Rainbow Mountain and Ausangate trek 4 days

Itinerary of the Vinicunca Mountain and Ausangate Hike:

DAY 1:

06:00 – 14:00: Cusco – Tinqui – Upis

At 6:00 a member of Guru Explorers passes by the group to the hotel (it is recommended to have breakfast previously) to start the transfer of about 3 hours to the base of the Ausangate mountain, exactly the town of Tinqui, where the trek begins.

During the tour you will appreciate the flora and fauna, especially alpacas, llamas and vicuñas of the Cordillera de Vilcanota; as well as the daily life of various Andean communities on a road that takes you to Upis (4400 masl / 14,435 ft) where you enjoy a delicious lunch, rest and you can enjoy the thermal baths (Entrance Ticket S /. 10 Soles).

At Upis you taste a delicious dinner prepared by our chef and spend the night in a truly special atmosphere.

DAY 2:

6:00 – 14:00 : Upis – Pucacocha

After having breakfast very early, we start the walk. On this occasion, a short ascent until you reach the Arapa pass (4850 masl / 15,912 ft), where you enjoy a short break among the impressive nature and beauty of the place, surrounded by valleys and glaciers.

Continue the excursion to Pucacocha or Laguna Roja (4,459 masl / 14,625 ft) where you delight in a delicious lunch and rest the rest of the day under the impressive mountain of Ausangate.

DAY 3:

06:00 – 14:00 : Pucacocha – Ananta

The third day begins with a short but demanding hike uphill until reaching the Abra Pucacocha or Laguna Roja, from where you can appreciate panoramic views of both valleys; one surrounded by lagoons and glaciers, the other full of alpacas and llamas, even vicuñas and condors.

Before late afternoon you descend to a valley where you enjoy lunch and until the evening you can contemplate the wonder of the Andean landscape for an incomparable rest among the mountains.

DAY 4

05:00 – 18:00 : Ananta – Rainbow Mountain (Vinicunca)

At 5:00 am, after a hot breakfast that warms you up from the cold mountain, the excursion begins to the Ananta pass, from where you can see a part of the Mountain of 7 Colors, which after a short walk you manage to step on.

This Rainbow Mountain, also called “Vinicunca”, offers a picturesque memory of your trip with colorful panoramas and an unbeatable experience at 5,000 meters above sea level.

After touring this place, you descend to Queshuni, where you enjoy a well-deserved and delicious lunch, to return by transport to Cusco, arriving at the hotel around 6:00 p.m.

After this unforgettable adventure, we know that we will design together a new meeting that will lead you to discover the beauties of Peru.

Price of the Rainbow Mountain and Ausangate Tour includes:

• Briefing one day before the tour.
• Transfer from lodging in the historic center of Cusco. Sometimes, access is limited by the narrow streets of the city, if that is the case, the guide will suggest a nearby pick-up point.
• Return to the lodging (private tours) or Plaza “Regocijo” (One block away from the Plaza de Armas in Cusco).
• Professional guide in English, Spanish, Portuguese (ask for availability for this or other languages).
• Professional chef and cooking equipment for camp.
• Meals: 04 breakfasts, 04 lunches, 03 dinners, (vegan and vegetarian options available)
• Drinking water at the campground
• Tourist transport (round trip) Cusco – Ausangate.
• Dining tent, camping tent, camping tables & chairs, chef’s kitchen tent, sleeping bag and sleeping mats.
• Tour through the Red Valley.
• Horse for camping equipment.
• Horse for personal things. (up to 7 kg per passenger)
• Emergency oxygen.
• Entrance tickets to the Rainbow Mountain (Vinicunca).

Price of the Rainbow Mountain and Ausangate Tour excludes:

• Transfer from hotels outside the city of Cusco (ask for extra costs to pick up from the Sacred Valley or other places in the case of private tours).
• Tip for the guide.
• Beverages not specified in the itinerary..
• Food not specified in the itinerary.
• Extra horse or mule rental. (Check availability)
• Entrance fee to the Red Valley (approximately 20 soles).
• Evacuation expenses due to illness or emergencies.
• Medical insurance.
• Trekking pole. Rental option available.

