- Anantapata
- Surina Qocha
- Rainbow Mountain
- Red Valley
The Wonderfull Mountain of Colors
Our Rainbow Mountain and Red Valley 2 Day package is designed for you to discover the incredible scenery of a remote area that seems like something out of a dream. In addition, you will be able to capture the impressive views of the majestic Apu Ausangate (6,372 masl / 20,900 fasl), the highest and most powerful mountain in the Cusco region. This 2-day tour allows you to enjoy a beautiful natural setting while challenging your ability and exploring the best that the Vilcanota mountain range has to offer.
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Overview
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Itinerary
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Inclusions
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Before You Go
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Pricing
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Enquire Now
Get ready to discover this route with the tranquility of being away from the hordes of tourists and the chaos of the city. Also, let yourself be enveloped by the soft lights of dawn on the spectacular Rainbow Mountain. You’ll be one of the first people to arrive! Also walk through the surreal Red Valley, a little-known destination with almost no tourists. The peace, tranquillity, and majesty of the Andean mountains ensure an unforgettable experience.
Briefing: Our guide will visit you at your hotel 1 or 2 days before the excursion. There he will offer you detailed information about the route. Take advantage of this time to answer any questions and follow the tips to prepare yourself in the best way.
Itinerary at a Glance
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Day 0
Pre-Departure Briefing
Cusco
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Day 1
Cusco | Pitumarca - Quesiuno - Anantapata - Surine Qocha
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Day 2
Surine Qocha | Rainbow Mountain - Red Valley - Cusco
Why Take the Rainbow Mountain & Red Valley?
- The Rainbow Mountain, also known as Vinicunca, is in the midst of a land full of wild desert landscapes, snow-capped glaciated peaks, herds of alpaca, and pristine beauty.
- Rainbow Mountain is close to the highest sacred mountain in the Cusco region, Ausangate.
- You will trek through one of the most pristine mountain ecosystems in the world and take in beautiful mountain views and wildlife in its natural habitat for two days.
- This two-day route allows you to avoid most crowds and follow little-trodden trails to reach the colorful summit.
- Sleeping relatively close by to Rainbow Mountain in a comfortable tent also avoids the need for a painfully early departure time pre-sunrise from Cusco as a day trip.
- You will be able to reach Rainbow Mountain before most of the crowds descend on the peak.
Cusco | Pitumarca - Quesiuno - Anantapata - Surina Qocha
Our excursion starts very early in the morning. We’ll pick you up from your hotel at 4:00 am and will drive for 3 hours to the starting point of the walk. While we make our final preparations before starting, our chef will be preparing the delicious and nutritious breakfast that will give you all the energy you need to face this adventure. Before starting the tour, pay attention to our guide who will share with you details of today's itinerary, as well as safety tips that will serve you for the following days.
We’ll start this impressive and little-known walk in a green valley from where you can appreciate the majestic Ausangate Mountain in the distance. Along the way you’ll observe several peasant communities and discover the deep connection with nature that characterizes the Andean culture. Hundreds of alpacas and llamas will watch your every step!
We’ll continue our journey to the first pass known as Pukaqocha (5,000 masl / 16,400 fasl). From there you’ll enjoy an impressive panorama: the crystal clear waters of the Pukaqocha Lagoon and the gigantic Ausangate Mountain right in front of you. You’ll see how the waters of the lagoon originate in the snows of this sacred glacier. Without a doubt, it’s a show that will awaken all your senses. Don't forget to charge your camera!
After a short break we’ll go for 2 hours to Anantapata where we’ll stop for lunch. Once we have recuperated our energy, we’ll ascend for 3 hours until we reach the highest point of the route called Abra Minasniyuc (5,050 masl / 16,568 fasl). From there, you’ll witness, for the first time and in the distance, the spectacular colours of the Rainbow Mountain. A view that seems to have been taken from a dream!
We’ll descend for 45 minutes to our camp located next to the Surine Qocha Lagoon. Upon your arrival we will welcome you with our happy hour. Later, you’ll enjoy dinner before a well-deserved night of rest.
- Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks.
- Accommodation: Camps
- Difficulty: Challenging
- Walking Distance: 8.6 miles
- Minimum Elevation: 4380 m / 14370 ft
- Highest Elevation: 5050 m / 16568 ft
Surine Qocha | Rainbow Mountain - Red Valley - Cusco
We’ll wake you up very early with a hot coca leaf tea in your tent. Then you’ll enjoy a delicious breakfast prepared by our chef. Get ready because you’ll soon discover the Rainbow Mountain and the spectacular Red Valley!
We’ll ascend for 45 minutes to the viewpoint of the Rainbow Mountain. You'll have time to explore on your own and dive into mind-blowing views not only of the Rainbow Mountain itself, but also of the mighty Apu Ausangate and the other snowy peaks that surround that area. It’s a truly fantastic place that you’ll be able to enjoy before the crowds of tourists arrive. Cusco Expeditions always comes first! Open your heart to the mountains. They’ll know how to reward you.
