ONE DAY TOURS CUSCO - RAINBOW MOUNTAIN AND HUMANTAY LAKE

Trek to the Rainbow Mountain

7 Colors Mountain Tour - This picturesque summit used to be an attractive 4 day trek to the snowy Ausangate. Over the years, this mountain gained popularity on its own. Today, the most widespread way to visit this summit is through a tour. There are 1-day and 2-day services. Most include transportation, food, entrance fees and professional guide. In the city of Cuzco there are many tourism agencies offering these services.

Traveling on your own? - It is also possible to visit the ‘Cerro Colorado’ on your own. For this, the visitor must take a bus to Sicuani from the city of Cuzco (2 hours and 40 minutes away). Once there, a bus is taken to the town of Quesiuno. Then a walk begins (you can also hire a horse ride) to the Mountain of the 7 Colors. The price of the entrance ticket is 10 soles.
Difficulty of the mountain - The 3 or 4 hour walk (depending on the tourist's physical condition) is not dangerous and requires moderate-high physical effort. There are considerable sections of slopes up and down. However, one of the biggest difficulties is cold weather and icy wind. The altitude of the area can cause altitude sickness or soroche. A previous acclimatization of 1 or 2 days in the city of Cusco is recommended.
Recommendations - Spend a day or two acclimatizing in the city of Cusco. Take warm clothes to do the walk. If you do not consider yourself in good physical condition for the trek, rent a horse to one of the locals. On that day, don't forget a hat or cap, sunscreen, jacket, pants, ideal shoes for trekking and a rain poncho. MORE INFORMATION OF RAINBOW MOUNTAIN

The Trek to the Humantay lagoon

Can I go to the lagoon on my own?
- Yes. To go to the lagoon on your own you must take public transportation from the city of Cusco to the town of Soraypampa. The buses leave from the ‘Arcopata’ terminal and cost approximately 15 Peruvian soles (5 USD).
Once in Soraypampa you must get a collective taxi service to the Soraypampa community. There are times when you will not find this transport so you must get a taxi. This service could cost 50 Peruvian soles (15 USD).
Finally, in Soraypampa you must make the walk to the Humantay lagoon. Due to the complexity of the trip by public transport, it is recommended to choose a tourist package with transport included. It can be cheaper and safer than going on your own.

How much does the entrance to the lagoon cost?
- In the town of Mollepata you must pay to enter the Soraypampa camp where the lagoon is. The cost for foreign tourists is 10 Peruvian soles (3 USD). The cost for Peruvian tourists is 5 Peruvian soles (2 USD). Some tour packages include this entry while others do not.
How long does the walk last?
- The final section of the trip is the walk from Soraypampa to the Humantay lagoon. This section is approximately 2 kilometers long and can take from 1 to 2 hours, depending on the physical condition of the visitor. Tourists who are not used to this type of hiking can rent a horse as transportation to the lagoon. It is common for tourists to feel the symptoms of altitude sickness, whether in Cusco, Machu Picchu or Humantay.
How to rent a horse? How much?
- The residents of the Soraypampa community offer horse rental at the starting point of the trek to the Humantay lagoon. The service is only for the upstream section and has an approximate cost of 90 Peruvian soles negotiable (30 USD).
What kind of clothes to wear?
- Due to the cold climate of the Humantay lagoon, it is recommended to wear a warm jacket as well as gloves and chullo. Of course, during the walk wear light clothing since the visitor will inevitably perspire. A rain poncho is also important since it can rain at any time.
With which tourism agency to travel?
- In Cusco there are several tourism agencies that offer the 1-day tour to the Humantay lagoon. All services must include: full transportation, breakfast, lunch and tour guide service. Choose the tourism agency that meets your expectations. Remember that you can also contract the service through the website of the tourist agency.
Can I get a tour once in Cusco?
- Yes. Unlike the Inca Trail tours or the entrances to Machu Picchu, there is always availability for the tour to the Humantay lagoon. Therefore, you can get a tour to the lagoon once in Cusco, without any problem. MORE INFORMATION OF HUMANTAY LAKE

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Rainbow Mountain useful information

The mountain of the seven colors (VINICUNCA) is one of the most majestic attractions present on the way to the apu AUSANGATE, it is said to be a place that demonstrates a new opportunity for everyone who visits, this belief has its beginning in the saying "if you want to see the rainbow you have to face the storm" which teaches us that there is always a reward for our efforts as well as a new opportunity.

