Ausangate to Rainbow Mountain 2D/1N

It is a challenging to demanding hike. The terrain is uneven and you walk at high altitude (over 4,300 m.a.s.l. up to 5,200 m.a.s.l.). Good physical condition, endurance, and above all, excellent prior acclimatization are required.

We strictly recommend spending at least 2 or 3 full days in the city of Cusco (3,400 m.a.s.l.) or in the Sacred Valley before starting the trek. During these days, you can do light tours, stay hydrated, and avoid heavy meals so that your body adapts to the altitude.

The highest point of the entire route is the main viewpoint of the Mountain of 7 Colors (Vinicunca), which is located at 5,200 meters above sea level (17,060 feet). The base camp of the first night is usually around 4,300 m.a.s.l.

Safety is our priority. Our guides are highly trained in wilderness first aid and always carry a complete first aid kit and a medical oxygen cylinder. If the symptoms are severe, we have immediate evacuation protocols.

On the first day, an average of 10 to 12 km is walked (approximately 5 to 6 hours) exploring the lagoons and slopes of the Ausangate snow-capped mountain. On the second day, the hike is about 6 to 8 km (4 to 5 hours) to reach Rainbow Mountain and then descend to the transport.

The tour includes 1 breakfast, 2 lunches, and 1 dinner, all prepared on the route by our expert cooks. The meals are nutritious and energetic, designed for the effort at altitude.

Yes, we offer vegetarian, vegan, or adapted options for food intolerances (such as gluten allergies) at no additional cost. You just need to inform us of your restrictions at the time of booking.

No. We have pack horses and muleteers who will take care of transporting all the camping equipment, food, and a duffel bag with up to 5 kg of your personal belongings. You will only have to walk with a small daypack with your essential items.

Due to the remote area of Ausangate, there is no shower infrastructure. However, we provide portable ecological toilet tents for exclusive use by our group at the camps, guaranteeing privacy and care for the environment.

The tour starts very early, picking you up at your hotel between 4:00 and 4:30 AM on the first day. The return to Cusco is scheduled for the second day around 5:00 to 6:00 PM, dropping you off near the Plaza de Armas or at your hotel.

Yes, the tour price includes all the entrance tickets required by the local communities both for the Ausangate circuit and for access to Rainbow Mountain (Vinicunca). You will not have to make additional payments on the route for this concept.

The best season is during the dry season in the Andes, which runs from April to November. During these months, the days are usually sunny and offer spectacular and clear views, although the nights are considerably colder.

Being camping near a glacier at over 4,000 m.a.s.l., nighttime temperatures drop drastically, potentially reaching -5°C or even -10°C (23°F to 14°F). It is mandatory to have a sleeping bag for extreme temperatures (which you can rent from us if you don't have one) and appropriate thermal clothing.

You should dress in layers. We recommend: thermal base layer, comfortable trekking pants, a warm fleece, a down jacket or windbreaker/waterproof jacket, wool hat, gloves, thick socks, and already broken-in waterproof trekking boots.

In your daypack you should carry: at least 2 liters of water (or a Camelbak), high-factor sunscreen, UV-protection sunglasses, rain poncho, toilet paper, hand sanitizer, personal snacks (chocolates, nuts), camera, and extra batteries (the cold drains them quickly).

All briefings are done at our office at 5:00 PM one or two nights before your trek. If you are unable to make this time, you need to coordinate another time with a member of the Xtreme Tourbulencia office team. Briefings are approximately 40 minutes long.

Xtreme Tourbulencia is one of the only companies to pick you up directly from your hotel. As long as your hotel is in the center of Cusco city, we will coordinate this pickup based on a time that your guide will discuss at the briefing. Pick up times may vary 30 – 45 minutes based on traffic conditions and previous pickups.

Cusco is an old city with cobblestoned streets and very narrow passageways. Smaller hotels and Airbnbs are often located on streets that cars can´t pass through.

They also are frequently on hillsides with long steep climbs, making it difficult to carry luggage. We highly recommend that you book accommodations with better access. We have a list of hotels that are all comfortable with easy access to pick up and drop off.

Xtreme Tourbulencia is one of the only companies to pick you up directly from your hotel. As long as your hotel is in the center of Cusco city, we will coordinate this pickup based on a time that your guide will discuss at the briefing. Pick up times may vary 30 – 45 minutes based on traffic conditions and previous pickups.

Cusco is an old city with cobblestoned streets and very narrow passageways. Smaller hotels and Airbnbs are often located on streets that cars can´t pass through.

They also are frequently on hillsides with long steep climbs, making it difficult to carry luggage. We highly recommend that you book accommodations with better access. We have a list of hotels that are all comfortable with easy access to pick up and drop off.

You must be honest with your guide about any health conditions or concerns you might have. While our guides are not medical professionals, they do have first aid training. We also work with a clinic in Cusco that can help assist our team.

