For our Rainbow Mountain 1 Day Hike, we’ll provide you a thorough briefing at your accommodation in Cusco at 5:00 pm, the night before your trek, and you can take this opportunity to ask final questions and make any final preparations.

Trek will begin early in the morning at 4:00 am with pick up from your hotel’s door in Cusco and then, we set out in our private transport to drive by paved road for 2 hours towards the Southern Valley passing picturesque Andean towns to the village of Cusipata. Upon reaching the Cusipata village (3,300 masl /10,826 fasl), we provide a full continental breakfast, perfect fuel for the hiking ahead.

After a delicious breakfast, we’ll head back to the van to continue traveling for about 45-1 hours on the dirt road to the trailhead, known as Phulawasipata. Throughout journey in the middle of the Andean mountains with magnificent views of the rolling mountains, we’ll pass quaint Andean towns such as Paucarpata district (3310 masl) and the community of Chillihuani, until the control point (Llaqto). In addition, while traveling we’ll observe the herds of llamas and alpacas and the occasional shepherd or local people moving about their daily activities.

Upon reaching to the starting point of the walk, known as Phulawasipat, located at an elevation of 4,650 m /15,255 ft. We start our trek along a meandering path in the foothills of the magnificent Andes. As we ascend, we’ll enjoy the rewarded views of the Andes and appreciate the typical landscape of the Andes, its flora and fauna, among which Llamas and Alpacas stand out. If we are very lucky we may see some chinchillas and vicuñas. Vicuñas are the only non-domesticated animal of the llama family in Peru and are very skittish.

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 and that they make themselves thanks to the practice of textile art they have inherited from their ancestors. They preserve their ancient culture and refuse to be submitted by the rules of the western world. 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 climbing for about 1.5-2 hours, we’ll arrive at the impressive Rainbow Mountain of Cusco, or Vinicunca, also called Mountain of Seven-Colors, which is located at 5020 masl / 16,466 fasl. Upon reaching the viewpoint of Vinicunca or Montaña de Colores, we’ll take our time to admire this natural formation’s unique beauty and feel the thrill of witnessing an unforgettable spectacle. This is your reward for the strenuous climb: Glorious layer of turquoise, orange, brown, and red rock sediment. Explore the surroundings while your guide explains the theories regarding this mountain’s origin that seems to be taken from the gods’ colorful dream.

Take photographs and immerse yourself and enjoy spectacular views of the unique colored rock formations that gives Rainbow Mountain its name. When the day is clear, we’ll be also rewarded with an impressive view of the Ausangate Mountain (6,300 masl / 20,900 fasl) in a distance, which is the most important Apu, or mountain deity, in Andean cosmology; and the highest in the region. There we will take a break between 30 minutes and 1 hour, depending on your steps’ speed and the weather condition. If you want to stay longer, inform your guide.

Later, there’s the possibility of walking through the Red Valley, if the climate and weather allow it. Don’t miss this valley of completely red mountains! After some time to rest and take those classic shots for your Instagram feed, we’ll return down the same way we came for around 45 minutes or 1 hour. Our private transport will be waiting for us when we arriving back at the trailhead. We will then drive for 45 minutes to a local restaurant at Cusipata village where a delicious lunch will be waiting for us. Following lunch, we’ll return on our transport to the city of Cusco and drop you off at your hotel around 6:00 pm or 6:30 pm. End of the Rainbow Mountain Tour with incredible memories of a very unique day.

• Hire a horse for 50 Soles -Talk directly with your guide

• Original passport
• Comfortable hiking pants
• Down jacket, or a warm jacket
• Trekking shoes with protector’s ankle, or similar
• Hiking long sleeve T-shirts
• Rain jacket/poncho
• Winter hat and gloves
• Rain pants
• Sunblock (factor 35+ recommended, the sun can be strong)
• Water for the trek (recommend at least 2L)
• Sunglasses and sun hat
• Camera and films with spare batteries (note: batteries run down faster at high altitudes)
• Trekking poles (recommended especially for the steep descents, can be rented from us)
• Toilet paper, and face tissue paper
• Extra money (American dollars and Peruvian soles in cash – little coins for toilet) and also for souvenirs, drinks and tips.