One of the most beautiful natural formations in Cusco Peru, Vinicunca Rainbow Mountain. With (5200 m. / 17.060 ft.). Being on top of this mountain at approximately (5000 m /16400 ft.) is a privilege, from where you will enjoy the beauty of the landscape, the natural colors in the mountains are incredible, some isolated communities are on the way and you can interact with the local people who are still keeping the Inca culture alive. The colorful and impressive sandstone mountains are a gift from the Pacha Mama, theVinicunca area is probably the coolest thing you will see in Peru.
Our adventure starts very early picking you up from your hotel at 5:30 AM, and then we set out on our drive through the South Valley until Chillihuani community (4600m / 15.091ft.) place where we will start our expedition.
HIGHLIGHTS:
Colorful, impressive sandstone mountains all around
Briefing/ smoothllamaperu Cusco office.
It will be in our office which is located at Street Lizandro Montero Ñ – 4
All travelers are required to visit the Cuzco office for a mandatory briefing on your trek one day prior to departure at 6:00 pm. At this meeting you will receive detailed information on the route, a list of what to bring, confirm your pick-up for the morning of the trek and be able to ask questions. However, if you wish to receive all the information in your hotel, let us know and our guide will kindly approach your hotel for the informative meeting.
Our adventure starts very early with our team picking you up from your hotel at 5:30 AM, then We set out on our drive through the South Valley for about 2 hours until Cusipata District (3600m / 11.810 ft.) here we will take our delicious and hot breakfast, after that we are going to continue driving 1 more hour to Chillihuani community (4600m / 15.091ft.) place where we will start our adventure.
We start with a gradual walk up for about 1 hour and then the trek is ascending the last 30 minutes before the summit, on the way up we have the opportunity to see hundreds of llamas, alpacas and vicuñas running around in their natural habitat, also some endemic birds of the Andes,then finally we arrive at our destination….the famous Rainbow Mountain (5,050m /16.568 ft.). From here we can enjoy the most beautiful stage; by one side the rainbow mountain naturally formed by sediments and some minerals concentrations appearing like a rainbow, and the color full chain of mountains around, by the other side the great Apu Ausangate snowed mountain which is the highest of Cusco region.
After 30 minutes of enjoying the amazing view of the natural scenery with colorful mountains range around, we start descending back down way until the bus station of Chillihuani community, from here we start driving during one hour until Cusipata village for our delicious lunch, after our vehicle is going to take us back to Cusco city, approximately 2 more hours and dropping you off at your hotel around 5pm.
Inclusions: Cuzco Accommodation Pick-Up, Bus Cuzco Chillihuani Community (starting point of trek)
Meals: 1 breakfast / 1 lunch
Trekking: 8 kilometers / 4 – 5 hours (Round trip)
DEGREE OF DIFFICULTY: Moderate – Advanced
WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED
Tips for the staff (smoothllamaperu staff receives a fair and decent payment immediately after they end their trip.), Please remember that tipping is 100% optional and depends entirely on the service you received. It is customary to give tips in Latin America, however it is NOT mandatory. If you do wish to give a tip, these are our recommended guidelines.
PRICE: US$200 solo person
DISCOUNTS:
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
“Please read carefully the following information; it will help you answer all of your questions about our services and the trek to Rainbow Mountain”.
ABOUT THE BRIEFING:
All travelers are required to visit the Cuzco office for a mandatory briefing on your trek one day prior to departure at 6:00 pm. At this meeting you will receive detailed information on the route, a list of what to bring, confirm your pick-up for the morning of the trek and be able to ask questions. However, if you wish to receive all the information in your hotel, let us know and our guide will kindly approach your hotel for the informative meeting.
It will be in our office which is located at Street Lizandro Montero Ñ – 4
WHERE CAN I LEAVE MY LUGGAGE SAFETY?
Of course! During “Rainbow mountain trek”. Your large luggage can be store at our office or at your hotel, both are for free. Please do not pack anything you will need for your hike.
HOW TO BOOK THE RAIMBOW MOUNTAIN TREK?
