2 Day Rainbow Mountain Trek | Rainbow Mountain Trek
Guardian of the Cusco region, Ausangate is the fifth highest mountain in Peru, with its 6,384 meters of height for centuries it has received many names; "The Roof of the Inca Capital", "Vinicunca" (Mountain of 7 Colors), etc. Located in the district of Pitumarca, province of Canchis, Cusco region, in southern Peru; Ausangate is considered the most important mountain of the Andean cosmovision.
Description
2 Day Rainbow Mountain Trek or Montaña Arcoiris (Spanish) has become one of the top natural attractions and most important hikes in Peru. Rainbow Mountain, also known as Vinicunca, is hiding off in the Ausangate region until recently. It gets its name from the weathered strips of colored minerals that paint the hills like a rainbow. Maroon (iron oxide) and gold (iron sulphide), and other resplendent elements. It’s also a sacred mountain visited by about 20,000 Quechua pilgrims each year. The sacred mountain is Apu Ausangate god.
The typical trip involves a 3:30 wake-up call, a 4 hour drive to the start, a 5-hour walk along a path following a small communities, lunch and 3-hour trekking to Anata Camp site. the next day wake up early and see the beautiful landscapes of the mountains. We contine the trek 4-hour climb up along a path until the high of the mountain, then apprecitate the Rainbow Mountain, take a break 10 min, a 3-hour back down and then the drive to Cusco.
Everyone who sees the photo of the colorful Rainbow Mountain wants to see it and all longing to attain that crystal clear image for Instagram. But after doing even the slightest amount of research many travelers give up on visiting Rainbow Mountain. Why? The hike to the top is no joke. Constantly changing weather conditions, combined with high altitude, can be a challenge for experienced hikers. But if done right it’s manageable even for those who don’t hike much.
| Days: 2 |
Max People : 10 |
All year |
| Min Age : 10+ |
Pickup : Cusco |
Language:    |
Departure & Return Location
Cusco
Departure Time
04:00 am from Cusco
Return Time
18:00 pm to Cusco
Price Includes
- Air Fares
- 1 Night
- Tour Guide
- Entrance Fees
Departure & Return Location
- Guide Service Fee
- Driver Service Fee
- Any Private Expenses
- Room Service Fees
What to Expect
Tour Overview
Sustainable Tourism: At Tierras Vivas, we are happy to promote and practice sustainable tourism by being eco-friendly and supporting local communities.
Tour Operator: Tierras Vivas Travel
Service Level: All comfortable camping equipment and private transport.
Physical Rating: Difficult hike on the Ausangate trail and Rainbow Mountain
Age requirement: 12+ / All travellers under age 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
Crew: A profesional Tour Guide, a professional chef, horseman and horses.
Accommodation: Camping (1 night).
Meals: 1x breakfast, 1x lunch, 1x dinner and Afternoon tea.
Transportation: Tourist transportation.
Departure Point: Cusco - We pick you up from your hotel.
Departure Time: 04:30
Briefing Point: Our guide will visit your hotel 2 or 1 day before the trek
Briefing Time: Between 17:00 - 18:00
Return Point: Cusco - Our driver will drop-off in your hotel or Airbnb department
Quick Itinerary
Day 01: Cusco - Quesuno - Anata
Day 02: Anata - Rainbow Mountain - Cusco
Note: This itinerary is subject to change without prior notice according to weather conditions, strikes, roadblocks, or other events which are beyond our control. We will always do our best to follow the itinerary as closely as possible.
Itineray Details
Day 01: Cusco - Qesiuno - Ananta
On the first day of your Rainbow Mountain adventure, we will pick you up at your hotel at 4:30 am and drive 4 hours to the trailhead. While packing up our gear our chef will be preparing a hot breakfast to get you fueled up for the hike ahead of you. Our guides will go over the itinerary for the day and safety tips to ensure you are fully prepared for the next two days. The trek begins in a large green valley. You will see hundreds of Alpacas, local farmers, and the beautiful Ausangate mountain looming in the distance- this is only a teaser for what is to come on your journey.
As you continue making your way on the trail you will begin to conquer the first pass of the trek- Puccacocha pass. At around 16,000 feet, the pass sits just above Puccacocha lake, and the massive Ausangate mountain is directly in front of you, while a beautiful active glacier crashes into the lake below. After a successful climb we will stop around noon for lunch and to recharge your body for the remainder of the hike.
Our destination for the night is Ananta, where we will enjoy a beautiful evening surrounded by jaw dropping landscape in the still of the Andes. As the sun sets we set up the dining tent with chairs for your group to relax and enjoy conversation while dinner is being prepared. This night you will see an unforgettable night sky full of constellations, shooting stars, and keep yourself warm with coca tea.
Distance: 14km/ 8.7 miles
Elevation: 4200m-5000m
Hiking time: 5-6 hours
Day 02: Anata - Rainbow Mountain - Cusco
Today is what you've been waiting for. Your chance to see the beautiful Rainbow Mountain; and the best part, you're almost there. We'll wake you up bright and early (time dependant on weather- usually between 4am and 5am) with coca tea delivered to your tent, and serve you a hearty breakfast to fuel you up for your final climb to Vinicunca (Rainbow Mountain). Upon arrival you can take all the time you want soaking in the amazing 360 degree vistas of the surrounding lands and explore the mountain itself. Take some time to yourself and really enjoy the beauty of nature around you- it truly is a magical place. The hike down will only take about three hours and here we will celebrate a successful journey, and enjoy lunch before departing back to Cusco (3 hours). Arrival time back in Cusco will depend on how long you want to spend on Rainbow Mountain, but we typically get back around 5pm -6pm and drop you off at your hotel.
