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Rainbow Mountain Trek 2 Days / 1 Night
The Rainbow Mountain Trek 2 Days 1 Night is a guided trekking tour from Cusco that follows a section of the Ausangate mountain range to Vinicunca, also known as Rainbow Mountain.
This multi-day trek provides a structured alternative to the standard one-day Rainbow Mountain tours, allowing travelers to gradually ascend and stay overnight for proper acclimatization.
Throughout your two-day trek, you’ll experience spectacular views, visit indigenous communities, and connect with nature in a way you never have before. The trek follows the Ausangate route over two days, offering a paced itinerary with an overnight camp and early access to Rainbow Mountain.
The overnight camp allows proper acclimatization and ensures a paced ascent for safety. This guided tour includes transportation from Cusco, professional guides, camping equipment, and meals.
The route is designed for travelers seeking a multi-day trekking experience along the Ausangate route, combining accessibility with authenticity.
The Rainbow Mountain Trek 2 Days 1 Night from Cusco follows the Ausangate route to Vinicunca (Rainbow Mountain), combining high-altitude trekking with cultural and natural highlights of the Peruvian Andes. Book the Rainbow Mountain Trek 2 Days 1 Night now to secure your spot on this guided multi-day trekking tour along the Ausangate route, designed for travelers seeking an authentic Andean high-altitude adventure. This morning, depart from Cusco and head to Quesiuno, where the trek begins. Hike through scenic Andean valleys, pass local communities, and spot alpacas along the way. Reach the first high-altitude pass, Puccacocha Pass, offering stunning views of Ausangate Mountain and its glacier. Spend the night at Ananta Camp, surrounded by breathtaking landscapes. Start early to hike to the summit of Rainbow Mountain (Vinicunca), catching the first light of the day over the Rainbow Valley. After enjoying the views, head to the Red Valley for more striking landscapes. Descend to Cusipata for lunch, then board transport back to Cusco, concluding the trek.
We pick you up from your hotel in Cusco at 4:30 am and drive approximately 3 hours to Quesiuno, the starting point of the Rainbow Mountain Trek 2 Days 1 Night via the Ausangate route. Upon arrival, our trekking team prepares the equipment while a hot breakfast is served. Before starting the hike, the guide provides a route briefing, safety instructions, and itinerary details for the trek. The trek begins through a wide Andean valley, where hikers encounter alpacas, local farmers, and open highland landscapes, with Ausangate Mountain visible in the distance. This section of the trail follows a gradual ascent, allowing proper acclimatization before reaching the first mountain pass. The route continues toward Puccacocha Pass, the first high-altitude pass of the Ausangate trek, located near Puccacocha Lake. From this point, trekkers have clear views of Ausangate Mountain and its active glacier, which descends toward the lake below, marking one of the most scenic sections of the day. After crossing the pass, we stop for lunch around midday to rest and prepare for the afternoon hike. The trek then continues to Ananta Camp, the campsite for the night. Upon arrival, the trekking team sets up the dining tent and camping area, allowing time to rest before dinner. In the evening, dinner is served at camp, and travelers can relax after the first day of trekking. Hot coca tea is available at camp to help with altitude adaptation before resting for the night. After an early breakfast at 5:00 am, we begin the day with a hike to the Rainbow Mountain Pass (Vinicunca or Montañas de Colores), the highest point of this 2-day Rainbow Mountain hike at 5,050 m (16,568 ft). This section follows the Ausangate Trek route, allowing early access to the site before most one-day tours arrive. Your professional guide leads the group to the main viewpoints for photographs of Vinicunca, Rainbow Valley, and the surrounding Andean peaks, a highlight of this multi-day trekking tour in the Ausangate range. After visiting Rainbow Mountain, the trek continues with a 30-minute hike to the Red Valley viewpoint, a rarely visited area along the Ausangate to Rainbow Mountain trek, known for its red-toned terrain. The route then descends for approximately 1.5 hours toward Cusipata, where lunch is served, marking the end of the guided Rainbow Mountain hiking tour from Cusco. Private transportation is then provided for the return to Cusco, with drop-off at your hotel or a central location.