After enjoying this gem from the Peruvian Andes, we’ll begin our trek towards the spectacular Red Valley. A place that seems to be taken from another planet and that’s visited by very few tourists. You’ll be surprised not only by its amazing beauty but also by the immense tranquillity that’ll surround you. Breathe and feel the joy of being alive. It only takes 30 minutes of walking to reach the viewpoint from where you will get the best views of the valley.
Finally, we’ll make a 4-hour descent between ancient Andean communities and herds of llamas. If you’re lucky, you’ll be able to come across some vicuñas, a beautiful non-domesticated animal that has coexisted with the inhabitants of Peru since pre-Inca times. After the delicious final lunch, a bus will wait for you that will take you back to the doors of your hotel in the city of Cusco.
- Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks.
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Walking Distance: 8.6 miles
- Minimum Elevation: 4250 m / 13943 ft
- Highest Elevation: 5020 m / 16466 ft
What Is Included?
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High Quality Service & Safety
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Pre-departure briefing
You will meet your guide and group in our office for an orientation before your trek. At this time, we will provide you with the duffle bags which will be carried by our porters. The meeting will be at 6:00 PM the evening before the trip begins.
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Experienced Guide
All our guides are graduates of the professional career of Tourism of the National University San Antonio Abad of Cusco. Also, they speak English. As good cusqueños, they feel a great commitment to transmit the knowledge they have inherited from their grandparents. They are very friendly and professional. They’ll make sure you are safe and happy.
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Camping Equipment
Cusco Expeditions uses the best equipment to ensure your safety and comfort. Every 2 people will share Eureka Timberline tents or Mountain Hard Wears with capacity for 4 people. In addition, you’ll have a spacious dining tent where you can enjoy your food without problems.
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Medical Kit
All Cusco Expeditions guides have received specialized training in first aid. We hold mandatory training sessions with our guides every February. Your guide will always carry a first aid kit to face basic emergency situations (altitude sickness, traveller’s diarrhoea, cuts, scrapes, etc.) as well as oxygen. If necessary, we’ll evacuate you from the path as quickly as possible and ensure that you arrive at a clinic for treatment.
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Customer Service 24/7
We have telephone service available 24 hours/day for ease of communication and preparation with the agency leading up to your trek.
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Meals
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Meals: 2 Breakfasts, 2 Lunches, 1 Dinners
Our chef prepares the best dishes in the middle of the mountain. Our passengers love our food! We respect all diets so let us know if you have any special restrictions on your reservation form and remind your guide during the briefing. You’ll enjoy breakfast, lunch, and dinner; in addition to hot drinks and snacks. Every morning we’ll give you your snack so you can enjoy it during the walk. Remember that your last lunch will be on day 4. Dinner on the last day is not included.
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Water
From the first lunch to the last breakfast, Cusco Expeditions will provide you with all the water you need. The water is boiled, filtered, and cooled. You must bring your water bottles or a camel bag. We recommend a capacity of 3 litres. You’ll be able to fill your bottles during each meal.
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Wake up tea
Every morning at the campsite, you will woken up with a cup of coca tea! Our staff will bring the tea to your tent so that you will be warmed from inside out before you start your day.
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Tea time daily
Every afternoon before dinner, the cooks will provide popcorn, biscuits, coffee, hot chocolate, teas, hot water, etc. After a long day of hiking, you will not have to wait until dinner to relax, warm up, and enjoy a bite to eat!
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Snacks on the trail daily
Local fruits, biscuits, chocolate, caramels, etc. We will give this snack to you at the beginning of each day in your cloth bag.
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One cloth snack bag per person
To avoid the usage of plastic bags that contaminate our environment, we will give you a cloth bag for your snacks.
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Products for hygiene
You will be provided with a small towel before each meal to clean your hands.
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Transportation
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Transport
From Cusco to Anantapata (round trip).
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EXTRAS included in our service.
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We believe that attention to small details is what sets us apart from other local companies. You’ll receive a small sleeping pillow, a foam mattress, a cover to protect your backpack on the road, and a rain poncho.
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Satellite phones:
Our main priority will always be the tranquillity of our clients. While all of our guides are prepared for emergencies in the mountains, being a phone call away from any doctor, hospital, or friend helps you feel more secure. Each Cusco Expeditions guides has a satellite phone that can be used anywhere on the mountain to call anywhere in the world. You can also use it even if it’s not an emergency.
What Is Not Included?
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Travel Insurance
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Tips for our staff
Tips are usual on any excursion to Machu Picchu. Although we pay good salaries to our entire team, something extra is always welcome, especially considering the hard work they do. Typically, group participants collect their tips to hand out to the porters and chefs together.
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Additional costs or delays out of control of the management
Landscape, bad weather condition, itinerary modification due to a safety concern, illness, change of government policy, political instability/strike, etc.
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Sleeping Bags
You can rent one from our company if you do not have your own. Our sleeping bags are effective and durable to protect from temperatures as low as -18ºC (0ºF). They are mummy form and include a sleeping liner. The bags are cleaned after every use and have a maximum usage of 30 trips.
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Walking Sticks
You can rent a set from our company if you would like.
