Rainbow Mountain Hike + Inca Snowy Climb – 2 Days/1 Night

GENERAL INFORMATION

Duration: 2 days / 1 night.

Starting point: Cusco City (we pick you up at your hotel).

Arrival point: Cusco City (we leave you at the hotel).

Group size: Max. 8 people. (Small groups).

Type of Tour: Adventure, Trekking, Mountaineering, it is also an Ecological and Landscape trip.

Tour Ranking: The Rainbow Mountain hike and Inca Snowy climb are a highly recommended way to discover the charm and magic of the Peruvian Andes.

Hike difficulty level: Easy to Intermediate.

Climbing difficulty level: Intermediate.

Hiking time:

First day: approximately 6 hours.

Second day: 7 hours approx.

Hiking distance:

First day: 10 km approx. / 6.2 miles

Second day: 14 km approx. / 8.7 miles

Relevant Altitudes:

Cusco City: 3,400 meters above sea level. (Main Square).

Rainbow Mountain: 5,026 m.a.s.l.

Wasaqocha Pass: 4,985 meters above sea level. (First step)

Camping area: 4,950 m.a.s.l. (Base field).

Inca Snowy: 5,330 m.a.s.l. (Summit).

Climbing Instruction Zone: 5,150 m.a.s.l. (Maximum height).

End point of the hike: 4,100 m.a.s.l. (Huayna Ausangate Village).

Availability: Daily departures from May to October (Closed from November to April due to the rainy season).

Accommodations: 1 Night in Base Camp (In very comfortable and safe High Mountain Tents).

Price Rainbow Mountain Hike + Inca Snowy Climb – 2 Days/1 Night

Price 360.00 USD Per Person

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TOUR DETAILS

Information

INTRODUCTION

This route combines a hike to the famous Vinicunca Mountain, known as the Rainbow Mountain, with the incredible experience of climbing a nearby snow-capped mountain located at 5,330 meters above sea level in the Peruvian Andes.

Rainbow Mountain is located at approximately 5,026 meters above sea level, very close to the impressive Ausangate Mountain, between the highland provinces of Canas and Quispicanchis, in the department of Cusco, Peru. During the hike, you will walk along flat paths and some uphill sections while enjoying breathtaking views, magical Andean landscapes, beautiful crystal-clear streams, and high-Andean lagoons, accompanied by our friendly professional guide.

In addition, you will have the opportunity to enjoy a safe climbing experience on Nevado del Inca. Don’t worry, climbing there is not as difficult as it may seem; in fact, it is much easier than you might imagine and also very fun.

This trip is designed for active people of all ages who want to have fun, enjoy unforgettable moments in direct contact with nature, and learn about the interesting lifestyle of the local people.

Booking the Rainbow Mountain hike and Nevado del Inca climbing experience with us, Incredible Peru Tours, a Peruvian tour operator, means enjoying a safe and well-organized experience.

Your excursion will be led by a professional UIAGM high-mountain guide. You will also enjoy delicious meals and hot drinks to start and finish the route, prepared by an excellent cook. In addition, you will be accompanied by a team of porters who will carry all the necessary equipment for the excursion, ensuring a high-quality service.

You can be sure that our entire professional team will be with you from the beginning to the end of your trip to assist you and make this adventure an unforgettable experience.

INTERESTING POINTS

Panoramic views of Nevado Ausangate: Enjoy magnificent views of the highest mountain in the Cusco region, at 6,372 meters above sea level.
High-Andean landscapes: Walk and enjoy ravines, valleys, rivers, and high-Andean lagoons.
Herds of South American camelids: Observe groups of llamas and alpacas from the area.
Views of Vinicunca: Admire and capture the best photos of the famous Rainbow Mountain, also known as the Mountain of 7 Colors.
Andean villagers: Interact with the native people of the area, friendly Quechua-speaking shepherds.
Climbing Nevado del Inca: Hike and climb an incredible snow-capped mountain in the area, accompanied by a mountain guide who is a member of the U.I.A.G.M. (International Federation of Mountain Guides Associations).

