OVERVIEW
RAINBOW MOUNTAIN + RED HILL
DAY 1: CUSCO – CUSIPATA – CHILIHANI – RAINBOW MOUNTAIN – CAMPSITE
For the Rainbow Mountain + Red Hill tour, in the morning at approximately 7:30 am. We will pass by your hotel in our tourist transport. Therefore, we move on the route to the south of the city of Cusco, to the town of Checacupe. In this place, we will pass through an Inca bridge. After that, we will continue towards the Ocefina rock formations. Then we will arrive on the way to Quesyuno (community of shepherds) where we will enjoy a delicious lunch.
We continue with our mobility for 30 more minutes, up to the point where we will start the Walk. Then, there our guide will make an offering with coca leaves towards the mountains. Next, a member of the community will be waiting with some beautifully decorated llamas and horses. They will bring our camping equipment and food.
On the way, we will observe a great multitude of llamas and alpacas that I have never seen. In addition, these animals are at the mercy of shepherds dressed in beautiful and colorful costumes. Later, upon reaching the Mountain of Colors we will observe the beautiful landscape. In short, we will have the mountain only to ourselves, contemplating and walking we will wait until sunset. Where the mountain becomes more beautiful with the last rays of the sun.
Finally, in the evening after dinner, we will talk about the constellations, as we will sleep on top of the mountains. Certainly in our igloo-style tents, transparent to see the starry sky.
Maximum altitude: 5,020 metres / 16,466 feet
Minimum altitude: 4,250 metres / 13,944 feet
Duration of the trek: Around 5 hours
Trekking distance: 4 km / 2.5 miles
Difficulty: Moderate to challenging
Weather: Cold
DAY 2: CAMPSITE – RAINBOW MOUNTAIN – RED HILL – SURINI LAGOON – CHILIHANI – CUSCO
If you like to see the sunrise above Rainbow Mountain, you get up at 4:30 am. Before breakfast, you ascend the mountain and enjoy the enchanting sunrise above the surrounding snowy peaks. Then, you descend back to the campsite where you are served breakfast and warm beverages.
Afterwards, you get ready for your next trip, this time you visit Puca Moqo. It means Red Hill in the native language of Quechua and it looks marvellous during a sunshiny morning. Also, it is a habitat for cute Andean camelids: vicuñas. In addition, you can spot flying condors. The biggest chance is during the mornings. Our next stop is at Surini Cocha – a beautiful and crystal clear lagoon with numerous birds and wetlands all around. You enjoy lunch accompanied by lovely views of the lake.
After lunch, you hike back towards the Chilihani village passing the Red Valley which reminds the surface of the red planet Mars to many visitors. If you are lucky, you might see some viscachas (Lagidium viscacia, a rodent of the Chinchillidae family) and guinea pigs on this route. Our private vehicle awaits you at Chilihani to transport you back to the city of Cusco arriving there at around 6 pm. In the city, you are taken to your hotel and said goodbye.
Maximum altitude: 5,020 metres / 16,466 feet
Minimum altitude: 4,250 metres / 13,944 feet
Duration of the trek: 5-6 hours
Trekking distance: 6 km / 3.7 miles
Difficulty: Moderate to challenging
Weather: Cold
ITINERARY
RAINBOW MOUNTAIN + RED HILL
DAY 1: CUSCO – CUSIPATA – CHILIHANI – RAINBOW MOUNTAIN – CAMPSITE
- 7:30 am – pick-up from your hotel in Cusco.
- Transport by private vehicle to the community of Cusipata.
- 9 am – breakfast at the restaurant Villa Cusipata.
- Transport to the Chilihani village.
- 10 am – a small ceremony for the mountains (Apus).
- 3-hour hike until we get to Wiñayrity (4,250 m.a.s.l.), a small community located below the Rainbow Mountain.
- Lunch at the homestead of Francisco in the community.
- Panoramic view of the Rainbow Mountain (Viñicunca).
- Sunset observation.
- Walk to our campsite situated at the foothill of the Surini Mountain, near the Surini Lagoon.
- Small campfire to enjoy the evening.
- Dinner and overnight.
DAY 2: CAMPSITE – RAINBOW MOUNTAIN – RED HILL – SURINI LAGOON – CHILIHANI – CUSCO
- 4:30 am – ascend to the 7-coloured mountain of Viñicunca to enjoy the sunrise.
- Breakfast at the campsite.
- Hike along Puca Moqo (Red Hill).
- Visit Surini Cocha – a beautiful and crystal-clear lagoon.
- Lunch at the lagoon.
- A return trek to Chilihani passing the Red Valley.
- At Chilihani, getting on our vehicle headed to Cusco City.
- 6 pm (approx.) – return to the city.
- Transfer to your hotel.
- End of service of the Rainbow Mountain + Red Hill hike.
INCLUDED
THE RAINBOW MOUNTAIN + RED HILL TOUR INCLUDES:
- Pick-up from your hotel in Cusco.
- Private transport to the starting point and back to Cusco.
- A professional English-speaking Tour Guide.
- Guide Assistant (for groups of over 5 participants).
- Professional Cook experienced in preparing healthy food.
- Meals: 2x buffet breakfast, 2x buffet lunch, 1x dinner, hot beverages during main meals, snack (cereals and fruits) – a vegetarian option available upon request.
- Lamas to carry food and camping equipment.
- Lamateer (a person in charge of lamas).
- Camping and kitchen equipment (a dining tent, a kitchen tent, kitchen utensils, tables, seats, a toilet tent).
- Personal tents.
- Blankets.
- Walking sticks.
- Mattresses.
- First aid kit and a bottle of oxygen.
- Two-way radio.
NOT INCLUDED
THE RAINBOW MOUNTAIN + RED HILL TOUR DOES NOT INCLUDE:
- Entrance ticket to the Rainbow Mountain (Soles 10).
- Entrance to the Red Valley (Soles 10).
- An extra horse/lama in case of emergency or to carry personal belongings (USD 28 extra).
- Dinner on day 2.
- Beverages (apart from the main meals).
- Sleeping bag (you can rent it from us if you like, it costs USD 10 extra).
- Tips to local staff.
- Pocket money in Soles.
- Accommodation in Cusco.
- Any flight.
- Travel insurance.
WHAT TO BRING
WHAT TO BRING WITH YOU TO THE RAINBOW MOUNTAIN + RED HILL?
- Necessary stuff for a 2-day trek (We recommend a backpack of up to 5 kg of your belongings some of which might be carried by an extra horse/lama – USD 28 extra.);
- Personal identification document (a copy of ID/Passport);
- Personal medicines (if applicable);
- Small backpack;
- Warm clothes such as a jacket, sweaters, long trousers;
- Rainy coat or poncho (especially, from November to April);
- Trekking shoes;
- Camera;
- Extra batteries and/or power bank (there is no electricity on the trek);
- A peak/hat;
- Sunglasses;
- Sun protection cream;
- Toiletries;
- Towel;
- Toilet paper;
- Water purification tablets (optional);
- Pocket money in Soles (in any case of emergency or to buy some souvenirs).
PRICE
RAINBOW MOUNTAIN + RED HILL
The price depends on the number of participants, travel dates and other preferences. Please inquire about a personalized price.