Amazing Trekking Tour To Andean 7 Colors Mountain - Montaña Vinicunca
**The native name of 7 colors mountain is “Vinicunca” touristically as known as Rainbow Mountain – This rare and beautiful mountain is located next of holy mountain named Ausangate (6384M - 20944.88 ft) in the province of Quispicanchis, Cusco (Peru).
The rainbow mountain (5200M - 17060.37) offer great views of wild scenery of huge mountains around and the local people consider as sacred place since Inca’s time – This multicolored hill is the gate to enter to valle Colorado situated on the upper zone of Cusipata valley, consider one of the most scenic red color mountains and impressive contrast with snow mountains around Vinicunca Mountain - The mountain has a natural palette of 7 colors and this was the inspiration to create the flag of the Inca empire around the year 1438 as known as “Tawantinsuyo” (4 Inca regions).
The only way to get the rewards of this unique color mountain in Peru is having challenge uphill trek passing multicolored views, wildlife and local communities practicing agriculture activities around the Rainbow Mountain.
Welcome to enjoy this espectacular geological features thanks to natural formation on the Peruvian Andes.**
TOUR ITINERARY TO VISIT THE RAINBOW MOUNTAIN
The trip start at 4AM from your hotel in Cusco (No sacred valley of the Incas) – Firstly we provide private transportation from Cusco to along the southern valley (Pikillaqta, Urcos, Quiquijana, Cusipata), the asphalt road goes next to of Vilcanota River till Checacupe (90KM) and then turn to left valley of Pitumarca – We take very narrow road through nice canyon and passing numerous small villages on the bank of the river up to Hanchipata – After 2 hours we arrive to small local restaurant about 4150M - 13615.49 ft, the local family offer great country breakfast including plenty hot drinks as Coca tea which is good to cure the symptoms of altitude sickness.
Then we continue with the transfer on dirt road for about 30 minutes more up to Qesoyuno (4518M - 14822.83 ft) – Around 7AM everyone gets ready to start 3 hours of challenge uphill hike (wide stable path), we recommend to bring walking poles for better hiking performance – For customers without acclimatize to altitude we advise to hire a horse for all the way up for $45 USD and make easy to enjoy the scenery.
From the begin to the top of Rainbow Mountain (5200M - 17060.37 ft) takes between 1h30m uphill hike following a dusty path (May to December) or muddy and slippery path during raining season (January to April) – Along the way you will see lot Andean camelids as Llamas, Alpacas, Vicuñas in their natural environments and of course mysterious snow-caps surrounding the 7 colors mountain as known as “Vinicunca or Winicunca” (Quechua language) – The uphill hiking is not easy for everyone because the altitude makes breathing difficult thanks less oxygen at high altitude. On the last 100 metros to will see the firsts signs how the colors get intensity forming a painting hills on the left side of the path.
Finally you will reach the magic mountain of 7 colors (Mirador Rainbow Mountain), the view around award you all the intense hike to the top – This is the intersection between the valley of Qesoyuno and valle Colorado – No more than 1h30m at the top spending time for pictures/videos of the rainbow hill hidden deep in the Andes, enjoy the serenity of Ausangate glacier, recover the energy and of course the trek guide will be there to explain about the area and assist you in case you suffer altitude sickness.
Around 11AM we start downhill hike to return to find our transport and then drive down to Pitumarca town to have late lunch (excluded) and then drive back to your hotel in Cusco and end of service around 17hrs.
LOCAL KIDS AND ADULTS
Along the way you will met many people, specially kids walking long distance to arrive at school and study 5 hours and they back home after maybe 30 minutes or 2 - 4 hours depending how far they live from primary school. Normally they are son or daughter of poor farmers living on the mountains. We strongly recommend help us to give some present to them like pencils, notebook, dictionaries, toys, clothes (socks, gloves, hat, t-shirt, etc) and something to eat. We don't recommend giving them things like candies, chew gun, soda, camping knife or money. If you really like to make picture of them, especially of adults we strongly advise you to ask first. If you don't speak any word of Spanish language (Español) coordinate with your guide to see if is possible to have picture of them. Local people don't permit take picture of them, because they believe you taking their spirit on the photo, strange but true.
PRIVATE TRANSFER FROM CUSCO TO CUSIPATA - RAINBOW MOUNTAIN - PUNO Or Vice Versa (456KM - 12HRS) $590 USD UP TO 4 PEOPLE
INCLUDES
Experienced driver (Spanish-Speaking).
Private transport up to 4 people (Automobile/SUV or van). Pick-up from hotel/airport or bus station.
Drop-off at hotel/airport or bus station.
Fuel & Toll tax (Peajes).
Driver food/drinks and lodging.
Medical bottle of oxygen.
Accident insurance (SOAT).
Luggage compartment.
EXCLUDED: Food/drinks - Entrance to archaeological site - Hotel reservation - Travel insurance - Gratuities for driver.
TIME FOR DRIVER (1HR): For long distance transfer more than 6 hours driving the driver needs 1 hour stop for food, for resting, check the vehicle and then continue driving.
OPTIONAL: English-Speaking driver is available for additional $30 USD per day.
RECOMMENDATION: After the transfer and before you leave the vehicle our company recommend you to verify all your belongings (no forget) because the transport is going to return very soon to the origin of the service.
TERMS AND CONDITIONS
This site is operated by PERU ADVENTURE TOURS a legally constituted company under the laws of the Peruvian government, which operates from offices in Arequipa and Cusco in Peru. In accordance with the relevant statutory provisions referred in Peru Tourism law, its regulations, its decrees and other legislation applicable in both the country and abroad are issued these general conditions and responsibility as outlined below, which govern the provision of services on the one hand between the passenger or user of services "CLIENT", by other hand the "TRAVEL AGENCY" by the other hand the entities of the service providers such as airlines, hotels, restaurants, transport, guides and other tourism-related services and in connection with this contract.
For more information about full information of terms and conditions CLECK HERE.
