THE ADVENTURE COLLECTIVE® · Independent discovery and booking for outdoor travel
Escape early from Cusco for a two-day hike along the Ausangate circuit to Vinicunca (Rainbow Mountain), camping overnight at high altitude. Expect glacier views, quiet highland nights and a strenuous but rewarding summit to Rainbow Mountain before returning to Cusco.
Escape early from Cusco for a two-day hike along the Ausangate circuit to Vinicunca (Rainbow Mountain), camping overnight at high altitude. Expect glacier views, quiet highland nights and a strenuous but rewarding summit to Rainbow Mountain before returning to Cusco.
You wake before dawn in Cusco, the city lights dwindling as a van climbs into the high Andes. By sunrise the valley opens—alpacas graze, wind scours terraces, and Ausangate's glacier sits cold and immovable above you. This two-day route follows parts of the Ausangate circuit, moving from green valleys to the thin air of Puccacocha Pass, then into a high camp where stargazing replaces the usual tourist bustle.
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Operated by FLY CUSCO Perú Travel Agency · Cusco, Cusco Region
You wake before dawn in Cusco, the city lights dwindling as a van climbs into the high Andes. By sunrise the valley opens—alpacas graze, wind scours terraces, and Ausangate's glacier sits cold and immovable above you. This two-day route follows parts of the Ausangate circuit, moving from green valleys to the thin air of Puccacocha Pass, then into a high camp where stargazing replaces the usual tourist bustle.
The landscape here records recent uplift and relentless glaciation: layered mineral bands and oxidized soils give Vinicunca its stripes while moraines and glacial lakes trace Ausangate’s slow work. Local Quechua communities still herd and farm in these altiplanos; the route crosses grazing lands and historical pathways used for centuries between mountain villages.
Expect long climbs at altitude—day one gains to roughly 4,200–5,000 m with about 14 km of walking; day two tops near 5,000–5,200 m on the approach to Rainbow Mountain before descending back toward Cusco. Guides supply four-season tents, mattresses and hot meals, and porters or horses carry heavy loads so you move lighter.
Practical notes: spend 2–3 days in Cusco beforehand to acclimatize, hydrate constantly and pace your ascent to reduce altitude risk. Sturdy waterproof boots, layered clothing, sun protection and a 30–50 L daypack make the outing manageable. Weather changes fast—wind and sun will duel the same afternoon—so plan flexible clothing and reserve energy for the final high pass. The payoffs are immediate: clear highland air, near-desert ridgelines and the rainbow banding that drew you here.
challenging.
2 days.
Requires high aerobic fitness and prior day-hiking experience; comfortable on sustained climbs at altitude.
Plan 2–3 full days at city altitude before the hike to reduce altitude sickness risk; light activity and hydration help.
Yes—four-season tents, foam mattresses and sleeping bags are provided as part of the trip inclusions.
The final ascent reaches about 5,000–5,200 m and can be steep; expect 4–6 hours of hiking on day two with thin air.
Large duffels are carried by pack animals and are not accessible during the day; bring essentials in your daypack for immediate access.
The Ausangate region is sacred in Andean cosmology and has long been a seasonal grazing route for Quechua communities.
High-altitude puna is fragile—stick to trails, avoid campfire impacts and minimize single-use plastics to protect water sources.
FLY CUSCO Perú Travel Agency operates guided outdoor trips and adventures with an emphasis on safety, stewardship, and memorable experiences.
You wake before dawn in Cusco, the city lights dwindling as a van climbs into the high Andes. By sunrise the valley opens—alpacas graze, wind scours terraces, and Ausangate's glacier sits cold and immovable above you. This two-day route follows parts of the Ausangate circuit, moving from green valleys to the thin air of Puccacocha Pass, then into a high camp where stargazing replaces the usual tourist bustle.
You wake before dawn in Cusco, the city lights dwindling as a van climbs into the high Andes. By sunrise the valley opens—alpacas graze, wind scours terraces, and Ausangate's glacier sits cold and immovable above you. This two-day route follows parts of the Ausangate circuit, moving from green valleys to the thin air of Puccacocha Pass, then into a high camp where stargazing replaces the usual tourist bustle.
The landscape here records recent uplift and relentless glaciation: layered mineral bands and oxidized soils give Vinicunca its stripes while moraines and glacial lakes trace Ausangate’s slow work. Local Quechua communities still herd and farm in these altiplanos; the route crosses grazing lands and historical pathways used for centuries between mountain villages.
Expect long climbs at altitude—day one gains to roughly 4,200–5,000 m with about 14 km of walking; day two tops near 5,000–5,200 m on the approach to Rainbow Mountain before descending back toward Cusco. Guides supply four-season tents, mattresses and hot meals, and porters or horses carry heavy loads so you move lighter.
Practical notes: spend 2–3 days in Cusco beforehand to acclimatize, hydrate constantly and pace your ascent to reduce altitude risk. Sturdy waterproof boots, layered clothing, sun protection and a 30–50 L daypack make the outing manageable. Weather changes fast—wind and sun will duel the same afternoon—so plan flexible clothing and reserve energy for the final high pass. The payoffs are immediate: clear highland air, near-desert ridgelines and the rainbow banding that drew you here.