⛺ Explore the spectacular Rainbow Mountain (5,100 m) and Red Valley on this alternative 2-day trek. We will camp in Surinecocha (4,800 m) next to Ausangate, avoiding crowds on a scenic 18 km trail. This is a unique high altitude hiking experience. 🥾
Live an unforgettable Andean adventure combining two of Cusco’s most dazzling natural landscapes! This alternative hiking circuit invites you to discover the majesty of the Vilcanota mountain range in a deep and relaxed way. We will cross mountain passes that will take your breath away and spend a magical night under a starry sky free of pollution, surrounded by the tranquility of high Andean lagoons.
Get ready to admire the astonishing contrast between the reddish tones of the Red Valley and the vibrant mineral layers of Vinicunca. No photograph can fully capture the beauty of these landscapes; the live experience will stay with you forever. We recommend proper prior acclimatization in Cusco to fully enjoy each hike.
| Technical Sheet | Details |
|---|---|
| Duration | 2 Days / 1 Night |
| Difficulty | Difficult |
| Max Altitude | 5,100 m / 16,732 ft (Rainbow Mountain) |
| Total Hike | ~18 km / 11.2 mi (Total in 2 days) |
| Meals | 2 Breakfasts, 2 Lunches, 1 Dinner |
🥾 Difficulty: Difficult
⏱️ Duration: 7 – 8 hours
⛰️ Max Altitude: 4,985 m / 16,355 ft (Warmisaya Pass)
🍽️ Meals: Lunch and Dinner
We will leave Cusco at 04:00 AM in private transportation towards Quesiuno (4,376 m / 14,357 ft), where we will enjoy a nutritious breakfast. After meeting our cook and horseman, we will begin a three-hour ascent towards the Abra Puca pass (4,870 m / 15,978 ft). From this summit, we will contemplate impressive views of the turquoise lagoons decorating the area and the imposing silhouette of the Ausangate snow-capped mountain.
After a well-deserved rest, we will descend for an hour and a half among multicolored hills to reach Antapata (4,750 m / 15,584 ft), where we will have our lunch. Continuing our adventure, we will ascend for two hours to the Abra Warmisaya pass (4,985 m / 16,355 ft) to marvel at dazzling landscapes. Finally, we will make a gentle 45-minute descent to our camp next to the Surinecocha lagoon (4,800 m / 15,748 ft), where we will have dinner and camp under a starry sky.
🥾 Difficulty: Moderate
⏱️ Duration: 3 – 4 hours
⛰️ Max Altitude: 5,100 m / 16,732 ft (Rainbow Mountain)
🍽️ Meals: Breakfast and Lunch
We will start the day with a delicious hot breakfast at the camp. We will begin our ascent at a slow and steady pace for proper acclimatization. After approximately two hours of hiking, we will reach the summit of the world-famous Rainbow Mountain (5,100 m / 16,732 ft), where we will have free time to contemplate its dazzling natural beauty and take photographs.
Afterwards, we will head towards the Red Valley Viewpoint, where you will witness a spectacular contrast between the intense reddish slopes and the green of the high Andean pastures. The final descent to Llacto (4,630 m / 15,190 ft) will take us an hour, where we will say goodbye to our support crew and board our private transportation.
During the return journey, we will visit the historic church of Andahuaylillas (3,122 m / 10,242 ft), artistically known as the “Sistine Chapel of the Americas” due to its incredible colonial murals. Then, we will travel to the Huacarpay Wetlands (3,030 m / 9,940 ft), where we will enjoy a final lunch prepared by our cook while observing migratory birds in the lagoon. We will return to Cusco in the late afternoon.
Enjoy an exciting journey to the Rainbow Mountain. After a delicious breakfast, we will ascend for two hours, admiring unique landscapes. We will descend to the Red Valley Viewpoint, where you can appreciate the impressive contrast of natural colors.
Minimum number of participants: 2
Cusco
4:00 AM
