Rainbow Mountain Trek 2D/1N
Rainbow Mountain Trek 2 Days
The 2 day Rainbow Mountain Trek will take you on an wild adventure through Andean Mountains and the Quechua communities that reside within them. Possibly even spotting the resident Andean Condors that occupy these parts.
For the duration of the trek, you will tower above the world upwards of 4,000 meters above sea level. With your camp for the night sitting underneath the stars of the Milky Way at 4,885 meters.
The trail culminates at the Vinicunca Pass, where you’ll be treated to the snow-capped peaks of Ausangate and the striking shades of red, orange, yellow, green, and blue that make up the Rainbow Mountain.
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Itinerary
DAY 1: CUSCO – CHECACUPE – HAMPATUYOC RUMI – PAMPA CAMP
Day 1 will begin with pick up from your hotel in Cusco at 5am.
Your private transportation will take you on a 2-hour drive through the picturesque towns and valleys of the Peruvian Andes until you reach the small Andean village of Checacupe. Here you will stop briefly to admire the famous 15th century Inca suspension bridge and the 17th century colonial bridge over the Pitumarca River.
A further 2-hours drive will bring you to the start of the hike at Hampatuyoc Rumi. From here you will hike for 90 minutes alongside herds of grazing llamas, alpacas and huanacos, until you reach the lunch stop. Afterwhich, you will follow the trail for a further 90 minutes to the Pampa base camp at 4,885 m / 16,026 ft.
With the afternoon to settle in and take in your surroundings, you’ll set up camp and enjoy a hot cup of coca tea and a bag of fresh popcorn, amidst the backdrop of the snow-capped glacial peaks of the stunning Vinicunca Mountain range.
- Estimated walking time : 4 hours
- Highest point : Pampa base camp 4,885 m / 16,026 ft
- Altitude of camp : Pampa base camp 4,885 m / 16,026 ft
- Food : Lunch and Dinner
DAY 2: PAMPA CAMP – RAINBOW MOUNTAIN PASS – CUSCO
Day 2 will begin with a sunrise breakfast over the Pampa base camp.
The mornings ascent will take you through the mysterious Red Valley to the Vinicunca Pass at 5,020 m / 16,466 ft. From here you will have a spectacular view of the Ausangate Mountain range and the unique colored rock formations that give Rainbow Mountain its name.
The viewpoint at the summit will treat you to the glorious shades of blues, oranges, browns, and reds that make up the Vinicunca Pass. A welcome reward for your mornings efforts!
With a camera full of souvenir photos, you will then descend through Andean meadows accompanied by incredible views of the surrounding glacial peaks. Awaiting you at the finish line will be your private transportation, which will then drive you the 3-hour journey back to your hotel in Cusco.
- Walking Distance : 8 km / 12.8 miles
- Estimated walking time : 5 hours
- Highest point : Rainbow Pass 5,020 m / 16,466 ft
- Food : Breakfast and Lunch
What is Inclued?
Included
- 6pm Briefing at hotel in Cusco the night before the trek
- Private transport from Cusco to Hampatuyoc Rumi
- Private transport back to Cusco
- Professional English/Spanish speaking tour guide
- Entrance ticket to Rainbow Mountain
- Food : 1 breakfast, 2 lunches, 1 dinner
- Vegetarian/vegan and special diets requested
- Cup of hot coca tea brought to your tent in the morning
- A duffle bag for personal belongings
- All camping equipment: 2 person tents (with enough space for belongings)
- Inflatable camping mattress and pillows
- Muleteers & horses to carry tents, food, cooking equipment : 7kg per person
- Emergency horses in the event you can’t walk
- Oxygen bottle and first aid kit
Not Included
- Food not included in the itinerary
- Breakfast on day 1
- Dinner on day 2
- Sleeping Bag : Can rent from agency : $ 25 USD for entire trip
- Trekking Poles : Can rent from agency : $ 20 USD for entire trip
- Gratuities / Tips for the guide, porters and chef
Recommendations to bring
- Original passport – expiration date no less than 7 months
- Valid Student ID card (if student booking)
- Good quality walking boots or shoes
- Good quality sleeping bag for cold temperatures
- Trekking poles – can be rented at agency
- Sandals for down time (very important)
- Baselayers of varying temperatures, especially for the night
- Thermals, gloves, scarves, wooly hat
- Good quality trekking socks to avoid blisters
- Raincoat or long poncho (for rainy season)
- Waterproof trousers (for rainy season)
- Long sleeve shirts
- Long trousers
- Shorts suitable for hiking
- Wide-brimmed hat – UPV is strong at altitude
- Canteen water bottle as you should drink plenty of fluid on the trail
- Headlamp/Torch (very important)
- Insect repellent
- Sunscreen
- Sunglasses
- Medicine/personal effects (eg. contact lense liquid)
- Personal First Aid Kit
- Camera or phone camera
- Portable battery charger
- Toilet paper (not usually found on trail)
- Small travel towel
- Cash/coins – small denominations – soles & dollars
Packing List
ESSENTIAL ITEMS:
- Original Passport
- VALID STUDENT ID CARD (if booked as a student)
- Immigration card (delivered on the airport upon entering Peru)
- Good quality backpack (medium sized)
- Water storage bottle or canteen: Camelbak bottles are recommended, but all need to be sufficient to hold 1-2 litres
- Comfortable shoes, preferably light with good soles (waterproof goretex for rainy seasons)
FOR YOUR BAGGAGE:
The horses have a luggage limit of 7kg per person. We therefore recommend only bringing essentials with you to Rainbow Mountain.
