TREK RAINBOW MOUNTAIN MACHU PICCHU 2 DAYS / 1 NIGHS
The Rainbow Mountain of Peru, also known as Vinicunca, is stunning and can be seen on the spectacular Ausangate Trek. Ausangate mountain itself is considered a holy mountain (or mountain spirit) by local Peruvians and is the deity of Cusco. Since pre-Inca times the mountain has been a place of worship and offerings and this tradition continues today. Most trips that allow you to see the Rainbow Mountains require a trek of at least 6 days. That has changed with this brand-new itinerary. We have designed this hike so that it can be done as a day trip and connected to Machupicchu!
DAY 1
Cusco – Rainbow Mountain – Ollantaytambo – Aguas Calientes
We will pick you up early from your Cusco hotel and set out on a drive through the South Valley. The drive to the trailhead at Quesiuno (4,326 m / 14,189 ft) is 3 hours long. Once we reach the Inkintuyoc bridge, we will have a fueling continental breakfast.
We then start off on our hike, following a lovely stream. You will be immediately surprised by literal herds of alpacas and llamas. We will have consistent views of the Ausangate Mountain. We will hike through villages and interact with the local residents. We will stop for a deluxe box lunch along the trail.
Back on the trail, we encounter more of the traditional elements of this trek. This includes potato fields and unique fauna. We have the prospect of seeing chinchillas and vicunas. Vicunas are the only non-domesticated animal of the llama family in Peru. Many red mountains are also a highlight of this portion of the hike.
After a total hike of approximately 3 hours, we finally reach our destination, what we came to see….the Rainbow Mountains (5,020 m / 16,466 ft). After getting over the shock of their beauty, you will have time to explore the area. You will have time to take pictures and soak in the environment. We will spend approximately 30 minutes at the top.
At this point, it is time to go back down. We hike downhill the way we came. The hike will take 4 to 5 hours. Our private van will be waiting for us when we return.
We will embark on the 3-hour drive to Ollantaytambo to take the train to Aguas Calientes and do an overnight in a hotel.
Meals: Continental Breakfast / Box lunch
Lowest Elevation: 4,326 m / 14,189 ft
Highest Elevation: 5,020 m / 16,466 ft
Distance to walk: 15 km / 9 ¼ miles
Approximate walking time: 5 to 6 hours up; 4 to 5 hours down
Level of Difficulty: Challenging
DAY 2
Aguas Calientes – Machu picchu – Cusco
first option is to leave at 4:30 am for breakfast and begin 2 hours climb to Machu Picchu archaeological site (2500m). and Second option is to leave at 6 am breakfast and half hour later aboard the first tourist bus to drop us at Machu Picchu’s main door, and to be the first visitors inside Machu Picchu archaeological site you will have a complete guided tour of this spectacular and mystical place. The guided tour includes a walk through the different sections such as urban, agricultural, and religious zone used by the Inca Culture. According to the time and your feeling, you can coordinate with the tour guide climb to Huayna Picchu (Young Mountain) this climb takes around 1 hour to get to the summit from where you can have the best view for photos of all of Machu Picchu and of deep green canyon surrounding the sacred Inca City. According to time descend to Machu Picchu and then have free time to explore on your own. At mentioned time aboard a tourist bus to descend to Aguas Calientes town. Lunch will be in town and then we will board the backpacker train to Ollantaytambo (Sacred Valley) from here we take a private van to drop us to the hotel in Cusco.
Includes:
- Private Transportation from Cusco to Rainbow Mountain Cusco
- Transportation to Ollantaytambo Station
- English Speaking Guide for 2 days
- 01 Breakfast, 01 Lunch, 01 Dinner
- Machupicchu entrance fee
- 01 Night Hotel in Aguas Calientes
- Tourist Expedition Train round trip from Ollantaytambo – Aguas Calientes – Ollantaytambo
- Bus back from Ollantaytambo to Cusco
Doesnt Include: (Please, No hidden costs or surprises)
- Lunch and dinner – Day 2
- Tips (optional)
- Travel and health insurance. (bring copies with you please): Quechuas Expeditions highly recommend getting insurance of trip cancellation/interruption insurance to protect your travel investment. Included with your pre-departure package, bring your travel insurance to cover trip cancellation, interruption, baggage loss, and delay, emergency medical evacuation insurance, and emergency medical expense insurance.
