Short Rainbow Mountain Trek 2 days and 1 nigth

GENERAL INFORMATION

TRAVEL STYLE: Trek

MINIMUM GROUP: 02 persons

DEPARTURES: Subject to availability

Description:

The SHORT RAINBOW MOUNTAIN TREK takes you past snow-capped mountains, local wildlife, and the colorful striated Vinicunca mountains at sunrise!
The Short Rainbow Trek is a beautiful route located in the high Andes that traverses the incredibly colorful Vinicunca or Rainbow Mountains. This beautiful two-day hike surrounded by glacial mountains treks in the shadow of the highest mountain in the Cusco Region, Ausangate (6300m/21,000ft). This is the perfect choice for those without a lot of time or who don’t want to camp for more than one night but still want to see the Rainbow Mountain at the time of day when the colors are most vivid (sunset and sunrise). You also avoid the hoards of people encountered on the one day hike!
The Rainbow Mountains or Vinicunca Mountains are composed of stratified layers of sandstone. These fine-grained rock layers contain large amounts of iron and other minerals which give the mountains the pigments for the various colored stripes. Along your journey you will see glacial peaks, llamas, alpacas, chinchillas, and stunning vistas! If you would like to do the longer Rainbow Trek with Machu Picchu you can go on our incredible 9D/8N Extended Ausangate Rainbow Trek Package or the 6D/5N Rainbow Trek & Machu Picchu Package.
It is essential to be properly acclimatized for this hike, spending at least two or three days in Cusco (or equivalent altitude) before starting. The campsite is at high elevation and therefore will be quite cold in the evening. Minimum passengers necessary for trek departure: 2 people (1 person or private/custom treks possible with extra fee). Maximum trekkers per group: 10 people (special, private party groups can exceed maximum).

Full itinerary:

DAY 01: CUSCO – QUESIUNO – ANANTAPATA – WARMISAYA PASS – LAKE CAMPSITE

We leave early (around 5am) to drive 4 hours to the small village of Quesiuno where we stop and have a light breakfast. After breakfast we start hiking for 3 hours, beginning with a short uphill climb followed by a gradual trail along the Quesiuno Valley until we get to our lunch spot located at Anantapata 4400m/14,435ft. Here we have amazing views of green hills and snow-capped peaks. After lunch and a little rest, we start on our steep uphill climb for 1.5 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 (4600m/15,092ft) where we set up camp for the night. Optional sunset hike: after dropping our bags, we take our 1 hour uphill sunset hike to the Rainbow Mountain Pass (5050m/16,568ft) 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 to have happy hour (tea and snacks) followed by a hearty dinner. Enjoy sleeping under the stars in our 4 season tents.

Approximate departure time: 5am
Approximate walking distance: 11 km/6.8 miles (about 6-7 hours).
Campsite elevation: 4600m/15,092ft
Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks
Overnight: 3 person, 4 season tents (double occupancy)
Highest Elevation: 5050m/16,568ft
Level of Difficulty: Moderate – Strenuous

DAY 02: LAKE CAMPSITE – RAINBOW MOUNTAIN – CUSIPATA – 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 beautiful pictures of these incredible mountains and the other surrounding peaks. After enjoying the sunrise view we hike for 30 minutes to the viewpoint of the Red Valley and then we will hike 1.5 hours down to Cusipata where we will have lunch and end our trek. After lunch our private transport will drive us back to Cusco where we will drop you off at your hotel.

Approximate walking distance: 6 km/3.7 miles (about 3 hours)
Meals: breakfast, lunch, snacks
Highest Elevation: 5050m/16,568ft
Level of Difficulty: moderate
Approximate time back in Cusco: 4-5PM

Included on the Trail

• Pre-Trek briefing the night before the trek to go over the itinerary, meet your guide(s) and answer any questions
• Collection from your Cusco hotel in the morning
• Private bus transport to start of the trek and back to Cusco
• Personal porter to carry your overnight gear up to 8kg/17.6lbs
• Dry bag in which to put your overnight gear so it won’t get wet or dusty on the trail
• 3 person, 4 season tents (2 people in large and comfortable Mountain Hardwear Expedition tent)
• One-Inch thick foam mattress pad
• Toilet tent and toilet and toilet paper
• English speaking professional guide
• Full meals on the trek (3 meals per day, tea time every afternoon, and snacks on the trail)
• First-aid kit including emergency oxygen tank and emergency horse
• Chef and cooking equipment and kitchen tent
• Dining and cooking tents with tables and stools
• Dietary needs: able to cater to any dietary preference/need
• Horsemen and horses (to carry tents, food, cooking equipment, and your duffel bags)
• Hot water every morning and evening for hand washing purposes
• Boiled water to fill your water bottle every morning and afternoon
• Entrance to the Ausangate trail

