Ausangate Trek To Rainbow Mountain 5 Days

We did the Ausangate and Rainbow Mountain hike for 5 days, and it exceeded our expectations with many details from the company. I could say that this company is very reliable and safe since all the information is correct and customer service is very fast within the reservations, and the staff is very kind and attentive. I recommend this company 100% and you do not hesitate.

My wife and I did the 5D4N trek around Ausangate, including a detour to see Vinicunca (Rainbow Mountain). We were the only trekkers in our group.

Both of us rate this trek as one of the best we’ve ever done, given the literally breathtaking scenery and the variety of landscapes that we passed through. We got many peeks of snow-capped peaks, went up close to gigantic glaciers, climbed up many rocky passes, traversed over fields of grass and moss, as well as passed by numerous beautiful lakes and the occasional waterfall. We also managed to see many alpaca herds, some llamas, as well as spotted a family of vicuñas once. Although we did this trek during the start of the rainy season and thus often experienced a variety of precipitation (rain, hail and snow—sometimes all in a single day), we were fortunate enough to get some pockets of decent weather.

The support provided by Peru Hike was excellent. Franklin, the owner, was quick to respond to my queries via email or WhatsApp, and met up with us for a briefing the day before we departed. Richard, our guide, took great care of us during the trek and was constantly upbeat, making the five days highly enjoyable! We also appreciated how he actually grew up in the Upis community (near the start of our trek) and thus knew the various places along the trek intimately (e.g. he would know who stayed in the houses that we passed by). Not surprisingly, we learnt a ton about life around Ausangate (what people did for a living, their customs, their challenges, etc.), as well as the flora and fauna of the region. This made the trek all the more meaningful, as it wasn’t only about walking through a pretty place, but also getting immersed in its culture.

Wilber, our cook, made the most exceptional meals, which often surprised us in a good way. Who would have thought we could enjoy a plate of piping hot lomo saltado or chaufa de quinoa (fried quinoa) in the remotest of locations? With a bowl of hot soup (divine in the cold weather) and generous servings of a protein, vegetables and carbs for every lunch and dinner, we were well-nourished throughout and never went hungry. Wilber also prepared small snack packs every day to fuel us for our long day of trekking, which we largely completed between an early breakfast and lunch to avoid the afternoon rains.

Don Juan, our horseman, was a tireless and dependable guy who made sure that our bags and equipment arrived safely from point-to-point. Thanks to him, we almost always had our tent ready for us when we arrived at the campsite for each day, with our duffel bags and sleeping bags already placed inside. We also constantly saw him fetching water and cleaning the various cooking utensils—the hidden force behind making sure that all our logistics were in order.

The equipment provided by Peru Hike was great too. My wife and I had a spacious tent with ample space to put our personal belongings. The sleeping bags and sleeping pads provided by Peru Hike was also of good quality and very comfortable. To keep us warm in the cold weather, we were also given a thick blanket to line the sleeping bag, as well as a hot water pouch every night. My wife and I also appreciated the little gestures like a cup of hot tea every morning delivered directly by Wilber or Don Juan to our tent before breakfast, and being provided a bowl of hot water to wash our hands before meals.

Separately, we also appreciated that Peru Hike worked a lot with the local communities around Ausangate for this trek. Besides our guide, Richard, who was from the Upis community, Don Juan was from Upis village. It was important to us to know that our tourism dollars were going to the communities we visit, so that they can continue to safeguard Ausangate and its natural surroundings. (On a separate note unrelated to Peru Hike, we noticed that there was some litter in a couple of the campsites, especially the Yana Qocha campsite on our first night. So even though Ausangate is relatively less popular, there are still enough visitors and their trash to create a negative environmental impact.)

All in all, my wife and I had a fantastic experience on our trek with Peru Hike. For anyone looking to trek Ausangate, we can highly recommend them!

I joined two others on Ausangate and Rainbow Mountain 5 day trek. Peru Hike organised the trip well and Franklin was quick to respond to any questions before the trip. The trek itself was fantastic with outstanding and ever changing scenery. Richard the guide was friendly, informative and flexible to the group’s preferences. Moises the chef produced really good food and Jose Luis handled the horses and bags efficiently and with a friendly smile. All in all we received excellent and efficient service and I would recommend Peru Hike and the Ausangate trek.

I 100% recommend booking with Peru Hike for any tours around Cusco area. I booked the 5 day Ausangate trek and it was 5 star service from start to finish. Chino was an amazing guide, Miguel an amazing chef and the lovely couple or horseman/horsewoman Leo and Rosa were the most hardworking people I have ever met. I thought of doing this trek on my own and I am so glad I decided to go with this guided tour. The altitude hits everyone differently and having a guide there to monitor your symptoms is a peace of

We recently did the Ausangate trek in Peru with Peru Hike. They took real care of us before, during, after the journey. We had friends with dietary restrictions and were well accommodated. Highly recommend Vidal and his team. They know the area very well and guided us based on our experience and interest. Very friendly and will go to lengths to make it a success for his customers.