You are responsible for assessing whether a tour is suitable for you. You should consult your physician to confirm your fitness for travel and participation in any planned activities. You should seek your physician’s advice on vaccinations and medical precautions.

Xtreme TourBulencia will not provide medical advice. It is your responsibility to assess the risks and requirements of each aspect of the tour based on your unique circumstances, limitations, fitness level, and medical requirements.

If you develop extreme altitude sickness or any other illness that prevents you from hiking, and you still wish to visit Machu Picchu by train, we will work with you to coordinate this trip. Since this will be a new trip, it may require additional fees. We will use as much of the original itinerary to keep costs low.

If you experience issues while hiking and can not continue, a porter will accompany you to the closest road and wait while a car comes to pick you up and bring you to the nearest health clinic.

Group tours are made up of all different types of people, with various hiking skills and ages. By agreeing to a group tour, you agree that some people might be slower or faster than you are.

Everyone can go at their own pace for the trek, and the guide will work with the group to spend time with everyone. Groups might request some modifications to the tour, and the guide will work with everyone to make the best decision for the group.

Unfortunately, strikes are frequent in Peru and can disrupt our tours. Roads are often blocked, and trains stopped. We will make sure your trek continues as planned, even if that means leaving the night before your start date.

Under these circumstances, tours might need to be canceled. But our operations department will coordinate with you in this situation. Your safety is always our top concern and will dictate how we decide.

You are responsible for your items throughout the tour. Please be diligent about where you leave your things and remember to remove all items from our vans, your tents, restaurant, etc.

Do not leave anything unintended during your hike. Other trekkers or teams might pick it up not knowing whose it is.

Tipping is part of the tradition of any trek to Machu Picchu. While we pay good wages to our entire team, anything extra is always appreciated. Please know that this is not obligatory and that you should never feel pressured into this.

Typically the participants in a group pool their tipping money together for the porters and chef. The amount recommended is $20 USD per person per trek.

For the guide, this is more personal and needs to be decided based on your relationship with them and done separately from the group. Porters and Chefs prefer soles if possible. Guides are happy with U.S. dollars, Peruvian Soles, or even your credit card.

Travel insurance is inexpensive and strongly recommended. With trips being planned months ahead of time, you never can predict what could happen. Adventure travel includes more risk than the average trip.

Insurance is a way to protect the investment you have made on this journey. We can help recommend an agent to walk you through this type of insurance if needed.

Of course, the weather is unpredictable. Typically the dry season in Cusco is from April through October, but this does not stop rain from falling in June or the sun from coming out in December so just be prepared.

No matter what month you are doing the trek, make sure that you have rain gear that includes a waterproof jacket, pants, poncho, and waterproof gloves. Many people forget about gloves, but being cold and wet makes hiking very unpleasant.

Also, prepare for four seasons. Several of the treks through the Andes involve various microclimates and you will need to be prepared. Layers are always key since they are easy to adjust to different temperature changes. Be prepared with a warm packable down jacket since the evening will be cold.

It’s also important to note that the weather can change a listed itinerary. There are times that routes become impassable, and our guides will be forced for your safety to rework your tour.

At high altitudes, the air contains less oxygen, forcing your body to work harder. Over a few days, your system naturally adjusts, which is why spending at least two full days acclimating in Cusco before any trek is essential.

a) Symptoms & Warning Signs

Altitude sickness often feels like a hangover or the flu. Common mild symptoms include headache, fatigue, dizziness, loss of appetite, nausea, and mild shortness of breath during exertion. If symptoms become severe, alert your guide immediately so they can assist you or connect you with medical care.

b) Essential Prevention Tips

• Hydrate Strategically: Drink plenty of water and traditional coca tea, which naturally helps oxygenate your blood.
• Substances to Avoid: Limit alcohol, coffee, smoking, and sleeping pills, as they cause dehydration, reduce oxygen intake, or slow nocturnal breathing.
• Pace Yourself: Trekking is not a race. Walk slowly and steadily to allow your body to continuously adapt to the elevation.
• Preventative Medication: Consult your doctor about medications like acetazolamide (Diamox) to start two days before arriving at high altitude.

Relax, take activities at an easy pace, stay well-hydrated, and immediately notify your guide if you start feeling unwell.

The airport in Cusco currently is only for domestic flights, so all international travelers by plane must disembark in Lima and go through Customs. Even if your flight to Cusco is the same day by the same airline carrier, you must grab your bags in Lima and then check them back in.

The best way to get to Cusco is by air, and there are several options in airlines. LATAM tends to be the most expensive but has the most options and flights. Expect delays or flight cancellations. Due to the high altitude of Cusco, it tends to be difficult to land, and any inclement weather will stop air traffic.

Bus travel is always available, and while the trip can be long, especially from Lima, the buses in Peru are very well maintained and comfortable. This option is strongly encouraged if coming from a city closer to Cusco, like Puno. Lima buses will take about 20 hours to arrive.