Not included

• Flights
• Hotel before/after trek
• Dinner on the last day
• Sleeping bags and walking poles (poles must have intact rubber bottoms)
• Entrance to hot springs
• Travel interruption & travel medical/evacuation insurance (required)
• Tip for your guide(s) and trek staff are optional but highly encouraged if you enjoy your trek

Recommendations:

• Sleeping bags and walking poles (poles must have intact rubber bottoms)
• Recommend a sleeping bag rated for 20F/-7C or below for this trek
• Sleeping bag liner (for your sleeping bag if you wish)
• Mattress pad – while we provide a mattress pad, being rested is essential for a great hiking experience and we find that sleep habits are very individualized. Therefore we recommend bringing your own pad that you know you are comfortable sleeping on, as well as any other sleep items you might want to have (camp pillow, etc).
• Sunscreen: the sun is very strong in Cusco
• Sun hat
• Sunglasses
• Lip balm
• Hiking shoes/boots with good, grippy tread
• Optional: microspikes in case of excessive snowfall (rare)
• Hiking pants (or shorts) and shirts (layers)
• Layers – long underwear and/or warm sleep pants for cold nights
• Hand warmers if you wish
• Warm hat, gloves, scarf and thick warm socks (or you can buy a traditional Peruvian hat and scarf – they are beautiful!)
• Daypack and rain cover
• Rain gear – rain jacket and rain pants (optional for the pants), can buy an inexpensive poncho before the trek
• Cash for tipping porters (USD or Peruvian Soles are fine), cooks, horsemen, guides, buying items along the trail, for in town, emergencies, etc. Note: Cash should be in perfect condition (ripped, damaged bills of any kind are NOT accepted anywhere in Peru)
• Swim suit, flip flops, towel for any hot springs you may visit (not every trek/trip has this) if you wish to go
• Sandals
• Torch/flashlight/headlamp (and batteries)
• Insect repellent if you plan to visit Machu Picchu
• Hand sanitizer and face covering (for COVID-19 Pandemic)
• Extra snacks if you wish (beyond snacks provided by us)
• E.g. if you have a favorite protein bar as Cusco doesn’t sell items like this
• First aid kit, including blister protection (though your guide will have one, you may wish to carry one of your own)
• Personal medication and toiletries you might want/need
• Camera, extra memory cards, batteries and solar panel/power bank
• Water bottle or water bladder to refill
• Passport (must be valid 6 months past your final travel dates for most countries)
• Copies of passport (keep copies separate, give to travel friends to keep, etc)
• Power plug adapter
• Travel lock(s) approved by TSA (or they cut them off – US only)
• Tickets, itinerary, emergency contact information
• Any medications you currently are taking or need/may need (see suggestions below)
• Small quick-dry pak towels and/or compostable wipes for a quick wipe down at the end of the day

A minimum of 2 trekkers required for this trek. Maximum of 10 trekkers in a group.

• Price for 6-10 trekkers: 400 USD per person
• Price for 3-5 trekkers: 450 USD per person
• Price for 2 trekkers: 520 USD per person

Private treks, single trekker, custom treks, large groups, and packages welcome, Please email us to customize.

What to carry – Daypacks

On the trail you should carry a day pack with your camera, water bottle or bladder, snacks, hand sanitizer, face mask, cold weather clothing and rain gear or poncho in case of rain (unlikely in dry season – May to October) and anything you will need before dinner as horses do not walk alongside you. A recommended packing list is sent after you book the trip and can be found below under the “what to pack for your trek” tab. We will provide you with a dry bag for your overnight gear to be carried by horses. Your bag will be waiting for you at every campsite. Yes, we can store your luggage for you during the trek. Most hotels/hostels also provide this service.

• For more information you can write to us by email reservas@huntingtreasuresperu.com.