It is listed by NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC magazine as one of the 100 places that you must visit before you die, do not miss the opportunity to be part of this wonderful place because in the end life is a wonderful adventure that begins when one really wants.

What is Rainbow Mountain

The Mountain of Colors, is also known as Rainbow Mountain, Cerro Colorado, or famously in English as Rainbow Mountain has become in recent years one of the main tourist attractions of Cusco and Peru.
This is a geographical accident belonging to the snowy Ausangate in the Vilcanota mountain range, it is the fifth mountain in Peru, it is more than 100km away from the imperial city of Cusco and it has its highest point at about 6300 masl. approx.
Its coloration is natural and this due to the large amount of sedimentary stones in erosion, what makes it so beautiful and impressive is how these stones are formed to give it the appearance of a rainbow (7 colors). The red, purple, pink, green yellow colors stand out among others.
Vinicunca (winicunca) means "mountain of colors" in Quechua (simi rune).

How to get to Rainbow Mountain

The 7 Colors Mountain is located in a small town called Pitumarca, Quipicanchis Quispicanchi province, Cusco.
To get there you must first board a car from the city of Cusco, bound for Pitumarca (approx 02 km), after 03 hrs of travel you have to take a gauge route you must reach the rural community of pampa Chiri. Then you must walk 5km towards the mountain (you can also use horses). It is recommended to bring snacks, water and energizers.
Already in this part of the road you will be able to appreciate the beauties of the valley as small lagoons, streams among others, with the passing of a short time, you will be able to appreciate how everything is changing, the colors of the Rainbow Mountain appear, thus generating a very surreal area.
Finally they will reach approx. 5033 masl which is the top of the Mountain of Seven Colors from where you can take photos and videos.

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Origin of the Rainbow Mountain - Ausangate

Without a doubt this is a question that many would like to clarify, thanks to the great consultation of our travelers we decided to carry out an investigation to keep them much more informed:

In order to understand how the colorful mountain was formed we must first understand how mountains are formed, for this we resort to geology and orogeny and thus have a much clearer and of course scientific idea.
MORE INFORMATION OF RAINBOW MOUNTAIN HIKE
The mountain ranges of the hand of their mountains are formed by collisions or collisions of different tectonic plates as these cannot advance horizontally when impacting they do it vertically forming mountain ranges and mountains and other geographic features, but this formation not only involves agents Endogenous like these collisions, but also exogenous like the vast majority of meteorological phenomena (rain, hail, snow, winds) these make the mountains maintain over time and have their particular pyramidal shape.
But Vinicunca's formation is much older than we think.
For this we go back in time and go back approximately 24 million years ago, back then, different layers of rock sediments such as sandstones, halites, gravels, limestone ranging from ocher, green, yellow and white along with others minerals, were compacted one on top of the other to form different layers as plasticine masses, one on top of another according to the weight of each layer; the heaviest at the bottom and the others above them.
As time passed with the movement and collision of the tectonic plates, new mountains were born, as we explained previously, these pressed colored masses rose while maintaining these typical colors.
However, the meteorological factors were in charge of preserving them and above all of keeping it in total splendor and of course respecting its typical colors equally.
And not only that, it also influences the altitude since this place is located at approximately 5000 meters above sea level. it makes the vegetation scarce to the point that almost nothing grows, if there were vegetation this great colorful wonder could not be visible.
So we add to this that not only endogenous and exogenous factors but also geographic factors such as altitude intervene.
All this is a set of curious mixtures typical of our nature because only it could give us curious landscapes that often escape from our own imagination.

