The Rainbow Mountains – Vinincunca Trek

Vinicunca Mountain (Rainbow Mountain) in Peru is one of these places where travelers have yet to discover. A secret that has been kept so well there is no information about it.

THE RAINBOW MOUNTAIN or best know by the locals as CERRO COLORADO, 1 or in 2 DAY trek; from high above, its geological formations reveal all their splendour, in a contrast with the blue sky forming a formidable barrier enters the coastal desert and the Amazonian jungle, imposing cordillera Vilcanota counts almost as many glaciers as the White Cordillera, Located at the south of Cusco and dominated byAUSANGATE Mountain (6384 m), this moved back area always remained isolated from the external influences Chilca, knew to keep intact much customs and habits of the pre-colonial period, However, Machupicchu Exploring Peru  are very excited to be able to offer APPs travellers a hiking alternative that is second to none.

Day 0 : Evening Briefing In Cusco

Meet & greet with other guests where you receive important information for a great trekking experience.

Day 1 Cusco – Pitumarka – Hanchi Pacha (4180m/13715ft) – K’airahuiri Alto (4700m/15255ft)

We leave around 7.30 am from Cusco. To start, our trip heads towards Puno, and we travel on an asphalt road section of the altiplano through the fertile Vilcanota Valley.   We will turn off after 2 hours and 15 minutes onto an unpaved road, stopping at the picturesque village of Checacupe. After a visit to the Colonial Church of the Immaculate Conception, we´ll start ascending the Pitumarka Valley.

We arrive at Pitumarka town for a brief stop: we can buy some basic refreshments here before continuing through to the village at Hanchi Pacha.  From here it’s one hour more, travelling through some lovely picturesque valleys and canyons. Sensing our approach, llamas and alpacas look up from their grazing with curious stares. There are some interesting rock formations on this section of the road, and we will definitely allow time for scenic photos!

We should arrive at the village of Hanchi Pacha after a total of 4 hours of travel from Cusco. Here we will tuck into a delicious lunch in the fresh air and meet the local horseman who will accompany us on our short adventure.

Along the route, there also might be the chance to meet one of the local weavers keeping watch over her  flocks, while weaving.  This region, Quisipicanchis, has a wonderful textile tradition.  After lunch, we will hike for approximately 2-2.5 hours, climbing steadily until we reach the village of K’airahuiri Bajo  (4550m/14925ft). Here, we’ll attain great views of the magnificent valley and its surrounding mountains.

From here, we will continue another 40 minutes to our campsite, and to the control point in K’airahuiri Alto (4700m/15420ft), with views across the green, lush valley.  As this is a high campsite, we will require three days of acclimatization in Cusco (or at altitude) before doing this hike.  We also recommend lots of warm clothes and a -15 degree C sleeping bag.
Overnight: K’airahuiri Alto (camping)

Day 2 – K’ariahuiri Alto 4700m/15255ft –– Vinicunca 5000m/16400ft – Hanchipacha – Return to Cusco by private vehicle

We’ll have an early breakfast and then begin a walk of about one and a half hours towards Vinicunca Pass. At this point, our breathing will become more and more labored as we gain altitude. Once we arrive at the top of the pass, there may be some cold gusts of wind so please ensure that you are wrapped up warm and that your head is covered with a woolly hat.

You will be rewarded for your efforts when you finally see the amazing Vinicunca, with its colorful layers of rock sediment: turquoise, orange, brown, and red! In addition to the great views of the colored mountain itself, you will have impressive views of the snow-capped Apu Ausangate, when the day is clear.

After some time to rest and take photos and the chance to observe an impressive sunrise, we’ll head back the way we came until we reach the start point of the trailhead. The return hike downhill will be a lot quicker than the ascent, and should take around 2-2.5 hours. There will be plenty of beautiful scenery to feast our eyes upon along the way

We’ll have an early lunch back at Hanchi Pacha, say good-bye to our local crew, and then head back to Cusco in our private transport. We should arrive back in Cusco at approximately 3 pm.
IMPORTANT NOTE :

• All itineraries are subject to change due to circumstances beyond our control including, weather, road or trail conditions and flight schedules.
• Most people automatically assume that the weather is hot in South America, but because of the higher altitude in the Andes, the temperature can feel quite cold, especially at night. We recommend the use of a duffel bag or backpack, whichever is easiest for you to carry. A good size daypack is also essential.