- 2 Long sleeve shirts
- 2 Breathable t-shirts
- 2 Sets of underwear
- 2 Pairs of socks
- 2 Hiking trousers
- 1 Shorts (suitable for hiking)
- 2 Fleece
- 1 Waterproof coat and pants (for rainy seasons)
- Sunglasses
- Sun hat
- Sandals – In case you want to visit the hot springs in Machu Picchu town
- Small quick-drying travel towel
- Portable battery charger for your phone and cameras
TOILETRIES:
- Sunscreen
- Facial moisturiser
- Insect repellent
- Hand sanitizer
- Wet wipes
- Toothbrush and toothpaste
- Toilet paper
- Personal medication
- First aid kit: band-aids, moleskin, etc.
Map
Additional Information
- The groups are formed between 4 to 7 people maximum.
- For the reservation of this tour a minimum of 02 people is required.
Where does the tour start and end?
- All ours tours begins with the pick up to the tourists at the door of their hotels “We pick up to our clients from any hotel located in the city of Cusco”, We recommend to stay close to the historical center of the city of Cusco, it will make it easier to find your hotel.
- All our tours ends at the door of the hotels, it means the tours will finish with transfer to your respective hotel located in Cusco.
How to prevent altitude sickness?
- The altitude sickness or soroche can cause you some discomfort during your visit such as dizziness, fatigue or nausea. Try to avoid alcoholic beverages and fatty foods before the visit.
- To reduce symptoms, try to acclimatize yourself one day before to the altitude of the city of Cusco. We recommend to drink infusions of coca leaf (natural plant used by the Incas) is an excellent option to avoid the actitude sickness.
How is the accommodation?
- For all the tours which include hotels. We offer hotels of 3* and 4* category, it has spacious and comfortable rooms, bathrooms, hot showers and bueffet breakfast. If the tourist like, you can change the accommodation to a better service. You just have to request it via email for an additional cost.
Which season is the best time to visit Cusco and Machu Picchu?
- The dry season months between April to December are the best time to come and visit Cusco. During those days the possibility of rain is very little, so the roads are not swampy and the landscapes can be better to enjoy and takes the best pictures. On the other hand, the months with the most rain are January, February and March.
What are the coldest months in Cusco Peru?
- The coldest season in Cusco are in the months from May to July. During this time the sun is strong in the day, but once it goes down or you spend much time in the shade, it can get very cold. It can go below zero at night, so warm clothes and Jackets are necessary to bring during these months.
How long in advance can I request the tour?
- We recommend to purchase the tours weeks or months in advance, this because the train and Machu Picchu tickets has a limit of spaces, dont wait until the lust minute to book your tour, other ways you will not be able to find spaces.
During the trip to Machu Picchu, where the big luggages will stay?
The train company that operates to Machu Picchu does not allow the traveler to carry a suitcase that weighs more than 7 kilograms. To go up and visit the city of Machu Picchu, it is recommended to carry a light and small backpack for your convenience; the rest of the luggages you can leave them without any problem at the storage of your hotel in Cusco, or you can also leave at our office in Cusco city, we have an storage too.
Very Important in case you want to book the Inca trail to Machu Picchu:
- CLASSIC INCA TRAIL 4 DAYS: If you want to book the Classic Inca Trail 4 days, you must to book early to get your desired date. Depending on the month you prefer to do the hike, you may need to book 6 months or more in advance, the limit of spaces for the inca trail 4 days is 400 people per each day.
- SHORT INCA TRAIL: If you are booking the 1 or 2 day Inca Trail, it is preferred that you also book in advance, however 2 to 4 month in advance would be good, the limit of spaces for the short inca trail is 200 people per each day.
When is the best season to hike the Inca Trail?
- The best time of year to do the inca trail is between May to October, with August and September being the best months of all. The trail is dry and the weather is lovely. During the rainy season between November to April the trail will be wet and can make it more difficult.
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