Distance: 18km/ 11 miles
Elevation: 5000m-5200m-4200m
Hiking time: 6-7 hours
Included
What is included in this hike?
- Pre-trek briefing (Our guide will visit your hotel a day before the trek for your briefing);
- Early morning transfer by private bus to Qesuno - the initial point of the trek;
- Accommodation: Campsites (1 nights);
- Entrance fee to the red of Rainbow Mountain;
- Meals: 1x breakfast, 2x lunch, 1x dinner and 1x afternoon hot beverages (please advise us in advance if you are a vegetarian; this option is for NO extra additional cost);
- Snack every morning;
- Professional bilingual Tour Guide (a group of up to 8 participants receives 1 Guide, a group over 8 persons receives 2 Guides);
- Professional Cook;
- Horseman;
- Horses to carry food, camping and cooking equipment and 5 kg of each passenger's stuff;
- Water every day (excluding the first 4 hours of the trek when you need to bring your own);
- Camping equipment Personal double tents (4 person tent which allows for greater comfort, and also storage of backpacks);
- Inflatable mattress (Term-a-Rest Mattress);
- A sleeping bag (for up to -5°C);
- A blanket per person
- A pillow
- Tables and chairs, a cooking tent with cooking equipment, dining and toilet tents and bottled gas;
- Duffel bag (for your personal belongings);
- Tourist bus Cusco - Qesuno - Cusco ;
- First aid kit including emergency oxygen bottle.
Not Included
- Breakfast on the first morning.
- Dinner on the last night.
- Sleeping bags - If you haven't got a sleeping bag or you don't want the hassle of bringing one all the way to Peru with you, then we have sleeping bags for hire.
- Tips for the guide, cook and porters
- Additional horses for passengers luggage.
Essential Information
Suggest Items
- A light day pack with a change of clothes for the whole period of the trek - prepare for a vast range of changes in temperature
- Rain gear (jacket and pants if available) or rain poncho. Plastic ponchos can be bought for about $1 in Cusco .
- Strong footwear, waterproof trekking boots recommended. Extra socks are a must.
- Sandals or plastic slip on thongs are also good to give your feet a chance to breath in the evenings if you wish to carry them.
- Warm clothes, including jacket, fleeces, gloves, scarf and beanie/touk. Thermal clothing is also recommended, especially for sleeping.
- Torch/ Flashlight and spare batteries
- Camera, films and batteries (batteries consume more quickly under cold conditions)
- Hat or cap to protect you from the sun, rain and cold
- Sun block
- After-sun cream or hydrating cream for face and body
- Toilet paper, pack in & pack out
- Snacks: biscuits, energy bars, chocolate, raw fruits, muesli, etc. Non-disposable canteen (Nalgene type) and water for the first morning.
- We advise you to bring water sterilizing tablets in case you collect water from streams.
- Your own medical kit with any special medications that you might require, paracetamol, second skin for blisters etc.
- Small towel or sarong
- Bathers/swimsuit (if you intend on swimming in hot springs )
- Cash - sufficient for tips and souvenirs, or any drinks or snacks you might want to buy along the way.
- Walking sticks or poles (we can hire these to you. Please note poles with metal tips cannot be carried into Machu Picchu and should be left at your hotel on the final day)
- Binoculars (if you have them) optional extras
- We can hire the following to you - please contact your Travel Consultant / or our booking forms for the current rates.
Optional Extras
- Extra riding mule and muleteer to lead it
- Walking stick lightweight aluminum - Two sticks are recommended for tough hikes.
- Thermarest Inflatable pillow
- Single tent supplement (ie you don’t want to share a tent)
Highlights of the 2 Day Rainbow Mountain Trek
- Walking in the famous Rainbow Mountain is a whole stretch of coloured mountains, in shades of rose and blonde.
- Discover the climax of the Rainbow Mountain hike is a ridge overlooking the whole range, in all its spectacle.
- Experience a remote and beautiful area of Cusco in a short time.
- Enjoy the astounding Rainbow Mountain Peru, also known as Vinicunca or Yauricunca
- Take in gorgeous natural scenery, including Ausangate and surrounding peaks, turquoise lakes, and grazing alpacas
- Rainbow Mountain guided tour
Rainbow Information
Rainbow Mountain weather Peru
The attractions of each area are discussed in greater detail in the before to go introductions. Picking the best time to visit any of them. however, is complicated by the country's physical characteristics. In the Andes season are more clearly marked, with heavy rains from December to March and a warm relatively dry period from June to September Inevitably, thought, there are always some sunny weeks in the rainy season and wet one in the dry. If you plan to visit Rainbow mountains (Andean mountain range), then we recommend you to take some trousers suitable for hiking, shorts, T-shirts and trekking shoes for the days; and sweaters, fleeces, hats, scarves and warm jackets for the nights. You also should take a sun protection cream, sun glasses and in some cases, mosquito repellent (depending on a route chosen). It is very convenient to have a light rain-gear available in a daypack (e.g. a waterproof poncho or jacket and/or waterproof trousers) as weather changes quickly and rains can suddenly occur.
When is best time to go the rainbow mountains Peru?
The best time to visit the mountains is in the dry season, you can see more clearly the majestic mountains with their colors
Rainy season, usually in the mountain is cloudy and you can't appreciate the mountains
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