Ausangate & Rainbow Mountain Photo Trek 4 Day Andean Photography Adventure

Embark on a photographic odyssey through the heart of the Peruvian Andes with our Ausangate Rainbow Mountain Photo Trek 4-day itinerary. This adventure invites you to witness the mesmerizing beauty of Rainbow Mountain, nestled deep within the Ausangate region—a place revered by locals for its spiritual significance and unparalleled natural splendor. Your journey begins in Cusco, the historic capital of the Inca Empire, where you’ll be immersed in its rich cultural tapestry and ancient streets. From there, venture into the remote Andean wilderness, where snow-capped peaks, turquoise lakes, and herds of alpacas create a photographer’s paradise. Over four days, you’ll trek through breathtaking landscapes, capturing the vibrant hues of Rainbow Mountain at sunrise and exploring lesser-known paths that reveal the region’s hidden wonders. Along the way, you’ll encounter Quechua-speaking communities, learning about their traditions and daily lives—a testament to their resilience in this rugged terrain. Whether you’re framing the perfect shot of Rainbow Mountain’s striated slopes, savoring a traditional Andean meal prepared by locals, or stargazing under the clear mountain skies, our Ausangate Rainbow Mountain Photo Trek promises an immersive experience that combines adventure with cultural discovery. Join us on this unforgettable journey into the heart of Peru’s natural beauty and cultural heritage, where each step unveils a new perspective and every photograph captures the essence of this extraordinary landscape.

Day by Day Itinerary

Day 1.-Cusco Tinki Village- Pacchanta. Upis Camping by the Hot Springs.
After early breakfast we will drive you southeast to Tinki and Pacchanta native community. Through the way, the silence and sound of the wind will let us discover the landscape. Our hike starts right after breakfast with the wilderness being the best distraction from the wicked climb. An abundance of birds, insects and extraordinary plants diverts our attention from the challenging hike. Lagoons are spotted along the way, until finally we arrive in the town of Pacchanta for our lunch and a well-deserved rest. By the time we arrive at our campsite for the evening, a relaxing dip in the hot springs might be just the thing to alleviate any tension or tightness in our legs.

Day 2.-Upis PukaqochaAfter breakfast we begin our trek at 7am. We begin ascending for 3 hours. The morning begins with your first mountain pass crossing – Arapa (4850m). The views of Ausangate from Arapa pass are stunning and you’ll want to get your camera ready! After reaching the pass you stop for a light lunch before descending into the valley on a well-trodden gravel trail. On your descent you’ll pass the green lake of Puqa Q’ocha (4556 m). Once back down in the valley you camp for the night beside the gorgeous blue lake of Jatun Puqa Q’ocha. From your camp site you can choose to climb a nearby ridge to view the red-tinged lake of Vino Q’ocha. Each lake in the region is colored differently, depending on the colored sediment of the nearby mountains. L/D
Day 3.-Pukaqocha – HuampocochaToday is a big day and the most anticipated day of the trek. We hike up to 17,000 feet (5.18 km) where you will be graced with views of the majestic painted hills, but don’t get too excited yet, we still have a few hours to go before we finally arrive at the Rainbow Mountain of Vinicunca. We have a celebratory lunch on top and take a long break to enjoy the views. After lunch we head back up the valley and set up camp near Lake Yanaorqo
Day 4.-Huampococha/Vinicunca/CuscoContinue as far as we can towards Puca punta the red sandstone sediment formations, such a wonderful experience. Here we see vicuñas and luckily condors, to shorten the climb this is a relatively short day and eventually encounter Vinicunca a mountain of striations of colors embedded in the hillsides. Best known as The Rainbow Mountain, it speaks for itself. We ended up having a marvelous time at our Ausangate Trek to Rainbow Mountain and arrive at Cusco.

Information

Group Size1 – 8 Guests
Experience | Difficulty

• Beginner, amateur, enthusiast and semi-pro photographers
• DSLR, mirrorless, compact or iPhone cameras
• Moderate schedule
• Travel by car or minibus
• Moderate elevation changes and lots of walking and hiking (none of our adventures have difficult hikes)
• (non-photographers also welcome)

Includes

• 4 Days
• Travel, landscape, nature, wildlife and people photography
• Professional photographer | guide
• Photo walks & discussions
• Small group size (1-8 guests)
• Camping
• Breakfasts
• All Meals
• National Park Permits
• Local transportation

Accommodations
Camping

Difficulty
Very difficult: Long hikes and camping                      at high altitude

Our Peru photo trek will mainly focus on hiking and capturing the most iconic landscapes in the Rainbow mountain, the world’s highest tropical mountain ranges. This time of year is perfect for hiking, as it coincides with the dry season, and ideal for astro, as it’s the peak of Milky Way season in the Southern Hemisphere, with 10+ hours of Milky Way visibility at night.

Price per person:2025

1 person : US$1150.00 per person
2 people : US$750.00 per person
3 people: US$700.00 per person
4 people : US$650.00 per person
5 people : US$600.00 per person
6+ people : US$550.00 per person