Beginning in Cusco, this adventure takes you into the Andean highlands, hiking remote mountain passes on the Ausangate trek before the route traverses to the famous Rainbow Mountain and passes traditional Quechua communities.
- Hike within the Andean Highlands
- See Vinicunca Rainbow Mountain
- Discover Cusco & its ruins
- Learn about Quechua traditions
- Explore varied & dramatic landscapes
Due to the altitude of the trek, a few days are spent in Cusco to acclimatise, with a half-day city tour and additional optional activities available. You then journey into the Yanama Valley, where the hike begins. The exhilarating journey takes you past Quechua communities, through mountain passes and a variety of scenery. The views vary from glacial lakes to the geological marvel of Rainbow Mountain with its vibrant coloured bands. A Machu Picchu express extension can be added to this holiday upon request.
During the trek, your main bag and sleeping bag is transported by mules or llamas. The porters set up camp, which consists of 2-person tents with sleeping pads.
Typical Itinerary
-
Day 1: Departure day
Depart for an overnight flight to Lima then Cusco.
-
Day 2: Arrive in Cusco
Upon arrival, a transfer takes you to your hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure to acclimatise.
-
Day 3: Day at leisure or optional activities
Today is at leisure to further acclimatise. Optional activities are available including a cooking class, chocolate workshop, visiting local villages, and SUP or kayaking at Piuray Lake. These can be arranged with our travel consultants - contact us to find out more.
-
Day 4: Half-day Cusco ruins & city tour
A city tour takes you to many of Cusco’s sights including the sacred temple of Qoricancha, Sacsayhuaman and Puka-Pukara fortresses, the ceremonial site of Q’enqo and other notable places.
-
Day 5: Transfer to Cojhur and hike to camp
Leave Cusco and journey towards the Yanama Valley until reaching Cojahur. Embark on our first hike, where a gradual ascent takes us to a flat plain with views of Ausangate and the Jampa Pass.
Walking distance: 6 km | Ascent: 135 m
-
Day 6: Yanama Valley & Cusipata Valley
Today embark on a journey further into the Yanama Valley where the paths wind close to Mount Surinami and Mount Inca. Leaving the valley, the hike traverses the Puca Rumi pass where the view extends to the Red Mountain and Vinicunca Rainbow Mountain.
Walking distance: 12 km | Ascent: 670 m | Descent: 350 m
-
Day 7: Discover Vinicunca Rainbow Mountain
Beginning early in the morning, hike to Mount Vinicunca, we have time to explore the unique mountain with its vibrant colours before continuing. From the mountain, the path descends past glacial lakes and climbs again through Wasacocha Pass until reaching camp.
Walking distance: 15 km | Ascent: 580 m | Descent: 480 m
-
Day 8: Through the Palomano Pass
Today’s hike begins with an uphill route to the Palomani Pass, which is the highest point of the hike. From here we descend to the Chilca Valley, which is renowned for several small archaeological sites.
Walking distance: 12 km | Ascent: 500 m | Descent: 570 m
-
Day 9: Jampa Pass & return to Cusco
On our final hike of this journey, we conquer our final pass, before descending towards Qomerqocha Lake, the hike ends at Pacchanta village where a transfer is waiting for the journey to Cusco.
Walking distance: 16 km | Ascent: 455 m | Descent: 770 m
-
Day 10: Day at leisure
Today is at leisure to explore Cusco and relax after your hike. Alternatively, we can book the optional activities previously mentioned - just speak to our team.
-
Day 11: Depart Cusco or start Machu Picchu extension
Today, a transfer takes us to the airport for our return flight.
Alternatively, a 2-night Machu Picchu express extension can be booked to explore this world-renowned Inca sight - contact us to find out more.
Price and Other Information
- Duration and price excluding international flights: 10 days from £1,409 per person
- Duration and price including flights from/to UK: 12 days from £2,519 per person
- Single room supplement: From £310
- Walking grade: Demanding to Strenuous
- Guiding: Guided Group Private-Guided
- Max alt: 5,180m
- Group size: 1-12
-
When to go: View Dates & Prices
-
A
-
M
-
J
-
J
-
A
-
S
-
O
-
-
Route map:
View map 
-
What’s included
- Hotel x 5 nights, Camping x 4 nights
- 9 breakfasts, 5 lunches & 4 dinners
- Experienced English-speaking guide
- Luggage transfers
- Tent & sleeping pad
- Airport transfers
Next Steps
| Year | Starts | Ends | Price From (Exc. Flights) | Holiday Status | Options |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
All prices are per person.
All our guided group trips can be taken as a private guided itinerary, tailored to dates within the holiday's ‘when to go’ range. Please contact us to discuss your plans. * Available: this holiday is available to book. ** Guaranteed: this holiday is available to book and is guaranteed to run. *** Fully Booked: if your preferred holiday is full we may be able to offer you a private departure or tailor a holiday to suit your requirements, contact us for more details. |
|||||
| 2026 | 16 Jun | 25 Jun | £1,409 | Available* | Book or Enquire |
| 2026 | 14 Jul | 23 Jul | £1,409 | Available* | Book or Enquire |
| 2026 | 11 Aug | 20 Aug | £1,409 | Available* | Book or Enquire |
| 2026 | 8 Sep | 17 Sep | £1,409 | Available* | Book or Enquire |
If you can’t see the holiday or departure date that you are looking for please contact us. We may be in the process of finalising further departures and are often able to arrange a holiday for you according to your own requirements.