PASSENGER MUST BRING:
- Original Passport (and some copies) If you have changed your passport Bring a couple of copies of the one that you have used to purchase the inca trail permit.
- Travel insurance is essential (and some copies)
- Airline tickets (and some copies)
- US$ cash and Credit or debit card (see personal spending money)
- Any entry visas or vaccination certificates required
- Camera and Memory cards
- Rechargeable batteries and adapters
- Reading/writing material
- Binoculars
- Cover for backpacks
- Pocketknife.
- Fleece top
- Windproof/waterproof jacket
- Small towel and swimwear
- Shirts/t-shirts
- Sun hat
- 2 pairs of shorts
- 2 pairs of long trousers *Zipp off
- 1 pair of hiking pants/track pants
- Hiking boots/ sturdy walking shoes (with ankle protectors)
- Knee-length socks (to be used with rubber boots, if provided at the jungle lodge)
- Sport hiking sandals
- Sunblock
- Sunglasses
- Toiletries (biodegradable)
- Watch or alarm clock
- Water bottle
- Purifying tablets or filter (Micropur recommended)
- Insect Repellent (for mosquitos)25 % of deet at least you can also buy in Cusco.
- Flashlight (headlight recommended)
- Money belt
- Sleeping silk liner (for sleeping bags)
- Wool hat, mitts, or gloves (preferably waterproof)
- Rain poncho, plastic bags for your personal stuff to keep dry
- Sleeping bag (it can be hired from us) we have goose down or synthetic sleeping bag
- Copy of a valid passport/Peruvian immigration card Copy as well.
- Copy of yellow fever and tetanus vaccinations
- Money for soft drinks or beers and handicrafts
- Anti-inflammatory tablets (e.g. Ibuprofen)
- Thermal underwear
- Personal first-aid kit (should contain lip salve, Aspirin, Band-Aids, anti-histamine, Imodium or similar tablets for mild cases of diarrhea, re-hydration powder, extra prescription drugs you may be taking)
Our group sizes small at INKATREKS, allowing us to give you highly personalized service. This lets you enjoy your hike more and better get to know all the other participants, making your experience unique and unforgettable, high level of environmental and social responsibility.
Price for small groups (8 people maximum, 2 people minimum)
$450.00 USD
Machu Picchu and Rainbow Mountain Tour 2 days from Cusco is a mix of a lot of history and adventure. This private Machu Picchu Tour with Rainbow Mountain hike allow you to visit Peru’s famous cultural and natural tourist destinations from Cusco. Discover the lost city of the incas and taste a bit of hiking adventure in the andes of Peru. This tour package was designed with you in mind in order to show you the best of Peru.
Peru’s best-seller 2-day package takes first on a day trip to Machu Picchu and then hike to Rainbow Mountain on the next day. You can do the Rainbow Mountain with Machu Picchu Tour in 2 different full days. You can’t visit these attractions in just one day because they are located in opposite directions. Additionally, we recommend you to visit first Machu Picchu and then hike to Rainbow Mountain. You should adapt first to the altitude by starting at low elevation to avoid any altitude symptoms.
Rainbow Mountain and Machu Picchu Tour 2 days is a popular excursion that takes place in the region of Cusco in Peru. This custom private trip to Machu Picchu and Rainbow Mountain from Cusco is carefully crafted for you and your companion. In other words, you can leave on any date of your preference, but for peak season we suggest to book in advance. Additionaly, its advisable no to visit the Rainbow Mountain in the rainy season.
Machu Picchu with Rainbow Mountain Tour 2 days itinerary is perfect for those short on time but eager to see the two must-see destinations of Peru. Discover the best of Peru with our 2-day Rainbow Mountain trek and Machu Picchu tour organized from Cusco.