphill to Vinicunca (Rainbow Mountain). Pro tip: Go late to avoid crowds! The colors pop best in afternoon light. Snap pics, then descend back to camp.
Camp: Sleep at Kayrawiry Lake. Dinner’s hearty—think pasta or stir-fry. Temps drop fast, so layer up!
Elevation: 4,800m (15,748ft)
Hiking: 5–6hrs
Meals: Lunch, Dinner
Sleep: Tents by the lake.
Wake-up: 5:30 AM with coca tea. Today’s tough but stunning.
Hike: Return to Q’esuyuno, then a steep 2hr climb to Condor Pass (5,100m). Breathless? Normal. The pass gives front-row views of Ausangate’s glaciers. Watch for avalanches—ice chunks crash into lakes below!
Downhill: After photos, descend to lunch. Then hike 3hrs along turquoise lakes to Ausangate Lake Camp. Happy hour here means hot chocolate or muña tea.
Elevation: 5,100m (16,732ft)
Hiking: 12–13hrs (yes, really—pack headlamps just in case)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Sleep: Tents near Ausangate Lake.
Breakfast: Pancakes or oatmeal. Fill up—today’s another big day.
Hike: Walk beside Ausangate’s icy walls. Pass waterfalls and lakes—look for vicuñas! They’re shy, but their wool’s worth $$$.
Climb: 3hrs uphill to Abra Campo Pass (5,000m). In dry season (May–Sep), no snow; in wet season, maybe some slush. Either way, views rock.
Camp: Descend to Qampa. Cold? The crew might surprise you with popcorn or hot drinks.
Elevation: 5,000m (16,404ft)
Hiking: 7–8hrs
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Sleep: Tents in Qampa.
Final Push: Short 1hr climb to a glacier viewpoint. See the Vilcanota Range—worth the sweat!
Hot Springs: Hike 5hrs downhill to Pacchanta village. Soak in natural hot springs (bring swimwear!). Lunch here, then 3hr drive back to Cusco. Arrive around 5 PM.
Elevation: 4,500m (14,763ft)
Hiking: 5–6hrs
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Must-Have Items
Clothing
Sleeping Gear
Trekking Equipment
Toiletries & Personal Items
Health & First Aid
To qualify for the student discount on Inca Trail Permits, travelers must meet the following requirements:
Student IDs will not be accepted for the discount under the following conditions:
This information is crucial for travelers seeking to benefit from discounted permits for the Inca Trail and Machu Picchu.
“ITAN Adventure” is a 100% Peruvian-owned tour operator based in Cusco, with extensive experience in hiking, adventure tours, and customized travel packages. As a completely local company, we’re dedicated to providing travelers with authentic, high-quality experiences.
Our vision as a local company is to deliver personalized travel and hiking journeys, managed exclusively by experienced local professionals, with a strong focus on HIGH-QUALITY and PERSONALIZED SERVICE.
We are proud of our reputation as a travel agency that upholds RESPONSIBLE and SUSTAINABLE practices benefiting both the environment and local communities.
We treat our team like family and ensure they receive fair wages. We are incredibly proud of each member of our team! Their dedication makes it possible for us to provide the top-notch service that our many travelers appreciate.
At “ITAN Adventure,” we understand that our reputation and the feedback from our travelers are essential for gaining the trust of future adventurers. You can check out honest reviews from our guests on TripAdvisor, Facebook, and Google to see why we’re a reliable choice for creating your Peruvian adventure.
To ensure a more personalized experience at “ITAN Adventure,” we keep our group sizes to a maximum of 8 travelers. This approach allows us to offer a tailored experience, unlike companies that operate with larger groups.
Our guides are our pride. They’re highly knowledgeable and professional, fluent in English, and deeply passionate about Inca culture and history. Each guide is committed to ongoing personal and professional development, allowing them to share accurate insights and fascinating theories about Andean heritage. They are friendly, athletic, and well-educated, with backgrounds in Archaeology, Tourism, Botany, History, or Anthropology.
Hiking with “ITAN Adventure” ensures a fulfilling experience. Our porters are here to make your journey comfortable and memorable. They carry your equipment, prepare meals, set up camps, and attend to your needs so you can relax and enjoy the adventure. Along the way, you’ll connect with local people, explore stunning sites, and discover historic Inca villages.
