5-Day Luxury Rainbow Mountain Lodge to Lodge Trek
A five-day breathtaking trek in the Cordillera Vilcanota, on a route we call the "Camino Del Apu Ausangate", the route to the sacred Rainbow Mountain. "Apus", or "sacred mountains" in Quechua, are the bearers of life and the guardians of some of the most pristine alpine ecosystems in the world. Ausangate, the Rainbow Mountain, is, without a doubt, one of the most stunning peaks you will ever behold and the journey there is a trip of a lifetime.
On your trek you will be accompanied by llamas and horses that will carry our gear. These are owned by shepherds of the community of Chillca who are proud to share their land with us, as well as the spirit of their inspiring world. On our hike and in the unique "Tambos" or Andean Lodges, daily meals will be prepared by experienced chefs who will introduce you to a great variety of delicious Peruvian dishes and produce, and for your entertainment: authentic vernacular music, played by local inhabitants, will liven up some of our evenings at the cozy, candle-lit "tambos."
GROUP DEPARTURES: Every Friday
PRIVATE DEPARTURES: Available upon request
Full Itinerary
DETAILED ITINERARY >>
ITINERARY IN BRIEF >>
Day 1: Cusco - Chillca (LD)
An early departure from Cusco to travel in our comfortable coach bus along the Vilcanota River to visit the temple of Checacupe, then through the upper valley of Pitumarca. At Japura, we'll trek a short distance to Chillca. Community members and local musicians greet us at our first Andean Lodge, sharing their native Andean music as we sip coca tea. Our 8 double rooms have hot showers and full bathrooms. The lodge features tasty, healthy Andean cuisine, such as Alpaca steak, with vegetarian dishes and other dining options available.
Meals included: Lunch, Dinner
Mid-Range Accommodations: Chillca Lodge
Day 2: Chillca Machuracay (BLD)
After breakfast, we trek along the glacier valley of Phinaya, seeing hundreds of alpacas and llamas. On the way to the glaciers at Mt. Santa Catalina, the trail climbs past the breathtaking Pjachaj waterfall. Our picnic lunch awaits us above. Then, surrounded by moraine walls, glaciers and lakes, we walk about 5 hours to Machuracay Lodge. Your bags are carried by llama caravan. At the lodge, we’re met by the native family that manages it.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Mid-Range Accommodations: Machuraccay Lodge
Day 3: Machuracay- Anantapata (BLD)
Today we take on our first mountain pass (16,587 ft./ 5,100 m.) enjoying spectacular panoramic views. Descending alongside the glaciers, we hike to Ausangate Cocha Lake where we’ll have lunch. Here, the landscape shifts dramatically, with red sandstone formations where we’ll see vicuñas and occasional condors. After a great day of hiking we arrive at the third Andean Lodge to relax, take in the splendid views and enjoy a restful night.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Mid-Range Accommodations: Anantapata Lodge
Day 4: Anantapata-Huampococha (BLD)
After breakfast, we hike the trail up to the next mountain pass. Dropping down, we hike past Lake Kayrawiri, surrounded by rugged mountain peaks and the great valley below. Colorful bands of soil adorn the hillsides. Then, we continue on to Laya Grande Hill via massive Glacier del Inca, to encounter the amazing colors of soil strata at Mt. Vinicunca (the world-renowned “Rainbow Mountain”). We have lunch there, with time for photos and a rest stop in this spectacular landscape. On our way to our fourth Andean Lodge we might see hundreds of Andean geese nesting in the cliffs of Anta. Hiking past the flatiron formations of Mt. Apu Labrayani, we arrive at Huampococha Lodge, where we’ll spend the night in comfort.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Mid-Range Accommodations: Huampococha Lodge
Day 5: Huampococha- Cusco, Departure (BL)
We hike up enjoying an outstanding view of the mountains to reach the top of the last pass. It’s an easy downhill from here. We hike past the strange shapes of a Karst limestone rock forest and continue to the end of the trail at Trapiche. There, we have lunch and return by bus to Cusco, reminiscing about the unforgettable experiences we’ve shared in the Andes.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch
Pricing
5-Day Luxury Rainbow Mountain Lodge to Lodge Trek
from $1595 USD
*** Contact Us for other itinerary and lodging options! ***
NOTE: Prices are per person in U.S. dollars based on double/triple occupancy. All quotations are based on the current rates of park fees, VAT, other government taxes, and current exchange rates. Should any of these be increased or a new tax introduced, these increases will be added on even if your trip has already been paid for.
INCLUDES:
- All accommodations per itinerary
- All meals per itinerary (B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner)
- All tours and entrance fees per itinerary (unless listed as excluded)
- All transportation and transfers per itinerary
- General organization.
- Services of expert guides in mountain trekking.
- Private transport to Chillca and back to Cusco.
- Accommodation in double rooms.
- Breakfast and dinner served in the lodges, snacks and lunches served on the way.
- Waterproof bags for the baggage carried by llamas.
- First aid kit and oxygen.
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EXCLUDES:
- International and domestic flights
- Meals not listed
- Beverages and alcohol
- Tips for guides, drivers, hotel staff
- Optional tours
- Single room supplement
- Personal expenses (visas, airport taxes, Internet, etc.)
- Flights to and from Peru / Cusco, or any kind of transport before or after completion of the program
- Travel insurance
- Tipping staff
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