RAINBOW MOUNTAIN TREK &
MACHU PICCHU PACKAGE
The RAINBOW MOUNTAIN TREK & MACHU PICCHU PACKAGE is the best of both worlds: a stunning trek past snow-capped mountains, turquoise lakes, glacial peaks, colorful striated mountains, all ending with a tour of one of the 7 man-made wonders of the world, Machu Picchu!
The Rainbow Mountain Trek is a new route located in the high Andes and traverses the incredibly colorful Vinicunca or Rainbow Mountains. This beautiful multi-day hike is tucked away in a well hidden section of the Vilcanota Mountain range. Surrounded by glacial mountains, this route treks in the shadow of the highest mountain in the Cusco Region, Ausangate (6300m/21,000ft). The route is 52km/32.3 miles long and goes from 3300m/10,827ft to 5050m/16,568ft. This is a true off the beaten path wilderness trek – above the tree line with incredible views of the Andes and glacial peaks.
Pricing Starts At: $800
6 Days 5 Nights
Meters
Kilometers
Days
Nights
The Nitty Gritty Trek Details
Highlights
Location/Terrain
Acclimatization
Duration
Distance
Altitude
Adventure Rating
Moderate to strenuous, lengthy, high altitude
Solitude Rating
Quiet, remote, off the beaten track
When to Go
Departures
Prices USD
Customizable
DAY 01: CUSCO - TINKI VILLAGE - UPIS (CAMPING AT HOT SPRINGS)
Early transfer from your hotel in Cusco with 6:00 am departure. We drive for 4 hours on a new highway to Tinqui, passing Urcos Pass (4,000 m/13,123 ft) along the way. Tinqui is a village on the high plains “altiplano” east from Cusco and is where we will start our trek. We follow a wide, gently ascending path toward the northwest face of the impressive Ausangate mountain. Along the way we will have magnificent views of Ausangate (6300m/21,000ft). On this trail we pass a few traditional houses and may meet some local people dressed in their colorful, traditional clothing while accompanying their grazing animals which are indigenous to this area – llamas and alpacas. We will eat our lunch surrounded by stunning mountains and an excellent view of Ausangate Glacier. We then continue walking through fields and by scattered stone farm houses, for another 2 hours. We ascend gently to the Upis pass (4,435 m/14,107 ft) and camp at Upis Hot Springs (4,250 m/13,779 ft) where we will be surrounded by snow capped mountains (Ausangate and Maria Huamantilla).There are thermal hot springs at Upis where we can enjoy a soak at the end of the day. Happy hour at 4:00pm and dinner at 6:00pm. Walking distance approximately 16 km/9.9 miles (6 hour acclimatizing hike). Campsite elevation: 4100m/13,450ft
DAY 02: UPIS - ARAPA PASS - PUCACCOCHA
After an early breakfast we begin our second day of the hike. You will hike very close to the Ausangate glacier peak and will have incredible views of this mountain as well as beautiful lakes and waterfalls. We may see some llamas, alpacas and wild vicuñas (the undomesticated ancestor of the alpaca) and perhaps a rare condor soaring above. We will have a 3-hour uphill hike to reach the first pass (4800m/15,748ft) where you will have magnificent views of the surrounding area. After taking a few amazing pictures we continue hiking gradually downhill for another 1½ hours to our beautiful lunch spot. After lunch we hike for another 2½ hours to arrive at our campsite at Puca Ccocha (Red Lake). This spot is one of the most beautiful campsites located at the skirt of the Ausangate peak and at the bank of the lake. Approximate walking distance: 12km/7.5 miles (7-8 hours). Campsite elevation: 4300m/14,100ft
DAY 03: PUCACCOCHA - PUCA PASS - CHILLCA VALLEY - ANANTAPATA
Wake up early with a hot cup of coca tea to start one of the most beautiful days of the trek, enjoying majestic views of some of the highest peaks in the Andes and depths of the beautiful valleys. This morning we will summit the Puca Pass. After an early breakfast we begin our 2-hour steep climb to the Puca Pass at (5050m/16,568ft). Along the way we have gorgeous views of turquoise lakes and the Ausangate glacier. Once you reach the summit of this mountain, you will be located right in front of the Ausangate Mountain and you can enjoy the views of Chillca Valley, with alpaca grazing along these hills. Also from this pass you will see the beginning of the Rainbow Mountain range with their strikingly striated colors. After taking some great pictures we continue gradually downhill for another 2 hours until we reach our lunch spot located in Chillca Valley with amazing views of green hills and snow-capped peaks. After enjoying your lunch and a little rest and relaxation, you will continue on to the Anantapata campsite at 4400m/14,435ft. To reach camp we will hike along a gentle trail for 2-hours with a short climb at the end. Along the way we may see some condors and vicuñas if we are lucky.