The Rainbow Mountains Trek Included

• Pre trek briefing
• Collection from your hotel in the morning of trek departure.
• Transport from Cusco to the trailhead at the beginning of the trek in private car
• Entry fee to area
• English/Quechua/Spanish speaking professional guide (you will have an assistant guide for groups over 8 people).
• Tents – 2 people in a 4 person tent which allows for greater comfort, and also storage of backpacks.
•  Inflatable Thermarest mattress.
• Cook and Cooking equipment (Assistants are provided for larger groups)
• Toilet tent
• Meals as indicated in the itinerary (optional vegetarian food). Our professional cooks prepare meals that incorporate elements of the western diet and also traditional Peruvian delicacies. (Please communicate with your guide/cook during the trek if you have a preference for certain types of dishes). Salads, if served, are washed in boiled water.
• Horses (for equipment and personal items) including horsemen. They carry camping equipment, food and kitchen utensils. We provide duffel bags at your briefing for your personal items and sleeping bag (up to 7 kg/15lbs per person).
• 1 emergency horse which can be ridden if you are feeling ill or if are a little slower
• Dining tent with camp tables and chairs & Kitchen tent for the cook to prepare meals
• Tents for our staff to sleep in
• First aid kit including emergency oxygen bottle
• Private transport to your hotel at the end of the trip.
• Lunch on the last day is included in this itinerary.

The Rainbow Mountains Trek Dosen’t Included

• Breakfast on the first morning.
• Dinner on the last night.
• Sleeping bags – If you haven’t got a sleeping bag or you don’t want the hassle of bringing one all the way to Peru with you, then we have sleeping bags for hire.
• Tips for the guide, cook and porters
• Additional horses for passengers luggage.

Upgrades and Additional Things to Hire :

• Extra Horse to Carry extra things
• Extra Horse To Ride  Includes an Horseman to control the horse.
• Walking sticks(Black Diamond) : it can be rented from us. (02 poles –   for the entire trip)
• Sleeping bags: it can be rented from us.( for the entire trip)
• Airport pickup in Cusco

 What We Recommend That You Bring

• Sleeping Bag
• Memory Cards
• Toiletries and first aid.
• Binoculars
• Sunglasses
• Sunscreen
• lip balm
• Hiking poles
• Flashlight
• Pocket knife
• Bottle or canteen
• Plastic bag to keep the battery, dirty or wet clothes
• Small backpack

What we recommend that you bring:

• A backpack with a change of clothes for the whole period of the trek
• Rain gear (jacket and pants if available) or rain poncho (plastic ponchos can be purchased in Cusco)
• Strong footwear, waterproof trekking boots recommended
• Sandals or jogging shoes for a higher comfort while at camp
• Warm clothes, including jacket, fleeces. Thermal clothing is also recommended, especially for sleeping
• Flashlight/headlamp and batteries
• Camera and batteries (batteries consume more quickly under cold conditions)
• Hat or cap to protect you from the sun, rain and cold
• Sun block
• After-sun cream or hydrating cream for face and body
• Handkerchiefs
• Toilet paper
• Snacks: biscuits, energy bars, chocolate, raw fruits, muesli, etc. Please note that we do provide a daily morning snack and our meal service is very complete and well supplied. This recommendation applies for all clients being used to a specific snack, as it may happen that it is not included in our selection
• Water container and water for the first morning. Important notice: plastic water bottles are no longer allowed into Machu Picchu. Plastic water containers (ie. Nalgene) or metal ones are recommended
• Optionally: water- sterilizing tablets in case you pick up water from streams or rivers along the route. Otherwise, we provide filtered boiled water, which is safe to drink and has not reported any health problem so far
• Small towel
• Swimsuit (if you wish to go to the hot springs in Aguas Calientes)
• Cash in soles
• Original passport
• Original International Student Identity Card (in case you have applied for a student discount)
• Optional: walking sticks or poles (rubber covers required in order not to damage archaeological sites)

Appropriate clothing along this hike
Hiking pants and T-shirts are recommended during the day, complemented by sweaters, fleeces and waterproof jackets. It is very convenient to have light raingear available in the daypack (rain poncho or jacket and/or rain pants) as the weather changes easily and rains can suddenly occur. At night, warm clothing is required, down jackets can be useful, otherwise a fleece and a jacket. During the fourth day (if sunny) and in Machupicchu, convertible hiking pants are useful, as can be switched into shorts if necessary. Machupicchu has a warm climate, getting only cold at night. The rest of necessary implements are included in the“What we recommend that you bring” list.

