Peru – Rainbow Mountains Trek

The RAINBOW MOUNTAINS TREK is a stunning, remote trek past snow-capped mountains, turquoise lakes, glacial peaks, and colourful striated Rainbow mountains! The Rainbow Trek is a new route located in the high Andes and traverses the incredibly colourful Vinicunca or Rainbow Mountains. This beautiful multi-day hike is tucked away in a well-hidden section of the Vilcanota Mountain range. Surrounded by glacial mountains, this route treks in the shadow of the highest mountain in the Cusco Region, Ausangate (6300m/21,000ft). The route is 52km/32.3 miles long and goes from 3300m/10,827ft to 5050m/16,568ft. This is a true off the beaten path trek; above the tree line with incredible views of the Andes and glacial peaks.

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INTERMEDIATE

A good level of fitness, building on prior experience to enhance your ability and keep those challenges going on a journey of progression. Enjoys using clothing and equipment that generally work well but forever prepared to learn and share experiences with others. 6-7hrs of walking each day.

DEPARTURE/RETURN LOCATION             

Departure is usually London Heathrow, this may vary and the specific location will be provided upon booking.

All international and connecting return flights are not included in the EDGE Travel Worldwide trip price per person. If you would like EDGE Travel Worldwide to book your flights, please note there will be a £100 administration fee applied.

WEAR  

Comfortable Clothing for the flight

DAY 1    Welcome to Peru – Lima.

After picking up your luggage and clearing customs you will meet your driver and guide as you walk towards the exit of the international terminal. This will still be inside the building but just beyond the fence/barrier as you walk towards the exit doors. He will be waiting for you on foot with an EDGE Travel Worldwide sign in his hand. He will walk you to the large sprinter van that will take you directly to your hotel in Miraflores (approx. 45 min drive). Settle into your room and rest up after your travels and have dinner at one of the many, delicious restaurants in Miraflores. You have an exciting trip ahead, filled with ancient ruins, local markets and hiking through the beautiful Andean Mountains!

Overnight: San Agustin Hotel, Miraflores

DAY 2    Fly to Cusco

Rest, Relax, Explore Cusco. Wake up early to have breakfast and take private transport back to the airport (approx. 1 hour depending on traffic) to catch your flight to the Inca capital of Cusco where Quechua and Spanish speaking descendants of the Incas hustle back and forth in the busy plazas and markets. Colonial churches sit atop bases of eerily accurate and smooth Inca stonework laid centuries before the arrival of the Conquistadors.

The afternoon is yours to explore Cusco’s narrow streets and bustling markets. Travelers can explore the churches and surrounding ruins, wander through Cusco’s busy center, shop in local markets, see local artisan workshops in the old San Blas neighbourhood, or just people watch in the Plaza de Armas. There are many half day tours that can be arranged on request if desired. The night is yours to explore and discover the many places to enjoy a wide range of food and entertainment. At 7pm your guide will come to your hotel to provide a briefing about the trek and give each guest a dry bag, in which to put your overnight clothes, toiletries, sleeping bag, mattress pad, up to 8kg per person.

Overnight: Three Star Hotel in Cusco, Peru (San Agustin International, Cusco)

(Breakfast)

DAY 3    Cusco

Today is yours to explore Cusco’s narrow streets, little shops and cafes. Travelers can visit churches, museums, wander through Cusco’s busy center, shop the local markets, see local artisan workshops in the old San Blas neighbourhood, enjoy a massage, or just people watch in the Plaza de Armas. This day is essential to help also acclimatise for the trek.

Overnight: Three Star Hotel in Cusco, Peru (San Agustin International, Cusco)

(Breakfast)

DAY 4-7               

Four Day Rainbow Mountain Trek

The RAINBOW MOUNTAIN TREK is a stunning, remote trek past snow-capped mountains, turquoise lakes, glacial peaks, and colourful striated Rainbow mountains! The Rainbow Trek is a new route located in the high Andes and traverses the incredibly colourful Vinicunca or Rainbow Mountains. This beautiful multi-day hike is tucked away in a well- hidden section of the Vilcanota Mountain range. Surrounded by glacial mountains, this route treks in the shadow of the highest mountain in the Cusco Region, Ausangate (6300m/21,000ft). The route is 52km/32.3 miles long and goes from 3300m/10,827ft to 5050m/16,568ft. This is a true off the beaten path trek; above the tree line with incredible views of the Andes and glacial peaks.

