Rainbow Mountain - One Day Tour

The Rainbow Mountain is part of the amazing landscape that native people hike during the local pilgrimage to the Ausangate Mountain called Q'olloriti.
 
A month before the Winter Solstice, during the last week of May, the Pleiadian stars disappear from view because of the earth orbit. Upon its return, there is renewal and rebirthing and it is time for prayer and to manifest one's dreams.
 
For the Incas, this was a very important celestial event, a gift from the Gods that has continued through centuries until actual times. Thousands of people from all the 4 directions of the Inca Empire travel during this time to honor the Lord of the Stars or Q'oylloriti. The ancient belief tells that our civilization was seeded by our star brothers and sisters, and upon the return of the Pleiadian star lights, humanity will be activated into luminous beings, making this moment the biggest celestial transformational event. 
 
People wait for a week up in the Sinacara Valley at the foot of the Ausangate for the Pleiadian starlights to return. This is a spectacular gathering, a great celebration as the Ausangate glacier captures the first energy of the stars initiating a birthing cycle. This light/energy is a blessing for the Inca descent as it should awaken all the seeds, including the human seeds.
 
The messengers of many Andean villages called the Ukukus climb to the top of the Ausangate mountain, one of the highest of the region of Cusco in their quest to get a big chunk of the energized ice, which later on will become their holy water to be put in good used for the blessings of the seeds.
 
Shaman Don Fernando
Don Fernando will guide this 1-day excursion. As a local shaman from Pisac Don Fernando has a lot of experience bringing groups to many places in the Cusco region. 
The Rainbow Mountain, also known as Vinicunca is a majestic mountain at the foot of the Ausangate Peak, 5,200 meters above sea level in the Andean mountain range. Nowadays it has become a mandatory stop for all the travelers, who arrive in the city of Cusco. Travelers enjoy the coloration and the spectacular landscape that surrounds it. This new attraction in the tourist route has been cataloged by the NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC " magazine as one of the 100 places we must visit before dying".
 
DAY 1. - The saying... 'It's not about the destination but the journey it takes to get there" , becomes obsolete for this excursion as both the journey and the destination are full with mesmerizing vistas of wonderful, pristine and untouched Landscapes, snowcap mountains, lagoons and rushing streams. During our challenging hike, we will have the opportunity to view vicunas, llamas, alpacas, chinchillas and sometimes pumas and condors.
 
   ITINERARY:
3:00 am. Pick up from your hotel in the City of Cusco and departure to Pitumarca Town, average 3-hour trip.
6:00 am Breakfast (Pitumarca Town)
After breakfast, we continue the journey to the starting point 40 minutes away.
7:20 am Start the walk to the Rainbow Mountain.
On the way, you will enjoy landscapes full of flora and fauna.
Duration: between 3 to 4 hours on average to arrive at the “Rainbow Mountain”.
9:45 am We will arrive at the “Rainbow Mountain”.
10:20 am Downhill to the starting point.
12:45 pm Lunch in Pitumarca town.
14:00 pm Van from Pitumarca to Cusco City yo your hotel.
18:00 pm Arrive in Cusco city (Drop off at your hotel – Private service).
     
     SUMMARY
Walking Distance: 10km/ 6.21miles
Duration: Day Trip
Pick up: 3:00 am from your hotel
Altitude Gain: Above 700 meters /2,298 feet
dropped off: 06:00 pm roughly in your hotel
The starting point of the hike: 4350m (14,271ft)
Maximum Altitude: 5045m (16,500ft)
Difficulty: moderate/difficult depending on health and age.
Hiking time: 5 hours roughly
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch (Plus Snack)​
 
     HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
This day trip to the Rainbow Mountain is very challenging, therefore, you should be fit and in good physical condition. If this is your first time here in Cusco we highly recommend renting a horse.
 
Before coming to the Rainbow Mountain you need to acclimate at least for a minimal of 3 days in Cusco. You will hike over 4,300m (14,100ft), with an elevation gain of 715m (2,260ft). This hike is difficult because of altitude.
Rental .