A true High Andean Challenge, on this trip will pass by herds of alpacas, apachetas, and traditional stone and adobe houses with thatched roofs. In the high mountain district of Cordillera Vilcanota people wear traditional clothes and speak Qechua.

We will pick you up between 3:00am and 4:00am in Cusco – 3360 m/11024 ft. First, we will drive south-east from the town for about four to five hours gradually gaining altitude till we arrive to the trail head. Our hike starts at approximately 4000 m/13123 ft. During the next three to three and a half hours we will ascend through a valley following a wide trail to the famous viewpoint, which is also the highest point of the trek at 5100 m/16732 ft. The route goes gradually uphill and there are three short steep sections. From the top viewing spot we will be able to see both sides of the Rainbow Mountain and its seven different colors, after which the Rainbow Mountain (Vinicunca in Quechua) got its second name. On the opposite side we can see the Ausangate Glacier (6384 m/20944 ft.). Ausangate, the highest peak of the Cusco region, is an Apu according to the Andean cosmology. It means mountain spirit or a sacred mountain (an apu can also be a river). We will have about 45 minutes to enjoy the view and take pictures before descending back to where we started. The downhill hike back usually takes three hours. We will be back in Cusco after 7:00pm.

Total hiking distance: 16km/10 miles (8km/5 miles one way)

Total hiking time: aprox. 6,5 hours.

Local men and women rent their horses for those who want to ride rather than hike. Nevertheless, we highly recommend spending at least two days in Cusco before the trip for acclimatization.