Rainbow Mountain Tour 1 Day

Our adventure in the Rainbow Mountain Tour begins at 3:30 am. We will pick you up from your hotel door to head for 2 hours towards the Southern Valley in our private transport to the restaurant to enjoy our energetic breakfast. We’ll continue our journey until we reach the starting point of the walk. Remember that the starting point of our walk is at 4,638 masl / 15,216 fasl. Along the way, we’ll observe picturesque Andean towns, agricultural platforms from the Inca period, fertile valleys, and beautiful rolling mountains.
 

Rainbow Mountain Trek

There we’ll head down a meandering path in the middle of the Andean mountains following a beautiful stream. As you ascend, you’ll be rewarded with the impressive view of the Ausangate Mountain (6,384 masl / 20,945 fasl). Take a few minutes to understand why this mountain is a living deity for the Andean people. This whole area is home to many people, and you’ll have the opportunity to see them working the land. You’ll surely also be surprised to see the traditional clothing they use to make themselves thanks to the practice of textile art that they have inherited from their ancestors. In this way, ancient culture is preserved and refuses to be submitted to the Western world’s rules.

Amazing views

Your guide will teach you about the meaning of some clothes, and, if you want, you can ask him to teach you some words in Quechua. After 1.5 hours of walking, we will arrive at the amazing Vinicunca Mountain (5,036 masl / 16,522 fasl). Take time to admire the unique beauty of this impressive natural formation and feel the thrill of witnessing a unique natural spectacle. You will explore the surroundings a little while your guide explains the theories that exist regarding the origin of this mountain that seems to be taken from a colourful dream of the gods. Take photographs or immerse yourself in the landscape that also shows you the splendour of the high mountain Ausangate in the distance.

Red Valley Hike

After have done with the exploration of the Rainbow Mountain, we will continue our hike to the Red Valley, don’t miss this valley of completely red mountains! We’ll take between 1 hour walking down towards the bus station where we’ll board the bus and drive to get our lunch. Once we have filled our stomachs, we’ll embark on our private transport back to the city of Cusco. At approximately 4:00 pm we’ll leave you close to your hotel.

Hiking distance: 8 km / 4.9 miles
Minimum altitude: 4,400 meters / 14,432 feet
Maximum altitude: 5,036 meters / 16,522 feet
Walking time: 2 to 3 hours

Ausangate Tours is very transparent providing the specific details of what is included and excluded in our Rainbow Mountain Tour. We know this is very important so that you know what exactly to bring and you don’t miss anything.

We provide this information to ensure that you have an incredible experience during your Rainbow mountain tour.

WE INCLUDE

• Professional Cultural Guide: All our tour guides have a great reputation in customer service.  Our tour guides have graduated with tourism career from National University San Antonio Abad of Cusco.
• Private Transport:  We included all the transportation during your tour, we will pick you up from your hotel in Cusco and take you to the beginning of the trail, the bus returning to Cusco once you done with the Rainbow mountain tour.
• Medical First Aid Kit:  All tour guides are very well trained in First aid. They received training courses every year how to assist to someone who is in an emergency situation.
• Meals:  We know food is such an important part of any vacation and getting the right fuel on an active holiday is crucial… We include 1 breakfast, 1 lunch And of course, we cater to all dietary restrictions Vegetarian, Vegan, Gluten free and others just let us know.

   WE NOT INCLUDED

• Water bottle:  Every customer need water during this tour, we will stop in a shop where you can purchase some water bottles and snacks
• Entrance Fees:  Entrance tickets are not included in the Rainbow Mountain and Red Valley, you need to pay these directly there once you get there
• Travel Insurance:  We recommend to buy a travel insurance before to leave your country in case something happen along your visit to Peru.
• Tips for our team : Tips are not included. Tipping the team is usual on any excursion to Rainbow mountain, although we pay good salaries to our entire team, tips are welcome as a token of your appreciation for the team hard work.

In our company we focus to make your trip an unforgettable experience and we want to provide all details which you need to know before to leave your country and start your life experience in Peru.

What you need to pack?

Important

• Passport
• Immigration Card (given on the plane as you enter Peru)
• Good daypack (the smaller, the better)
• Water storage, Water reservoir like Camelback is encouraged – but enough for at least 2-3 liters.
• Comfortable hiking boots (lightweight with good soles)
• Trekking poles

INSIDE YOUR DAY BACKPACK:

Daypack can be any size for hiking, but we always say the smaller, the better. If it is larger try to bring it as lighter as possible.

• Sun hat
• Rain gear
• Camera
• Music (iPhone)
• Toilet paper and small plastic bag for waste
• Extra Money for Souvenirs, Drinks & Tips
• Earplugs
• Snacks (chocolate, energy bars, fruits, etc.)

TOILETRIES:

• Sunscreen
• Face moisturizer
• Bug spray
• Hand sanitizer
• Wet wipes
• Personal medication
• First aid kit: band aids, moleskin, etc.

IMPORTANT INFO FOR RAINBOW MOUNTAIN

Don’t forget water! Drinking lots of water will help with the elevation. We advise bringing at least 2 liters per person on the hike with you. Also, you will have chance to buy water at the beginning of the trail.

We skip the crowds! Everybody else goes to Rainbow Mountain, at the same time. That means they’re all up at the top at the same time. There is only one spot to take the classical picture of the Rainbow Mountain and it wouldn’t be pleased with a huge crowd of people. Since we leave from Cusco at 03:30 am.  You will get the Rainbow Mountain before the crowd.

Our guide always brings oxygen tank which are important as you get over 5,036 meters/16,522 feet above sea level! Not all travel agencies offer this, so this is definitely something to look out for when choosing the best Rainbow Mountain tour operator.

The best time to visit the Rainbow Mountain is going to be in the morning or evening hours, either right after sunrise, or right before sunset.

We Recommend for Rainbow Mountain

Make sure that you have been a few days in Cusco to acclimatize the elevation before you set off on your hike to the Rainbow Mountain. This is by far the best insurance for a smooth and enjoyable trip.

Go to sleep early and try to avoid drinking or partying the night before, because We will pick you up at 03:30 am and the physically challenging trek will be much more bearable without a hangover.

Try to go all the way to the viewpoint. You get a 360° view not just a rainbow Mountain, but of the nearby glacier and a gorgeous valley in the other direction. We think most people didn’t realize what they were missing by not going all the way up.

If you are going to Machu Picchu the day before your trip to the Rainbow Mountain, tell your travel company to book your return train ticket early.

Higher elevation also means colder, nearly freezing temperatures, so be prepared. Whether you decide to take a one-day tour, make sure to wear very warm clothes. Also bring coca leaves to fight off altitude sickness.

• From $40.00 per person
• Price for 4 people: $150.00 

Online Payment

To book any tour/trek through with Ausangate Tours, we do require a 50% deposit per person. PayPal does charge us a fee of 8% which we ask the client to cover. This taxes is just for deposits, the remaining, you will pay in cash(briefing day) without taxes.