For many years Peru’s most magnificent natural wonder was a well-kept secret, witnessed by only the most intrepid of explorers. The spectacular displays of color across Rainbow Mountain and the Red Valley were forged by millions of years of geological activity, and can be seen nowhere else on the planet. It is no surprise then that the area is ranked by National Geographic as one of the top “100 places to visit before you die”.
We are excited to be one of only a few tour companies in Peru that offer a thrilling 1-day itinerary to experience this natural wonder. Taking you far from the beaten tourist trails of areas like Machu Picchu, this is a hike that offers peace and solitude alongside the most spectacular views.
The landscapes on the hike are breathtaking. The surrounding mountains are individually unique, each with their own peak formations and kaleidoscope of color, and standing majestically in the background is the powerful, towering peak of Apu Ausangate (worshipped to this day as a deity by the local Quechua people). Along our route we also see many herds of llamas and Alpacas wildly roaming on the mountainside, and we pass through small remote villages where Andean people are still living traditional lifestyles.
Finally, we arrive to witness a scene that looks like something out of a science fiction novel. Painted with the vivid, rich colors from Mother Nature’s palette, seeing Rainbow Mountain for the first time is an unforgettable and uplifting experience.
Each day more and more people are finding out about this amazing place but, for now, it remains a secret spot for our most adventurous trekkers. And so, we invite you to join us on this thrilling one-day journey.
We pick you up at 4am from your hotel in Cusco and begin our journey to the south of the city for about 3 hours. As the sun rises around us, we pass through the villages of the South Valley including Tipon, Urcos and Chilihuani.
Leaving the valley floor our journey begins to wind up into the majestic Andes, passing rivers, beautiful expansive mountain ranges, and fascinating rock formations until we reach the village of Cusipata. Here we will have our breakfast in a local restaurant. After breakfast we drive for another 45 minutes until we reach Llacto (4,638 m / 15,216 ft.) which is the trailhead to our hike.
Our 1-hour hike to the Rainbow Mountain (also known locally as Vinicunca) is a challenging one as its peak stands at 5,020 m/16,469 ft. We start gently though as our path meanders past streams and local people, with Alpacas and Llamas grazing on our path and with 360-degree mountain vistas all around us. Perhaps the most spectacular view on this portion of the hike is of the Ausangate glacier, the highest mountain in the Cusco region.
The final 15 minutes of our hike is a more challenging climb as we push out of the valley to reach the peak of Rainbow Mountain. The pace will be steady and set to suit everyone in the group, so don’t worry that you won’t be able to keep up. As we arrive will be warmly welcomed by a local family selling snacks and coca tea (which helps with the high altitude). Continuing on just a little further, we finally arrive at the peak (we recommend bringing an extra layer or two of clothing as the peak can be quite chilly).
There will be plenty of time to take photos and just admire the views, but there is also time to explore the surrounding areas. We will also see the red valley in the distance. The Red Valley has often been compared to standing on Mars, and people have even described seeing ancient faces in the fascinating rock formations that surround us!
All good things come to an end, and we finally begin our journey back through the gorgeous valley for about an hour. Arriving back at the trailhead we will be driven for 45 minutes to a local restaurant in Cusipata where lunch will be waiting for us. Then winding through the majestic mountains, we drive back for 2 hours to Cusco where you will be dropped off at your hotel.
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