Overnight: Spacious and comfortable 3-person, 4 season Mountain Hardwear Tents (double occupancy)

(Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner)

DAY 4    Cusco – Tinqui Village – Upis

(camping at hot springs) Early transfer from your hotel in Cusco with 6:00 am departure. We drive for 4 hours on a new highway to Tinqui, passing Urcos Pass (4,000 m/13,123 ft) along the way. Tinqui is a village on the high plains “altiplano” east from Cusco and is where we will start our trek. We follow a wide, gently ascending path toward the northwest face of the impressive Ausangate mountain. We will have a small lunch around noon by the side of the trail. We will continue walking through fields and by scattered stone farm houses, and later in the day we will begin to see llamas and alpacas. We ascend gently to the Upis pass (4,435 m/14,107 ft) and camp at Upis Hot Springs (4,250 m/13,779 ft) where we will be surrounded by snow-capped mountains (Ausangate and Maria Huamantilla). Happy hour (tea and snacks) at 4:00pm and dinner at 6:00pm. There are thermal springs at Upis where we can enjoy a soak at the end of the day (10 soles entrance fee).

Trek length: 16 km/9.9 miles (6-hour acclimatizing hike).

Camp elevation: 4100m/13,450ft

(Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner)

DAY 5    Upis – Arapa Pass – Pucaccocha

After an early breakfast we begin our second day of the hike. You will hike very close to the Ausangate Glacier Peak and will have incredible views of this mountain as well as beautiful lakes and waterfalls. We may see some llamas, alpacas and wild vicuñas (the undomesticated ancestor of the alpaca) and perhaps a rare condor soaring above. We will have a 3-hour uphill hike to reach the first pass (4800m/15,748ft) where you will have magnificent views of the surrounding area. After taking a few amazing pictures we continue hiking gradually downhill for another 11⁄2 hours to our beautiful lunch spot. After lunch we hike for another 21⁄2 hours to arrive at our campsite at Puca Ccocha (Red Lake). This spot is one of the most beautiful campsites located at the skirt of the Ausangate peak and at the bank of the lake.

Trek length: 12km/7.5 miles (7-8 hours)

Campsite elevation: 4300m/14,100ft

(Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner)

DAY 6    Pucaccocha – Puca Pass – Anantapata – Warmisaya – Yanacocha Lake

Wake up early with a hot cup of coca tea to start one of the most beautiful days of the trek, enjoying majestic views of some of the highest peaks in the Andes and depths of the beautiful valleys. This morning we will summit the Puca Pass. After an early breakfast we begin our 2-hour steep climb to the Puca Pass at (5050m/16,568ft). Along the way we have gorgeous views of turquoise lakes and the Ausangate glacier. Once you reach the summit of this mountain, you will be located right in front of the Ausangate Mountain and you can enjoy the views of Chillca Valley, with alpaca grazing along these hills.

Also, from this pass you will see the beginning of the Rainbow Mountain range with their strikingly striated colours. After taking some great pictures we continue gradually downhill for another 2 hours

until we reach our lunch spot located at Anantapata 4400m/14,435ft with amazing views of green hills and snow-capped peaks. After lunch and a little rest and relaxation, we will hike gradually uphill for 11⁄2 hours until we reach the Warmisaya (aka Pitumarca) pass 5050m/16,568ft. After enjoying the views at the top, we descend for 20 minutes to Yanacocha lake where we set up camp for the night. After dropping our bags, we take our gradual 1-hour sunset hike to the Rainbow Mountain Pass and watch as the sun sets over the stunning Rainbow Valley. Once we have finished enjoying the view, we hike 45 minutes back down to camp at Yanacocha to have happy hour (tea and snacks) followed by a hearty dinner.

Trek length: 17.7 km/11 miles (about 7.5-8 hours)

Highest pass on the trek: 5050m/16,568ft

Campsite elevation: 4400m/14,435ft

(Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner)

DAY 7    Yanacocha Lake – Rainbow Mountains – Rainbow Valley – Hanchipata – Cusco