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CUSCO - HANCHILLPACHA - RAINBOW MOUNTAIN

Rainbow Mountain hike Full Day is new route which includes a part of the Ausangate route, it is an adventure that will take your breath away constantly. With a combination of wild mountain landscapes, glaciated peaks, rushing rivers and challenging mountain passes, everything seeming untouched and undiscovered.
- Shared Service: S / 70 per person
- Private Service: $ 80 p / p (DOLLARS)
- With IGV: S / 82.00

Schedule I pick up in Lodgings:
• Private Transportation: 03:00 A.M.
• Shared Transportation: 04:30 A.M - 05:00 A.M
Our adventure begins around 04:30 AM - 05:00 AM (Depending on the service you hired there), picking it up at your respective lodging, to go from Cusco to the town of "Hanchillpacha" (2 hrs. And 30 min. Approx.), Where our restaurant is located, in which you can enjoy our nutritious and energizing breakfast before starting the tour, after this we will get on the car to enter about 25 min. Approximately, and start preparing for the adventure.
We will arrive at the control point and begin our walk, it will be approximately 6 kilometers approximately (2 hrs and 30 min.) To visit the wonderful "Mountain of colors", we will be there approximately 30 minutes, for a brief explanation and to take photographs, to Then return by the same route and get on our transport, which will take us back to our restaurant to enjoy a delicious buffet lunch, which consists of typical Peruvian food.We will be returning to cusco (Private and Shared Service), between 17:30 hrs. at 7:00 p.m., leaving them in the case of private service at your hotel and if it is a shared service in the Plaza Regocijos.

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Why is it called Mountain of the 7 Colors?

Why is it called Mountain of the 7 Colors? - According to various investigations done on site, the multicolored shades are due to the different minerals that the area covers in capable. These natural substances began to form 65 million years ago when water and rain covered their slopes and peaks. With the passing of time, the extreme weather was thawing the snow that formed there revealing to the world what is today one of the most important tourist attractions of Cusco.

Location and height - This amazing place is located in the Andes of Peru, in the department of Cusco and Canchis province, at 5,200 m.a.s.l., an area of ​​considerable elevation. It belongs to the people of Pitumarca who call it the ‘Cerro Colorado’. Because it is located on the way to the imposing snowy Ausangate, this site was known long before by the adventurers who dared to do the trek. The photos they posted on Facebook and Instagram, made him gain popularity. Since 2016 it is a popular tourist attraction.
How to get? - Due to its location, just over 100 kilometers from the city of Cuzco, this place is reached by car in the first instance. After a trip of approximately 2 hours along the Longitudinal Highway of the Peruvian Southern Sierra, you will arrive in Pitumarca. The journey continues along a path to the community of Pampa Chiri. From there, a route is followed by mountain slopes. This journey is 5 kilometers and can be done on foot or on horseback to finally arrive at Vinicunca. There are tours that offer this service.
Climate - The climate, typical of the highest areas of Cusco, is cold. Rain, wind and altitude sickness (or soroche) can be the biggest obstacles for travelers. Temperatures can lower zero degrees Celsius. The best time to do this adventure is during the dry season (from April to October) when river rainfall is less likely. If you plan to visit during the rainy season (from November to March), carry a rain poncho with you.
Flora and fauna - The incredible geography of the place is the scene of typical animals from high Andean areas such as llamas, alpacas and vicuñas. The inhabitants of the area raise horses to offer them as transportation to visitors. Due to the height of this region, the ichu or natural boil of the Andes abounds.

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RAINBOW MOUNTAIN AND RED VALLEY

We will start first with the pick-ups starting at 3:00 am (private service) and at 4:00 am (pull service) where we will pass by your hotels, after concluding the pick-ups we will travel for a time of 1 hour and a half to our restaurant (Cusi pata), along the route we can see the sacred river or willcamayu river, which is part of the sacred valley of the Incas. Upon arrival at the camp we will have a rich breakfast (buffet), then we will take the transport again to continue with the tour for 1 hour and arrive at the bus station, where the trek to the mountain of 7 colors (5029m) will begin, Our guide will give you a talk and recommendations to reach the top, after 4km of walking (2 hours), we will reach the top and we will be able to appreciate all the natural attraction of the area, we will have a talk with the guide about why the colors and landscapes in the area and then we will organize the trip to the red valley (optional) to appreciate the beautiful landscape that it offers (5089m), then take the return route to the bus station, once the whole group in the transport, we will return to the camp to have lunch (buffet), and then return to the city of Cusco at approximately 18:00 pm. Rainbow Mountain

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RAINBOW MOUNTAIN INFORMATION, HIKE IN CUSCO

Ausangate is the fifth highest mountain in Peru, with its 6384 meters high, located in the Pitumarca district, Canchis province, Cusco region, in southern Peru; Ausangate is considered the most important mountain in the Andean worldview.

