Incas Expeditions Machu Picchu Tours

Rainbow Mountain Trek 2 Days

2 Days / 1 Night from US $ 0.00
Rainbow Mountain Trek 2 Days
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Rainbow Mountain Trek 2 Days
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Rainbow Mountain Trek 2 Days
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Rainbow Mountain Trek 2 Days

Rainbow Mountain, Red Valley
Incas Expeditions Machu Picchu Tours
Physical Level
Easy
Incas Expeditions Machu Picchu Tours
Trip Style
Incas Expeditions Machu Picchu Tours
Max Altitude
Incas Expeditions Machu Picchu Tours
Group Size

2-day adventure to Rainbow Mountain, renowned for its vibrant, striped sandstone peaks. This trek offers a chance to witness herds of llamas, alpacas, and sheep along with diverse wildlife, such as soaring condors, cara caras, eagles, and possibly vicuñas. Experience camping under a starry sky and savor a delightful dinner. This landscape is unique and unlike any other in Peru or beyond. Don’t miss this exceptional journey.

Itinerary

DAY 1:

Cusco – Qesuno – Anata

Your Rainbow Mountain trek kicks off with a 4:00 am hotel pickup, followed by a 3-hour drive to the trailhead. While we prepare our gear, our chef will cook a hearty breakfast to energize you for the day’s hike. Our guides will outline the itinerary and offer safety tips to ensure you’re ready for the trek. The hike begins in a lush green valley, showcasing hundreds of alpacas, local farmers, and the imposing Ausangate Mountain.

The first challenge is crossing the Pucacocha Pass, situated at 4,876 meters (16,000 feet), just above Pucacocha Lake, with Ausangate Mountain ahead. After this ascent, we’ll pause for lunch around noon to recharge for the remainder of the trek.

Our destination for the evening is Anata, where you’ll be surrounded by breathtaking landscapes at the base of the Andes. As the sun sets, we’ll set up the dining tent with seating for relaxation and dinner preparation. Enjoy an unforgettable night sky, with constellations and shooting stars, while keeping warm with coca tea or hot chocolate made from Peruvian cocoa.

Accommodation: Camping
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Distance: 14 km / 8.7 miles
Elevation: 4,200 m – 5,000 m
Hiking Time: 5-6 hours

This is the highlight of your trek—reaching the stunning Rainbow Mountain! We’ll wake you between 4:00 am and 5:00 am with coca tea delivered to your tent and serve a substantial breakfast to prepare for the final ascent to Vinicunca (Rainbow Mountain). Enjoy ample time to take in the panoramic views and explore the mountain’s colorful beauty. Afterward, we’ll descend for an hour to the Red Valley to appreciate its striking red hues before heading to Llacto for lunch. We’ll then return to Cusco by private transport, with an estimated arrival around 5:00 pm, depending on how long you wish to explore Rainbow Mountain and Red Valley.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Distance: 18 km / 11 miles
Elevation: 5,000 m – 5,200 m – 4,200 m
Hiking Time: 6-7 hours

Inclusions

Included:

  • Pickup from your hotel on the day of the trek
  • Private transportation from Cusco to Soraypampa trailhead and back
  • Experienced English-speaking guide
  • Comfortable tents (two people per four-person tent)
  • Meals as outlined in the itinerary (vegetarian options available with prior request)
  • All camping gear: dining tent, table, chairs, kitchen and toilet tent
  • Tents for staff accommodation
  • First Aid kit including emergency oxygen
  • Horses for carrying equipment and personal items
  • Camping pillow and foam sleeping mats
  • 7 kg of personal items carried by mules
  • Boiled water for drinking and washing
  • Taxes

Not Included:

  • Sleeping bag suitable for temperatures down to -10°C – $20
  • Air mattress – $20
  • Trekking poles – $15
  • Tips for the crew, guide, and cook of INCA EXPEDITIONS

What to Bring

PACKING LIST

Essential Items to Take:

  • Original passport (must match the one used for booking)
  • Valid student ID (if applicable)
  • Daypack (30-40 liters recommended)
  • Water storage (2-3 liters Camelbak suggested)
  • Comfortable hiking boots with ankle support
  • Sleeping bag (rentable from INCA EXPEDITIONS)
  • Headlamp (essential)
  • Toilet paper

Items for Your Duffel Bag:

  • 1 t-shirt
  • 1 pair of hiking pants
  • 2 sets of undergarments
  • 2 sets of hiking socks
  • Fleece/thermals (season dependent)
  • Warm clothes (down jacket if needed)
  • Warm gloves
  • Comfortable camp shoes
  • Quick-dry towel (larger preferred)
  • Small soap (for washing)
  • Battery charger (no electricity along the trek)
  • Large plastic bags (provided)

Toiletries:

  • Face moisturizer
  • Hand sanitizer
  • Wet wipes
  • Toothbrush and paste
  • Personal medications
  • First aid kit (band-aids, moleskin, etc.)

