Rainbow Mountain & Red Valley Hike – 2D/1N
Sometimes Mother Nature produces a display of color so vibrant and varied, that it seems almost implausible that it could have occurred naturally. Yet as your eyes fall upon the beauty of Peru´s Rainbow Mountain, you are quite literally looking at millions of years of geological history and a natural wonder seen almost nowhere else on Earth.
Hiking through the real Rainbow mountain Peru and Red Valley, surrounded by majestic snow capped peaks and stunningly beautiful hillsides, you will feel the peace, tranquility and solitude of this lesser known trail.
At times our only company will be the curious Alpacas, Llamas and Vicuñas that we see along the way. As the trail takes us through remote Andean villages, you will pass the villagers and herders going about their wonderfully simple lives.
The night skies in the Andes truly have to be seen to be believed, and you will be mesmerized by the display of shooting stars and constellations as you rest overnight in our remote campsite.
You will arrive at camp to find your high quality tent already pitched (complete with mattress and pillow), your gear in place, and your crew preparing a sumptuous dinner.
After a well-earned night’s sleep you will be woken at dawn with a cup of steaming hot fresh coffee or tea and hot water to wash with, before sitting down for a nutritious and energizing breakfast. All you need for the days hiking ahead.
A challenging but incredibly rewarding 2-day Rainbow mountain nature preserve hike, your Action Treks Peru team will be with you at all times, whether guiding and providing commentary on this unique area, cooking you the most sumptuous meals or preparing your comfortable campsite.
Why not take some time out from the tourist traps of Cusco, and join us on this rainbow mountain travels for an inspiring and memorable trek to one of Mother Nature’s true wonders?
Eco Andes Trekking is highly recommended by TripAdvisor and Trustpilot. Join hundreds of happy trekkers who have experienced the adventure of a lifetime!
ITINERARY
Pre-trek briefing: Our guide will provide you with a pre-trek briefing at our office in Cusco 1 or 2 days before we depart to the Rainbow Mountain. Whilst we always aim to provide as much information as possible, this also gives you the opportunity to ask questions about the trek, your crew or the areas we’ll be visiting.
Day 1: Cusco – Pitumarca – Quesiuno – Pampa Alcataury – Anantapata – Surine Cocha
The days start early with Action Treks Peru, and we will pick you up from your Cusco hotel at 4 a.m. before taking a 3-hour drive to the trailhead (Pampa Alcataury). Don’t worry, our vans are comfortable and we will provide blankets in case you want to continue sleeping!
As we make final preparations to our trekking gear your incredible chef will be preparing a delicious, nutritious breakfast to give you all the energy you need for the trekking ahead. Over breakfast your guide will spend some time talking through the day’s itinerary along with any safety tips.
We begin our adventure from the lush, green valley floor, surrounded by views of the stunning mount Ausangate. You will also pass numerous Llama farms and remote Andean villages, observing first-hand the simplicity of the lifestyle of the villagers.
We take a steep 2-hour ascent to the first pass of the trek; Puccacocha (4,930 m/16,170 ft). Sitting just above the crystal blue Puccacocha Lake the views from the pass are spectacular. With the majestic Ausangate Mountain directly in front of you, you will witness first-hand this beautiful, active glacier crashing into the lake below.
After enjoying the views at the pass we take a 2 hour undulating trail to Anantapata where we will stop for lunch. Prepare to be amazed at the culinary wonders your chef can create in a small tent on the side of a mountain, as you refuel for the remainder of the day’s hike.
After lunch and a rest we continue hiking for another 3 hours until we arrive at the highest point of our trek, Minasniyuc pass (5,025 m/16,486 ft) Have your cameras at the ready, as from here we will have our first views of the Vinicunca ‘Rainbow’ mountain in the distance.
We now make a short descent for 40 minutes to our camp for the night at Lake Surine Cocha. Where your support hiking rainbow mountain Peru team will have setup camp before we arrive, and after settling in we will enjoy a sumptuous dinner surrounded by this unique landscape in the heart of the Andes. The temperatures at night can be very cold, so make sure you bring layers of clothing and that your sleeping bag is up to it! Your reward will be an unforgettable night sky full of constellations and shooting stars. Your team will be keeping you warm with supplies of hot cocoa tea or coffee before you retire to your tent for a well-earned night’s sleep.
- Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner/Snacks
- Lowest Elevation: 4,380 m / 14,370 ft.
- Highest Elevation: 5,025 m / 16,486 ft.
- Distance to walk: 14 km / 8.6 miles
- Approximate walking time: 8 to 9 hours
- Level of Difficulty: Challenging
Day 2: Surine Cocha – Vinicunca Rainbow Mountain – Red Valley – Lambrani
You will be woken early with a gentle tap on your tent, and a steaming hot cup of coca tea or coffee. Then, fully refreshed after a hearty breakfast, we set off for our ascent to Rainbow Mountain and the lesser known (but equally spectacular!) Red Valley.
The day begins with a short but steep 45-minute ascent to the Rainbow Mountain lookout point. Here, you will have time to explore on your own, take your Rainbow Mountain Peru photos and soak in the spectacular views, not only of Rainbow Mountain of Peru, but also of Ausangate and the other Andean peaks that dominate the area.
We then begin our hike to the spectacular Red Valley. As mentioned, this is a lesser known, lesser travelled area and you will be amazed not only by the beauty, but also by the tranquility. It is a short 25 minute trail to reach the Red Valley lookout point from where we will have views right across the valley.
Finally we take a 4 hour descent passing more Llama farms and villages. We may even spot some vicuñas which are the only non-domesticated animals seen in Peru since pre Inca times. Our hike ends at Labramany (4,250 m / 13,943 ft.) where we will enjoy a final delicious lunch before our bus journey back to Cusco, arriving at your hotel in the early evening.
- Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner/Snacks
- Lowest Elevation: 4,250 m / 13,943 ft
- Highest Elevation: 5,020 m / 16,466 ft
- Distance to walk: 14 km / 8.6 miles
- Approximate walking time: 4-6 hours (5 hours up)
- Level of Difficulty: Moderate
Note: This itinerary is subject to change without prior notice according to weather conditions, strikes, roadblocks, or other events which are beyond our control. At Action Treks Peru we will always do our best to follow the itinerary as closely as possible.
INCLUDED:
- Bilingual English speaking tour guide (additional tour guide for groups of nine people or more)
- Pre-Departure Briefing at your hotel 1 or 2 days before your trek.
- Pick up from your hotel and transportation to Pampa Alcataury and return transportation with hotel drop off
- Four-person tent for every 2 people.
- Inflatable Mattress and pillow
- Kitchen tent
- Dining tent with tables and chairs
- Toilet tent and portable toilet
- Professional Chef and assistant chef
- Wranglers and horses to carry all the equipment (food, tents, chairs, table, etc.)
- Horse to transport 8 kg of your personal gear
- Duffle bag for your personal gear
- Two breakfasts, two lunches and one dinner
- Hot water for washing
- Boiled and cold water to fill the water bottles.
- Emergency oxygen bottle and medical kit.
NOT Included:
- Sleeping bag – you can rent one from us
- Trekking poles – you can rent them from us
- Tips for the crew (guide, chef, wranglers)
- Travel /Health / Emergency insurance
What to bring to the Rainbow Mountain:
Original passport (if you have acquired a new one after you made your booking, bring both)- Down or synthetic feather sleeping bag (can be rented from us)
- Clothes (warm/winter jacket, rain pants, hiking boots, poncho, winter hat, gloves)
- Water
- Snacks
- Toiletries (toilet paper, wet wipes, personal towel)
- Sunblock ( SPF 35+ recommended)
- Head lamp, batteries*
- Sunglasses and sun hat
- Camera with spare batteries*
- Binoculars
- Trekking poles (recommended especially for the steep descents, can be rented from us), must have rubber tips
NOTE *batteries run down faster at high altitudes
PRICES & ADD-ONS
Group: USD $400 per person
Private: USD $450 per person
Group versus Private Treks: What’s the difference?
- Depending on the number of people in your booking, additional people may join the trek to make a full group.
- If you choose “private”, no additional people will be joining your group, no matter the size.
- Minimum booking size is two people; one person may book a group trek if Eco Andes Trekking is able to join that person with additional groups.
