Welcome to this unforgettable trip!
We will start the day with an early pick up from your hotel in Cusco. Your guide will meet you at your hotel at 4 am. Then, you will drive about 3 hours to our first stop. Along the way, we will enjoy views of ancient Inca terraces, still in use by local farmers, beautiful valleys, and rugged mountain landscapes.
Once we arrive in Cusipata we will head into a local restaurant to enjoy breakfast together before continuing on to Phullawasipata, where the trailhead awaits. You will see herds of llamas and alpacas milling around, and huge mountains in every direction.
Here we will get ready for our first hike. You will need hydration in your day-pack, some snacks and an extra layer in case of sudden weather changes.
Time to hike! First Summits: Vinicunca & Hatun Rit’Iyoc
The hike follows a picturesque stream, offering breathtaking views of the Ausangate Mountain and its majestic glaciers. This path is more than just a trail; it’s a cultural immersion. Here, you will interact with the local people, guardians of traditional Quechua culture. Seize this opportunity to learn about their traditional clothing and the significance of the different hats worn by the men. Feel free to ask your guide to teach you a few words in Quechua, enhancing your connection to this rich cultural tapestry.
After a hike of approximately 1.5 hours, we’ll reach our breathtaking destination: the Rainbow Mountain (5,020 meters /16,466 feet). The vivid colors of the mountain unfold before your eyes, a natural canvas of red, gold, lavender, and turquoise. You will have about 30 minutes to explore this unique landscape, capture stunning photos, or simply absorb the awe-inspiring views.
The Rainbow Mountain Tour with Local Guides, journey continues as we hike across to the Red Valley for 45 minutes. The Red Valley is known for its striking crimson and terracotta landscapes, the valley offers a quieter, less crowded alternative to Vinicunca, while still delivering equally stunning views. The unique color of the hills comes from rich mineral deposits, creating a surreal, almost Martian scenery.
After marveling at the Red Valley, we will walk back to the trailhead, carrying memories of these extraordinary landscapes.
Short transfer to our next adventure
We will head back to Cusipata for a re-energizing lunch, then to Chullo. From Chullo we will drive uphill to a Puna area, for about 5.5 km (3.42 mi). Once we reach an altitude of 4516 m (14816 ft), we will start our E-bike portion.
Here our guide will run a trail briefing covering safety instructions, explanations about the trail and a crash course on e-bike’s riding. Time to ride bikes!
35 km over the Andean Puna
Our stage, the Andean Puna is a high-altitude ecosystem that stretches across the central Andes, typically above 3,500 m (11500 ft). Characterized by wide-open grasslands, rolling hills, and scattered lagoons, the Puna is home to hardy wildlife such as llamas, alpacas, vicuñas, and a remarkable variety of bird species.
We will ride in direction to Tinki. Along our journey we will have the majestic Ausangate in the background. Plus, we will have a stop to behold one of the newest attractions in Cusco. Recently added to the travelers list of activities, in 2021, is Away Orcco. A ridgeline whose layering evokes a very distinctive patterns: linear, anthropomorphic and zoomorphic. The layering is composed by sandstone, gravel, limestone and andesite. Also, these layers have distinctive colors like: black, ochre, yellow, lead, white and others, due to mineral content.
After this stop, we will continue to Accocunca riding along several tiny stationary lakes. On our way down to the next stop, we will start to see more peaks from the Vilcanota Mountain Range. In sight we will have Apu Pacchanta, Apu Puka Punta and Apu Hatun Punta.
The last 15.3 km (9.5 mi) will be a scenic ride across colorful farming towns. We will close this segment upon arrival in Tinki.
Pacchanta
From Tinki we will shuttle to Pacchanta, a tiny town in the bottom of the valley between Ausangate and Hatun Punta. This town is famous for its hot springs, which we will enjoy to rest our bodies after such a demanding day.
We will close the day with a hearty dinner, some stargazing and a comfy sleep.
