Machu Picchu - Ausangate to Rainbow Mountain Trek 4 Days.
Alpaca Expedition created the Ausangate + Machu Picchu package based on our client’s feedback. They wanted a hike that included the Ausangate trek, the famous Rainbow Mountain tour and Machu Picchu all in 4 days. This experience includes the Ausangate trek during the first 2 days and will offer you a challenging yet rewarding experience along the high Mountains. The 3rd day will be dedicated to the Rainbow Mountain tour. This is a full day experiencing the Rainbow Mountain Hike Peru’s newest gem. Your Alpaca Expeditions’ highly experienced guide with answer ALL of your questions. You’ll also be joined by one of our renown trekking chefs who will carefully prepare your breakfast and lunch to ensure you experience some of the amazing food that Peru has to offer!
Itinerary
Alpaca Expeditions Team will pick you up at 4 a.m. Then you’ll have a three hour drive to the trailhead at Pukutuni School. Here you’ll enjoy some breakfast and meet your Alpaca Expeditions team including the local chef, porters and horsemen.
Then you’ll have a three-hour hike to your lunch spot at Upis village in the skirt of Ausangate Mountain. you’ll hike for 1.5 hours uphill to the first pass called Vicuña Pass (4850 meters above sea level). We’ll break there for a bit to allow you to enjoy the views.
Then you’ll continue a 3-hour walk to your evening campsite at Pucaccocha. You’ll be able to enjoy breathtaking views along the way. You’ll see stunning views of the valleys, waterfalls and glacier peaks.
Your Alpaca Expeditions chef and porters will be waiting for you at your evening campsite. They’ll prepare food and get your tent set up so you can just relax and enjoy your surroundings.
Trailhead elevation: 4200m // Walking distance. 16km// Campsite elevation. 4600m// Weather: Cold// Rate: Challenging
After an early nutritious breakfast cooked by your Alpaca Expeditions chef, you’ll continue the Rainbow Mountain Trek with a 2-hour climb to Condor pass (4900 meters above sea level). On the way, you’ll have magical views of Ausangate mountain, lagoons and perhaps even see some llamas and alpacas. It is then a gradual downhill hike for 2 hours to your lunch spot. After lunch, you’ll have a small climb to Alpaca pass (4950 m) where you can see a small part of Rainbow Mountain. After one more hour of downhill hiking, you’ll get to this evening's campsite. Here your Alpaca Expeditions team will take care of all the details while relax you and experience one of the most beautiful spots to take in the Andean sky.
Walking distance: 08 km // Campsite elevation: 4700m // Weather: cold // Rate: Challenging
Spending the night in the mountains means you’ll be one of the first to arrive at the stunning Rainbow Mountain. On the way, you’ll have the chance to see some wildlife of vicuñas. Upon your arrival the views will be stunning and because it’ll be so early you should be able to get some spectacular photographs without worrying about crowds. Your Alpaca Expeditions guide will explain all the mountains' different colors and minerals. Once you are ready to leave it’ll be 1 hour to the end of the trail. You’ll then say goodbye to your Alpaca Expeditions trekking team and continue from this point with your Rainbow Mountain Trek guide.
It’ll be a 4-hour drive to Ollantaytambo where you’ll have some dinner before catching your 7 p.m. train to Aguas Calientes. Then you’ll have the opportunity to take a nice hot shower and sleep in a comfortable bed in a local hotel.
Walking: 6 km // Weather: Cold // Rainbow mountain elevation: 5030m // Rate: Challenging
Finally, you will visit Machu Picchu, To get the most out of the day Alpaca Expeditions encourages every one of our groups to start the day early. You can grab some breakfast before catching one of the first buses up to Machu Picchu (starting at 5:30 a.m.).
The very first thing your guide will do is bring you the best place to watch the sunrise and get pictures. Once the sun rises, your tour guide will walk you around the main areas and explain the history for a 2.5 hour long walking tour. You’ll learn more about the history and culture of the Inca Empire. At the end of the guided tour will have some time to yourselfs to walk the ruins without interruption or if you arranged to hike Huayna Picchu* (must be booked in advance as it sells out and costs $75 per person). Then your guide will show you where to begin this hike which will take no more than 2 hours round-trip. in the afternoon you will take the train back to Ollantaytambo where our driver will pick you up and transfer you back to Cusco your hotel.
Book Now
No dates currently available to book
Have a question?
If you have any questions about this trip or want to speak with an expert, get in touch.
We're ready to help.
FAQs
The trek requires a good level of fitness - you will be hiking for around six - seven hours each day. We recommend that you train by doing any sports or exercise (e.g. jogging) twice a week in the run-up to your trip.
While the itineraries are designed to allow for adequate acclimatization you are likely to feel the effects of altitude sickness and oxygen deprivation whilst on this trek. Please be aware that your guide may deem it unsafe for you to continue trekking at any time and arrange for you to descend to a lower altitude.
When you go above altitudes of 2,500m, you need to allow your body time to acclimatize properly. We advise that you move slowly, don’t rush and ensure you protect yourself from the weather. Ensure you stay hydrated and eat plenty to keep your energy levels up. our Guide takes oxigen tang and satellite phone.
The average group size is 8 people, with a maximum of 12.
