Peru Rainbow Peaks Holiday

Difficulty

Moderate

Comfort

Basic

The two-day Rainbow Mountain trek is the perfect opportunity to explore the stunning sandstone mountains renowned for their vibrant stripes. During the trek, you’ll encounter herds of llamas, alpacas, and sheep alongside their shepherds, as well as a variety of wildlife such as soaring condors, cara caras, eagles, and possibly even vicuñas if you're fortunate. Enjoy camping beneath the stars while savoring a delightful dinner. This mountain offers a unique experience unlike anything else in Peru or anywhere else. Don't miss your chance!

Hiking and Trekking

Saul M. is the provider of this trip

The provider speaks: English, Spanish

Before I became the owner and founder of our travel company, I spent a couple of years working as a porter. Then, over the next four years, I transitioned into being a guide. I've had the privilege of conducting more than 200 Inca Trail treks and exploring other alternative routes throughout the Andes. I've also traveled with groups all over Peru. My passion for the Andes mountains, Incan culture, and my knowledge of local plants has always resonated with tourists, and their appreciation fuels my enthusiasm. Realizing my childhood dream of owning a tour and trekking agency has been incredibly fulfilling. I’m committed to giving back to the communities that surround me, aiming to improve their lives and living conditions by employing locals and supporting various service projects. My experiences as a porter and guide have taught me a lot about what works—and what doesn’t—in tourism and on treks.

Tour highlights

Breathtaking Scenery

Experience the stunning and unique sandstone mountains known for their vibrant, colorful stripes

Wildlife Encounters

Observe herds of llamas, alpacas, and sheep in their natural habitat

Route details

On the first day of your Rainbow mountain adventure, we will pick you up at your hotel at 4:00am and drive 3 hours to the trailhead. While packing up our gear near the trailhead, our chef will be preparing a hot breakfast to get you 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. There, you will see hundreds of alpacas, local farmers, and the beautiful Ausangate Mountain, towering high above. 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 (4876mt, 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 or hot chocolate made from Peruvian chocolate.

Accommodation: Camping
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Distance: 14km/ 8.7 miles
Elevation: 4200m-5000m
Hiking time: 5-6 hours

Difficulty

Moderate

Does not require physical training but involves moderate physical activity

Tour provider's comments

Max Altitude: 5200 m.s.n.m. 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.

Accommodation

Comfort

Basic

Tent

1 night

OUR TENTS: Enjoy a good night’s sleep in our 4 season EUREKA Timberline tents. All our tents are 4 person tents, but ONLY sleep 2, leaving lots of room to spread out comfortably and store your duffel bags. They also include a little vestibule in front, giving you some extra outdoor space to leave your boots and walking sticks so you don’t have to bring in dirt.

OUR MATS: They are used to separate and insulate you from the ground. They all are comfortable.

AIR MATTRESSES: They can be rented for $20 USD.

OUR KITCHEN & DINING TENTS: The dining tent is used as our meeting room at meal time. It’s a place to enjoy our meals and the company of fellow trekkers.

OUR TABLES & CHAIRS: The interior of the dining room includes tables and chairs with two doors on each side, which are adaptable to weather conditions.

DUFFEL BAGS: Will be provided at briefing time the night before the trek.

MORE: Pillows, backpack rain covers, survivor t-shirts and the biochemical camping toilet are provided on the trek.

EXTRAS
Sleeping Bag –$20 USD per person per trek (clean and warm)

WHAT ABOUT TOILETS ON THE TREKS?
This has been highly appreciated by most of our clients, especially by our trekkers who want a private, clean and sanitary toilet! Our toilet facilities have an individual tent and a camping toilet with a seat. 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.

Tickets to group meeting place

Group meeting place

Departamento de Cusco, Provincia del Cusco, Aeropuerto Alejandro Velasco Astete

Calculate tour price with tickets from your city

Partnered with

Weather during the tour

Weather conditions along the route

You will get a weather forecast for this tour’s route based on

the forecasts for this season
the statistics from previous years’ trips

Tour conditions

Included

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;
tents for our staff to sleep in;
First Aid kit including emergency oxygen bottle;
horses (for equipment and personal items) including horsemen;
camping pillow and 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;
taxes.

Extras

flights;
sleeping bag adequate for temperature of minus 10°c – $20 USD;
air mattresses – $20 USD;
trekking poles – $15 USD;
tips for the crew, guide and cook.

Group size

From 2 to 8 tourists

Duration

2 days

1 night

It's important to know

WHAT YOU HAVE TO TAKE WITH YOU

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

WHAT TO PUT IN YOUR DUFFLE BAG

As a Professional Direct Local Tour operator we provide you with a duffle 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 paste
Personal medications
First aid kit: band aids, moleskin, etc.

WHAT TO PUT IN YOUR BACKPACK FOR THE HIKE?

We highly recommend a small backpack 30 to 40Litres 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
Rain plastic poncho
Gloves
Camera
Hand sanitiser
Toilet paper and small plastic bag for waste
Extra money for souvenirs, drinks & tips

THE BRIEFING
The briefing will take place the night before the trek at 6pm in our office.

CAN I STORE MY LUGGAGE AT YOUR OFFICE?
Of course! During the Hike your main luggage can be stored at our office or at your hotel, whichever is more convenient for you.

WHAT ABOUT THE BALANCE?
If you would like to avoid the high credit card fees in Peru, you may pay in cash at our office (US dollars or Peruvian soles) here in Cusco.

MAY I CHANGE THE DEPARTURE DATE AFTER THE TICKETS HAVE BEEN BOUGHT?
Yes, but with some restrictions. Please contact the office as soon as possible if you need to change your date.
If you cancel your Rainbow Mountain Trek, the deposit is not refundable at all!

WHAT IS THE WEATHER LIKE?
The weather is very unpredictable and it’s difficult to foresee. BUT you will have many different seasons as you pass through the numerous microclimates and will depend on the location. We highly recommend you bring some warm clothes and good rain gear in your day backpack.

WHAT ABOUT ALTITUDE SICKNESS?
In general if you exercise regularly and spend 2 to 3 days in Cusco, or in the Sacred Valley for acclimatization to the altitude, you may be just fine.

The recommended medicine for altitude sickness is WATER, COCA TEA and OXYGEN IF NEEDED; our guides are trained to treat you for Altitude Sickness.

We offer the Cusco City Tour and Sacred Valley tours that you can book while you are acclimatizing.

HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE THERE PER GROUP?
The maximum group size is 8 persons. Usually our groups are between 2-6 people.

HIKING THE 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 pack horses 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. Usually a 30 to 50 litre backpack is sufficient.

WHAT HAPPENS IF I AM UNABLE TO FINISH?
In the unlikely scenario that you are unable to finish the trek due to a health issue, цу 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.

TIPPING
If you’re happy with the services provided, a tip – though not compulsory – is appreciated. While it may not be customary in your country, 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 our destinations. Of course you are free to tip as much as you feel appropriate, depending on your perception of the quality and the length of your trip. Remember, a tip is not compulsory and should only be given when you receive excellent service.

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.