Imagine standing before a mountain painted by nature itself – vibrant stripes of crimson, gold, turquoise, and emerald glowing under the Andean sun. Rainbow Mountain (Vinicunca) isn’t just a photo op; it’s a living geological masterpiece, millions of years in the making. Yet the true magic lies beyond the crowds.
On this lesser-known 2-day, 1-night trek, you’ll explore the breathtaking Rainbow Mountain and the serene Red Valley via a remote trail.
Surrounded by soaring snow-capped peaks, rolling hillsides dotted with curious alpacas, llamas, and graceful vicuñas, you’ll experience profound peace, solitude, and authentic connection with the Andes. Pass through quiet Andean villages where herders live simply, as they have for generations.
By night, gaze up at a sky exploding with stars and shooting stars from your remote campsite. This is Mother Nature at her most spectacular – raw, colorful, and unforgettable.
Leave the tourist-packed paths of Cusco behind and join Action Treks Peru for a challenging yet deeply rewarding journey.
Our professional team will guide you every step of the way: sharing stories of the land, preparing gourmet meals at altitude, and ensuring your campsite feels like a luxury refuge in the wilderness.
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
Private: USD $450
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 Action Peru Treks is able to join that person with additional groups.
Rentals
- Hiking poles – USD $10 (pair)
- Sleeping bag – USD $15
Upgrades
- Private tent – USD $15
