Main Info
OVERVIEW AND HIGHLIGHTS:
Take your hiking boots and let it explore the most beautiful geological formation in Cusco:
The Rainbow Mountain or the Apu Winicunca as the locals name it. Located in the Peruvian
Andes of Cusco, just 3 hours from the historic center, the Rainbow Mountain is becoming the
main attraction to see after or before Machu Picchu. As you could guess, the mountain is
famed for its natural, multi-colored beauty at a staggering 5,200m above sea level. This
rainbow-like appearance is created by the sediment of minerals throughout the area giving
the mountain the turquoise, lavender, gold and other colors. It was only recently discovered
due to melting snow, which revealed the hidden gem that many still consider sacred. Since
its discovery, Rainbow Mountain has slowly begun to gain popularity and has even been
included in National Geographic’s list of “100 Best Places to Visit Before You Die.”
INCLUDED:
- Pre-departure briefing at your hotel.
- Pick up from your hotel and transportation to the beginning of the trek.
- Picnic Lunch
- Return transportation to your Cusco hotel.
- Lunch (Local restaurant.)
- Emergency oxygen bottle and medical kit.
- 01 Trekking pole
- * (Vegetarian and Free gluten options available)
NOT INCLUDED:
- Personals Snacks.
- Tips – Gratuities.
Itinerary
We will pick you up early from your Cusco hotel around 04am and set out on a drive through the South Valley. The drive to the trailhead (4,326 m / 14,189 ft) is 2 hours long. On the way we will provide you Breakfast in a local restaurant (at the hotel you may not have the option to get breakfast). We then start off on our hike, following a lovely stream. Literally herds of alpacas and llamas will immediately surprise you. We will have consistent views of the Ausangate Mountain. We will hike through villages and interact with the local residents. Back on the trail, we encounter more of the traditional elements of this trek. This includes potato
fields and unique fauna. We have the prospect of seeing chinchillas and vicunas. Vicunas are the only non-domesticated animal of the llama family in Peru. Many red mountains are also a highlight of this portion of the hike. After a total hike of approximately 2 hours, we finally reach our destination, what we came to see, the Rainbow Mountains (5,036 m / 16,466 ft). After getting over the shock of their beauty, you will have time to explore the area. You will have time to take pictures and soak in the environment. We will spend approximately 30 minutes at the top. At this point, it is time to go back down. We hike downhill the way we came. The hike will take 1 hour and a half. Our transportation will be waiting for us when we return. We will stop for lunch in the same restaurant before we head to Cusco. We will embark on the 3-hour drive back to Cusco and drop you off at your Cusco hotel. Approximate arrival time is between 5:00 pm.
Meals: Picnic Lunch.
Night: Not included
ACTIVITY LEVEL: Moderate to hard.
WALKING DISTANCE: 7 km
WALKING TIME: 3&4 hours
HIKING STARTING POINT: 4630m / 15190 ft
MINIMUM ELEVATION: 4795m/ 15371ft
MAXIMUM ELEVATION: 5036m/16732 ft
