Rainbow Mountain Vinicunca

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.

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.

More Information About the Weather

When traveling to Cusco, altitude sickness (soroche) is a factor to consider due to the region's high elevation. Since the air contains less oxygen, your body needs time to acclimatize. To ensure a pleasant experience, we recommend spending two days resting in the city before embarking on any tour, whether it involves sightseeing or hiking. Stay hydrated, drink the traditional coca infusion, and move at a leisurely pace; our expert guides will accompany and assist you at every stage of the journey.

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.

The hike itself is considered moderate in terms of terrain, as the trail is relatively gradual without steep climbing sections. However, due to the extreme high altitude, it can feel challenging. Taking slow, steady steps and staying hydrated will make the trek manageable for anyone with a basic level of fitness.

The summit viewpoint sits at 5,020 meters (16,470 feet) above sea level. The trailhead at Phullawasipata starts at approximately 4,600 meters (15,090 feet).

The hike from the parking area to the main viewpoint takes approximately 1.5 to 2 hours uphill, depending on your pace. The return walk downhill back to the transport takes around 1 to 1.5 hours. The total round-trip distance is about 7 km (4.3 miles).

We strongly recommend spending at least 2 full days (48 hours) in Cusco or the Sacred Valley prior to this tour. Rainbow Mountain is one of the highest-altitude day trips in Peru, so proper acclimatization is essential to prevent altitude sickness (soroche).

Yes. Local community members offer horse rentals at the start of the trail and along the route. The cost ranges between 80 to 100 Peruvian Soles (cash only) each way. Please note that horses are led by local handlers and can take you up to about 10–15 minutes below the final stairs to the viewpoint.

Hotel pick-ups in Cusco usually start early in the morning between 4:00 AM and 4:30 AM. You will return to Cusco around 4:00 PM to 4:30 PM, making it a full 12-hour day trip.

High-altitude weather in the Andes is unpredictable and can change rapidly. Mornings can be very cold and windy (around 0°C to 5°C / 32°F–41°F). By mid-day, intense sunlight can warm temperatures up to 15°C (59°F). Rain, snow, or hail can occur at any time, especially during the wet season (December to March).

The best time to visit is during the dry season (April to October) when skies are generally clear and sunny. The peak months are June, July, and August. During the rainy season (November to March), the colors may be covered by snow or clouds, though clear days still happen.

Yes. The tour includes a wholesome breakfast and a buffet lunch featuring local Peruvian cuisine served at a comfortable restaurant in Cusipata. Vegetarian, vegan, and special dietary options are available upon request.

Restrooms are available at the restaurant in Cusipata, at the parking area/trailhead (Phullawasipata), and at basic rustic stops along the hiking trail (managed by local community members, requiring a small cash fee of 1 to 2 Soles).

We recommend dressing in warm layers (thermal base layer, fleece jacket, wind/waterproof jacket). Bring a warm beanie, gloves, sturdy hiking shoes, high-SPF sunscreen, sunglasses, a rain poncho, a reusable water bottle, and local cash (Soles) for tips, entrance fees, or horse rentals.

Our professional guides are fully certified in high-mountain safety and first aid. They carry a first aid kit and an emergency medical oxygen tank at all times. If you feel severe discomfort, the guide will assist you in resting or descending to a lower altitude safely.

Children above 8 years old who are accustomed to walking and active outdoor activities can participate. Seniors in good physical health and properly acclimatized can also enjoy the hike. However, this tour is not recommended for pregnant women or individuals with severe cardiovascular or respiratory conditions.

Most classic tours require purchasing the entrance ticket at the community checkpoint in Cusipata (approx. 25–30 Peruvian Soles per person, in cash). Please check your booking details to confirm whether your specific package includes pre-paid admission.

The Cusipata route is currently the most popular, safest, and most direct access road to Vinicunca. It offers a shorter overall hiking distance, paved road access for most of the drive, better restaurant infrastructure, and scenic views throughout the trail.