We provide our porters with essential equipment at no cost: jackets, sun hats, warm hats, shirts, pants, hiking boots, comfortable bags, canteens, back support belts, sleeping bags, mattresses, and travel insurance. Our porters come from remote communities, and by hiring them, we help improve their economic conditions and support their children’s education. We treat our porters like family!
Our team—guides, cooks, porters, muleteers—and our equipment make “ITAN Adventure” stand out from the competition. During our hikes, we provide:
“ITAN Adventure” is committed to giving back to isolated communities. We support social projects and prioritize hiring local staff.
We are proud to support local communities not only by providing employment but also by offering assistance to their families. This holistic approach benefits our employees from the Peruvian Andes and their loved ones, strengthening our connection to the local heritage.
This trek is available to depart any day of the week as long as we have a minimum of two participants
***This price includes the extra pack horse which will carry your belongings up to 7kgs, we provide you a duffel bag, in which to put your things.
***We provide large Eureka 4 person tents for each 2 trekkers.
To book, click the “BOOK NOW” button, choose your departure date, fill in everyone’s details, and pay the deposit with a credit or debit card. You can also book extras like an emergency horse (deposit required), sleeping bag, and trekking poles (can be booked later).
You can pay the remaining balance in cash (USD or Peruvian soles) one day before your trip, or with a Visa card (5% fee). Let us know your preference beforehand. Cash payments must be made at least one day prior.
No, we don’t offer student discounts for this trek.
No, they aren’t in the standard itinerary. Experienced hikers can request a custom trek including them, but this adds 4 hours to the first day (7 hours total, 3:00 am pickup). You must tell us in advance.
Experienced hikers who’ve done treks like Huaras, Salkantay, or the Inca Trail can skip the Upis campsite. This also requires a 3:00 am Cusco pickup. Inform us beforehand.
Yes, the Red Valley is part of the 4-day trek.
Yes, we do. We adjust the itinerary with earlier departures, earlier daily starts to avoid crowds, sheltered campsites, and a lower-altitude last campsite.
We provide filtered, boiled, and cooled water three times a day (after breakfast, lunch, and dinner) to refill your 2-liter bottle. Bring 2 liters from Cusco for the first morning.
Yes, with at least 48 hours’ notice. Last-minute changes aren’t allowed.
Not necessarily, but if you want a Rainbow Mountain stamp (2 soles), bring it.
There are no permanent toilets on the trail. We provide a portable toilet at each campsite. Bring your own toilet paper and bags to pack out waste from natural areas.
It’s about 40 kilometers (24.85 miles).
Mountain lions live there, but they’re shy and rarely seen.
Yes, it’s essential, especially for high-altitude treks. Make sure it covers activities at 5,000 meters.
We limit groups to 8 people.
No, except maybe limited solar power at some local homes.
We’ll evacuate you to the nearest town (Tinki on day 1, Alqatari on days 2 and 3) and then to Cusco.
At least three days in Cusco are recommended before the trek.
It’s moderately difficult, requiring average fitness. The high altitude makes it challenging.
We wake up at 5:30 AM, leave at 6:00 AM, and arrive around 6:45 AM (45-minute hike).
Important Information – Things to Know
We’re committed to delivering the Ausangate Trek 4-day itinerary as described. However, please be aware that changes might be necessary due to unforeseen local conditions like strikes or natural disasters. We’ll always do our best to keep you informed.
This trek isn’t ideal for young children due to the challenging walking conditions. However, if your child is an experienced high-altitude hiker, it might be possible. Please contact us to discuss this in more detail.
If you have any medical conditions, it’s essential to consult your doctor before booking. Explain that you’re planning a hike in the Peruvian Andes reaching an altitude of 5040 meters (16,400 feet). If you require medication, bring an ample supply.
Our third campsite’s location, about 40 minutes from Rainbow Mountain, gives us a great advantage: we can experience Rainbow Mountain with fewer crowds.
This 4-day Ausangate and Rainbow Mountain trek isn’t recommended for travelers with back problems.
