Vinicunca Rainbow Mountain Itinerary:
03:30 – 05:30: Pick up from hotel – Transport to Cusipata – Breakfast
The adventure starts very early with our professional guide picking you up at 03:00a.m., for the transfer to the small town of Cusipata (located south of Cusco). In this town you will taste an exquisite breakfast in the community of Tintinco. There will also be a short stop to shop drinks, snacks, sunscreen, among other things that are necessary.
05:30 – 6:30: Paucarpata – Phulawasipata – Hike
After an energizing breakfast, start the one-hour ascent to the base camp of the trek, Phulawasipata (4,600 masl / 15,091 ft). This journey shows exuberant landscapes, peasant communities and Alpacas in their natural habitat.
07:00 – 8:30: Hike to the Rainbow Mountain (Vinicunca)!
Once arrived at the base, you will receive the instructions from our professional guide preparing the ascent that lasts an average of an hour and a half. In this trail you will admire the most impressive views of the Andes, snow-covered mountains, rocky hills and the traditional fauna among llamas and alpacas.
The biggest prize will be to reach the extraordinary Rainbow Mountain (Vinicunca), Vinicunca elevation is aproximately (5,200 masl / 17,060 ft). When you reach the top, you have enough time to enjoy the majestic view of the colorful mountains, imposing valleys, and the snow covering the mountains crowned by the Ausangate.
09:15 – 12:30: Red Valley – Return to base camp
After enjoying this beautiful experience, you can choose between the direct return to the base camp or walk on the top of Vinicunca mountain and then go through the Red Valley, also called “Mars”, a desert of incredible and amazing reddish landscapes adorned by wild vicuñas and other camelids. After taking some photos and immersing ourselves in the tireless views of the Valley, the one-hour descent begins through a different path and one more hour by car to Cusipata.
12:30 – 15:30: Paucarpata – Lunch – Return to Cusco
Arriving again in Cusipata, you will enjoy a delicious buffet lunch of our world-famous Peruvian food (vegan and vegetarian options available). After this, you return on our private transport back to Cusco, directly to the center of Cusco in Plaza “Regocijo” (One block away from the Plaza de Armas in Cusco) around 4:00 p.m.
We know for sure that each experience is unique, that is why traveling with “Guru Explorers” makes you discover not only a new vision of Peru, but to rediscover the connection between you and the things you love to do… a new way of seeing the world!
* The private professional chef service is optional and at an additional cost *. The itinerary is adapted in case of reserving it, and the diet preferences of the tourists are taken into account. Likewise, a camp is set up to enjoy the mountains while you eat and receive information from our guide.
** It is recommended to keep this itinerary in order to avoid other group services and to be able to enjoy the landscape with fewer tourists around.
