A focused two-day trek linking Ausangate and Vinicunca (Rainbow Mountain) from Cusco, featuring high-altitude camping, mineral-rich panoramas, and encounters with alpacas and local Quechua communities. Expect steep climbs, thin air, and dramatic color bands at 5,000+ m.
More ways to explore the area's outdoor wonders
Dawn arrives on the high puna like a slow exhale — thin air, a silver cold that tastes of stone and distant glaciers. You meet your guide in Cusco before 4:00 a.m., climb into a private vehicle and drive toward Ausangate; by midmorning the road climbs into a landscape of wind-sculpted lakes and grazing alpacas, and the summit of the day’s work — the Mountain of Colors — waits above the pass.
Difficulty
challenging
Duration
2 days (5–7 hours walking per day)
Fitness Level
Good cardiovascular fitness and high-altitude tolerance; training hikes and stair work recommended
Wildlife
History
Ausangate is a sacred Apu for Quechua communities; local herding and pilgrimage traditions remain active in the high puna.
Conservation
The high-altitude grasslands are fragile—stick to established trails, pack out waste, and minimize campfire impact to protect slow-recovering ecosystems.
Reserve your spot on the 7 Colors Mountain Tour Peru 02 Days today and enjoy a trusted, highly rated experience designed to help you make the most of your adventure.
Acclimatize before you go
Spend at least 48 hours in Cusco at moderate activity levels to reduce altitude sickness risk.
Hydration and electrolytes
Drink steadily the day before and during the trek; carry a 1–2 L water bottle plus electrolyte sachets.
Sun and wind protection
High-altitude sun is intense—bring SPF 50, sunglasses and a windproof shell for changing conditions.
Use trekking poles
Poles ease steep ascents and descents on rocky, uneven trails and help conserve energy at altitude.
Layered clothing (base, insulating, windproof shell)
Temperatures swing from sub-freezing nights to strong sun—layers keep you comfortable and safe.
Trekking poles
Stabilize footing on rocky switchbacks and reduce knee strain on descents.
Hydration system + electrolytes
Sustains performance and helps prevent altitude-related symptoms.
High-SPF sunscreen & UV sunglasses
Protects against intense alpine UV and glare from snow or rock.