Our guides always carry oxygen tanks. This is crucial at altitudes above 5040 meters (16,500 feet). Not all tour operators provide this, so it’s a vital factor when choosing your Ausangate trek.
ITAN Adventure organizes the 4-day Ausangate Trek year-round, thanks to our sheltered campsites.
We offer daily departures with groups of two or more people.
Unfortunately, the Ausangate trek is not wheelchair accessible.
Starting in September, our pick-up time has been adjusted to 5:00 am. This is because the rainy season begins, and afternoons are more likely to have rain. Hiking in the mornings offers better conditions.
Recommendations for a Smooth Trek
Acclimatization is key! Spend at least three days in Cusco before your Ausangate trek. This will greatly improve your experience.
Cold weather can drain phone batteries. Keep your iPhone inside your sleeping bag at night and in a warm place during the day.
Bring two pairs of shoes: one for hiking and another for relaxing at the campsite.
Ensure your sleeping bag is rated to -15 degrees Celsius. We rent high-quality Mountain Hardwear sleeping bags, which are perfect for the Ausangate region.
High altitude means cold, often freezing temperatures. Pack very warm clothing for the Ausangate 4-day hike.
Sunglasses are essential. Snow reflection can be intense and potentially cause temporary blindness (about 24 hours).
Duffel Bag Information
At the pre-departure briefing, we’ll provide you with a duffel bag. Horses will carry these bags, and you’ll have access to them at the campsites only. Pack clothing and personal items you won’t need during the day’s hike. Keep essentials like water, snacks, a first-aid kit, and rain gear in your daypack. The duffel bag’s weight limit is 7 kg.
Strikes and Roadblocks
Strikes and roadblocks are common in Peru and can affect the Ausangate 4-day trek. We’ll make every effort to ensure your trek continues as planned, even if adjustments are necessary.
If a strike occurs on the first day of your trek, we’ll transport you to the trailhead the night before your scheduled start date.
If a strike happens on your trek’s final day, we’ll send our vans to Kayrawiry the night before. You’ll be picked up around 5:00 pm (after the strike typically ends) and arrive back in Cusco around 10:00 pm.
Ausangate Weather
Andean weather is unpredictable. The Ausangate dry season runs from April to October, and the rainy season from November to March. However, rain can occur during the dry season, and sunshine is possible in the rainy season. Be prepared for anything! Pack rain gear (jacket, pants, poncho, waterproof gloves) regardless of the season.
Ausangate’s weather can change rapidly – you might experience all four seasons in a single day. Layering is crucial for adapting to temperature fluctuations. Bring a down jacket, as mornings and evenings will be very cold.
Travel Insurance
We strongly recommend travel insurance. It can reimburse you for pre-paid expenses if you need to cancel your Ausangate tour last minute. It also covers medical emergencies while traveling.
Best Time to Hike Ausangate
The best time to hike Ausangate is during the dry season, from May to September. You’ll have better chances of clear skies and stunning mountain views. Hiking is possible in April, October, November, and December, but good rain gear is essential. We advise against hiking in January and February due to heavy daily rainfall.
Physical Requirements
This is a challenging trek due to the high altitude. Good physical fitness is essential. The classic Ausangate trek’s elevation changes, including four passes, make it demanding.
Accommodation for Solo Travelers
During the 4-day Ausangate trek, solo travelers will share a tent with another traveler of the same sex. Couples will have private tents.
Pre-Departure Briefing
A mandatory pre-departure briefing will be held at our Cusco office (Marquez Street 250, Second Floor, Office 03) at 6:00 pm the day before your trek. You’ll meet your guide, receive detailed trek information, a packing list, rental equipment details, and have the opportunity to ask questions.
Tipping
Tipping is customary on the Ausangate 4-day trek. On the last day, it’s customary to tip the horsemen and cooks. Any additional amount is appreciated. Tipping is not mandatory, and you should never feel pressured.
Typically, our clients contribute to a shared tip for the chef and horsemen. You can tip your tour guide when they drop you off at your hotel. The amount is up to you and depends on your experience. Soles are preferred for horsemen and cooks. Guides can receive tips in US dollars or Soles.
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