Approximate walking distance/time: 15 km/9.3 miles (about 6 hours). Campsite elevation: 4400m/14,435ft
DAY 04: ANANTAPATA - YANACOCHA - RAINBOW MOUNTAINS - CHILLCA VILLAGE - CUSCO
After an early breakfast, we hike gradually uphill for 1½ hours until we reach the highest pass of the trek, the Warmisaya (previously known as Pitumarca) pass 4985m/16,3544ft. After enjoying the views at the top we descend for 20 minutes to Yanacocha lake. Then we continue for 1 hour to the famous RAINBOW MOUNTAINS (Vinicunca Mountains or Montañas de Colores) and the Red Mountain Valley located at 5050m/16,568ft elevation. Your guide will walk you to the best spots to get the perfect postcard pictures of these incredible mountains and the other surrounding peaks. Your guide will explain what makes these mountains so unique: they are composed of various minerals, which make different colors of stone striations. This is definitely one of the most stunning places in South America and one of the most beautiful natural attractions in Peru. There are Rainbow Mountains in only a few other locations in the world. After taking photos and enjoying the view, you will continue on your expedition downhill along the Chillca Valley for about 3 hours where we will enjoy an early lunch and meet our private transport. We will then drive back to Cusco – about a 4-hour drive that provides nice views of the Andes, passing some traditional villages along the way. Once in Cusco we will go to our hotel to freshen up and relax before our celebratory group dinner.
Approximate walking distance: 16 km /9.95 miles (about 6 hours). Overnight in a hotel in Cusco.
DAY 5: CUSCO – MARAS – MORAY – SALINERAS – AGUAS CALIENTES
After breakfast at our hotel we take our private transport to Maras Village (3,300m/10,827ft). Maras is a beautiful little colonial town, still boasting some colonial architecture. You can see amazing facades made of thin stone, and lintels with sculptures in bas-relief. After exploring Maras we continue driving to Moray ruins located at (3,450m/11,319ft). Moray Ruins consist of circular agricultural terraces at high altitude with a complex system of irrigation. These terraces served as a natural green house to grow an extraordinary variety of crops that would normally only thrive in tropical climates. It has also been suggested that they had a cosmological meaning. After exploring the terraces we continue to Salineras, which consists of 3,000 small pools, roughly 5 square meters (53.8 ft²). Every three days, during the dry season, workers fill the pools with salt water that comes from local natural springs. When the water evaporates from the pool the salt is left for collection. This process is carried out over a one month period until the pools reach an approximate volume of solid salt that is 10 centimeters (4 inches) in height. The salt is ground up, treated with iodine, and packaged and sent to the various markets in the region. After exploring the salt mines of Salineras we take our private transport to Ollantaytambo where we catch the train to Aguas Calientes. Once in Aguas Calientes we check into our comfortable hotel to freshen up before dinner. You can soak in the local hot springs before or after dinner if you wish. Tomorrow we get up early to see the incredible Machu Picchu!
DAY 6: AGUAS CALIENTES – MACHU PICCHU – OLLANTAYTAMBO – CUSCO
Breakfast is very early in order for us to take first (5:30am) bus directly to Machu Picchu (2,400 m/7,875 ft). Once we arrive at Machu Picchu you will show your entrance ticket and passport. If you are a student you must bring your ISIC card to the entrance or you will not be permitted entrance. You are allowed to take in a small backpack (under 20L). From the entrance it is a 15 minute walk to the famous views from the South Zone of the farming terraces at the end of the Inca trail. Enjoy the early tour of Machu Picchu with your guide who will unfold the mysteries of this magical site, explaining the history and flora/fauna. Your guide will spend about 2 1/2 hours relating interesting and amazing stories, explaining temples and special sectors. Your tour of Machu Picchu will finish between 9 and 9:30am after which you will have free time to take photos and explore before the 10:30 crowds arrive. After you are done exploring the ruin site take the bus down to Aguas Calientes. There are many restaurants to choose from and your guide can also help find a nice place for lunch. NOTE: there are no bathrooms in the ruin site. There are bathrooms right outside the entrance, cost is 1 Sol per entrance, and they provide a little toilet paper. You will be provided with a report to fill out about your trekking experience. Please fill it out honestly and realistically.
HIKES WITHIN MACHU PICCHU
There are hikes within Machu Picchu that you can do on your own if you wish. The hikes that do not require an entrance ticket are The Inka bridge and the Sun Gate (where the Inka Trail ends with a view of Machu Picchu city). Wayna Picchu Mountain and Machu Picchu Mountain hikes both require a paid ticket and there are a limited number of spots (200 at 7am and 200 at 10am). If you want to hike one of these please let us know well in advance as these spots fill up very quickly. Price per hike is 25USD. Please note we cannot guarantee you a spot for the mountains requiring tickets and that the trail is very steep and slippery and not for those afraid of heights or with vertigo).