Daypack for Rainbow Mountain Hike:

  • Water (bring your own until lunch, then cold boiled water provided)
  • Sun hat
  • Sunscreen
  • Headlamp (essential)
  • Wool hat
  • Rain gear
  • Fleece
  • Snacks (chocolate bars, cereal bars, dry fruits)
  • Rain poncho
  • Gloves
  • Camera
  • Hand sanitizer
  • Toilet paper and small plastic bag for waste
  • Extra money for souvenirs, drinks, and tips

About ISIC Card

Valid Student ID for Classic Inca Trail Hike and Machu Picchu

To qualify for the student discount on Inca Trail Permits, travelers must meet the following requirements:

  • Age Limit: Students must be 25 years old or younger at the time of entering the Inca Trail and Machu Picchu. Those over 25 years old cannot enter as a student.
  • ID Requirements: The student ID must include:
    • The name of the university
    • The student’s name and photo
    • A valid expiration date
  • ISIC CARD: This card type is no longer valid anymore

Invalid Student IDs for the Inca Trail Discount

Student IDs will not be accepted for the discount under the following conditions:

  • The traveler is older than 25
  • The ID is expired
  • The ID does not have an expiration date
  • ISIC cards are not valid for obtaining the student discount for Inca Trail permits.

This information is crucial for travelers seeking to benefit from discounted permits for the Inca Trail and Machu Picchu.

Why to Choose

Why choose “INCA´S EXPEDITIONS”?

“INCAS EXPEDITIONS” is a 100% Peruvian local company and tour operator in Cusco, with many years of experience in hikes, adventure tours, and travel packages. We are a 100% local company.

Our dream as a local company is to offer personalized travel and hiking experiences, operated solely by local professional staff, focusing on a PERSONALIZED and HIGH-QUALITY SERVICE.

We are proud of our reputation as a travel operating agency, in addition to practicing RESPONSIBLE and SUSTAINABLE actions with the environment and local people.

We consider our staff as family and guarantee them a fair salary. We are very proud of our team! Without their support, we could not offer the quality of service that hundreds of our travelers have enjoyed.

At “INCAS EXPEDITIONS,” we are aware that our reputation and what our passengers say are crucial for our travelers to trust their next vacations; you can check the reviews our travelers leave on TripAdvisor, Facebook, and Google; in an honest and reliable operator to create your adventure in Peru.

We offer small groups of travelers.

To offer a more personalized service at “INCAS EXPEDITIONS,” we maintain a limit of 8 people for each of our groups. This distinguishes us from other companies that operate with larger groups.

About our tour guides

We are very proud of our guides. They are experts and professionals, fluent in English. They are experts and knowledgeable about the routes, and they are passionate about Inca heritage and history. Our guides are dedicated to their continuous personal and professional development, researching to offer you accurate and recognized theories about Inca and Andean culture. They are friendly, athletic, and well-educated, with degrees in Archaeology, Tourism, Botany, History, or Anthropology.

About our treatment of Inca Trail porters

Hiking with “INCAS EXPEDITIONS” is an uplifting experience, we prioritize your comfort and enjoyment throughout the hike, and you will have the assistance of our porters. You will interact with local people, explore incredible sites, and rediscover ancient Inca ancestral towns. Our porters carry your gear, prepare your meals, set up our camp tents, and take care of you while you relax.

We provide our porters for free with: jackets, sun hats, warm hats, shirts, pants, hiking boots, comfortable travel bags, canteens, back support belts, sleeping bags, mattresses, and travel insurance. All are hired from isolated communities, improving their economic circumstances and supporting the education of their children. We treat all our porters like family!

Our team

Our team (guides, cooks, porters, muleteers) and our equipment make “INCAS EXPEDITIONS” stand out among our competitors. On our adventure hikes, we include:

  • Our tents: Enjoy a good rest in our 4-season EUREKA Timberline tents. Our tents are for 4 people, but only 2 sleep in each, providing space for greater comfort and storage. They have a small vestibule for boots and poles.
  • Our foam mats: Separate and insulate from the ground.
  • Air mattresses: Available for rent for $20 USD.
  • Kitchen and dining tents: Used as a meeting room during meals, ideal for relaxing and chatting.
  • Tables and chairs: In the dining area, adapted to the day’s weather.
  • Travel bags: Provided the night before the trek.
  • Others: Pillows, rain covers for backpacks, survival shirts, and chemical toilets are provided during the trek.

Our commitment to social projection

At “INCAS EXPEDITIONS,” we have always believed in giving back to isolated local communities. As part of our commitment to responsible tourism, we carry out various social projects and always hire local people.

We are very proud to support our local people. We not only employ them but also support their families, contributing to a holistic approach with our employees from the Peruvian Andes and their loved ones.

Pricing

Price:
$297 USD per person

The 2-day Rainbow Mountain trek is available on any date with a minimum of 2 hikers.

Personal Pack Horse Included!

