Excursion: Rainbow Mountain and Ausangate 7 Lagoons 2 days

Vinicunca’s striped slopes are only the first act on this two-day trip. You also hike among the seven lakes below Ausangate, then sleep in the rural community of Pacchanta. I like that the route pairs the famous mountain with a quieter second day, and that the overnight stay gives you time to experience a local community rather than rush straight back to Cusco.

The catch is the altitude and the organization. Vinicunca reaches about 16,500 feet, the hikes are strenuous, and past departures have involved confusing pickup messages and transfers. If you need smooth, clockwork coordination, confirm the plan carefully before you book.

• Two high-altitude hikes: Walk to Vinicunca on day one, then spend day two on a roughly five-hour circuit to Ausangate’s seven lakes.
• An overnight in Pacchanta: Sleep in a local lodge and have the option to visit the community’s hot springs.
• Meals and poles included: The price covers two breakfasts, two lunches, one dinner and trekking poles, but not the three entrance fees.
• Small group, with a caveat: The group limit is 18, though coordination between vehicles and guides has sometimes been messy.
• A demanding outing: Good fitness, warm layers and preparation for high altitude are essential.

Two days linking Vinicunca and Ausangate

This is a practical choice if you want more than a quick visit to Vinicunca. The first day takes you to the Mountain of Seven Colors, also called Vinicunca, while the second explores the lakes beneath Ausangate. The route combines a celebrated sight with a less crowded mountain walk, and the overnight stop in Pacchanta breaks up what would otherwise be a long return to Cusco.

The scenery is the clear reason to go. You’ll see the colored slopes and red valleys around Vinicunca, then walk through high mountain country with lakes in different hues, native plants and local wildlife. But the beauty comes with a physical price: you’re hiking at elevations approaching 5,000 meters, where even a steady pace can feel hard.

The advertised price is $357 for a group of up to two, rather than a simple per-person rate. That can be reasonable for a pair when you consider two days of transport, a guide, meals, poles and lodging. Still, calculate the total before you commit: the Vinicunca, Ausangate lakes and Pacchanta hot springs entrance fees are extra, listed at S/25, S/20 and S/8 respectively.

Day one: the climb to Vinicunca

The trip starts with hotel pickup in Cusco, scheduled about 30 minutes before the tour departure. You head south to Kusipata for breakfast, then continue by bus to the community of Kayrawiri. The journey from Kusipata to the trail area takes about an hour and 20 minutes, according to the itinerary.

From Kayrawiri, the hike to Vinicunca takes about an hour and a half. That may sound modest, but this is not a lowland stroll: the high elevation makes the climb strenuous, and one report put the summit at roughly 16,500 feet. Your pace and how you respond to altitude matter more than the number of minutes on paper.

At the top, the guide explains the mountain and you get free time to look around and take photos. The vivid bands of color and nearby red valleys make this the trip’s headline stop. The trade-off is that you’ll share the viewpoint with other people, and the high altitude can make it harder to linger comfortably.

After about an hour at the mountain, you return to the bus and head back to Kusipata for a buffet lunch. From there, the plan is to travel via Urcos and continue to Pacchanta. The transfer arrangements deserve attention: the overnight portion may involve a different vehicle or driver from the first leg, so confirm who is meeting you and where before you leave Cusco.

Pacchanta: a mountain village and hot springs

You spend the night at a lodge in Pacchanta, a rural community near Ausangate. The afternoon is free, with time to explore local activities at your own pace. That unstructured time is a plus if you want a quieter pause between hikes, though the tour description does not set out a formal village visit or specific cultural activity.

The hot springs are a welcome option after Vinicunca, but entry costs extra. Bring a towel and a change of clothes if you plan to soak. The accommodation has been described as comfortable, but don’t count on a hot shower: one person on the trip found there wasn’t one. Treat the springs as the reliable chance to warm up, not a hotel-style bathing setup.

Dinner is included, as is the lodge. Keep expectations sensible: this is a rural overnight stop that supports a demanding trek, not a luxury stay. If a hot shower or a private transfer at every stage is essential to you, ask the operator what is available before booking.

Day two: Ausangate’s seven colored lakes

Breakfast is followed by an 8 a.m. start for the lakes. The hike begins in Pacchanta and takes about two hours to reach a viewpoint over the seven lagoons. From there, the group walks for another three hours, visiting much of the lakes area before returning to the village.

