Full Day Tour
The Rainbow Mountain of Peru, also known as Winicunca, are beautiful rock layers with different colors in the foothills of the spectacular Vilcanota Mountain Range Southeast of Cusco.
On this trek you will see quaint villages, beautiful adobe style houses, herds of llamas and alpacas and you will have magnificent views of the Ausangate Mountain (6,384 m / 20,939 ft.), the highest mountain in Cusco region.
One or more nights.
Would you like to see how a local family live in the high Andes?
Pacchanta is an Alpaca herding community of the high Andes, at the foot of the great Nevado Ausangate, the highest mountain in the Cusco area. For years we have done expeditions in the area to climb the high mountains. Our good friends the Crispin family have their farm and pastures at the base of the mountains where they live with their alpaca herds, Luis and Eustakia have 5 kids and have worked with us for years. They live at 4,300m above sea level, where the harsh environment has shaped their way of life, living mainly on potatoes and alpaca meat for sustenance.
You can stay at their home for a night or two in comfort, and see how the people of the high Andes live! They have private rooms with comfortable beds in an incredible setting, they are also great cooks and you will have the chance to try authentic local Andean food like alpaca, trout or cuy (guinea pig).
Some activities you can do here are:
Hike 1.5 hours to the lagoons at the foot of Ausangate, several blue – green lagoons at the foot of the mountain that make incredible photos. There are many trails through the pastures where you can see the alpacas grazing.
Shop for local alpaca wool gifts, scarves, hats and Eustakias’ special alpaca pants, that you wont find in Cusco
Relax at the thermal baths of the village, with beautiful views of Ausangate. The baths are some of the hottest in the Cusco area.
There are many good options for bouldering, with large rocks just behind the village.
Learn about the way of life for Quechua speakers in the high Andes
Duration: 4 Days/ 3 Nights
Level: Intermediate (AD/D)
The north face of Mariposa offers you over 8 rope-lengths of sustained snow climbing of 50 to 80 degrees. This mountain has another name: “Santa Catalina” in Andean lore is the oldest of the three daughters of Apu Ausangate. But due to its form like the shape of a butterfly, it is known as “La Mariposa”. This is an excellent climb for you to raise your level and gain valuable experience on steeper terrain. You can even climb by the north face and descend by the south face directly to the Ausangate Base Camp.
Duration: 6 Days / 5 Nights
Level: Basic (PD)
Yayamari is a large, heavily glaciated mountain in the remote Cordillera Vilcanota range. Perfect for your first climb over 6,000 meters because it is the easiest big peak to climb in Cusco. The name Yayamari means “Father of the lakes” in Quechua because of the many lagoons around the mountain. We will walk along lake Sibinacocha, the largest lake at 4,900mts altitude anywhere in the world. You can see the largest tropical glacier in the world, the “Ritipampa de Quelcaya”, lying SE of Yayamari.
Duration: 5 Days / 4 Nights
Level: Basic/Intermediate (PD)
Nevado Chumpe is also known as Jatunriti which means “big ice mountain” in Quechua. Piero Ghiglione called it Yanaloma on the first ascent in 1955. It is a large, broad mountain on the northern side of the Cordillera Vilcanota range. The third highest peak in Cusco after Ausangate and Salkantay. You will gain good glacier travel experience on this mountain. Close to the summit we have a bit of steeper climbing over a crevasse. This mountain is easier than Ausangate making it the perfect option for you to get above 6,000 meters (20,000ft).
Duration: 4 Days / 3 Nights
Level: Basic/Intermediate (AD)
The peak of Caracol is a more technical alternative just across the valley from Campa. There are a few steeper sections but most of the snow climbing is 50° – 60°.
Duration: 3 Days / 2 Nights
Level: Basic (F)
Have you wanted to climb a mountain for the first time? Campa is the easiest mountain to climb in the Cusco region so it’s perfect for your first time to climb a peak. The summit offers a spectacular panoramic view of the giant peaks of Ausangate and the Vilcanota range. Climbing Campa is also a cultural experience to see the alpaca herding village of Pacchanta in the high Andes. This village boasts hot thermal baths and clear views of the starry night.
Duration: 7 Days / 6 Nights
Level: Basic / Intermediate (AD)
Nevado Ausangate is the 5th highest peak in Peru at 6,384m, and the highest mountain in the Cusco region. Ausangate is the most well-known peak for mountaineering in Cusco and can be seen from many places in the city. The first ascent to the summit in 1953 was led by the famous Austrian mountaineer Heinrich Harrer. He was part of the first team to conquer the north face of the Eiger and protagonist of the book/movie “Seven Years in Tibet”. The normal route is moderately technical and you need good stamina to break trail on the summit plateau. We are experts in climbing this iconic mountain where I have made the summit twelve times to date. If you are thinking to climb Ausangate, we have a proven record to get you to the top!
Climbing Campa first will give us a steady acclimatization to go higher. And motivate us with fantastic summit views while being surrounded by the giants of the Vilcanota Range.
Duration: 5 Days / 4 Nights (Can also be done in 4 days)
Level: Basic / Intermediate (AD)
Nevado Ausangate is the 5th highest peak in Peru at 6,384m, and the highest mountain in the Cusco region. Ausangate is the most well-known peak for mountaineering in Cusco and can be seen from many places in the city. The first ascent to the summit in 1953 was led by the famous Austrian mountaineer Heinrich Harrer. He was part of the first team to conquer the north face of the Eiger and protagonist of the book/movie “Seven Years in Tibet”. The normal route is moderately technical and you need good stamina to break trail on the summit plateau. We are experts in climbing this iconic mountain where I have made the summit twelve times to date. If you are thinking to climb Ausangate, we have a proven record to get you to the top!
Duration: 3 Days / 2 Nights
Level: Beginner
This route is half of the Ausangate full circuit trek. Perfect if you want to see the these incredible mountains, but do not have time to do the full trek. Our shorter route takes you to the highlights of this trail and finishes at the village of Pacchanta. Enjoy the thermal baths at night, as the alpenglow fades on Ausangate and the stars of the milky way shine brightly.
In Quechua language, Choquequirao or Choquekiraw means “Cradle of Gold”. It is another “Lost City of the Inkas” “Choquequirao is the city which demonstrates the inspiring Inca ceremonial center. A city dedicated the adoration of the “Pachamama” the Andean mother Earth “the Apus” Mountain gods and divinities like the water and the elements of Nature.”
Now our focus in this Area is the Andean people, who are living in these amazing mountains, with ancestral traditions, the Inca’s descendants. The Choquequirao trail is for real trekkers who want to get into the remote western Vilcabamba range and still end up at Machu Picchu.
Duration: 9 Days / 8 Nights
Level: Basic
In Quechua language, Choquequirao or Choquekiraw means “Cradle of Gold”. It is another “Lost City of the Inkas”. Choquequirao is dedicated to the adoration of the “Pachamama” the Andean mother Earth, “the Apus” Mountain gods and divinities like the water and the elements of Nature.”
Now our focus in this area is to hike on well preserved Inka trails and see the last stronghold of the Inca after the Spanish took over Cusco. Many Andean people, who are living in these amazing mountains have ancestral traditions from the Incas. We will cross the Vilcabamba mountains from the Apurimac to Urubamba river, visiting the most important cities of the Incas: Machu Picchu, Choquequirao and Vilcabamba.
