For this amazing Rainbow mountain and red valley tour a representative from the company will pick you up from your hotel at 5:00 a.m. Then in our private transportation, you will be transferred to the south Cusco route for 1 hour and a half and through many colorful colonial cities before reaching the district of Cusipata, where it´s time to have breakfast and get energy for this amazing walk.
The start of the rainbow mountain & red valley tour is 1 hour Approx. away, called Chilliwani 15 160 ft (hike point). This is the place to warm up for our physical activity for the day. Finally, with each step closer to the top, the mountains become aesthetically perfect. The natural magic of this hidden treasure exposes its treasures in full bloom, the ancient and traditional local people, the llamas, the alpacas, the wild vicunas; allow you entry to their secret world. The condors surround their beauty and complement other birds of the highlands. The hours of our ascent our reward is waiting for attention, the top of VINICUNCA is at 5100 m – 16700 ft. Stunning views of the Vilcanota mountain range. Also, we´ll see the highest Mountain in Cusco Region Ausangate 6 375 m/ 20,900 ft. on the Top you will have enough time to recover while enjoying your snack, taking photos, and breathing the fresh air of the Andes.
After that beautiful moment we back down to have our deserved lunch, finally, we return to Cusco at 6:00 p.m. approximately.
Note: This itinerary is subject to change without prior notice according to weather conditions, strikes, roadblocks, or other events that are beyond our control. We will always do our best to follow the itinerary as closely as possible.
PRICE
PERU CULTURAL CONNECTION requires at least 2 people for this tour, but you can leave any day you would like. The departure is 100% guaranteed once booked.
The price is based on the group size. If you are with a larger group, please contact us for a discounted rate.
NOTE: PERU CULTURAL CONNECTION will never pass you onto another operator or share service with other companies as most agencies do here.
How to visit the Mountain of 7 Colors?
Although it is commonly called Rainbow Mountain (Cerro Colorado or Mountain of the Seven Colors), its real name is Vinicunca, from the Quechua “wini”, which means stones, and “kunka”, which means neck, referring to the particular shape of its summit.
Before 2015, it was necessary to do the Ausangate trek in the Vilcanota Mountain Range to get there, but thanks to its growing popularity, today many agencies offer 1 or 2 day tours from Cusco directly to Vinicunca.
More and more travelers consider it one of the great must-do’s of Peru, almost like Machu Picchu.
Therefore, here is my complete guide so that you can organize your trip with all the information and practical advice to visit the Vinicunca mountain, how to get there and which tour to choose.
What you need to know before you go
To make the most of your visit to the Mountain of 7 Colors, here is all you need to know before you go:
Beware of mountain sickness!
Cusco is located at 3399 meters of altitude, which is already a considerable height, but the Rainbow Mountain reaches up to 5000 meters!
It is necessary to know that, from 2300 meters, one can start to suffer from “soroche” (mountain sickness or altitude sickness), therefore, it is important to understand what it is about and be prepared for it.
At altitude, the body suffers from a lack of oxygen, which translates into nausea, headache and fatigue.
Not everyone suffers from altitude sickness in the same way (some feel little or nothing, but others, like me, suffer from it a lot). If you arrive in Cusco by plane, it is very likely that your body will suffer more than if you had gradually boarded a bus.
It is important that, during your first day in Cusco, you avoid any physical effort.
I strongly recommend that you leave your excursion to the Mountain of the Seven Colors for your second or even your third day at altitude. Your experience will be much more pleasant
What can help you cope is to hydrate well, rest and eat light meals.
Tour Packing Check LIST
During this trip your main luggage will be stored in Cusco at your hotel or free storage in our office and you will receive a small duffle bag at your trek briefing (which will be help briefing day before you start the trek) to pack clothes and sleeping bag
Gear Checklist
Provided Gear
- Tents
- Cooking and eating utensils while camping
- Sleeping pad (you are welcome to bring your own if you prefer)
- Duffel bag, medium-size (used while trekking, approximately 65 liter)
Official Papers
- Valid passport
- Airline tickets
Luggage
- Luggage, one piece, wheels and handle ok
- Daypack 2000 cu. in. to carry your camera, water bottles, extra clothing
- Luggage tags and luggage locks
- Passport pouch or money pouch
Camping Gear
- Sleeping bag with stuff sack (rated to 10°-20°F)
CHECK LIST FOR YOU TREK TO MACHU PICCHU
PASSPORT: You MUST take your passport and a photocopy is not sufficient. (Keep it in a plastic bag in case of rain).
City Clothing
- Bring a few lightweight, easily washable items for travel and daily wear when not trekking
Clothing
- Midweight fleece or wool sweater
- Fleece pants or tights
- Midweight thermal underwear tops and bottom, synthetic or wool
- Hiking pants
- Hiking shorts
- Long-sleeve shirts
- T-shirts
- Underwear
- Casual socks
- Hiking socks
- Liner socks, synthetic
- Swimsuit
Clothing Accessories
- Sun hat
- Wool or fleece hat
- Bandana
- Wool or fleece gloves
- Outerwear
- Rain jacket, waterproof and breathable
- Rain or wind pants, waterproof and breathable. Side-zip pants are highly recommended.
- Insulated jacket, down or synthetic
- Footwear
- Sturdy hiking boots, waterproof, lightweight, broken-in, aggressive tread
- Camp shoes such as tennis shoes or sandals or other comfortable footwear for use in town and/or campsites
Travel Accessories
- 2 one-quart water bottle(s) or hydration system
- Flashlight or headlamp and spare batteries/bulb
- Watch with alarm or travel clock
- 1 roll of toilet paper
- Sunglasses and retainer strap
- Sunblock and lip balm
- Toiletry kit
- Small washcloth and small towel
- Baby wipes
- Personal first-aid kit
- Hand sanitizer gel
- Insect repellent
- Several Ziploc plastic bags
- Large, heavy-duty plastic trash bags
Optional Field Gear
- Camera, spare media card and batteries
- Electrical adapter plug
- Earplugs
- Whistle
- Spare contact lenses or glasses
- Reading and writing materials
- Sewing kit
- Knee supports
- Travel pillow
- Hiking stick or trekking poles (metal tips not allowed on Inca Trail; points must be rubber or covered with duct tape.)
- Favorite energy snacks and drinks.