This is the part I’d choose for the variety. The lakes sit beneath Ausangate, and the route gives you broad views of mountains as well as water, flora and fauna typical of the area. It is also described as less busy than Vinicunca, which can make the walking feel more peaceful. You still need to earn those views: budget around five hours for the walk and be ready for uneven, high-altitude terrain.

Lunch is served back in Pacchanta, then the group returns to Cusco. The itinerary doesn’t give a precise arrival time, so avoid scheduling a tight connection or evening commitment. The day’s length can also depend on how the group moves and how the transport handoffs go.

Meals, transport and the details that affect value

The package includes two breakfasts, two lunches, one dinner, tourist transport for both days, a professional guide for both days, trekking poles, a first-aid kit and one night’s lodging. Day one’s lunch is described as a buffet in Kusipata; day two’s lunch is in Pacchanta. That takes care of the main meals, but carry water and cash for fees and any personal purchases.

The three listed fees add up to S/53 per person if you visit both attractions and use the hot springs. They are not included in the $357 group price. Travel insurance is also excluded, and it’s worth arranging your own cover for a strenuous high-altitude trip.

The group is capped at 18, which is small enough to make a guide-led walk more manageable than a large bus excursion. But a group limit doesn’t guarantee neat logistics. Recent trips have involved delayed or unclear pickup communication, name and phone-number mix-ups, separate transfers to Pacchanta and confusion about which guide was meeting the overnight group. The journeys eventually continued, but that uncertainty can be stressful, especially when you’re standing outside before dawn or arriving near sunset.

Before departure, get written confirmation of your pickup time and location, the guide’s contact details, and the vehicle or meeting plan for Pacchanta. The operator offers English- and Spanish-speaking guides, but no guide names are provided. Don’t assume every handoff will be handled by the same person.

What to pack for the altitude

Bring sturdy hiking shoes, warm clothing, gloves, rain gear and breathable layers. Conditions can change, and the two walks take place high in the mountains. Sunglasses, a sun hat, sunscreen and water are also on the suggested list; biodegradable sunscreen and insect repellent are recommended.

A small daypack makes it easier to carry water, layers, snacks and your camera. Pack cash for the entrance fees, plus your passport or ID. If you plan to use the hot springs, add a towel, clean clothes and a flashlight for the overnight stay. Travel insurance is not included, so arrange it separately.

The tour is explicitly not suitable for pregnant people, people with heart problems, people over 80, or those with low fitness levels. The operator requires participants to be in good physical condition. If you’re unsure how you’ll handle altitude, consider your health and fitness before booking rather than treating the climb as an easy photo stop.

Who should book this two-day trek?

Choose this trip if your priority is seeing both Vinicunca and Ausangate’s lakes without arranging separate transport, meals and lodging yourself. It suits fit hikers who can accept basic accommodation, extra entrance fees and some uncertainty in the transfers. The quiet second-day walk and the Pacchanta overnight are meaningful advantages over a one-day mountain visit.

I would hesitate if you need polished coordination, have limited hiking fitness, or are uncomfortable with high altitude. The scenery is the strongest part, while the organization has been inconsistent enough to warrant a pre-trip check-in. The overall rating is 3.3 from three ratings, a small sample, but it fits the central trade-off: remarkable mountain views, with logistics that may need patience.

Book if the two hikes are worth a rugged, high-altitude couple of days to you. Before paying, confirm the pickup and Pacchanta transfer plan, and include the extra fees in your budget. If the operator can give you clear answers and you’re prepared for the exertion, this is a compelling way to pair Vinicunca with a less crowded walk beneath Ausangate.

FAQ

How long is the tour?

The tour lasts two days and one night, with an overnight stay in Pacchanta.

What time does the second day start?

The second day’s activity starts at 8 a.m. after breakfast.

How long is the hike to Vinicunca?

The hike from Kayrawiri to Vinicunca takes about one hour and 30 minutes.

How long is the Ausangate lakes hike?

The route takes about two hours to reach the viewpoint, followed by another three hours walking among the lakes and back to Pacchanta.

What meals are included?

The tour includes two breakfasts, two lunches and one dinner.

Are the entrance fees included?

No. The listed fees are S/25 for Vinicunca, S/20 for the Ausangate lakes and S/8 for Pacchanta’s hot springs.

Is the hot springs entry included?

No. The Pacchanta hot springs entrance fee is listed separately at S/8.

What languages does the guide speak?

Guiding is available in English and Spanish.

How large is the group?

The group is limited to 18 participants.

Who is this tour not suitable for?

It is not suitable for pregnant women, people with heart problems, people over 80, or people with a low level of fitness.