It’s important to note that this route is less demanding than the traditional trail via Pitumarca and Kayrawiry. We’ll pick you up from your hotel in Cusco at 3:30 AM to start our journey southeast through Cusipata (3339 m.a.s.l.) and then on to the village of Llactoc.
Here, you will begin your hike, passing herds of alpacas and llamas, as well as native Andean flora. The hike lasts approximately 2.5 hours and offers stunning views of snow-capped mountains and colorful landscapes along the way.
Once at the summit of Rainbow Mountain (Vinicunca), you’ll have about an hour to take in the breathtaking scenery and snap some unforgettable photos. Then we’ll descend for about 1.5 hours back to Llactoc, where our transport awaits.
We’ll drive back to Cusipata for a delicious traditional lunch, and then return to Cusco, arriving around 5:00 PM.
- Meals: Breakfast and lunch included
- Excursion: Rainbow Mountain (Vinicunca) – Approx. 2.5 hr hike up
- Altitude: Up to 5200 m.a.s.l. (17,060 ft)
- Difficulty: Moderate
Included
- Round-trip transportation from your hotel in Cusco to the starting point of the hike.
- Bilingual guide (Spanish/English).
- Basic breakfast and traditional lunch.
- Entrance ticket to Vinicunca Mountain (Rainbow Mountain).
- Permanent assistance during the tour.
Not included
- Horse rental.
- Trekking poles.
We recommend arriving in Cusco at least 1 day before the start of your adventure to acclimatize to the altitude.
What to Bring
- Water bottle
- Windbreaker jacket
- Warm clothes, waterproof jacket, rain poncho
- Hiking shoes
- Sunglasses and hat
- Sunscreen
If the tour is canceled due to weather conditions, do I get a refund?
Tour cancellations due to bad weather conditions are not refundable, as they are factors beyond our control.
If my tour is canceled, is the Machu Picchu entrance fee refundable?
According to the latest policy updates from the Decentralized Directorate of Culture of Cusco (DDC), all entrance tickets to Machu Picchu are personal. Therefore, tickets purchased for Machu Picchu are non-reschedulable, non-transferable to another date and/or person, and non-refundable.
For the train trip to Machu Picchu, what should I do with my luggage? Should I leave it at the hotel or take it with me?
The train company that takes you to Machu Picchu does not allow luggage over 5 kg. This means that most people bring a smaller backpack for the day in Aguas Calientes and Machu Picchu. If you’re unsure where your larger luggage will stay during this time, you can leave it at your hotel’s storage in Cusco at no extra cost.
Can I choose my seat number on the train?
Peru Rail and Inca Rail, the companies that operate train services to Machu Picchu, do not allow seat selection. Seat assignments are automatically made by the company’s system.
Which train do you recommend to Machu Picchu: EXPEDITION or VISTADOME?
We generally recommend booking the Expedition/Voyager train for the outbound journey and the panoramic Vistadome/360° train for the return trip. This is mainly because the outbound trains only have early departures, which would mean missing the guided visit to the Ollantaytambo archaeological site.
Is Yellow Fever vaccination mandatory?
The Yellow Fever vaccine is not mandatory for travelers visiting Peru, at least not for those exploring the cultural regions. However, it is an additional precaution, especially since Peru is a tropical country—recommended particularly for trips to the Amazon rainforest.
Is travel insurance mandatory?
Travel insurance is not mandatory, but it is extremely important—especially for tourists planning to visit Peru.
Electrical outlets and voltage in Peru
The standard voltage in Peru is 230 volts. However, some hotels have outlets with 110 volts, in which case there are transformers that reduce the voltage.
What is the best currency to use in Peru, dollars or soles, and where should I exchange?
Most establishments accept payments in both US dollars and soles (Peru’s currency), making these the most commonly used currencies in the country. Ideally, you should carry some US dollars and a smaller amount of soles for purchases at craft markets, for example. It is recommended to bring US dollars and exchange them in Peru at reliable exchange houses recommended by your travel agency.
What is the weather like in Peru?
The country’s climate is divided into two main seasons: rainy and dry.
The rainy season lasts from November to the end of March, while the dry season runs from April to October. In the Cusco and Machu Picchu region, temperatures vary greatly, but typically the maximum reaches around 24°C (75°F) and the minimum can drop close to 0°C (32°F).
In the Lima region, located on the Peruvian coast, temperatures are higher and range between 12°C (54°F) and 35°C (95°F).
PAYMENT METHODS
The agency requests a 50% deposit of the total cost of the services to be contracted. This deposit can be made through authorized payment systems. The client must pay the balance 15 days prior to arrival in Peru.
All reservation requests will be responded to via the same means within 48 hours at the latest. If you do not receive a response within the indicated timeframe, please contact our phone numbers: +51 989 781698 – +51 958 383038.
OPTION A: BANK TRANSFER
If you want to use this option, remember to increase the deposit amount by $24. This is the fee our bank requires for each transfer.
Account in dollars:
Payments must be made to the following bank account in Lima, PERU:
Name: PERU CREDIT BANK – MIRAFLORES AGENCY
Address: Larco Avenue # 611 MIRAFLORES, LIMA – PERU
Telephone: (+51) 3119898
Account number: 285-90887840-1-63
CCI: 00228519088784016350
Account name: PERU INKAS TOP SAC
SWIFT code: BCPLPEPL
OPTION B: CARD PAYMENTS
We accept all major credit cards: Visa, MasterCard, Diners Club, and American Express. A 3% surcharge will be applied to the final tour amount for credit card payments. A payment link will be issued via We Travel through one of our representatives, allowing you to make the payment securely.
OPTION C: TRANSFER BY WESTERN UNION
With Western Union, you can quickly send and receive money between any agent or branch worldwide. Be sure to request the To Send Money form; send money in US dollars.
Western Union has offices internationally and also online at www.westernunion.com.
If using this method, please send an email confirming the deposit and the Western Union transaction number.
Beneficiary: Jose Luis Naivares Mamani
Address: General Collanta Q-2
Department: Cuzco
Province: Cuzco
District: Cuzco
Telephone: 913851073
Document Type: DNI
Document Number: 70418002
