About this tour
When Maz from the crew tackled this 3-day trek, it became clear why Ausangate and Rainbow Mountain deserves more than a rushed day trip. You're hiking through the Vilcanota range at serious altitude—turquoise glacier lakes, red valleys, and the sacred Ausangate itself—with far fewer tourists than the Instagram crowds. The route weaves through remote Andean communities and herds of alpacas, camping rough but properly equipped in between. It's a proper mountain experience, not a tick-box.
Highlights
- Turquoise lagoons nestled below glacier views, genuinely stunning at sunrise
- Rainbow Mountain's striped slopes without the chaotic day-trip queues
- Sacred Ausangate Mountain dominates the landscape—feels properly remote
- Porter and mule team handles the heavy lifting; you keep moving
- Local Andean communities along the route, not a staged photo stop
- Camping in proper facilities with dining tents and morning tea service
- Red valleys and alpaca herds reward every steep climb
- Walkie-talkies and satellite phone mean safety net built in
What to expect
Day one kicks off early from Cusco with a 3–4 hour drive to the trailhead. You're hiking at altitude straight away—the air is thin and the pace is steady but deliberate. Your guide reads the group well; the crew doesn't rush. You'll camp that night in a proper setup with dining tent, sleeping pad, and hot meals. Days two and three are the meat of it: Rainbow Mountain on day two (the most famous peak, but the less-crowded approach makes it feel earned), and Ausangate itself on day three. Expect long hiking days—6–7 hours isn't unusual—with breaks for lunch and that afternoon happy hour. The landscape shifts constantly: high-altitude scrub, turquoise lakes, raw red earth. Weather can flip fast; mornings are crisp and clear, afternoons risk rain or wind. The porter team genuinely makes a difference; your duffel (5kg max) travels on mule, so you hike light. Nights are cold but the sleeping setup is decent. By day three you're knackered but wired.
What travellers say
- Smaller groups and remote routes beat the touristy Rainbow Mountain day-trip circus
- Guides, porters, mules, and full camp setup handle logistics smoothly
- Turquoise lakes and red valleys deliver dramatic landscape payoff
- Satellite phone and oxygen kit give genuine safety reassurance
- Camping experience feels authentic, not sanitised or uncomfortable
- Altitude and long daily hiking demand serious physical fitness beforehand
- Cold nights and unpredictable weather need proper gear and mindset
- Three-day Cusco acclimatisation recommended but adds cost and time to trip
- Day three dinner not included; budget and plan your exit meal
Themes summarised by our team from public information about this tour. Verify specifics on the operator's page before booking.
Good to know
This isn't the crowded Rainbow Mountain day trip—you get proper trekking and fewer tourists jostling for photos. The support structure (guides, porters, mule team, satellite comms, oxygen on hand) means you're adventuring safely. All meals and camping gear included keeps logistics simple. Kids 12+ can join, and solo travellers are welcome on shared groups.
This is genuinely hard work. You need to be fit—poor cardiovascular health, spinal injuries, or pregnancy make it risky. Altitude is real; arriving in Cusco 3 days early to acclimatise isn't optional, it's smart. Days are long (6–7 hours hiking) and nights are cold at 4000+m. Weather is unpredictable—rain, wind, hail all possible. Dinner on day three isn't included, so budget for that. Gratuities aren't compulsory but the porter team works hard. Bring trekking poles, layers, a good sleeping bag, and sunscreen. Vegetarian/vegan options exist but request at booking. Not suitable if you're recovering from injury or aren't genuinely fit.
Tour sold and operated by Viator via Viator. Descriptions on this page are original Global Hobo summaries written by our team — not copied from the operator. Prices and availability are confirmed at checkout.