RECOMMENDATIONS

Book this excursion as early as possible, as having your trip organized in advance will allow you to make better use of your time upon arrival in our city.
Arrive at least 1 day before your excursion, as this will help you acclimatize before your hike. Remember that the city of Cusco is located at 3,400 meters above sea level.
Check the personal items you will bring for the trip.
Visit us at our main office, located in the Historic Center of the city of Cusco, 1 day before your hike at 7:00 p.m., to receive an informative briefing about the trip, led by the tour guide. This will help you feel better informed, safe, and ready for your excursion.
You may leave the luggage you will not take on the excursion free of charge in the luggage storage area of our main office.
Do not forget to carry your updated personal documents, as they may be requested by Peruvian authorities at checkpoints.

If you have any questions or would like more information about this Tour, do not hesitate to contact us: Mobile: +51 984 525 006 / WhatsApp: +51 984 683 047 or write to: info@incredibleperutours.com

WHAT TO EXPECT FROM THE TOUR

This hike is ideal for travelers who have limited time and want to visit Rainbow Mountain on an accessible route from Cusco. This attraction is also known as Montaña de Colores, Montaña Arco Iris, Mountain of 7 Colors, Vinicunca, or Cerro Colorado.

Rainbow Mountain stands out for its natural colors, which may vary depending on the weather. On cloudy days, the colors may look softer or darker, while on sunny days they can be seen more clearly.

During the hike, you may see llamas and alpacas grazing in the area. With some luck, you may also see condors flying over the area.

This excursion is recommended for people with regular to good physical condition. The hike takes approximately 6 hours: around 3 hours and 30 minutes uphill and 2 hours and 30 minutes downhill.

The tour starts in the city of Cusco and allows you to enjoy small streams, high-altitude landscapes, and panoramic views of Nevado Ausangate, one of the highest mountains in Peru, with an approximate altitude of 6,384 meters above sea level.

This Rainbow Mountain tour is a good option for those who want to visit Vinicunca, explore the area, and take a high-altitude hike near Cusco.

DAY 1:

4:00 a.m. Pick-up from your hotel.
4:10 a.m. Departure by transport from Cusco to Cusipata.
6:10 a.m. Breakfast at a local restaurant.
7:10 a.m. Arrival at the starting point of the hike.
7:30 a.m. Start of the hike to the Mountain of 7 Colors.
10:30 a.m. Arrival at the Mountain of 7 Colors. Afterward, we will continue hiking for approximately 2 more hours to the lunch area.
1:30 p.m. We will continue the hike toward our campsite.
4:30 p.m. Arrival and rest at the campsite. In the evening, we will enjoy dinner prepared by our cook.

DAY 2:

4:00 a.m. Hike for approximately 2 hours toward the snow-capped mountain.
6:00 a.m. Climbing activity on Nevado del Inca for approximately 2 hours.
8:00 a.m. Return to the base camp for breakfast and a short walk around the area.
9:00 a.m. Start of the return hike. Lunch on the way.
3:00 p.m. Arrival at the point where our transport will be waiting to return to Cusco.
6:00 p.m. Arrival in Cusco and transfer to your hotels.

*This schedule is approximate and may vary depending on the physical condition of each hiker.

Itinerary

DAY 1: CUSCO CITY-PAMPACHIRI COMMUNITY-RAINBOW MOUNTAIN-PATACOCHA.

Highlights of the day: You will arrive at Rainbow Mountain early in the morning, before most groups, giving you more time to take photos and enjoy the area with fewer visitors.

Early in the morning, between 4:00 a.m. and 4:30 a.m., we will pick you up from your hotel in the city of Cusco. Then, we will travel south in our tourist transport along a paved road, passing through the towns of Checacupe and Pitumarca. This first part of the journey takes approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes.