The “Apu” Ausangate is for the Andean culture, life giver and guardian of one of the most varied ecosystems in the world; Its name means "copper" in Quechua. When you are on this mountain, remember that it is sacred to local people; In fact, many of the nearby Andean communities still have pilgrimage dates to the top of the mountain. As the community of Chillca; of shepherds of llamas and alpacas, which have inherited Inca and pre-Inca cultural traditions. It is possible to share the daily life of the shepherds and work with the llamas.
RAINBOW MOUNTAIN TREK
Climate change has discovered the multicolored beauty of these mountains located in the Vilcanota, Vinicunca or Winicunca mountain range, also called Seven Color Mountain, Rainbow Mountain or Mountain of Colors (the inhabitants call it Cerro Colorado) is a mountain of Peru with a altitude of 5,200 meters above sea level and owes its incredible coloration to the richness of minerals that houses its soil, the Winikunka mountains are behind the imposing snowy Ausangate.
A walk through these parts constitutes a very special experience, combining the fact of being at such levels with the enjoyment of an outdoor activity and the contemplation of a visual wonder.
Leaving the city of Cusco, you drive along the Longitudinal race of the Peruvian Sierra del Sur in the direction of the town of Checacupe where you take the fork towards the town of Pitumarca, and from this town you travel the journey through a carrosable trail passing through several rural communities such as Ocefina, Japura, Hanchipacha, until arriving at the community of Pampa Chiri, where the road ends and the 5km walk begins approximately until the Vinincunca pass. where you can see the Natural Formation in the shape of a Rainbow, considered the Mountain of Colors.

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AUSANGATE RAINBOW MOUNTAIN

Rainbow Mountain hike 2 Days is new route which includes a part of the Ausangate route, it is an adventure that will take your breath away constantly. With a combination of wild mountain landscapes, glaciated peaks, rushing rivers and challenging mountain passes, everything seeming untouched and undiscovered.
- PRIVATE TRANSPORT:
• $225 p/p (Mínimo 2 pax)
• $200 p/p (Mínimo 3 pax)
• $180 p/p (Mínimo 4 pax)
• $150 p/p (Mínimo 5 pax)
- SHARED TRANSPORTATION:
• $160 p/p (Mínimo 2 pax)
• $130 p/p (Mínimo 3 pax)
• $110 p/p (Mínimo 4 pax)
• $80 p/p (Mínimo 5 pax)

