Ausangate & Painted Hill 4D/3N

Day 1: Cusco – Tinki – Upis – Hot Springs

We pick you up from your hotel at 4 a.m. We offer you a private transportation to the trail head at Tinki, it is a small Andean village located near Ocongate, at 3,900 m/12,795 ft above sea level. We will meet the horsemen and horses, we introduce you the super Quinoa Expeditions team. You will enjoy your first breakfast prepared by our professional chef. Then, you will start the gradual, uphill hike. It will be three or four hours until we reach our lunch spot. Along the way, we will have amazing views of Ausagnate, far in the distance. We will pass by traditional villages, and perhaps meet some local people, dressed in their colorful, traditional clothing. They may be accompanying their indigenous llamas. Our lunch spot is in an amazing location, surrounded by stunning mountains and an excellent view of Ausangate Glacier peak. After lunch, it will be another two hour hike until we reach our campsite at Upis Alto, near the famous hot springs. Upis Alto is a small village located at 4,100 m/13,451 ft elevation. This will be our first campsite close of  Ausangate.

Walked Distance: 13 km / 8 m
Campsite Elevation: 4,100 m / 13,450 ft
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks, drinking water
Weather: Dry and cold

Day 2: Upis – Condor Pass – Pucaccocha

We wake you up with a hot cup of coca tea and you will prepare for the second day of the hike. We have breakfast enjoying the views of the wonderful  Ausangate glacier peaks. We will also see the lakes and waterfalls, and perhaps some llamas, alpacas and wild vicuñas (the undomesticated ancestor of the alpaca), as well as condors soaring above. We will have a three hour, uphill hike until we reach the first pass, which is at 5,000 m/ 16,404 ft high. You will have magnificent views of the surrounding area, especially in the dry season. In some months of the year, we will hike through some snow. You will most likely get to see vicuñas, which are the most impressive, wild animals in Peru. They belong to the family of Andean camelids. Today, their fleece is the most expensive wool the world. After taking some amazing pictures, we will continue on a two and a half hour, gradual, downhill hike until we reach a beautiful area, where you will enjoy your  lunch. Following, it will be another two and a half hours until we arrive at our campsite, at Puca Ccocha (Red Lake). This campsite is one of the most beautiful campsites, located at the skirt of the Ausangate peak and at the bank of the lake. You can see amazing sunsets from here, and perhaps some condors and eagles flying nearby.

Walked Distance: 12 km /7.5 m
Campsite Elevation: 4,300 m / 14,100 ft
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks, drinking water
Weather: Dry and cold

Day 3: Pucaccocha – Alpaca Pass – Chillca – Vicuña Pass Yanaccocha

We will wake you up early with a hot cup of coca tea, to start one of the most beautiful days of the trek. You will enjoy the majestic views of some of the highest peaks in the Andes, and the depths of the beautiful valleys. You will have two mountain passes to make today.

After an early breakfast, we will start with a two to three hour, steep climb to Alpaca Pass at 5,100 m/ 16,732 ft elevation. Along the way, you will have gorgeous views of the blue lakes and the Ausangate Glacier Peak. You may even see avalanches happening from the glacial hills. Once you reach the summit of this mountain, you will be right in front of Ausangate, so you will be able to enjoy the Chillca Valley, and the many alpaca grazing along these hills. After taking some great pictures, you will continue for another two hours on a gradual, downhill trek, then we reach our lunch spot, located in Chillca Valley. Be aware that some sections of the trail can be a bit difficult to see. You will see views of the waterfalls, green hills and snow-capped peaks. After enjoying your lunch and a little nap, you will continue on to the second pass of the day, called Vicuña pass, at 5,300 m/17,388 ft elevation. It will be a slow-paced, hour and a half hike to reach the summit of this highest pass of the trek. Along the way, it may be possible to see some condors, and vicuñas. Once we are on top of the mountain we will enjoy a cup or two of traditional coca tea which will be provided by your porters. Then it will be another one hour, downhill hike until we arrive at our campsite at the banks of Lake Yanaccocha, where you will enjoy our daily happy hour of hot drinks. This campsite is located few hours away from our final destination, The Rainbow Mountains.

This is a perfect place to spot the famous Inca constellations and do some star-gazing.

Walked Distance: 15 km/9.3 m
Campsite Elevation: 4,400 m/ 14,435 ft
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks, drinking water
Weather: Dry and cold

Day 4: Yanaccocha – Rainbow Mountain – Chillca Village – Cusco

After another early breakfast with your trekking team, you will walk gradually  uphill for an hour and a half until we reach the famous Rainbow Mountains and the Red Mountain Valley, located at 5,200 m /17,060 ft elevation. Your tour guide will lead you to the perfect spots for postcard pictures. He will also explain why these mountains are different from any others in the Vilcantoa mountain Range. Part of the difference is due to a composition of various minerals, which make different colors of stone striations in the middle of the Red Mountains. This is one of the key tourist highlights in South America, and one of the most beautiful natural attractions in Peru.