After that, we will continue by transport along an unpaved but well-maintained road for another 1 hour and 30 minutes. We will pass through the Pampachiri farming community and the checkpoint, where the entrance tickets will be presented. Then, we will continue to the bus parking area, arriving at around 7:00 a.m. This will be the starting point of our hike.

Upon arrival at the parking area, we will enjoy breakfast prepared by our cook. After breakfast, our guide will give a short briefing about the area and the route. Around 8:00 a.m., we will begin the hike with an uphill walk of approximately 50 minutes to reach the main destination of the day: Rainbow Mountain, located at 5,026 meters above sea level.

At Rainbow Mountain, you will have enough time to take photos and rest. From this point, you will also have panoramic views of Nevado Ausangate, the highest snow-capped mountain in southern Peru. After approximately 40 minutes at the site, we will begin the descent.

From Rainbow Mountain, the hike continues with a gentle descent for approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes, passing by a red-colored mountain. Then, we will continue descending near small lagoons until we reach Yanacocha Lagoon, also known as the Black Lagoon, located at 4,750 meters above sea level. Here, we will have time to rest and enjoy the surroundings.

From Yanacocha Lagoon, the hike continues uphill for approximately 1 hour until we reach the first mountain pass, known as Wasaqocha Pass, located at 4,985 meters above sea level. From this point, you will have panoramic views of Nevado Ausangate and the surrounding area. We will take a short break here and have our snacks.

From Wasaqocha Pass, we will descend for about 15 minutes. Then, the trail continues along a flat section for approximately 45 minutes, passing near high-altitude lagoons. After that, we will make a short 15-minute ascent to reach the second mountain pass, known as Puca Q’asa Pass, located at 4,960 meters above sea level. Here, we will take a brief rest and, with some luck, we may see the Andean condor.

From Puca Q’asa Pass, the hike continues downhill for about 15 minutes until we reach our base camp, located next to Patacocha Lagoon at 4,950 meters above sea level. Upon arrival, we will enjoy lunch, and afterward, you will have time to rest.

In the evening, we will have dinner at the campsite. During dinner, our guide will provide the necessary information about the activities for the next day, so you will be prepared for the climbing session.

After dinner, we recommend going to sleep early in order to wake up during the early morning and reach the climbing area on time.

DAY 2: PATACOCHA -I NCA SNOWY – HUAYNA AUSANGATE-CUSCO CITY

Highlights of the day: If this is your first time on a snow-capped mountain, you will receive basic technical climbing instruction on Nevado del Inca, located at approximately 5,150 meters above sea level. You will learn how to use the necessary technical equipment and practice basic ascent and descent techniques with your guide.

On the second day, we will wake up early and start with coca tea. Then, we will enjoy breakfast before beginning the hike at 4:00 a.m. We will walk uphill for approximately 2 hours until we reach the climbing practice area, located at 5,150 meters above sea level on Nevado del Inca.

Once we arrive at the climbing practice area, we will begin the technical instruction at around 6:30 a.m. First, the guide will explain the use of the technical equipment, such as climbing boots, crampons, ice axe, harnesses, carabiners, snow stakes, ice screws, and other necessary gear.

Then, we will continue with instruction on basic mountain safety and climbing techniques, including rope handling, anchors, rappelling, and controlled descents.

After the instruction, we will begin the first ascent and rappelling practices. The technical session will be practical and guided at all times. This activity will finish at around 10:00 a.m. After taking photos and having a short rest, we will begin the descent back to our base camp.

The descent to the base camp will take approximately 1 hour, arriving at around 11:30 a.m. Once there, we will have a short rest.

Around midday, we will enjoy lunch. After lunch, we will prepare our backpacks to continue the route. At around 1:00 p.m., we will leave the base camp and descend for approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes to the Pacocha Pampa area, located at 4,300 meters above sea level.

From this point, the hike continues with a gentle descent, passing near small local stone houses. Along the way, we may have the opportunity to interact with local residents.