Rentals
- Hiking poles – USD $10 (pair)
- Sleeping bag – USD $15
Upgrades
- Private tent – USD $15
PRICE PER PERSON IN USD:
Group: $400
Private: $450
DURATION:
2 Days / 1 Night
AVAILABLE ADD-ONS
- Hiking poles – USD $15 (pair)
- Sleeping bag – USD $20
- Private tent – USD $25
OVERVIEW
- Beginning Altitude: 4,380 m / 14,370 ft
- Maximum Altitude: 5,020 m / 16,466 ft
- Total distance hiked: 28 km / 17.3 miles
- Overall Trek Difficulty: Challenging
INQUIRE ABOUT THIS EXPERIENCE
WHY WE'RE DIFFERENT
Your Full Satisfaction or Your Money Back
We understand planning a big trip like ours at EAT takes a lot of trust, and we’re here to make sure that trust pays off from the moment you book to the day your adventure wraps up. We’re fully committed to making your experience unforgettable. If something doesn’t go as planned—whether it’s an issue with the service or something unexpected along the way—we’ll step in to fix it.
That even includes offering a refund if needed so you can book with total peace of mind.
Your Peruvian adventure means the world to us, and we’ll go the extra mile to make sure it not only meets but exceeds your expectations. With our satisfaction guarantee, you can relax and focus on taking in all the incredible beauty and culture Peru has to offer.
We Help You Experience Peru Through The Eyes of a Local
We’re 100% locally owned and operated, with guides, porters, and chefs who grew up in the Cusco region. Fluent in Spanish, English, and Quechua, our team brings unmatched cultural and historical knowledge to share with you. Traveling with us means gaining insight into Peru’s traditions, landscapes, and stories from those who know them best.
We Work With Professional Guides Who Provide Exceptional Service
Our guides are the best of the best. Truly skilled experts with at least 5 years of experience, every guide we employ is ready to share their expertise on Peru’s trails, culture, and history. Our porters are no exception. They work hard to make your journey one for the books, while our chefs will prepare you delicious meals along the way. With a 99% recommendation rate, we’re dedicated to making every detail of your trip unforgettable.
We’re Committed to Our Team
Our porters and horsemen are easily the backbone of every trek. That’s why we are fully committed to prioritizing their well-being. We ensure they’re paid above-average wages—higher than those offered by most tour companies—recognizing their hard work and dedication to the team. Beyond fair pay, we truly care for their well-being, providing proper gear, meals, and working conditions so they’re not just safe but comfortable, too.
We Look Out for Our Community
A portion of every trek we sell supports local projects, like helping fund a much-needed school roof in Sacsayhuaman, where many of our team live. For years, children in the area had no nearby school and faced grueling four-hour walks in harsh conditions to get an education. Today, thanks to these contributions, they have a local school, and we continue to donate to its upkeep—because making an impact goes beyond the trek.
We Customize Our Adventures to Suit Your Travel Style
We want every trip to feel like it was made just for you. Whether you’re keen on hiking the famous Inca Trail, exploring lesser-known spots in the Sacred Valley, or tackling our one-of-a-kind Ancashcocha + Inca Trail trek, we’ll plan your adventure to fit your travel style. To keep things personal, we keep group sizes small—and if your group is larger than eight, we’ll bring in an extra guide so no one misses out on the experience.
We Travel with Purpose – Serving the Women, Children, & Men of Peru
Every journey with us has a ripple effect. Your adventure supports ethical tourism, fair wages for porters, and opportunities for female trekkers–many of whom are breaking barriers on the Inca Trail–and children. We’re passionate about creating opportunities for local children to grow up healthy and learn about everything their heart desires. Through initiatives like repairing schools, donating educational materials, and funding projects, we make it a mission to build a brighter future for kids in the Cusco region. Every trek you take with us contributes to this mission. When you book with us, you’re not just exploring Peru; you’re investing in it and setting a standard for all other tourism companies and tourists.
Our Reputation is Built on Trust
Year after year, Eco Andes Trekking has earned top ratings on TripAdvisor and the prestigious Certificate of Excellence. We’ve worked hard for these awards and are proud to see our hard work recognized. Even prouder to know our travelers leave with unforgettable memories and stories worth sharing.
We Travel Sustainably & Responsibly
Peru’s landscapes are magnificent. That’s why we work so hard to protect them. We prioritize sustainable traveling by working with our local communities and employing indigenous guides––thus promoting economic empowerment and preserving cultural heritage. Along the journey, we’ll always encourage travelers to embrace responsible practices as advocates for the environment.
