1 Day Rainbow Mountain Trek And Red Valley
Enjoy the natural colors of the stunning Rainbow Mountain Trek, while hiking through a beautiful Andean valley, in which you may interact with the local people who are still keeping traditional Quechua culture alive! You will see snow capped peaks, herds of alpaca, glaciers and birds of prey, all set within an incredibly colorful mountain range. The Rainbow Mountain trek offers opportunities to see a range of wildlife including soaring eagles and caracara falcons. The colorful sandstone mountains in the Vinicunca area are very different from any other landscape you may visit in Peru! The additonal hike to Red Valley is incorporated in this Rainbow Mountain Trek. The Red Valley is known for its vivid red coloration as a result of rust oxide leaking out of the rock layers. In this trek you get to enjoy spectacular rainbow colors and the vivid red coloration or the valley near Rainbow Mountain.
Hike the Rainbow Mountain & Red Valley in a small group with an expert Team!
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Day 1: Cusco – Cisipata – Llacto – Rainbow Mt – Llacto – Cusco
- Pick up from your hotel at 4am in our private van and transfer to trailhead.
- Our chef will cook you a hot breakfast a 5 minute drive from the trailhead.
- The hike up takes about 1.5 hours along a trail that winds up a desert valley, with a full view of glaciers.
- After summiting, there is an optional extra 45 minute hike to view the Red Valley colors and 45 minutes back.
- The hike back down takes about 1 hour.
- Enjoy the amazing views of glaciers, valleys and the naturally colourful Rainbow Mountain.
- Highest elevation: 5100mt/16,732ft
- Upon return to the vehicle, the chef will have your hot lunch prepared.
- After lunch, we take our van back to Cusco
- Arrive to your hotel in Cusco around 5pm.
****A horse can be hired for the majority of the trek. However, the last 600m are too steep for horses and you will have to walk this last part.
WHAT IS INCLUDED
- Pick-up at your hotel the morning of your trek
- Private transport from Cusco to Llacto trailhead and back to Cusco
- Professional, English speaking, experienced guide
- Meals as indicated in the itinerary (optional vegetarian food requested in advance)
- First Aid kit including emergency oxygen bottle
WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED
- Horses, which can be rented at the trailhead about 100 soles
- Guides will help you negotiate the price
- Trekking Poles – $15
- Tips for the driver, guide and cook of SPIDER TRAVEL PERU
Enjoy this 1 day hike with an expert team in a small or private group!
GROUP PRICES
| # OF PERSONS |
PRICE PER PERSON |
|---|---|
| 2 persons | $150 pp |
| 3 persons | $125 pp |
| 4 persons | $100 pp |
| 5 persons | $80 pp |
| 6 or more persons | $70 pp |
***Price per person is based on the number of participants in the group. When group is finalized, each person will pay per person based on the size of the final group. There is no guarantee of how many persons may join except the limit is 10 persons per group.
***Minimum is 2 participants per group to start a group.
PRIVATE GROUP PRICES (Any date)
| # OF PERSONS |
PRICE PER PERSON |
|---|---|
| 2 persons | $170 pp |
| 3 persons | $150 pp |
| 4 persons | $130 pp |
| 5 persons | $110 pp |
| 6 or more persons | $90 pp |
***Private group price is based on a per person price, however, the price per person lowers based on the number of people in the group. The group will be completely private with your own guide, chauffeur and private van. No others will be added to the group.
***Minimum is 2 persons for a private group
ADDITIONAL OPTIONS
- A horse can be rented for the trip from locals when you arrive for about $25 USD or 100 soles. Local people only accept cash in Peruvian soles. Your guide will help you negotiate the price.
Please read carefully the following information. It will help with your questions about our services and the trek to Rainbow Mountain.
WELCOME TO CUSCO
You will be greeted at Cusco airport and taken to your hotel, please ensure that you inform us of your full flight details at least 14 days prior to arrival. Look for our representative holding an orange SPIDER Travel Peru board at the exit from the arrival terminal.
THE BRIEFING
Your briefing will take place the night before your trek. It will be held at our office at 6 or 6:30pm, depending on your confirmation email details. The office is located at Calle Garcilaso 210, office 213 (second floor) in the La CASA DEL ABUELO shopping center.