During this section of the route, we will also be able to see herds of llamas and alpacas, local birds, lagoons, and small streams with clear water. Finally, we will arrive at the Huayna Ausangate area at around 5:30 p.m., where our transport will be waiting for us.

We will board our vehicle and return to the city of Cusco, arriving at approximately 8:30 p.m. Finally, we will drop you off at your hotel.

NOTES

The times in this itinerary are for reference only and may vary according to the physical condition of each person.
Up to one day in advance, call or email us the name of your accommodations in Cusco City, where we will pick you up on the day of the tour.
This itinerary may be subject to change due to circumstances beyond our control, such as adverse natural causes, weather conditions, poor road conditions, delays, strikes, cancellations, etc.

Included services

THIS TOUR INCLUDES

Preparation meeting and informative briefing with your guide. This can take place 1 or 2 days before the tour at our office located in the city of Cusco.
Safe and free luggage storage for your belongings at our Cusco office while you are doing the tour.
Pick-up from your hotel on the day of the excursion.
Tourist transport from Cusco to the Pampachiri farming community, the starting point of the hike.
Professional mountain guide. We have guides available in Spanish, English, French, and Italian.
Second guide for groups of 5 or more travelers.
Cook and assistant cook to prepare meals during the route.
Entrance ticket, paid as a contribution to the local farming community.
Meals during the excursion: 2 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 1 afternoon snack, and 1 dinner.
Vegetarian meals or special diets can be prepared upon request at no additional cost.
Boiled water included to refill your water bottles.
Team of porters who will carry the climbing equipment and camping equipment, such as tents, tables, chairs, food, kitchen equipment, among others. They will also carry up to 5 kg of personal luggage per traveler. For this, each traveler will receive a duffel bag during the preparation briefing to place their personal items.
Camping equipment required for the excursion.
High-quality mountain sleeping tent, designed for 4 people but used by only 2 people to provide greater comfort and enough space to store your luggage.
Thermarest inflatable sleeping pad.
Fleece blanket.
Camping pillow.
Dining tent with camping tables, portable chairs, and lamps for the night.
Kitchen tent with complete equipment for meal preparation.
Technical climbing equipment required for the activity.
Climbing boots.
Crampons.
Helmet.
Gloves.
Walking ice axe.
Technical ice axe.
Harness.
Carabiners.
Collective equipment such as ropes, snow stakes, and ice screws.
First aid kit.
Emergency oxygen tank.
Tourist transport back from the Huayna Ausangate community to the city of Cusco.

THIS TOUR DOES NOT INCLUDE

Personal Mountain Equipment (review the complete list at: what you should bring).
Travel insurance.
Optional tips for the service team (only if you want, at the end of the Tour, you can voluntarily tip the guide, cook and porters).

What should you bring

LIST OF PERSONAL ITEMS TO BRING TO THE TOUR

Temperatures at altitude drop significantly at night, even during the dry season. Review the equipment list well in advance: if any item is missing, there is time to source it before departure. If bringing it from your home country is not an option, Cusco has a good number of outdoor gear shops where you can rent or purchase everything you need.

Documents

Copy of your passport or identity document.
Excursion voucher issued by us.
Copy of your travel insurance.

Essential

Sleeping bag.
Water bottle.
Some snacks such as cookies, sweets, chocolates, cereals.
Extra cash if you want to buy some Tour souvenirs.

Clothes and shoes

Hiking boots and sandals.
Clothing: Thermal jacket, gloves, scarf, wool socks, wool cap for cold nights.
Waterproof clothing: waterproof pants and jacket.
Cotton or synthetic clothing: long pants, socks, underwear, polo shirts and t-shirts.
Hat to protect yourself from the sun.

Pharmaceutical products

Personal medicines, bandages and anti-inflammatory pills.
Sunblock.
Moisturizing cream for skin and lips.