DAY 1: CUSCO - CHECACUPE - QUESIUNO - AUSANGATE LAGOON
PICK-UP TIMES IN LODGINGS:
• Private Transportation: 06:00 A.M.
• Shared Transportation: 03:00 A.M - 4:00 A.M.
Our adventure begins around 03:00 AM to 6:00 AM (Depending on the service you have hired), picking it up at your respective lodging and then heading to the picturesque town of "Checacupe" where you will receive a nutritious and energizing breakfast (08:00 AM-09: 00 AM approx.); later we will visit two very important places within the history and culture of "Checacupe", one of them is the "COLONIAL BRIDGE OF CHECACUPE", built in the XVII century, its structure is lime and singing, it makes the shape of a semicircular arch , mounted on its solid walls of natural rocks. The bridge is located on the river Ausangate or Pitumayu; adjacent to the bridge you can see the foundations of an Inca bridge, and another one of rails from the time of the republic. This bridge fulfilled its function for many years giving way to the first coal engines that arrived from Arequipa to Cusco; Then we will go to the "CHECACUPE TEMPLE", its construction dates from the sixteenth century, until the early eighteenth century. Its adobe walls were decorated internally with almost entirely murals which have themes such as the face of the Immaculate Virgin considered as the oldest painting in Cusco.
After visiting these two important buildings of the town, we will go to the town of "QUESIUNO", town that is in the midst of multicolored landscapes, mountains, snow and Andean animals such as llamas and alpacas, to start our journey to the lagoons that are around the majestic "APU AUSANGATE" (10:00 to 10:30 AM approx.), after about seven kilometers of walk from the town of quesiuno, we will visit our first lagoon where we will be around an hour to enjoy the landscape, the majesty of the mountains and our delicious lunch prepared by our chef. At the end of our meal, we will walk approximately four kilometers more, enjoying the landscape, lagoons, colors and surroundings to reach our base camp, where we will have free time, we will have dinner and spend the night, to rest and recover energy for the next day .DAY 2: AUSANGATE LAGOON - RAINBOW MOUNTAIN - QUESIUNO - CUSCO
Very early in the morning (05:00 AM) we will get up and prepare for our nutritious breakfast (06:00 AM) and begin our adventure towards the wonderful "MONTAÑA DE COLORES", step of 5,029 meters above sea level, where you can see beautiful landscapes , lagoons where South American camelids (alpacas, llamas and vicuñas) and other species of mammals such as pumas, Andean birds, condor etc. The place
Called Montaña VININCUNCA, it is from where you can observe the wonderful colorado hill with the sunrise shows its best impressive valley and colored hills of magical colors that only exists in this place of Peru. Around you can see mountains like Apu Sarinini and "Montaña Ausangate", with a height of 6,372 m.s.n.m. being one of the highest in Cusco. In the Inca mythology of this mountain and the nearby lakes - among which Sivinacocha stands out, from where the masculine energy that fertilizes the sacred earth mother Pachamama is born.
We will be visiting the Mountain of Colors approximately 30 minutes, in which our guide will give us a small explanation of their surroundings and take some pictures of this wonderful landscape. After this wonderful experience, we will begin our descent (2 hrs and 30 min approximately) to the town of quesiuno, observing the wonderful landscape it offers us and the small towns that are there and live in this wonderful valley, upon arrival we will receive our exquisite lunch buffet, which consists of typical Peruvian food, then pack and return to Cusco around 19:00 hrs. approximately.

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VINICUNCA MOUNTAIN

You saw it in many photographs and videos and it does not leave your mind. You are already checking the calendar to know when you will be walking to the RAINBOW MOUNTAIN in Peru. The question of when is the best time to visit Rainbow Mountain is in your head, and our travel experts answer it.

Are you ready for the adventure of the Vinicunca mountain?
The Vinicunca mountain, better known as the Rainbow Mountain or the 7 Color Mountain is a hidden jewel among the southern highlands of Peru. The landscape of the mountain is dominated by strata of different minerals of different colors that make it look like a rainbow.
Hundreds of people from all over the world come looking to appreciate with their own eyes this beauty of nature and have a day full of adventures in a new destination.
The best time to visit the Rainbow Mountain
The climate of the Peruvian highlands is divided into two: the rainy season and the dry season.
During the rainy season, the sky is cloudy and usually snows more frequently. This season goes from December to March.
The dry season, which runs from April to November, shows a landscape illuminated by a radiant sun that highlights the different colors in the Vinicunca mountain.
We recommend the best time to visit the mountain during the months of June and August because the months with less rain. Of course, it will be necessary to carry in the backpack for the walk of the Montaña Arcoiris items such as sun block or a hat to protect against solar radiation.

