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You’ll begin your adventure exploring the majestic Seven Lakes of Ausangate, one of the most breathtaking trekking routes in the Vilcanota Mountain Range. Along the way, you’ll witness multicolored lagoons surrounded by towering snow-capped peaks and encounter native communities that have preserved their traditions and way of life for generations. You’ll also have the opportunity to relax in the Pacchanta hot springs, making your connection with Andean culture even more authentic.
The adventure continues to the famous Rainbow Mountain (Vinicunca), a natural spectacle recognized worldwide for its vibrant bands of color that stretch across its slopes. Right next door, you’ll discover the fascinating Red Valley, a surreal landscape that seems otherworldly, with intense red hues contrasting with the sky and surrounding mountains.
We’ll begin your 2-day Rainbow Mountain adventure by picking you up from your hotel between 4:00 and 4:30 a.m., heading south from Cusco. Along the way, we’ll pass through picturesque villages where locals proudly wear colorful traditional clothing, keeping their culture and traditions alive. Our first stop will be in the charming village of Ccatcca, where you can explore its central plaza and quaint streets.
Next, we’ll continue along the Interoceanic Highway that connects Peru and Brazil, arriving at the community of Pacchanta, located at over 4,100 meters (13,451 feet) above sea level. There, a welcoming local family will treat us to a nutritious Andean breakfast before we head to the Vilcanota Mountain Range. From there, you’ll witness the majestic Ausangate Glacier, whose meltwater feeds the stunning lagoons we’ll visit on our trek to the Seven Lakes of Ausangate.
The hike continues with a three-and-a-half-hour ascent to the Ninaparayoc viewpoint, passing by the beautiful Comercocha and Alqacocha lagoons, whose vibrant blue and turquoise waters are framed by the Callangate Glacier. On the return to Pacchanta, we’ll stop at Patacocha, Otorongocha, Azulcocha, and other lagoons before enjoying a relaxing soak in the natural hot springs. Finally, after a delicious lunch with our host family, we’ll board private transportation to the base of Rainbow Mountain and rest in tents or a hostel, ready to witness the sunrise over Rainbow Mountain.
After a delicious breakfast, we’ll head to Rainbow Mountain, where you can admire this colorful valley bathed in the golden light of dawn. You’ll have the opportunity to enjoy this unique landscape before the crowds arrive, capturing the essence of one of the most iconic places in the Peruvian Andes.
Next, we’ll begin our hike to the spectacular Red Valley, a seldom-visited destination that seems otherworldly, almost like Mars. You’ll be amazed by its breathtaking beauty and the immense tranquility that surrounds it. This is the perfect moment to take a deep breath, connect with nature, and feel the thrill of exploring places few tourists know.
Finally, we’ll descend to enjoy a delicious lunch. After lunch, a bus will be waiting to take you back to your hotel in Cusco, thus concluding an unforgettable experience of adventure, vibrant colors, and unique landscapes in the Andes, combining the best of Rainbow Mountain and Red Valley in a single tour.
The night before your trip to Ausangate 7 Lakes to Rainbow Mountain 2 Days, information meetings are held at your hotel at 6 pm with your trekking guide. And if you cannot attend at this time, you must arrange to do it at another time.
During the breffing, you will receive your duffel bag for your belongings that you intend to take on the hike, which will not be in your backpack.
These informational meetings last approximately 30 to 40 minutes.
You will receive a duffel bag during your briefing, where you will pack the necessary things for the Ausangate 7 Lakes to Rainbow Mountain 2 Days, the maximum weight you must carry is 6 kilos. All duffel bags will be carried by the horses or porters and will only be available at your campsite every day (morning and afternoon). Any items that are necessary during the hike should be packed in your backpack.
Duffel bags measure (2ft / 66cm long) x (1ft / 36cm wide).
During the trip, you need a day pack big enough to carry your personal belongings like a warm jacket, raincoat, camera, sunscreen, snacks, water, etc. Generally, a 30 to 50 liter backpack is sufficient.
The trek you have booked must be paid in full at the time of breifing or days before departure.
We would greatly appreciate it if you would pay the balance of the trip in cash in US dollars or in local currency. To withdraw here in Cusco we have several ATMs along Av. El Sol (either in US dollars or in local Peruvian soles).
You can pay by credit card or PAYPAL online, but you will have to pay a service charge, charged by VISA and PAYPAL. We do not accept bank checks or payment of the balance with traveler’s checks.
Our PERU TREK Company transports will pick you up from your hotel, as long as you are in the Historic Center of Cusco. Pick-up time will be coordinated with your guide at the briefing. The pick-up time may vary between 30 and 45 minutes due to traffic.
Cusco is a very old city, therefore it has many narrow and cobbled streets. Some hotels and Airbnb may be located on streets with no car access or on long, steep slopes, making it difficult to carry luggage. We strongly recommend that you book an accommodation with good access.
Average daytime temperatures in and around Cusco generally range between 55º and 75º F and cool to 40º and 50º at night. Much of this itinerary takes place in the mountains, where the climate can change very quickly and night temperatures regularly drop to 30º and 40º. During the “dry season”, the days are usually clear and pleasant, with clouds in the afternoon that occasionally accumulate and cause small amounts of rain, and the morning temperatures usually oscillate between 35º and 45º with some frost on the tents. Plains in some places. While April and November departures may experience slightly higher amounts of rain, rain throughout the day is unusual. We will hike up several mountain passes that are over 15,000 ft / 4600 m,
therefore you have to bring the necessary things for the Ausangate 7 Lakes to Rainbow Mountain 2 Days.
Group tours are made up of different types of people. Physical conditions and ages can vary. By agreeing to be part of a group tour, you also agree that some people may be faster or slower than you. Therefore, everyone can go at their own pace on the route. It may be the case that a group wants to modify the route; however, it will be the guide who decides, after consulting with all the participants, if such modifications can be made.
It is very important to be well acclimatized to the altitude before exerting yourself on a hike. We recommend that you arrive in Cusco at least 2 or 3 days before the trek begins to help you acclimatize and avoid possible problems with altitude sickness during the trek.
Suppose you have already been to another area of Peru at a high altitude before arriving in Cusco. In that case, we still recommend that you have a full day in Cusco to rest, recover from your trip and fully enjoy your trek and have a unique experience.
Of course! During the trip, your main luggage can be stored in our office (you can coordinate during the day of the briefing or by email) or at your hotel, both for free.
Any equipment you don’t need on the trek can be safely stored at your hotel. Almost all hotels will offer this service. Do not leave valuables with your bags, put them in the hotel safe and get an itemized receipt (in the unlikely event of theft, many insurance companies require you to have a copy of the receipt with all items). It’s best to put items like credit cards in a sealed and signed envelope for added peace of mind.
Strikes and demonstrations are often frequent in Peru, and this can interrupt some of our planned tours. They can block the roads and take control of the railroad tracks. However, we will try to keep your tour as planned, even if it means leaving the night before your scheduled date. In these circumstances, tours can also be canceled. In case of changes or cancellations, all situations will be coordinated with you by our operations department. Your safety is our top priority and decisions will be made appropriately.
You are responsible for your personal belongings during the Ausangate 7 Lakes to Rainbow Mountain 2 Days. Please pay attention to where you leave your belongings and remember to take everything once you leave your bus, tents, and restaurants.