After a very early breakfast (5am) we hike 1 hour up to the Rainbow Mountain Pass (Vinicunca Mountains or Montañas de Colores), the highest pass of the trek, again to see the beautiful Rainbow Valley at sunrise (5050m/16,568ft)! Enjoy the view for an hour without the crowds as we are one of the first groups to arrive. Your guide will walk you to the best spots to get the perfect postcard pictures of these incredible mountains and the other surrounding peaks. Your guide will explain what makes these mountains so unique: they are composed of various minerals, which make different colours of stone striations. This is definitely one of the most stunning places in South America and one of the most beautiful natural attractions in Peru. There are Rainbow Mountains in only a few other locations in the world. After enjoying the sunrise view we hike for 4.5 hours further into the Rainbow Valley than any other trekking company. You will be able to walk along the beautiful Rainbow Mountains and hike behind these peaks to experience the Red Mountain Valley with all it’s incredible colours. You will see a small waterfall and some sections of this trail are rocky, narrow and uneven. Enjoy the views as we walk to the small community Hanchipata (3800m/12,467ft) where we will have lunch and end our trek. After lunch our private transport will drive us back to Cusco – about a 3.5 hour drive that provides nice views of the Andes, passing some traditional villages along the way. Once in Cusco we will go to our hotel to freshen up and relax before our celebratory group dinner.

• Trek length: 16 km /9.95 miles (about 5.5 hours)
• Overnight: Three Star Hotel in Cusco, Peru (San Agustin International, Cusco)

(Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner)

DAY 8    AM Flight to Lima and Return Home

Private transport will pick you up from the hotel or a pre-determined location to take you to the Cusco airport for your departing flight home:

Transport: Private car or van to the Cusco airport

(Breakfast)

Please Note

Based on 3-star accommodation for the whole itinerary

All accommodation is based on double rooms (sharing)

To confirm the trail, it is necessary to have the full data of all clients at the time of booking:

Full name, passport number, expiration date, date of birth and nationality.

Clothing and equipment required for the trekking part of the trip

A backpack with a change of clothes for the whole period of the trek

Water proofing for the backpack and items in the backpack

Sleeping bag

Walking poles

Sock’s

Underwear

Warm clothing including for head, hands, mouth and neck

Waterproof and breathable jacket and trousers

Gaiters

Walking boots

Sandals

Walking poles

Head torch and batteries

Camera and batteries

Sun hat

Sun block

Sun lotion

After-sun lotion

Insect repellent – minimum recommended 20% DEET – no malaria risk has been reported

Handkerchiefs

oilet paper

Wet wipes

Ear plugs

Eye mask

Small hand towel

Hand sanitizer

Snacks: chocolate, nuts, dried fruit, seeds

Adequate Water containers for the trekking phase. Important notice: disposable water bottles are no longer allowed on the Inca Trail.

Swimsuit (if you wish to go to the hot springs)

Cash in soles and/or US$

Personal first air kit

Toiletries

Essential toiletries for women

Essential toiletries for men

Camera

Diary

Vaccinations & Protection

Make an appointment with your Doctor to discuss and also gain written confirmation of what is needed by the relevant Consulate of your trip destination. A third source of reference is: www.travelhealthpro.org.uk EDGE Travel Worldwide is not responsible to list or advise; which vaccinations or any other travel medication you may need on your trip. This is your responsibility. Special Note: Visa and vaccination requirements are subject to change and should be confirmed before departure.

Personal Expenses

You will need extra money to cover the cost of drinks, souvenirs, meals (where applicable) airport taxes, etc. It is advisable to change money on arrival at international airports whilst waiting for your luggage, as opportunities for changing money are subsequently few. Credit cards are generally not accepted.

Altitude

The altitude of the Rainbow mountains and Inca Trail makes the trip most suitable for the more serious walker with previous experience of hill walking. Extreme cases of Acute Mountain Sickness are rare, but if it becomes necessary for someone to abandon the trek in the interests of safety, the Tour Leaders decision on this is final.

Experience

Bearing the above in mind, we ask for a synopsis of recent walking experience from people intending to go on the trip.

Medical Examination

You should visit your GP and specifically mention the maximum altitude the trek reaches, i.e. 5,050m.

Personal medication

Please note all illness, injuries and medication need to be disclosed to EDGE Travel Worldwide at time of booking – please seek advice from your Doctor to your suitability of participating on this trip.

Tipping

In this area, tipping is a recognised part of life. Although EDGE Travel Worldwide pays most gratuities for the trip, porters and guides on the trips still look to members of the group for reward. Accordingly, you should allow $100 for tipping. (Please carry low denominations of US Dollar currency.)

Meal Plan

Local food and drink: Meals other than those included in the itinerary are paid for separately by the traveller.