Ausangate Trek 5 Days: the Full Circuit Around Cusco’s Sacred Snow Peak

Cusco 5 Days / 4 Nights

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Rainbow Mountain Vinicunca Panoramic View

Turquoise Glacial Lake Snow Capped Andes

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Availability Daily departures
Transport Hotel pickup
Languages Español, Inglés
Service type Not specified
Cancellation policy Not specified
Maximum altitude 5,300 m (17,400 ft) – Palomani Pass m.s.n.m.

Summary
Itinerary
Inclusions
Recommendations
FAQs
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About this activity

The Ausangate Trek, 5 days, is the definitive experience for travelers who want to explore Cusco’s most sacred mountain in depth. Unlike the shorter versions, this route completes nearly the full circuit around Ausangate (6,384 m / 20,945 ft), crossing several mountain passes above 5,000 m (16,400 ft) and revealing scenery that changes every day: almost impossibly turquoise lakes, hanging glaciers, remote alpaca-herding communities, and, toward the end, the relaxing natural hot springs of Pacchanta.

This trek also gives you the chance to visit Rainbow Mountain (Vinicunca) as part of the route, arriving via a much quieter path than the one used by single-day tours, and to cross sections of Ausangate that see virtually no mass tourism. It’s a multi-day immersive experience in the mountains, ideal for travelers who want to fully disconnect and test their physical endurance in one of the most spectacular natural settings in the Peruvian Andes.

Given its length and demands, this trek is best suited to travelers with real motivation for mountain trekking: five days camping at altitude, crossing challenging passes, and experiencing the culture of the communities that live around Apu Ausangate up close.

Looking for a different version? We also offer the Ausangate Trek 5 Days via the Seven Lakes route, plus shorter options like the Ausangate Trek 2 Days and the Ausangate Trek 3 Days.

Itinerary

Day 01

Cusco – Tinqui – Upis

The first day begins at 6:00 AM with pick-up from your hotel in Cusco. We then take a private transfer of approximately three hours to Tinqui and Upispampa, the starting point of the trek, located at around 4,180 m / 13,700 ft above sea level.

From here, we begin an approximately 8 km hike lasting around three hours to the Upis campsite. The campsite sits at approximately 4,430 m / 14,530 ft. In the afternoon, you will have free time to visit Upis Lagoon and enjoy the surrounding Andean scenery. Overnight accommodation will be in a cabin.

Day 02

Upis – Arapa Pass – Pucacocha Pass – Ananta

The second day starts at approximately 5:00 AM. We begin the ascent toward Arapa Pass, located at around 4,958 m above sea level.

We then continue toward Pucacocha Pass, situated at approximately 5,000 m / 16,400 ft. Along the route, you can enjoy spectacular views of the Ausangate massif, surrounding mountains, and high-altitude landscapes.

After crossing the pass, we descend toward the Ananta campsite, located at approximately 4,700 m / 15,400 ft. The total walking distance is around 14 km, requiring approximately eight to nine hours. Overnight accommodation will be in tents or a mountain shelter.

Day 03

Ananta – Surini Pass – Rainbow Mountain – Alqatari

The third day begins early at approximately 4:00 AM. We hike toward Surini Pass, located at around 5,051 m above sea level, passing a beautiful mountain lake along the way.

By mid-morning, we arrive at the famous Rainbow Mountain, also known as Vinicunca. You will have time to admire its colorful landscape, take photographs, and enjoy the panoramic views of the surrounding Andes.

After visiting Rainbow Mountain, we begin the descent toward the Alqatari campsite, located at approximately 4,420 m. During this day, we cover around 16 km in approximately seven hours of hiking.

Day 04

Alqatari – Palomani Pass – Surapampa

The fourth day starts early with a challenging ascent toward Palomani Pass, located at approximately 5,300 m / 17,400 ft. This is the highest point of the entire trek and offers impressive views of the glaciers surrounding Ausangate Mountain.

After crossing the pass, we continue toward the Huchuy Phinaya area, where we stop for lunch. We then descend toward the Surapampa campsite, located at approximately 4,591 m above sea level.

The total distance for this day is around 14 km, with approximately seven to eight hours of hiking. This section offers some of the most dramatic high-altitude scenery along the Ausangate route.