The Rainbow Mountain – Vinincunca Trek 2D 2016 – 2017 

THIS TOUR IS AVABILITY IN PRIVATE SERVICE AND GROUP SERVICE 
GROUP SERVICE: : From 02-ppl US$ 380 per person.  From 03-ppl US$360 per person.  From 04-ppl US$340 per person. From 05-ppl US$310 per person. From 06-10ppl US$290. you can leave any day you suit .and 6 kilos Portering Service included (To carry our camping equipment, food and 6 kilos of your personal stuff like: sleeping bag and mat as well as cothes) We Never overload our Horses(well Animal Welfare). And we will Provide you a Duffel bag(at The Breifing Time) for all your personal stuff to be carried by horses.
To Book: we need you to send us the filled out booking form as well as a deposit of US$20 per person by Paypal or Western Union .

ALL DEPARTURES 100% GUARANTEED AND WE LEAVE WITH 02 PEOPLE MINIMUM.

JANUARY 2017:1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9 ,10,11,12,13,14,15,16,17,18,19,20,21,22,23,24,25,26,27,28,29,30.
FEBRUARY 2017: 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9 ,10,11,12,13,14,15,16,17,18,19,20,21,22,23,24,25,26,27,28
MARCH 2017: 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14,15,16,17,18,19,20,21,22,23,24,25,26,27,28,29,30.
APRIL 2017: 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14,15,16,17,18,19,20,21,22,23,24,25,26,27,28,29,30.
MAY 2017: 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14,15,16,17,18,19,20,21,22,23,24,25,26,27,28,29,30.
JUNE 2017: 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14,15,16,17,18,19,20,21,22,23,24,25,26,27,28,29,30.
JULY 2017: 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14,15,16,17,18,19,20,21,22,23,24,25,26,27,28,29,30.
AUGUST 2017: 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14,15,16,17,18,19,20,21,22,23,24,25,26,27,28,29,30.
SEPTEMBER 2017: 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14,15,16,17,18,19,20,21,22,23,24,25,26,27,28,29,30.
OCTOBER 2017: 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14,15,16,17,18,19,20,21,22,23,24,25,26,27,28,29,30.
NOVEMBER 2017: 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14,15,16,17,18,19,20,21,22,23,24,25,26,27,28,29,30.
DECEMBER 2017: 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14,15,16,17,18,19,20,21,22,23,24,25,26,27,28,29,30.
JANUARY 2018: 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14,15,16,17,18,19,20,21,22,23,24,25,26,27,28,29,30.

The Rainbow Mountain Trek F.A.Qs.:

Why Vinicunca The Rainbow Mountains ?
This trek will satisfy most demanding and will get unforgettable memories as sumptuous panoramas of high mountain, formidable glaciers and crystalline rivers, turquoise lakes, peaceful pastoral scenes of the herds of spangled and alpacas kept on by Andeans with multi-coloured clothing This new route, apart from the beaten paths, is a true adventure through a nature preserved and wild, where the only meetings which you will make will be VINICUNCA THE RAINBOW MOUNTAIN, the colorful mountains or PUCAPUNTA the red mountain and small communities of Quechua-speaking Inca descendants that exploit the vast wide ones of Altiplano. The route achieves a circuit of scale, passing by collars located between 4710 and 5200 meters on the PALOMANI PASS, CONDOR PASS then turn over to the small village, starting point of the circuit
Country: Peru
Location: Canchis, Cusco, Perú
Type of trip:
Adventure, Nature, Culture
Travel Style: trekking, camping, local communities, highest mountains, shepherd’s paths.
ATRACTIVES:

• Vinicunca The rainbow Mountain (Colorful Mountain).
• Ausangate (The Andean Worldview´s most important Sacred Mountain)
• Quechua-speaking Inca descendants
• Camping over the moonlight
• Ausangate (Sacred Mountain)
• Andean people
• fauna: llamas, alpacas and vicuñas

Vinicunca Altitide & Acclimatization
The Altitude in this region affects different people in different ways, but common symptoms of altitude sickness include headache, nausea, loss of appetite, trouble with sleep, and lack of energy. To help prevent altitude sickness, we recommend you always remain well hydrated, gradually expose yourself to higher elevations, exercise moderately until altitude acclimatized, and get plenty of rest. Most importantly, we suggest that you arrive in Cusco at least 2 to 3 days prior, Because altitude issues are intricately tied to dehydration, once in Cusco you should increase your fluid intake as MUÑA tea (tastes like mint) or Coca tea, makes you feel better, limit alcoholic beverages, caffeine, and aspirin, which tend to dehydrate your system.