Rainbow Mountain Trek

DAY 1: CUSCO – QESUNO – ANATA

On the first day of your Rainbow mountain adventure, we will collect you from your hotel foyer at the delightful hour of 4am and begin our incredible Rainbow Mountain Trek Adventure. We set out on our 3-hour scenic drive through the South Valley, there are amazing views of farming Inca terraces, valleys and rocky mountains. While packing up our gear, our chef will be preparing a hot breakfast to get fueled up for the hike ahead of you. Our guides will go over the itinerary for the day and safety tips to ensure you are fully prepared for the next two days. The trek begins in a large green valley. where you will see hundreds of alpacas, local farmers, and the beautiful Ausangate Mountain towering in the distance. This is only a teaser for what is to come on your journey.

As you continue making your way on the trail, you will conquer the first pass of the trek, the Pucacocha pass. At around (4,876m/ 16,000 ft), the pass sits just above Pucacocha Lake, and the massive Ausangate Mountain is directly in front of you.  After a successful climb, we will stop around noon to eat lunch and recharge our bodies for the remainder of the hike.

Our destination for the night is Anata, where we will enjoy a beautiful evening surrounded by jaw dropping landscape at the base of the Andes Mountains. As the sun sets, we set up the dining tent with chairs for the group to relax and enjoy conversation while dinner is being prepared. This night you will see an unforgettable night sky full of constellations, shooting stars, and keep yourself warm with coca tea.

• Accommodation: Camping
• Meals: breakfast, lunch & dinner
• Distance: 14km/ 8.7 miles
• Elevation: 4,200m-5,000m
• Hiking time: 5-6 hours

DAY 2: ANATA – RAINBOW MOUNTAIN – CUSCO

Today is what you have been waiting for! Your chance to see the beautiful Rainbow Mountain and the best part, you are almost there. We will wake you up bright and early between 4am and 5am with coca tea delivered to your tent, and served a hearty breakfast to fuel you up for your final climb to Vinicunca (Rainbow Mountain). Upon arrival, you can take all the time you want soaking in the amazing 360-degree vistas of the surrounding lands and explore the mountain itself. Take some time to yourself and really enjoy the beauty of nature around you.  It truly is a magical place. The hike down will only take about three hours and here we will celebrate a successful journey, and enjoy lunch before departing back to Cusco (3 hours). Arrival time back in Cusco will depend on how long you want to spend on Rainbow Mountain, but we typically get back around 5pm 6pm and drop you off at your hotel.

• Meals: breakfast, lunch
• Distance: 18km/ 11 miles
• Elevation: 5,000m-5,200m-4,200m
• Hiking time: 6-7 hours

WHAT IS INCLUDED FOR RAINBOW MOUNTAIN HIKE 2 DAYS? 

• Pick-up at your hotel the morning of your trek
• Private transport from Cusco to Soraypampa trailhead and back to Cusco
• English-speaking, experienced and professional guide
• Comfortable tents with two people in a four-person tent
• Meals as indicated in the itinerary (optional vegetarian food with prior request)
• All camping equipment such as: dining tent, table, chairs, kitchen and toilet tent
• Tent for our staff to sleep
• First Aid kit including emergency oxygen bottle
• Horses (for equipment and personal items) including horsemen
• Basic foam sleeping mattresses
• 7 kgs of your personal items such as extra clothes and sleeping bag will be carried by our mules
• Boiled water for drinking and washing purposes

WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED FOR RAINBOW MOUNTAIN HIKE 2 DAYS?

• Sleeping bag adequate for temperature of minus 10°C
• Air Mattresses
• Trekking Poles
• Tips for the crew, guide, cook and porters of ORANGE NATION

The 2-day Rainbow Mountain Hike is available on any date that is best for you as long  as we have a minimum of 2 hikers.

Personal porter included!

***This price includes an extra porter who will carry your belongings up to 7 kgs,  we will provide you a duffel bag,  you can put your things.

***We provide large Eureka 4 man tents for each 2 trekkers. 

EXTRAS

• Sleeping Bag –$10 USD per person per trek (It will be clean and warm)
• Air Mattress –$5 USD per person per trek (Therm-a-rest mattresses)
• Walking Poles –$5 USD per pair per trek (Professional Poles that can be extended)

ADDED VALUES FOR FREE

• TRANSFER – from the Airport to Hotel (Cusco Only)
• DUFFEL BAG AND TRASH BAGS – included in the trekking price
• BOILED WATER is included along the Trek
• OXYGEN TANK will be available along the trek
• SMALL PILLOW

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

Please read the following information carefully; it will help with your questions about our services and the Rainbow Mountain Hike 2 days 

ARRIVAL TO CUSCO

We will pick you up from the Cusco airport and take you to your hotel in Cusco. Please let us know your flight details at least 14 days before arrival. Our representative will be holding an orange sign reading ORANGE Nation outside the arrivals. You must exit the terminal to find our representative as they cannot enter. (Please let us know if your hotel is in the Sacred Valley so we can make the necessary arrangments). 