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RAINBOW MOUNTAIN TOUR

CUSCO - HANCHILLPACHA - RAINBOW MOUNTAIN

Schedule I pick up in Lodgings:
• Private Transportation: 03:00 A.M.
• Shared Transportation: 04:30 A.M - 05:00 A.M
Our adventure begins around 04:30 AM - 05:00 AM (Depending on the service you hired there), picking it up at your respective lodging, to go from Cusco to the town of "Hanchillpacha" (2 hrs. And 30 min. Approx.), Where our restaurant is located, in which you can enjoy our nutritious and energizing breakfast before starting the tour, after this we will get on the car to enter about 25 min. Approximately, and start preparing for the adventure.
We will arrive at the control point and begin our walk, it will be approximately 6 kilometers approximately (2 hrs and 30 min.) To visit the wonderful "Mountain of colors", we will be there approximately 30 minutes, for a brief explanation and to take photographs, to Then return by the same route and get on our transport, which will take us back to our restaurant to enjoy a delicious buffet lunch, which consists of typical Peruvian food.
We will be returning to cusco (Private and Shared Service), between 17:30 hrs. at 7:00 p.m., leaving them in the case of private service at your hotel and if it is a shared service in the Plaza Regocijos.

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RAINBOW MOUNTAIN HIKE

RAINBOW MOUNTAIN PHOTO

DAY 1: CUSCO - CHECACUPE - QUESIUNO - AUSANGATE LAGOON
Our adventure begins around 03:00 AM to 6:00 AM (Depending on the service you have hired), picking it up at your respective lodging and then heading to the picturesque town of "Checacupe" where you will receive a nutritious and energizing breakfast (08:00 AM-09: 00 AM approx.); later we will visit two very important places within the history and culture of "Checacupe", one of them is the "COLONIAL BRIDGE OF CHECACUPE", built in the XVII century, its structure is lime and singing, it makes the shape of a semicircular arch , mounted on its solid walls of natural rocks. The bridge is located on the river Ausangate or Pitumayu; adjacent to the bridge you can see the foundations of an Inca bridge, and another one of rails from the time of the republic. This bridge fulfilled its function for many years giving way to the first coal engines that arrived from Arequipa to Cusco; Then we will go to the "CHECACUPE TEMPLE", its construction dates from the sixteenth century, until the early eighteenth century. Its adobe walls were decorated internally with almost entirely murals which have themes such as the face of the Immaculate Virgin considered as the oldest painting in Cusco.
After visiting these two important buildings of the town, we will go to the town of "QUESIUNO", town that is in the midst of multicolored landscapes, mountains, snow and Andean animals such as llamas and alpacas, to start our journey to the lagoons that are around the majestic "APU AUSANGATE" (10:00 to 10:30 AM approx.), after about seven kilometers of walk from the town of quesiuno, we will visit our first lagoon where we will be around an hour to enjoy the landscape, the majesty of the mountains and our delicious lunch prepared by our chef. At the end of our meal, we will walk approximately four kilometers more, enjoying the landscape, lagoons, colors and surroundings to reach our base camp, where we will have free time, we will have dinner and spend the night, to rest and recover energy for the next day .
DAY 2: AUSANGATE LAGOON - RAINBOW MOUNTAIN - QUESIUNO - CUSCO
Very early in the morning (05:00 AM) we will get up and prepare for our nutritious breakfast (06:00 AM) and begin our adventure towards the wonderful "MONTAÑA DE COLORES", step of 5,029 meters above sea level, where you can see beautiful landscapes , lagoons where South American camelids (alpacas, llamas and vicuñas) and other species of mammals such as pumas, Andean birds, condor etc. The place
Called Montaña VININCUNCA, it is from where you can observe the wonderful colorado hill with the sunrise shows its best impressive valley and colored hills of magical colors that only exists in this place of Peru. Around you can see mountains like Apu Sarinini and "Montaña Ausangate", with a height of 6,372 m.s.n.m. being one of the highest in Cusco. In the Inca mythology of this mountain and the nearby lakes - among which Sivinacocha stands out, from where the masculine energy that fertilizes the sacred earth mother Pachamama is born.
We will be visiting the Mountain of Colors approximately 30 minutes, in which our guide will give us a small explanation of their surroundings and take some pictures of this wonderful landscape. After this wonderful experience, we will begin our descent (2 hrs and 30 min approximately) to the town of quesiuno, observing the wonderful landscape it offers us and the small towns that are there and live in this wonderful valley, upon arrival we will receive our exquisite lunch buffet, which consists of typical Peruvian food, then pack and return to Cusco around 19:00 hrs. approximately.

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