After taking photos and enjoying the views, you will continue on the expedition to the end of the trail. This is all downhill, along the Chillca Valley. You will travel three hours until you stop to enjoy your final lunch with your team. We will then drive for hours back to Cusco and drop you off at your hotel. The drive provides nice views of the Andes and we will pass some traditional villages along the way. You will be arriving into Cusco around 6 p.m.

Walked Distance: 12 km /7.5 m
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, snacks, drinking water
Weather: Dry and cold

Includes

• Pick up from your hotel
• Transportation by private bus from Cusco to Tinki
• Professional English Speaking Tour Guide
• Assistant Tour Guide for groups of 9 or more trekkers
• 4 breakfast, 4 lunches, 4 afternoon snacks and 3 dinners. If you have a dietary request such as vegetarian food please let us know.
• Dining tent with tables and chairs.
• Chef, porters & horsemen
• Emergency Horse
• Private Transportation
• Food
• First Aid
• water

Does Not Include

• Sleeping Bag (Can be hired from us)
• Inflatable sleeping pad
• Trekking poles
• Tips

What you need to take

• Original Passport
• ISIC card (if you are a student and want to qualify for the discount)
• Day pack
• Sleeping bag( you can rent from Quinoa Expeditions )
• Walking boots
• Waterproof jacket
• Warm jacket
• Warm clothes: layers for variable temperatures, especially at night. Thermals:Hat, gloves.
• wool socks and wool hat for cold nights
• T-shirts for the intire trek
• Comfortable Trousers
• Sun hat
• Sunscreen (factor 35 or higher)
• Toiletries : poilet paper, toothbrush, toothpaste, wipes and hand sanitizer
• Personal medical kit
• Camera and film
• Torch with spare batteries
• Camel bag or wáter bottle
• Extra money for drinks,tips and souvinirs. Etc( soles  or  dollars). At least 300 extra soles.

2 pax min, max 10 pax

$575 per person

Equipment Rental:

Walking Pole US$15 (pair)
Sleeping Bag US$20
Inflatable Mattress US$20
Single Tent Supplement US$30 

ABSOLUTE ESSENTIALS FOR THE TREK:

• Valid, original Passport (a copy will not be accepted)
• Valid, Student Card (if you booked as a student)
• Trekking boots (light, comfortable and broken in)
• A good quality daypack (light, small and comfortable)
• Water storage for at least 2 liters; either a camel bag or water bottle(s)

FOR YOUR DAYPACKS:

Below is a list of items that we highly recommend you keep with you at all times in your personal backpack. Remember you will be carrying this with you everyday of the trek so we recommend you bring a good quality daypack which is both light and comfortable. It is important to note that due to local regulations, your backpack should not exceed 25L. All larger backpacks can not be taken into Machu Picchu and will need to be stored outside the gates.

• Hat and sunglasses
• Rain gear
• Warm layers (fleece / long sleeved tops)
• Sun cream, bug spray
• Hand sanitizer
• Toilet paper
• Personal medication
• Band-aids, moleskin
• Camera, extra batteries
• Head Torch
• Extra snacks, power bars, chocolate
• Extra money for souvenirs, drinks & tips (small change is useful for paying to use the villagers’ toilets on the first day)

ADDITIONAL ITEMS FOR YOUR DUFFEL BAGS:

During the trek will provide you with a duffel bag in which you can pack any items that you won’t need to keep with you during the day. Our porters will carry this bag for you throughout the trek. Please note this bag should weigh a maximum of 7 kg including the weight of your sleeping bag and air mattress (if you bring/rent one). When rented from us these two items weigh approximately 3 kg. During the Inca Trek, you will travel through different temperatures as you climb/descend, it can also be cold at night when at the campsite. Therefore layers work best!

• Sleeping bag for Inca trail (can be rented from us)
• Air mattress for Inca trail (can be rented from us)
• Some light, comfortable shoes for the camp
• Warm jacket, hat and gloves for Inca trail
• 2-3 t-shirts (wicking t-shirts are best)
• 1-2 hiking pants/trousers
• 4 sets of undergarments
• 4 sets of hiking socks
• 1 Fleece
• 1 Warm, down jacket for the coldest nights
• Quick-dry towel
• Soap
• Wet wipes
• Toothbrush and paste
• Face moisturizer
• Power pack / battery charger
• Plastic bags to keep wet or muddy clothes separate