Sometimes Mother Nature produces a display of color so vibrant and varied that it seems almost impossible it could have occurred naturally. However, when your eyes fall upon the beauty of the Rainbow Mountains (known locally as Vinicunca) and the Red Valley of Peru, you are literally beholding millions of years of geological history and a natural wonder rarely seen anywhere else on Earth.
By far, the best way to experience the breathtaking views of Vinicunca is via the Cusipata Trail. This challenging yet spectacular trail winds through remote Andean villages with their beautiful adobe houses, passes herds of wild llamas grazing on the mountainside, and continually rewards you with views of the magnificent Ausangate Glacier. At over 6,300 m (20,900 ft), this is the highest mountain in the Cusco region, and local Peruvians consider it a sacred mountain (or mountain spirit). Ausangate is the deity of Cusco and has been a place of worship and offerings since pre-Incan times, a tradition that continues to this day.
Most trips that offer such unparalleled access to the Rainbow Mountains require a multi-day trek, but we’ve changed that with this itinerary; designing a spectacular, yet challenging, hike that can be done as a day trip from Cusco. With its uninterrupted beauty and solitude, this is a trip for hikers who love a true outdoor adventure but have a busy schedule. So why not let us take you on an inspiring and memorable journey to one of Mother Nature’s true wonders?

Day 1: ITINERARY

To make the most of our time on the trail and at the rainbow mountain, our day will start before dawn. Collecting you from your Cusco hotel at around 4:00am we make a 3-hour drive through the South Valley to the trail head at Llacto(4,638m / 15,216 ft). Our transportation is comfortable though, and we provide blankets for those who want to take the opportunity for a little more sleep. Upon reaching the Cusipata village (3,300m/10,826ft), we provide a full continental breakfast, perfect fuel for the hiking ahead. Our trek beings along a meandering path in the foothills of the magnificent Andes. As dawn continues to break around us, the surrounding herds of Alpacas and Llamas will be waking too and our paths often cross along the way. The whole area is home to many Fincas (local farms) and there will be opportunities to see traditional Quechua people working the land as they have generations. The surrounding forests are home to some unique fauna and we may see Chinchillas or even Vicunas (a non-domesticated relative of the llama family found only in Peru) so make sure you have your cameras ready. As if all that wasn’t enough, the striking colours of the red mountains are all around us, and provide a spectacular backdrop for this portion of the hike. After making a challenging ascent for around 1 hour and a half we reach the magnificent Rainbow Mountain of Vinicunca (5,020 m / 16,466 ft). ¡No photoshop or Instagram filters are required here! This awesome display of colour is 100% natural, and completely breathtaking. Taking our time at the summit to take pictures, explore the area or just take in the spectacular views we then make a short 15-minute walk to the Red Valley lookout point, a tranquil and beautiful spot amongst the crimson rocks that has magnificent views across the valley. Your guide will let you know when it is time to return, and we hike downhill the way we came for around 1 hour. In a sense though this is an altogether different hike as we take in the views that were behind us on our ascent. Reaching the trailhead we drive 40 minutes to a local restaurant at Cusipata village where a delicious lunch will be waiting for us. Finally it’s just a 2 hour and a half drive back to Cusco. We drop you off at your Cusco hotel around 4pm, weary but with incredible memories of a very unique day. • Meals: Breakfast / Lunch • Lowest Elevation: 4,638 m / 15,216 ft • Highest Elevation: 5,020 m / 16,466 ft • Distance to walk: 8 km / 4.97 miles • Approximate walking time: 2 hours (1 hour up; 1 hour down) • Level of Difficulty: Challenging

The Trip Cost Includes

• • Professional Bilingual English speaking tour guide (additional tour guide for groups of nine people or more)
• • Pick up from your hotel and transportation to Llacto (trailhead)
• • Return transportation from Llacto to your Cusco hotel
• • Entrance fee to the rainbow mountain
• • One breakfast, one lunch in a local restaurant in Cusipata
• • Emergency oxygen bottle and medical kit
• • Trekking poles.

The Trip Cost Excludes

• • Emergency horse and horseman
• • Tips
• • Travel /Health/Emergency Insurance

How fit do I need to be to do this trek?

Annapurna Base Camp is a Grade B or a moderately difficult trekking route. So any fit person can do this trek, even if you do not have any previous experience. You should be aware of what to expect and mentally prepare for it. Then, as long as you will to, you can.

How long do we walk every day when doing Annapurna Base Camp trekking?

On average, you walk about 4 to 6 hours per day. One or two days can be as less as 3hrs and one or two days can be as long as 7hrs.

What is the highest altitude reached in this trek?

The highest altitude reached is 4190m. This is the elevation of Annapurna Base Camp. ABC is the highest we will climb in this trek.

What about battery charging and hot shower facilities?

Yes, you can charge batteries en route. Charger should be brought. There are hot shower facilities as well. You may have to pay certain amount for both ($1-$2). Negotiate. Also, hot water facility could be free at lower elevation.

Are there ATMs on the way to Annapurna Base Camp?

No. There are no ATMs on this trek route. You will have to draw enough cash in Pokhara or Kathmandu. There are a number of ATMs in these cities. Everything is paid in Nepali rupees. So money should be exchanged before the start of the trek.

What about internet access?

Yes. Internet can be accessed in most places. Sometimes, there might be some technical problems. Internet in Nepal is not as fast as you are used to and at times you can just lose connection.

Is it necessary to hire Guides/trekking agency for Annapurna Base Camp trekking?

Not really. It depends on you. If you want, ABC trekking can be done independently. You could hire a guide and a porter by yourself instead of going through an agency or not hire a guide at all. Although, not having a guide can be a little problematic during off season.

It really depends on you. Is it your first time in Nepal? How confident are you of being able to find your way around? How pressed on time are you? If you go through an agency, it will be costlier but everything will be planned. You will only have to come, trek and return.

How much do guides and porters cost?

For Annapurna region, pay for guides range from $20 to $30 per day and porters take $15 to $25 per day.