Day 05

Jampa – Pacchanta – Cusco

The final day begins early as we cross one last mountain pass, located at approximately 4,900 m above sea level. From there, we begin the gradual descent toward the community of Pacchanta.

Upon arrival in Pacchanta, we enjoy lunch and have time to relax in the area's natural hot springs. This is an ideal opportunity to rest and recover after five days of trekking through the Andes.

During the final trekking section, we cover approximately 17 km in seven to eight hours. Afterward, we take a private transfer back to Cusco, which takes approximately three hours. The estimated arrival time in Cusco is around 6:00 PM.

What's included

Inclusions

Included
- Round-trip private transportation from your hotel in Cusco
- Professional Spanish-speaking guide with satellite phone
- Professional cook and support staff (horsemen) throughout the trek
- All meals in the itinerary (5 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 4 dinners; vegetarian option available)
- Accommodation in a cabin, mountain shelter, and tents depending on the day
- Mules or horses to carry camping equipment (limited personal baggage allowance — ask for details)
- Eco-friendly portable toilet and dining tent
- First-aid kit and emergency oxygen tank
- Entrance to Rainbow Mountain (Vinicunca), community lands, and Pacchanta hot springs
- Daily drinking water and trail snacks

What's Not Included

Not included
- Sleeping bag and trekking pole rental (available on request for an extra fee)
- Additional personal riding horse rental
- Tips for the guide, cook, and horsemen
- Travel insurance with altitude coverage (recommended and required for this trek)
- Personal expenses and extra drinks not specified in the itinerary

Recommendations

Difficulty level: challenging to very challenging. This is one of the longest treks we offer around Ausangate, with several mountain passes above 5,000 m on consecutive days. Previous high-altitude trekking experience or excellent physical fitness is recommended.
Acclimatization: spend at least 3 days in Cusco (3,400 m) or the Sacred Valley before starting, and ideally do a short acclimatization hike beforehand.
What to pack: layered technical clothing for extreme cold, a waterproof and windproof jacket, a warm hat and gloves, high-SPF sunscreen, broken-in hiking boots, trekking poles, a sleeping bag rated for low temperatures (or rent one from us), and a reusable water bottle.
Best season: April to October (dry season); avoid November-March due to the risk of lightning storms on the high passes.
Travel insurance: given the length and altitude of this trek, insurance with high-altitude evacuation coverage is strongly recommended.

Frequently Asked Questions

How is altitude sickness risk managed on a 5-day trek like this one?

This is the most altitude-demanding trek in our Ausangate lineup, with several passes above 5,000 m (16,400 ft). We recommend arriving in Cusco at least 3 days early to acclimatize, staying constantly hydrated, avoiding alcohol before and during the trek, and telling your guide at the first sign of symptoms. The whole team carries emergency oxygen and a first-aid kit at every camp.

What fitness level is needed for the full 5-day circuit?

Good physical fitness is required, ideally with previous multi-day or high-altitude trekking experience, since you'll be hiking 7 to 9 hours a day for five consecutive days, crossing several passes above 5,000 m. No technical mountaineering skills are needed (no ropes or crampons are used), but endurance and solid physical preparation matter.

What should I pack for 5 days of trekking around Ausangate?

Layered technical clothing, a waterproof jacket, a warm hat and gloves, sunscreen, broken-in hiking boots, trekking poles, a headlamp, and ideally your own cold-weather sleeping bag (or rent one from us). Camping gear, cooking equipment, and all meals are already included.

What's the weather like across the 5 days of the route?

Weather can vary quite a bit between days and sections of the circuit: sunny, cold mornings, possible strong wind on the highest passes, and below-freezing nights at every campsite. The dry season (April-October) offers the best conditions; we avoid scheduling long departures like this one during the peak rainy season due to the risk of lightning storms on the high passes.

What is the cancellation policy for this 5-day trek?

You can cancel or reschedule your booking according to the timeframes in our policy in effect at the time of confirmation; the more advance notice, the more refund flexibility. If weather conditions make it unsafe to complete the full circuit, we'll work with the group on route alternatives or a free reschedule.

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