THE BRIEFING

It will take place the night before the trek at 6pm at our office, which is located at Calle Santa Teresa  Nº383; 101 (first floor) we are next to SUBWAY restaurant and across the street from Sunat.

CAN I STORE MY LUGGAGE AT YOUR OFFICE

ABSOLUTELY! During the Rainbow Mountain Hike your main luggage can be stored at our office or at your hotel, both are for free.

HOW TO BOOK THE RAINBOW MOUNTAIN HIKE

FIRST, to book your Rainbow Mountain Hike 2 days, we need you to fill out our booking form by clicking on BOOK NOW on our homepage or click here – BOOK NOW.

Please be ready with the following information (FROM EACH PARTICIPANT in your group).  We cannot purchase entrance tickets to Machu Picchu, train tickets without the following information:

• Personal information (your full name, exactly as on your passport):
• Gender
• Passport number
• D.OB. (dd / mm / yyyy)
• Nationality
• SECOND, we require a deposit of $211.00 USD per person.  You can make you deposit by clicking on the PAYPAL symbols on the top of our home page, or you can click on the PAYPAL symbols on our booking page.

WHAT ABOUT THE BALANCE?

It would be greatly appreciated if you pay in cash at our office (US dollars or Peruvian soles) here in Cusco. We have many ATMS within the historical center to withdraw money.  You can also pay by PAYPAL online but you will have to pay a 5.5% service charge, charged by PAYPAL.  To pay your balance through PAYPAL, you need to log into your PAYPAL account using our email address orangenationperu@gmail.com. 

MAY I CHANGE THE DEPARTURE DATE AFTER THE TICKETS HAVE BEEN BOUGHT?

Unfortunately the answer is No. With alternative treks we may be able to change dates for a fee depending on what has been already purchased.  Please contact the office as soon as possible if you need to change your date.  If you cancel your Trek, the deposit is not refundable at all!

DO I NEED MY ORIGINAL PASSPORT?

Yes! You have to bring your original passport and it is very important that it is the same passport number you sent to us to book your trek, other entrances and reservations.  In case you are renewing your passport or changing your name, go ahead and send us your old passport information to secure your permit, and we can change it when you get your new passport number or updated your name for a fee of $25 USD per person.We must have a copy of your old and new passport to make the change. Before you change your passport keep a copy of your old one.

If you do not wish to pay this fee you will need to bring both passports to Peru with you. You can enter Peru with your new passport but you will need to show both passports, old and new to enter the Trail, Machu Picchu or the train. If you do not have both you will not be allowed to enter, Machu Picchu or get on the train.

Remember to check your current passport to make sure it doesn’t expire within 6 months of your arrival to Peru!!! The Government of Peru is enforcing the existing law that requires all foreign travelers to have a passport valid for a minimum of six months past the time of entry into Peru. Peruvian authorities will deny entry into Peru for travelers not meeting this requirement.

WHAT IS THE WEATHER LIKE?

The weather is very unpredictable and it’s impossible to say with any certainty, apart from the fact that it will be cold. With the RAINBOW Mountain Trek, we highly recommend you bring some warm clothes and good rain gear in your day backpack especially in rainy season, there can be snow or rain.

WHAT ABOUT ALTITUDE SICKNESS 

For some visitors, the first hours in Cusco can be summarized as: shortness of breath, a discomfort in the body, dizziness, headaches, stomachaches, even vomiting. As great connoisseurs of natural medicine, the Incas used coca leaves to counteract soroche, quechua for high-altitude sickness.

Don’t do anything other than rest

If you travel from Lima to Cusco, the effect can be immediate. This lack of oxygen, scientifically known as hypoxia, begins to manifest itself at 7,874 ft (2,399 m) above sea level. That’s why right after landing in Cusco, visitors can feel fatigued and have difficulty walking. Walking one block could feel like walking ten blocks carrying a backpack full of rocks. It is advisable to take it really easy on the first day and, if possible, rest the first few hours to help the body acclimatize to the altitude.

Stay hydrated

How do people feel after a night of drinking? Thirsty. That’s how you’ll feel when you arrive in Cusco. As already stated, the body dehydrates quickly in high altitudes. It is recommended you drink lots of water before and during your trip to Cusco. Also, avoid heavy meals since your stomach takes longer to digest food at high altitudes. A diet of low proteins and high carbs is advisable.

Discovering coca

No one knew better the effects of high altitude than indigenous peoples. Coca is the best natural medicine to combat altitude sickness. It was even considered sacred because of its curative powers and is still used in the same way now as it was in the time of the Incas. It contains iron, vitamins A, B1, B2 and calcium, among other nutrients. Coca makes it easier for your bloodstream to absorb oxygen, suppresses hunger, combats fatigue, headaches and can ease your stomach. If you do not feel like chewing leaves (which can be bitter, apart from numbing your mouth), you can try drinking coca tea, which is most commonly found in the lobby of hotels in Cusco.

HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE THERE PER GROUP?

The maximum group size is 8 persons.  Our groups are between 2-6 persons. ORANGE NATION specializes in SMALL, PRIVATE groups and provides a personalized service.