Included:
- Guides, Chef and porters
- Food & purified water on the trek
- Permits
- Accommodation - camping and 1-night hotel in Aguas Calientes
- Air matts and pillow for camping
- Duffel bag for all your things
Excluded:
- International flights
- Food in Cusco
- hotels in Cusco before and after the trek
- Personal travel/rescue insurance
- Tips
- Huayna Picchu (extra $75 each and needs to book in advance)
You will average around 8 to 10 miles per day.
2 nights in Camping, the tents are 4 person tents which are shared by 2 trekkers. and 1-night hotel in Matrimonial or double room in Aguas Calientes.
Yes - there will be a group of trained chefs joining you. Just let us know your requirements before you arrive.
They will make mind-blowingly amazing meals for you three times a day, All food restrictions are honored and there is always plenty (some say “too much”!) for everyone.
There will be a portable toilet at each campsite you stay at. They are regularly maintained by the staff.
The winter season and driest time of year in Peru are May - Sept. The summer season is Nov - Mar, which is the warmest, but wettest time. During the summer season, it does not rain every day, but can often have a downpour in the afternoons. Apr and Oct can sometimes see some small rain showers. we suggest bring good rain gear for any time of the year just in case. the Ausangate area is cold.
The night before the trek you will have a briefing in our office at 6,30pm, your guide will meet with you and overview the hike with more details, he will give you a duffle bag in which you can put all of your things for the hike and we will take that for you on the hike. You will also need a small day bag, which you will carry yourself. Expect to carry about 5kg of weight in this bag e.g. water, suncream, waterproofs, phone, passport etc.
The currency used in Peru is Nuevo Sol (PEN) You will need to ensure that you withdraw enough PEN for your trip to the airport or in Cusco.
It is customary in Peru to tip guides and porters. Although it may not be customary to you, it is of considerable significance to the people who will take care of you during your travels. A good rule of thumb is between $50 - $80 at the end of your trip. You can give this to the lead guide.
We will send some professionally trained chefs on the trek with you. They will prepare fresh food each day. Most dietary requirements are catered for e.g. vegan, vegetarian, pescatarian, food allergies etc.
Our guides will provide you with clean water throughout the whole trek. This water is collected from each campsite, boiled and filtered. When traveling in countries such as Peru, it's important to maintain vigilance with hygiene and food safety. Bring plenty of hand sanitizer.
It is worth checking on your government's website. British citizens can check here.
You will arrive at the gates just before sunrise, then enjoy a guided tour which lasts around 2 hours. After this, you will have some free time inside the grounds before heading back to your accommodation in Cusco.
Our service from door to door, we will pick you up and drop off you in your hotel
Cusco is at 3400m / 11,150ft, so you will feel some of the effects of altitude straight away. If you can arrive a few days earlier, then this will give your body more time to adapt. You will need to book any extra nights accommodation.
Porters will carry up to 7.5 kg of your personal items. This must include your sleeping bag and air matt. You can rent a sleeping mat, pillow, poncho for free when you arrive in Peru. Just ask one of your guides! You will be provided with a duffel bag, for all your things upon arrival.
Documents
• Passport
• Travel insurance details
• Boarding passes for flights
• Driver’s license (if needed)
• Cash
• Credit/Debit Card
Sleeping
• Sleeping bag
• Sleeping bag liner (optional)
Footwear
• Trekking boots: 3 or 4 season lightweight
• City footwear: Sandals
• Shoes for the plane (Optional)
Clothing
Please make sure that you have non-cotton clothing for trekking.
• 2 base-layer t-shirts (e.g. running t-shirts)
• Fleece/soft-shell jacket
• Waterproof jacket
• Down jacket for warmth (Optional)
• Travel clothes and City Wear
• Underwear
• Base-layer trousers (optional)
• Waterproof trousers
• Trekking trousers
• Trekking shorts (Optional)
• 2 thick wool hiking socks
• Lightweight and breathable hiking socks
• Gloves and wool hat
• Swimwear
Other
• A daysack: 35 litres
• Dry Liner or Dry Bag
• Water bottle/thermos: At least 2L. Nalgene bottles best.
• Sunglasses
• Suncream
• Personal medication – Inhaler, Blister pads etc
• General Toiletries, Contact lenses, Glasses (if needed)
• Towel
• Electronics - travel adaptor, phone & charger
• Headtorch (Essential)
• Lipsil
• Book
• MP3/Music and headphones
• Travel wash
• Hand sanitizer, wet wipes
Your head guides are Ronaldo and Bonnie
All trips on Skyhook are run by small, hand-picked local guiding companies. For this trip you'll be led by Ronaldo, Bonnie and the guiding team based in Cusco.
By booking through Skyhook you'll be joining a small-group trip. This can make it nice and sociable (you'll be added to a group chat after booking), and guarantees great value for money!
Why Skyhook?
Join over 27,000 Skyhook adventurers who've used our platform to book directly with our vetted local guides, at local prices (we never markup).
Expert Local Guides
Experienced local guides, handpicked by us.
Best Prices
Never pay a markup on the local guide's price.
Exclusive Club
Earn loyalty rewards every time you travel.
Great Social Vibes
Small group tours provide a richer experience.
Stellar Feedback
Over 3,000 reviews, average of 4.9/5 stars.