FIRST, to book your trek, we need you to fill out our booking form by clicking on BOOK NOW on our homepage or click here the link BOOK NOW.
To book your “Rainbow mountain trek”, we need the following information (FROM EACH PARTICIPANT in your group).
SECOND, we require a deposit of US$50.00 per person in order to purchase a permit for the “Rainbow mountain trek”. You can make you deposit by clicking on the VISA or PAYPAL symbols on the top of our home page, or you can click on the VISA or PAYPAL symbols on our booking page or click here on the payment of your choice, either VISA or PAYPAL.
WHAT ABOUT THE PAYMENT BALANCE?
It would be greatly appreciated if you pay in cash at our office (US dollars or Peruvian soles) here in Cusco. We have many cash machines in the historical center to withdraw money. You can also pay by VISA or PAYPAL online but you will have to pay a 6% service charge, charged by VISA and PAYPAL. To pay your balance through PAYPAL, you need to log into your PAYPAL account using our email address of smoothllamaperu@gmail.com
IS IT POSSIBLE TO CHANGE THE DEPARTURE DATE?
Unfortunately the answer is generally “NO”, but with alternative treks like the Rainbow Mountain Trek we may be able to change dates for a fee depending on what has been already purchased. Please contact the office as soon as possible if you need to change your date.
*** If you cancel your Rainbow Mountain Trek, the deposit is not refundable
at all!
HOW CAN I AVOID THE ALTITUDE SICKNESS?
For those trekkers that come to Cusco directly from places at sea level; we recommend arriving 2-3 days before your trek. Two of the most common health issues among tourists in Cusco are: The Altitude Sickness (Soroche) and stomach pain provoked by slow digestion.
In general if you have regular exercise and spend a couple of days in Cusco, or in the Sacred Valley for acclimatization to the altitude, you may be fine.
The recommended medicine for altitude sickness is WATER, COCA TEA and OXYGEN IF NEEDED; our guides are trained to treat you for Altitude Sickness.
We offer the Cusco City Tour or Sacred Valley Tour that you can book while you are acclimatizing. Check out our Day Tours on our Home Page.
HOW DIFFICULT IS THE RAINBOW MOUNTAIN FULL DAY TREK?
Yes, it is a difficult trek due to the high altitude and some sections can be steep, you reach the altitude of (5050 m /16.568ft.) You need to be in good physical condition and had time to adjust to the altitude before going on the trek.
In preparation: try walking 15kms in a day or go to the fitness club in the months leading up to the trek. It is also important to be well acclimatized to the altitude. Try to spend at least 3 days in Cusco (3350m/11,047ft) prior to starting the trek.
WHAT HAPPENS IF SOME ONE IS UNABLE TO FINISH THE TRAIL?
In the scenario that you are unable to finish the trek due to a health issue, smoothllamaperu will assist you to the nearest town for help with transportation. If you are unable to finish due to fatique you can rent a horse. We always carry oxygen on the trek for any respiratory problems. There are no refunds in the unlikely situation that you are unable to finish the trek.
WILL THE CAR IS GOING TO DROPP OFF US AT THE HOTEL?
Absolutely!! Included in the package we will drop you at your hotel in Cusco! If you have booked your hotel in the Sacred Valley like Ollantaytambo or Urubamba, we will drop you there too!
WHAT ABOUT TIPPING?
Tips for the staff (smoothllamaperustaff receives a fair and decent payment immediately after they end their trip.
**** (Please remember that tipping is 100% optional and depends entirely on the service you received. It is customary to give tips in Latin America, however it is NOT mandatory. If you do wish to give a tip, these are our recommended guidelines.)
ARE YOU PART OF THE SUSTAINABLE WORK?
Yes, we are a local sustainable & responsible tourism operator in that we incorporate the universal principles of tourism, protect the environment and benefit the local communities respecting their culture and religion. With this in mind, we have trained all our staff to know, understand and respect the local places and its people.
THINGS YOU MUST BRING WITH YOU