Personal hygiene articles

Small towel.
Toothpaste and toothbrush.
Soap.
Brush or comb.
Wet wipes.
Spray body deodorant.
Toilet paper.

Frequent questions

FREQUENT QUESTIONS

Here you will find the Most Frequently Asked Questions from our Customers. Before doing anything, we invite you to carefully read these questions and answers, as well as all our links about this Tour. This will help you obtain information in a simple, quick and practical way.

1. WHAT LEVEL OF DIFFICULTY DOES THIS 2-DAY TOUR HAVE?

This tour combines two physically demanding experiences and is considered high difficulty. Day one includes trekking to Rainbow Mountain (Vinicunca), with ascents above 5,000 m a.s.l. Day two involves climbing Nevado del Inca, which requires basic crampon and rope handling under the guidance of a specialist. It is strongly recommended to spend at least 2 days in Cusco beforehand to acclimatize to the altitude.

2. WHAT GEAR DO I NEED TO BRING FOR THE NEVADO DEL INCA CLIMB?

High-altitude technical equipment (crampons, harness, helmet, and ice axe) is included in the tour. What you need to bring is layered thermal clothing, a waterproof windbreaker, warm gloves, UV-filter sunglasses, SPF 50+ sunscreen, and trekking boots with solid ankle support. It is also recommended to carry energy snacks and at least 2 liters of water or electrolyte drinks.

3. DOES THE TOUR OPERATE YEAR-ROUND OR ONLY DURING A SPECIFIC SEASON?

The tour runs year-round, though the dry season (May to October) offers the best visibility and trail conditions. During the rainy season (November to April), the colors of Rainbow Mountain tend to be more vivid, but trails can become slippery and conditions on the glacier more demanding. In the event of extreme weather, Incredible Peru Tours reserves the right to modify the itinerary for safety reasons.

4. WHAT IS INCLUDED AND NOT INCLUDED IN THE 2-DAY TOUR?

The tour includes round-trip transportation from Cusco, a professional bilingual guide, technical climbing equipment, accommodation in the area on the first night, and breakfast on the second day. Not included are lunch on the first day, dinner, tips for the guide and support staff, or medical expenses related to altitude sickness. Travel insurance is the passenger’s responsibility and is strongly recommended to be arranged before departure from the country of origin.

5. ARE THERE DISCOUNTS FOR CHILDREN AND STUDENTS?

Yes, for this Tour we offer discounts and special rates for babies, children and students.

Children from 10 years old and students up to 17 years old have a discount of USD 40

→ School and Higher Education Students – For young people between 9 and 17 years old, only by sending a scanned copy of the Passport at the time of your Reservation.

→ Students aged 26 or over are considered adults.

6. HOW MUCH SHOULD I TIP MY GUIDE?

Tips are not mandatory, there is no exact amount. Only if you wish, at the end of the Tour you can tip the Guide. As you can see, this is something additional and completely voluntary, whatever you consider will be greatly appreciated by the support team.

7. WHAT TIME DO WE RETURN TO CUSCO CITY?

On the second day after lunch in Cusipata, our transport will be waiting to take you for an hour and a half journey back to Cusco City. The group will arrive between 4pm and 5:30pm.

8. WHAT HAPPENS IF I GET ILL WITH ALTITUDE SICKNESS?

Don’t worry! All of our Guides are trained in case you become ill with this problem. They all carry an oxygen tank and a First Aid Kit, this ensures that you are carefully looked after, which will allow you to continue the hike. Furthermore, our entire team is prepared in case of Emergency. After treatment, if you still feel very unwell and are unable to continue the Trail, the Guide will make the best decision for you: to continue or return. For us, your Safety and Health always come first.