What to Bring to the Rainbow Mountain and Ausangate Hike?

• It is recommended to bring: comfortable shoes, light clothing, hat, wool hat, gloves, sunglasses, sunscreen, insect repellent, rain gear (especially in November – April).
• Personal hygiene: toilet paper, toothbrush, toothpaste, wet towels, water, personal medication.
• Passport or DNI (Required).
• Travel insurance.
• Photo camera.
• Flashlights or small headlights.
• Cash (local currency).

What considerations should you have when making the Rainbow Mountain and Ausangate Tour?

• The streets of the city are narrow, an aspect that limits vehicular access to certain places; in this case the guide will suggest a nearby point to pass looking for you and enjoy the tour.
• You must be in reasonable physical condition to do the tour, however, horses can be rented to cover part of the tour at your own risk.
• It is important that you enjoy a few days in Cusco before doing the Rainbow Mountain (Vinicunca) and Red Valley Tour. Only then will your body be adapted to the height of the region.
• This tour is not recommended for children under 12 years old. Adults over 60 years old should bear in mind that this activity demands good physical condition.
• The Red Valley route is an optional route back to the starting point for the Rainbow Mountain (Vinicunca) on the second day. This part of the excursion is carried out by individual decision – without the accompaniment of the guide – who previously offers the respective recommendations (it is not suitable for people with altitude sickness or “soroche”).
• Due to environmental, climatic or other factors, beyond our control, the travel itinerary may vary. If so, it will be notified promptly.
• Guru Explorers values ​​your time and strives to respect the tour schedule; however they may vary for reasons beyond our control (weather, natural disasters, field conditions, among other demonstrable reasons). We will do our best to offer efficient options and solutions for your enjoyment.
• Remember that, since these are outdoor activities, the natural features of the landscape may vary depending on weather conditions and the natural daylight. Each visit is an authentic experience, where nature reveals itself in unique and unrepeatable ways.

Not allowed: 

• Pets
• Smoking.
• Large suitcases or bags.

Difficulty: Moderate – High
 

Not recommended for:

• People in wheelchairs.

According to Peruvian regulations, foreign tourists may be exempt from the local tax IGV (VAT). As a formal and registered travel agency, we are required to submit to the local authorities a copy of the document you used to enter the country, as well as your date of entry. For this reason, a few days before your arrival, we will contact you to request a photo of that document and ask you to let us know the date you entered Peru. If we do not receive this information, we will be required to add the 18% corresponding to the IGV tax. 

Thank you for your cooperation!

Important considerations:

• In the event that the passenger decides to abandon the walk during the journey, they will be responsible for any extra expenses that may be incurred, such as food or transportation.
• There will be no refund in case of delayed flights, train delays, bad weather or other external factors.

Cancellation Policies:

• More than 7 days, 90% is refunded.
• Between 4 and 7 days of notification, 70% is refunded.
• Within 3 days or less in advance, there will be no refund.

Date changes:

• Rates applied for change of date in private tours:
  • There will be no extra charge if you are notified more than 5 days in advance.
  • If notified between 3 and 5 days in advance, an additional charge of 20% will apply.
  • If you are notified 2 days or less in advance, it will not be possible to make the change and it will not be subject to a refund.

Force Majeure Policy

• Guru Explorers values your time and makes every effort to follow the itinerary. However, it may be affected by force majeure events such as weather conditions, rain, natural disasters, protests, roadblocks, or other circumstances beyond our control. In such cases, no refunds or compensation will be provided, as these are unforeseeable and unavoidable situations. Nonetheless, we will do everything possible to offer efficient alternatives and solutions for your enjoyment. Any additional costs resulting from changes or alternative activities will be the responsibility of the client and not Guru Explorers.