Need to Know Info
INCLUDED ON THE TRAIL
- Pre-Trek briefing the night before the trek to go over the itinerary, meet your guide(s) and answer any questions
- Collection from your hotel in the morning or our departure point (you choice) Plaza Regocijo
- Private bus transport to start of the trek (day 1) and back to Cusco (day 4)
- Private bus transport through the Sacred Valley (Maras, Moray & Salineras and on to Ollantaytambo day 5)
- Personal porter to carry your overnight gear up to 8kg/17.6lbs
- Dry bag in which to put your overnight gear so it won’t get wet or dusty on the trail
- 3 person, 4 season tents (2 people in large and comfortable Mountain Hardwear Expedition tent)
- Extra-thick foam mattress sleeping pad to put under your sleeping bag
- English speaking professional guide
- Full meals (3 meals per day, tea time every afternoon, snacks on the trail)
- First-aid kit including emergency oxygen tank
- Emergency horse (1-2 per group depending on group size)
- Chef and cooking equipment and kitchen tent
- Dining and cooking tents with tables and stools
- Horsemen and horses (to carry tents/food/cooking equipment)
- Hot water every morning/evening for washing purposes
- Boiled water to fill water bottles every morning/afternoon
- Entrance to the Ausangate/Rainbow Trek Trail
- Hotel (double room) in Cusco (Night 5)
- Celebratory dinner in Cusco (Night 5)
- Round trip train: Ollantaytambo to Machu Picchu and back
- Entrance fee to Machu Picchu Archaeological Complex
- Guided tour of Machu Picchu, plenty of time to explore on your own
- Hotel in Aguas Calientes and dinner in a local restaurant
- Private transport back to Cusco (day 6)
WHEN TO GO AND DEGREE OF DIFFICULTY
PRICE AND NUMBER OF TREKKERS
NOT INCLUDED ON THE TRAIL
- Flights
- Hotel before/after trek
- Items of a personal nature/souvenirs
- Lunch on day 5, and lunch and dinner on the last day
- Sleeping bags and walking poles (poles must have intact rubber bottoms)
- Entrance to hot springs (10 soles)
- Wayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain Hike (25USD each)
- Travel/medical insurance
- Tip for your guide(s) and trek staff are optional but highly encouraged if you enjoy your trek
ON THE TRAIL
HELPING LOCAL PEOPLE
WHAT TO BRING ON YOUR TREK
- Sleeping bags and walking poles (poles must have intact rubber bottoms)
- Recommend a sleeping bag rated for below freezing
- Sleeping bag liner (for your sleeping bag if you wish)
- Mattress pad – while we provide a mattress pad, being rested is essential for a great hiking experience and we find that sleep habits are very individualized. Therefore we recommend bringing your own pad that you know you are comfortable sleeping on, as well as any other sleep items you might want to have (camp pillow, etc).
- Sunscreen: the sun is very strong in Cusco
- Sun hat
- Sunglasses
- Lip balm
- Hiking shoes/boots
- Hiking pants and shirts (layers)
- Layers – long underwear and/or warm sleep pants for cold nights
- Hand warmers if you wish
- Warm hat, gloves, scarf and thick warm socks (or you can buy a traditional Peruvian hat and scarf – they are beautiful!)
- Daypack and rain cover
- Rain gear – rain jacket and rain pants (optional for the pants), can buy an inexpensive poncho before the trek
- Cash for tipping porters, cooks, horsemen, guides, buying items along the trail, for in town, emergencies, etc. Note: Cash should be in perfect condition (ripped, damaged soles are NOT accepted anywhere in Peru)
- Swim suit, flip flops, towel for the hot springs in Aguas Calientes if you wish to go
- Sandals
- Torch/flashlight/headlamp (and batteries)
- Insect repellent
- Extra snacks if you wish (beyond snacks provided by us)
- E.g. if you have a favorite protein bar as Cusco doesn’t sell items like this
- First aid kit, including blister protection (though your guide will have one, you may wish to carry one of your own)
- Personal medication and toiletries you might want
- Camera, extra memory cards/film, batteries
- Water bottle or water bladder to refill
- Passport (must be valid 6 months past your travel dates for most countries)
- Copies of passport (keep copies separate, give to travel friends to keep, etc)
- Power adapter/converter
- Travel lock(s) approved by TSA (or they cut them off – US only)
- Tickets, itinerary, emergency contact information
- Any medications you currently are taking or need/may need (see suggestions below)
- Small quick-dry pak towels and/or wipes for a quick wipe down at the end of the day
What to bring: medications – medications are optional and depend on your specific needs
- Antibiotic for travelers diarrhea or UTI
- Antibiotic for a severe bacterial infection
- Medication for upset stomach/indigestion
- Anti-diarrhea medication
- Anti-nausea medication for motion sickness/altitude sickness if needed
- Cold/flu medication
- General pain killer/fever reducer
- Vaccinations – recommend bringing all boosters up to date (MMR, tetanus, etc)
View latest travel advisories and recommended vaccinations and medications for the regions you plan to visit. For Lima, Cusco, and Machu Picchu there are generally no vaccinations required. If you are going to the jungle or any other higher risk area you may need: yellow fever vaccine, medicine for malaria, typhoid vaccine, etc. Click here for updated info: http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/peru.aspx NOTE: Please visit your doctor several weeks before your trip to discuss any health restrictions you may have, medications he/she might recommend for you personally, and to seek more information about any vaccinations or medications recommended for Peru (or any of your other destinations). Additionally: speak with your doctor before taking any over-the-counter and/or prescription medications alone or combined.
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