9. HOW TO BOOK MY TOUR?

Booking this Tour with us will really be very safe, easy and practical, you will also have Payment Facilities, such as Paying for your Tour up to 1 day before the Tour and in 2 Parts:

First Part can be paid online, from the comfort of your house, by making a Pre-Payment with any Credit or Debit Card from any Bank, using our safe and reliable money transfer system. Pre-payment will be made via a deposit of US$200.00 per person + 5% Visa commission (Click on the Book link)

The Second Part or balance will be paid upon arrival in Cusco City, in person at our Central Office located in Historic Downtown, up to 1 day before the Tour.

⇒ To book the Rainbow Mountain Hike + Inca Snowy Climb, simply follow these 3 simple steps:

1. Fill out the Reservation Form: It’s on the Book link.

2. Pay the First Part (Prepayment): We accept all cards. You can use a Credit or Debit Card from any Bank and any company: VISA, MASTERCARD, AMERICAN EXPRESS, DINERS CLUB, DISCOVER, JCB, UNION PAY, ETC.

3. Print your Travel Coupon (Receipt): We will send it to you immediately after making the Pre-payment.

⇒ OTHER PAYMENT METHODS: If you want to make the Pre-Payment by other means such as: PayPal, Western Union, Bank Deposit, Bank Transfer or any other method, let us know so we can send you all the information necessary to do so.

10. IF I HAVE ALREADY PAID MY FIRST INSTALLMENT AND DECIDE TO CANCEL, WILL I BE REFUNDED?

Unfortunately No. We will not be able to provide any type of refund or change dates for Tours that are paid in installments. All Pre-payments of USD 200 are non-refundable or transferable, as this money will be immediately invested in all Procedures and Reservations necessary to carry out the Tour, as well as in the purchase of licenses and tickets for this Hike. We will carry out these procedures at the Peruvian Ministry of Culture (Peruvian State Organization in charge of the Administration of the Trails and Machu Picchu).

We understand that unexpected things happen that are beyond your control, but cannot make exceptions. You can read more about our Modification and Cancellation Policies on the website: http://incredibleperutours/es/terminos-y-condiciones/

10. WHY SHOULD I BOOK MY TOUR WITH INCREDIBLE PERU TOURS?

There are good reasons to book your tour with us, let’s look at some:

Prime location. Office in the Historic Center of Cusco, one block from the Main Square.
Authorized Peruvian agency. 100% local staff with over 15 years of experience. Recognized as an Authorized Operator of the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu.
Best price with no hidden fees. All-inclusive service at an affordable price, made possible by operating as a direct tour operator with no middlemen.
Travel with experts. Guides, cooks, and porters from the region, internally known as “The Steel Team”, trained to assist all types of groups.
High-quality gear. Trekking equipment renewed every two years: tents, down sleeping bags, and trekking poles from top brands.
Excellent meals, all included. Prepared with fresh ingredients, no canned or dehydrated food. Vegetarian or special diets available at no extra charge.
Guaranteed departures. Operates 100% of its treks, even with a single passenger. Small groups averaging 4 to 8 people.
Staff welfare and social commitment. The team has health insurance, fair wages, and full logistical support. Active involvement in social projects benefiting local communities.
Sustainable and responsible tourism. Use of biodegradable supplies and regular participation in Inca Trail clean-up campaigns.
Personalized support. Assistance available at any time by phone or email.

Availability and prices

PRICE

USD 360 per adult (14 years and over)

IMPORTANT:

Please note this tour requires a minimum of 2 adults.
If you are thinking of traveling alone, please contact us to place you in an already organized group.
Our passion is family travel, so if you are coming with children, get in touch to offer you our promotions.

TO CONSIDER

Our passion is family travel, so if you are coming with children, get in touch to offer you our promotions.

Our company also offers promotions and discounts for groups of students and groups of friends. Please contact us to receive our offers.

Incredible Peru Tours – IPT for your peace of mind has no hidden charges or expenses.

If you are interested in doing this Tour and want to book tickets, or more information, please contact us: Mobile: +51 984 525 006 / WhatsApp: +51 984 683 047 or write to: info@incredibleperutours.com