The Rainbow Mountain Vinicunca Trek 2 Days 1 Night is a challenging high-altitude trek, so proper preparation is key to ensuring a successful journey. As the trek begins early in the morning, we recommend packing the following essential items:
Permits are required for your selected start date. Tour prices vary based on the group size, ensuring a personalized experience. Prices are valid from March 2026 through January 2027, and all quoted prices are in USD. * We need a minimum of 2 people to run the tour. We guarantee that your tour will be limited to a maximum of 8 people. Important: Price includes up to 6 kilos of your personal belongings to be carried by the mules (NO need of extra Porter hire!). The trek starts with an early morning hotel pickup in Cusco and private transport to Quesiuno, the official starting point along the Ausangate route. From there, the guided hike begins, taking you through valleys and highland landscapes toward Rainbow Mountain, ensuring a smooth and organized start to the two-day trek. Yes, the itinerary follows a section of the Ausangate mountain range using established trekking trails that connect remote valleys with Rainbow Mountain (Vinicunca). This route passes glacier lakes, indigenous villages, and panoramic Andean peaks, providing a multi-day alternative to standard one-day tours. The trek is moderate to strenuous due to altitude and uneven terrain, suitable for travelers in good physical condition. Daily hikes last several hours, and professional guides provide support and pacing to manage altitude and ensure a safe trekking experience. The highest point is 5,050 meters (16,568 feet) at Rainbow Mountain Pass (Vinicunca), offering views of Rainbow Valley and surrounding peaks, including Ausangate. The itinerary allows gradual ascent for acclimatization, with guides providing tips and support along the route. The 2-day trek allows proper acclimatization, an overnight camp near Rainbow Mountain, and early arrival at the summit before crowds. It provides more time to explore Rainbow Valley and Red Valley while ensuring a safer, more comfortable multi-day trekking experience. Overnight accommodation is at a campsite near Ananta, with tents and camping equipment provided. The location allows direct access to Rainbow Mountain in the morning, helping with acclimatization and offering a safe, organized environment for rest. Yes, all meals are included. Day 1 includes breakfast, lunch, and dinner at the campsite. Day 2 includes breakfast and lunch before returning to Cusco. Meals are prepared by the trekking team to provide energy for high-altitude trekking. Yes, the Red Valley viewpoint is included along the Ausangate to Rainbow Mountain route. This less-visited area is known for its red-hued terrain and panoramic views, offering unique photo opportunities and enhancing the overall trekking experience. Return to Cusco is usually in the late afternoon, depending on pace and weather. Private transport takes travelers from Cusipata back to their hotel or a central location, providing a relaxed descent and safe return after the trek. Yes, this is a fully guided multi-day trekking tour from Cusco. Professional local guides provide route navigation, safety support, and logistical assistance, ensuring participants enjoy the scenery, cultural highlights, and natural landscapes along the Ausangate route.
At Cusco Journeys, we’re committed to making your adventure in Peru memorable, safe, and easy to enjoy. This brief guide includes the most important details to review before starting your trek or tour — from altitude preparation and luggage management to Machu Picchu entry and health tips. Take a moment to read it carefully; it will help you get ready and experience the magic of the Andes with comfort and confidence. All pre-trek briefings are personally conducted at your hotel in Cusco around 5:00 pm, one or two day before your trek or tour begins. The meeting lasts approximately 30 to 45 minutes and is an essential part of your preparation. During this session, our guide will go over the itinerary in detail, provide your duffel bag, and answer any final questions to ensure you’re fully prepared for your adventure. It’s very important to be well acclimated to the altitude before starting any trek. Cusco lies at 3,400 meters (11,150 ft) above sea level, and your body needs time to adjust to the thinner air. We recommend that you arrive in Cusco at least 2 or 3 days before your trek begins to prevent altitude sickness and to enjoy your trip without discomfort. During your acclimatization days, take it easy and explore some nearby attractions: These short tours are perfect for getting used to the altitude while discovering the region’s rich history. If you have an outstanding balance, please make the payment at least two days before your trek or tour. Otherwise, your reservation cannot be confirmed. Whenever possible, we kindly ask you to settle the remaining balance in cash (USD or Peruvian Soles) during your briefing session. There are several ATMs along Avenida Sol where you can withdraw both currencies. You may also pay by credit/debit card or PayPal, either online or in person; however, please note that a 5% service fee will be applied by our payment gateways (Niubiz