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Day 2 Dinner
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Personal clothing and gear
We want to make your trip to Peru as memorable and as easy as possible. In this section, you will find speedy answers to all those questions you had in one place. Please read the following information carefully – it will help you with any questions about our services.
Has another question that we haven’t answered here? Drop us a line, and we will get back to you asap!
Briefing or informative meeting
All information meetings are held in your hotel at 6:00 p.m., one night before the tour begins. If you cannot attend, you must coordinate another time at the Cusco Expeditions offices. These meetings last approximately 30 to 45 minutes and there you will be given a small duffel bag, in which you’ll put all the belongings you intend to bring on the trek that won’t be in your day pack.
Duffel bag or canvas case:
ou’ll receive a canvas case or duffel bag during your briefing. The porters will take them on the way and will deliver them to you when you get to each camp. They measure 66 cm / 2 ft. Long x 36 cm / 1 ft. Wide.
A maximum of 5 kg is allowed for each duffel bag that includes the weight of your sleeping bag, mat, clothes and other personal items.
Payment of Trek Balance (in Cusco)
The trek has to be paid for in full by at least 7.30 pm two days before departure. For example, if your tour departs on a Wednesday, then you must come to our office before 7.30 pm on Monday.
It would be much appreciated if you pay the trek balance in cash US dollars or local currency. You can withdraw some money from several ATMs along Avenida Sol (either in US dollars or local Peruvian Soles). You can pay by credit card or PAYPAL online, but you will have to pay an 8% service charge, charged by VISA and PAYPAL. We do not accept bank checks or payment of the balance by traveler’s checks.
Storing your luggage at our Office.
Of course! During the travel, your main luggage can be stored at our office(you can organize briefing day or by email) or at your hotel, both free of charge.
Any equipment that you are not going to need on the trek can be stored safely in your hotel. Nearly every hotel will provide this service. Don’t leave items of value with your bags, put them in the hotel safe and obtain an itemized receipt (In the unlikely case of theft many insurance companies require that you have a copy of the receipt itemizing all the items). Best put items such as credit cards inside a sealed, signed envelope for extra peace of mind.
Pickups:
Cusco Expeditions can pick you up from your hotel, as long as it’s in the Historic Center of Cusco. The pickup time will be coordinated with your guide in the briefing. The pickup time may vary between 30 and 45 minutes due to traffic. Cusco is a very old city, therefore, it has many narrow cobbled streets. Some hotels and Airbnbs may be located on streets without access to cars or on long, steep slopes, making it difficult to transport luggage. We strongly recommend that you book accommodation with good access.
Group tours:
Group tours are made up of different types of people. Physical conditions and ages can vary. By agreeing to be part of a group tour, you also accept that some people may be faster or slower than you. Therefore, each person can go at their own pace on the route. It may be the case that a group wishes to modify the tour; however, it will be the guide who decides, after consulting with all the participants, if said modifications can be made.
Strikes and demonstrations:
Strikes and demonstrations are usually frequent in Peru and this may interrupt some of our tours. Roads can be blocked and train tracks can be taken over. However, we will try to keep your excursion as planned, even if it means leaving the night before the scheduled date. Under these circumstances, tours may also be cancelled. In case of changes or cancellations, all situations will be coordinated with you by our operations department. Your safety is our highest priority and our decisions will be made to protect it.
Lost objects:
You’re responsible for your objects during the tour. Please pay attention to where you leave your things and remember to take everything once you leave our trucks, tents, or restaurants.
Talk to a Destination Expertito
Your dedicated specialist will take the time to understand your preferences and build them into an itinerary to match, working to your budget. He or she will keep perfecting it until you’re completely happy and ready to book.
The Rainbow Mountain can leave any day of the week, from March through January. We do not run this trek in February because rainy season & maintenance.
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Group Price
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2020 Land Cost
US$230per person
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Pre-payment
US$100(Required)
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Balance
US$130
- This small-group journey is guaranteed to operate with just two guests.
Extensions & Offers
There are several extensions you can include to your Adventure:
- Sacred Valley: $100 $80
- City Tour: $20
Price Guarantee
Once your booking has been confirmed we guarantee the price will not increase, whatever the circumstances. Before booking please ensure you have read our important tour pricing information
Thank you for your interest in having an adventure travel experience in Peru curated by Cusco Expeditions. Please take a moment to complete our short form, so one our friendly Adventure Consultants could provide you all the information for your trip of a lifetime in Peru.
Our Pledge | Your privacy is respected and protected. The Cusco Expeditions Company will never share, sell, or make public any of your personal contact information to third parties.
We give advice and recommendations that are right for you
Feel free to reach us via email at sales@cuscoexpeditions.com or by calling us directly at +51 947 736 747
Triunfo Street 392, office 212, 2nd floor - Main Square of Cusco, Peru
Monday - Friday
9:00 am to 8:00 pm
Saturday
10:00 am to 6:00 pm
Due to the rainy season and trail maintenance, we don't offer this trek during the whole month of february. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause you, we are working to provide you a better service!
