The high passes of the Ausangate and Rainbow Mountain hike

Por: Huillca Expedition 2023, Jan 21

The Ausangate Trek is a high altitude trek with a distance of 70 km in the Peruvian mountains near Cusco with an average altitude of over 4000m. Unlike most other treks in the Ausangate region it is not about Inca ruins, it is all about beautiful scenery; snow-capped peaks, glaciers, lakes and the Rainbow Mountain. If you like beautiful nature, getting off the beaten path and hiking, this trek is for you. These are treks where we have to be well prepared physically to overcome the altitude passes that these routes have in Peru.

These are the highest altitude passes in Ausangate and Rainbow Mountain hike.

1. Arapa Pass (4750 m / 15, 583 ft)

This step is the first step that has to be overcome during the Ausangate trek or rainbow mountain trek. The pass has an altitude of 4750 masl. From this pass you can see the trail made along the Upis valley.

Arapa pass (4750 m) of the Ausangate trek

2. Palomani Pass (5150 m / 16,896 ft)

The Palomani pass is one of the highest passes of the Ausangate trek with an altitude of 5150 m. The ascent starts from the Ausangate lagoon camp to the pass which is pure zigzagging ascent, from the pass there is a descent until you reach Inkawasi camp.

3. Jampa or Qampa Pass (5100 m / 16,732 ft)

The Jampa pass of 5100 m is the last pass of the Ausangate circuit, passing this pass begins the descent to the community of Pacchanta. After this pass you are home after a beautiful hike through the Ausangate.

The Jampa pass 5100 m is the last pass of the Ausangate trek.

4. Apacheta Pass (4914 m / 16,122 ft)

It is one of the most beautiful passes of the Ausangate trek to Rainbow Mountain, with an altitude of 4914 meters. From this pass you can see the lagoons of Pucacocha and Ausangate on the west side, it is also the step to enter the valley of the rainbow mountain and reach the camp Ananta.

Apacheta Pass is one of the most beautiful passes overlooking the lagoons

5. Huarmisaya Pass (4984 m / 16,351 ft)

Huarmisaya pass of 4984 m that in most of the expeditions to Rainbow Mountain is done at dawn in order to arrive early to Rainbow Mountain, this pass has beautiful views of the Ausangate Mountain, Tacusiri Mountain and you can already see parts of the famous Rainbow Mountain.

Huarmisaya Pass 4984 m is the last pass before reaching Rainbow Mountain.

6. Rainbow mountain viewpoint (5034 m / 16,515 ft)

The viewpoint of Rainbow Mountain has an altitude of 5034 m, from this point you can see this wonderful landscape and the entrance to the Red Valley. It is the point that is necessary to arrive to be able to observe the best panorama of this site.

The rainbow mountain viewpoint at an altitude of 5034 m (19,834 ft).