and PayPal). You’ll receive a duffel bag or canvas case during the briefing. Size: 60 × 24 × 22 cm (23.6 × 9.45 × 8.66 in), Maximum weight: 6 kg / 13 lb, including clothes and personal items. Our team of porters will carry your bag throughout the trek and hand it back to you at each camp. Remember that this limit includes your sleeping bag and any personal belongings you wish to take. Absolutely! During your trip, you may store your main luggage safely at our office (arrange it with us during your briefing or by email) or at your hotel, both free of charge. Any items you won’t need during the trek can remain at your hotel — most hotels offer secure luggage storage. Please avoid leaving valuables in your bags; instead, place them in the hotel safe and request an itemized receipt, as many insurance companies require this in case of loss. For added security, you can also store important items such as credit cards in a sealed and signed envelope. Machu Picchu now operates with specific timed entries and fixed circuits to preserve the site and ensure an enjoyable experience for all visitors. Main Circuits For our Inca Trail groups, the standard visit is usually Circuit 3, around 8:00 or 9:00 a.m., depending on ticket availability and government regulations. After completing your route, park rangers will guide you toward the exit — re-entry is not allowed. If you wish to explore another route or stay longer, you can request an additional entrance ticket (subject to availability and extra cost). All pick-ups are made from your hotel within Cusco City. We recommend staying in the historic center for easier access. Our guide will confirm your pick-up time one day before the tour, but please note that it may vary by 30 to 45 minutes depending on traffic and hotel locations. Cusco is an ancient city with narrow, cobbled streets, and some hotels or Airbnbs may not have direct vehicle access. If your accommodation is in such an area, we’ll coordinate the closest possible meeting point for your convenience. Returning from Machu Picchu involves several steps, but don’t worry — everything is included in your tour. After visiting Machu Picchu, you’ll take a 25-minute bus down to Aguas Calientes (buses operate on a first-come, first-served basis). From there, you’ll board a train to Ollantaytambo; your guide will provide the tickets and indicate your departure time. Please arrive at the platform 30 minutes before departure. The train ride takes about 1 hour and 45 minutes, followed by a 2-hour bus journey back to Cusco City. Our group tours bring together travelers of different ages and fitness levels. Everyone can walk at their own pace, and our guide will manage the group so that all participants enjoy the experience comfortably. If changes to the itinerary are needed, the guide will decide after consulting with the group. Occasionally, strikes or protests may occur in Peru, which can affect roads or train schedules. In these cases, Cusco Journeys will make every effort to maintain your itinerary or adjust departure times if needed. Your safety always comes first, and all decisions will be made to protect it. You are responsible for your personal belongings throughout the tour. Please be mindful of where you leave your items and make sure to remove everything from our vans, tents, and restaurants after each stop. Avoid leaving anything unattended during the hike, as other trekkers or staff might mistake it for lost property. Ausangate Trek to Machu Picchu 4 days 3 nights in the Peruvian Andes is an incredible off the beaten path trek! past snow-capped mountains, turquoise… The Ausangate Trek and Rainbow Mountain 3 Days 2 Nights is a high-altitude hiking route in the Andes of Cusco. This trek circles part of…Overview
Day by Day Experience
Day 1: Cusco – Quesiuno – Puccacocha Pass – Ananta Camp
Day 2: Ananta Camp – Rainbow Mountain – Red Valley – Cusco
Itinerary
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Cusco – Quesiuno – Anantapata – Warmisaya Pass – Surineqocha.
Day 2: Surinecocha – Ananta – Rainbow Mountain – Cusco.
Inclusions
Included:
Not Incluided:
What you need to take:
Prices
Price: $289 per person
Rentals:
FAQ's
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1.- Where does the Rainbow Mountain Trek 2 Days 1 Night start?
2.- Is this trek part of the Ausangate Trek?
3.- How difficult is the Rainbow Mountain 2-day trek?
4.- What is the maximum altitude reached during the trek?
5.- Why choose a 2-day Rainbow Mountain trek instead of a day tour?
6.- Where do we sleep during the trek?
7.- Are meals included during the trek?
8.- Is the Red Valley included in this trek?
9.- What time do we return to Cusco on Day 2?
10.- Is this a guided trek?
Before You Go
Make the Most of Your Peru Adventure with Cusco Journeys
Briefing Before the Trek
Acclimatization in Cusco
What to Do Before Your Trek
Trek Balance Payment (in Cusco)
Unfortunately, we are unable to accept bank checks or traveler’s checks for balance payments.Duffel Bag or Canvas Case
Can I store my luggage at your office?
Machu Picchu Entrance Circuits and Schedule
Pick-Up of Guests
Return from Machu Picchu to Cusco
Group Tours
Strikes and Demonstrations
Lost Objects
Contact Us
Book Now
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