CAN I STORE MY LUGGAGE AT YOUR OFFICE?
Of course! During the Rainbow Mountain Trek your main luggage can be stored at our office or at your hotel, whichever is more convenient for you.
HOW TO BOOK THE RAINBOW MOUNTAIN TREK
FIRST, to book your Rainbow Mountain Trek, we need you to fill out our booking form by clicking on BOOK NOW on our homepage or click here the link BOOK NOW.
Please be ready with the following information (FROM EACH PARTICIPANT in your group). We cannot complete your booking for the Rainbow Mountain Trek 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 US$53 per person in order to purchase a permit for the Rainbow Mountain Trek. You can make you deposit by clicking on the VISA or PAYPAL symbols on the top of our home page, or you can click on the VISA or PAYPAL symbols on our booking page or click here on the payment of your choice, either VISA or PAYPAL.
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. There are many ATMS within the historical center to withdraw money. You can also pay by VISA or PAYPAL online but you will have to pay a 5.5% service fee, charged by VISA and PAYPAL. To pay your balance through PAYPAL, you need to log into your PAYPAL account and use our email address info@spidertravelperu.com
MAY I CHANGE THE DEPARTURE DATE AFTER THE TICKETS HAVE BEEN BOUGHT?
With alternative treks like the Rainbow Mountain Trek 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 Rainbow Mountain Trek, the deposit is not refundable at all!
WHAT IS THE WEATHER LIKE ON THE RAINBOW MOUNTAIN TREK?
The weather is very unpredictable and it’s difficult to foresee. 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. It can be very cold at the high altitudes of this trek. Also, at high altitude clouds and even storms blow across quickly and with little warning.
WHAT ABOUT ALTITUDE SICKNESS ON THE RAINBOW MOUNTAIN TREK?
In general, if you exercise regularly and spend 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. All guides carry oxygen. For more detailed information on Altitude Sickness click this link: Altitude Sickness.
We offer the Cusco City Tour and Sacred Valley tours that you can book while you are acclimatizing. Check out our day tours on our Main Page.
HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE THERE PER GROUP?
The maximum group size is 8 people. Usually our groups are between 2-6 people. Spider Travel Peru specializes in SMALL, PRIVATE groups and provides a personalized service.
IS THE TREK DIFFICULT, DO I NEED TO BE FIT?
Yes, though the distance is not great, it is a difficult trek due to the high altitude and the last section is steep. You reach the altitude of 5100 metres/16732ft. You need to be in good physical condition and have had time to adjust to the altitude before going on the trek. It is also important to be well acclimated to the altitude. Try to spend at least 3 days in Cusco (3350m/11,047ft) prior to starting the trek. You can rent a horse for most of the trek, except the last 600 meters which is too steep for a horse.
If you are doing other treks and tours in the Cusco area, we suggest that you schedule Rainbow Mountain as your last activity.
WHAT HAPPENS IF I AM UNABLE TO FINISH THE RAINBOW MOUNTAIN TREK?
In the unlikely scenario that you are unable to finish the trek due to a health issue, Spider Travel Peru will assist you to the nearest town for help with transportation. If you are unable to finish due to fatigue you can rent a horse. 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 AFTER THE TREK?
Absolutely!! Included in the package we will drop you at your hotel in Cusco! If you have booked your hotel in the Sacred Valley like Ollantaytambo or Urubamba, we will drop you off there too!
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. Tipping is a part of the culture here in Peru. It inspires them to give excellent service and is an entrenched feature of the tourism industry across many SPIDER Travel Peru 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. We incorporate the universal principles of sustainable 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 TO BRING FOR A DAY HIKE
- A lightweight, waterproof day pack
- Sturdy hiking boots
- Warm clothes and hiking pants, not jeans
- Layers of clothes for variable temperatures
- Camera with charged batteries
- Sun protection: sunscreen, sunhat, sunglasses
- Thermals, wool socks, gloves, scarf, wool hat
- Insect repellent
- Water proof clothing and or a rain poncho
- Water bottles (reusable, not disposable)
- Personal medical kit
- Extra money for souvenirs, drinks, tips
- Walking sticks (rentable)
- Favorite snacks
- Hand sanitizer
- Toilet paper
- Copy of passport and student ID card if applicable