HIKING THE RAINBOW MOUNTAIN TREK

The evening before you start your trek, you will be given a SMALL DUFFEL BAG to pack your clothes for the next four days. Your weight allowance is up to 7kg/14lbs. Your team of porters will carry your duffel bag for you, together with the food and camping gear. It’s important to be aware, that you will not have access to your items in the duffel bag until the end of each day, as the porters will always be ahead of the group. During the trek, you need a day backpack big enough to carry your personal belongings such as a warm jacket, a rain jacket, your camera, sunscreen, snacks, water, etc. A 30 to 50L backpack is sufficient.

IS THE 2-DAY RAINBOW MOUNTAIN HIKE DIFFICULT, DO I NEED TO BE FIT?

The trail is certainly not easy but you do not need to be an athlete or a trekking expert to complete it. Fitness is naturally important for the trek, and obviously the more fit you are the more you will enjoy the trail and the more chance you will have to take in the scenery and appreciate the Inca ruins dotted along the way. If you do not exercise regularly, it is advisable to do extra walking, hiking or some kind of aerobic activity in the months leading up to your trip.  This trek is from moderate to difficult level.

WHAT ABOUT TOILETS ON THE TREKS?

SAM Travel Peru toilet facilities have an individual tent and a “camping toilet with a seat.”  Check out the picture, which illustrates how we set up our camping toilet on the trek by using this link: picture of toilet tent. Our toilet is always set up a comfortable distance from our campsite.  At night if you need to use the toilet, it is readily accessible and clean, unlike the dirty facilities supplied by the government.

WHAT HAPPENS IF I AM UNABLE TO FINISH 

This has never happened but in case of the scenario that you are unable to finish the trek due to a health issue, Orange Nation Peru will assist you to the nearest town for help with transportation. We always carry oxygen on the trek for any respiratory problems. In extreme cases, a helicopter pick up can be arranged at your own expense. (Travel insurance required). There are no refunds in the unlikely situation that you are unable to finish the trek.

ARE WE GOING TO BE DROPPED AT OUR HOTEL 

Of Course!! Included in the package and on the last day we will drop you at your hotel! If you have booked your hotel in the Sacred Valley like Ollantaytambo or Urubamba, we will drop you there too! If you spend the night at Ollantaytambo before the trek, for sure we wil pick you up there!

TIPPING

If you’re happy with the services provided, a tip – though not compulsory – is appreciated. While it may not be customary to you, it’s of great significance for the people who will take care of you during the trek. It inspires them to give excellent service and is an entrenched feature of the tourism industry across many Orange Nation destinations. Of course you are free to tip more or less as you feel it, depending on your perception of the quality and the length of your trip.

ARE WE SUSTAINABLE? 

Yes, we are a local, sustainable & responsible tourism operator for that we incorporate the universal principles of tourism: protect the environment and benefit the local communities by respecting their culture and religion. With this in mind, we have trained all our local staff to know and understand, respect the places and the local people.

WHAT YOU HAVE TO TAKE WITH YOU

• Original Passport (it has to be the same you have used for booking your trek)
• Valid University card (if you booked as a student)
• Good daypack (the smaller, the better)
• Water storage:  2-3L  (Camelbaks are encouraged)
• Comfortable hiking boots with ankle support
• Sleeping bag (can be rented from SAM Travel)
• Headlamp: essential
• Toilet paper

WHAT TO PUT IN YOUR DUFFLE BAG

As a Direct Local Tour operator we provide you with a duffel bag at your briefing and  INCLUDE an extra porter who will carry up to 7 kgs or 14 pounds including your 2.5kg sleeping bag, mattress and extra clothing.

• 1 t-shirts
• 1 hiking pants at least
• 2 sets of undergarments
• 2 sets of hiking socks
• Couple Fleece/ Thermals depending on the season
• Warm clothes, down jacket — depending on the season
• Warm gloves
• Comfortable shoes for camp
• Quickdry towel. We provide small ones, you might prefer something larger
• Small bottle of soap: we provide warm water each day to wash.
• Battery Charger: No electricity along the trek
• Large plastic bags will be provided at the office — Please ask for them
• Sleeping bag: It has to be at least -15ºC – This can be rented from us

TOILETRIES

• Face moisturizer
• Hand Sanitizer
• Wet wipes
• Toothbrush and toothpaste
• Personal medications
• First aid kit: band aids, moleskin, etc

WHAT TO PUT IN YOUR BACKPACK

We highly recommend a small backpack 30 to 40L for hiking in the day. A big backpack will not be allowed into Machu Picchu. The remainder of your belongings will be in your duffel bag at camp.

• Water: Please supply your own water until the first lunch spot, then we will provide you with cold boiled water at every meal time. Please bring your canteens
• Sun Hat
• Sunscreen
• Headlamp: essential
• Wool Hat
• Rain gear
• Fleece
• Snacks like chocolate bars, cereal bars or any dry fruits.
• Coca leaves
• Rain plastic poncho (provided by SAM)
• Gloves
• Camera
• Hand sanitizer
• Toilet paper and small plastic bag for waste
• Extra Money for Souvenirs, Drinks & Tips