Extras:

  • Sleeping bag – $20 USD per person per trek (clean and warm)
  • Air mattress – $20 USD per person per trek (Therm-a-rest)
  • Walking poles – $15 USD per pair per trek (extendable)

Added Values for Free:

  • Airport to hotel transfer (Cusco only)
  • Duffel bag and liner bags included in the trekking price
  • Boiled water provided throughout the trek
  • Oxygen tank available during the trek
  • Camping pillow and foam mattress

Aditional information

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

WELCOME TO CUSCO
Upon arrival at Cusco airport, you’ll be greeted and transported to your hotel. Please provide your full flight details at least 14 days before arrival. Look for our representative with an orange INCA EXPEDITIONS sign at the arrival terminal.

THE BRIEFING
A pre-trek briefing will be held at 6:00 pm the night before your trek at our office, located at Calle Punacchupan 196, office 201 (second floor)

CAN I STORE MY LUGGAGE AT YOUR OFFICE?
Yes, you can store your main luggage at our office or your hotel during the trek.

HOW TO BOOK THE RAINBOW MOUNTAIN HIKE
To book your 2-day Rainbow Mountain trek, complete our booking form by clicking “BOOK NOW” on our homepage or here. Provide the following details for each participant:

  • Full name (as on passport)
  • Gender
  • Passport number
  • Date of birth (dd/mm/yyyy)
  • Nationality

A deposit of $211.00 per person is required. You can pay via VISA or PAYPAL on our homepage or booking page. To avoid high credit card fees, you may pay in cash at our office (USD or Peruvian soles). Online payments via VISA or PAYPAL incur a 5.5% service fee. For PAYPAL payments, use our email address incasexpeditions@gmail.com.

CAN I CHANGE THE DEPARTURE DATE AFTER TICKETS ARE BOUGHT?
Yes, date changes are possible with restrictions. Contact our office promptly if you need to adjust your date. Note that deposits are non-refundable.

DO I NEED MY ORIGINAL PASSPORT?
Yes, you must bring your original passport, matching the number used for booking. If you change passports, provide copies of both old and new passports. Keep both passports with you if you want to avoid fees.

WHAT IS THE WEATHER LIKE?
Weather can be unpredictable. Prepare for various conditions by packing warm clothes and rain gear. Different seasons and microclimates will affect the weather throughout your trek.

 

ALTITUDE SICKNESS

General Tips:
To minimize the risk of altitude sickness, it’s essential to exercise regularly and spend 2 to 3 days in Cusco or the Sacred Valley for acclimatization.

Recommended Remedies:

  • Water: Stay well-hydrated.
  • Coca Tea: Traditional remedy for altitude sickness.
  • Oxygen: Available if needed; our guides are trained to assist with altitude sickness.

For more detailed information on altitude sickness, click here.

GROUP SIZE

Our maximum group size is 8 people, though typically groups range from 2 to 6 participants. INCA EXPEDITIONS specializes in small, private groups for a more personalized experience.

HIKING THE RAINBOW MOUNTAIN TREK

Packing:
The evening before the trek, you will receive a small duffel bag to pack your clothes. The weight limit is 7kg/14lbs. Our team of pack horses will carry your duffel bag, food, and camping gear. You will not have access to the duffel bag during the day; carry essential items in a daypack (30 to 50 liters) including a warm jacket, rain jacket, camera, sunscreen, snacks, and water.

Fitness Requirements:
The trek is challenging but manageable with moderate fitness. While you don’t need to be an athlete, being in good shape will enhance your experience. Regular walking, hiking, or aerobic exercise in the months before your trip is beneficial.

TOILET FACILITIES

Clean and Private:
Our clients appreciate our private, clean, and sanitary toilet facilities. We provide a camping toilet with a seat, set up in a tent away from the campsite for comfort and privacy. The toilet is always accessible and maintained clean.

IN CASE OF EMERGENCY

Assistance:
If you cannot complete the trek due to health issues, we will assist you to the nearest town for medical help. Oxygen is carried on the trek for respiratory issues, and in extreme cases, a helicopter evacuation can be arranged at your own expense (travel insurance required). No refunds are provided if you cannot finish the trek.

DROP-OFF SERVICE

Included Transportation:
We provide drop-off at your hotel at the end of the trek. If your hotel is in the Sacred Valley (e.g., Ollantaytambo or Urubamba), we will drop you there as well. If you stay in Ollantaytambo before the trek, we will pick you up from there.

TIPPING

Appreciation:
Tipping is not compulsory but is greatly appreciated if you are satisfied with the service. It motivates our staff and is a common practice in the tourism industry across many INCA EXPEDITIONS destinations. Tip according to your satisfaction and the quality of service received.

SUSTAINABILITY

Responsible Tourism:
INCA EXPEDITIONS is committed to sustainable and responsible tourism, adhering to principles that protect the environment, benefit local communities, and respect their culture and religion. Our staff are trained to understand and respect local places and people.

Incas Expeditions

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