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Cusco

RAINBOW MOUNTAIN TOUR TO MACHU PICCHU

Hiking

Category

5 Days

Duration

Advanced

Experience

Intense

Fitness

From 1 to 12

Participants

What you'll do

Why choose between Rainbow Mountain and Machu Picchu when you can hike both? This 5-day Ausangate trek combines breathtaking alpine scenery, the vibrant hues of Rainbow Mountain, and the legendary ruins of Machu Picchu. Designed for adventurous travelers in good shape, this challenging hike offers cold nights, high-altitude vistas, and unforgettable experiences. Created by Alpaca Expeditions, it’s the perfect way to explore Peru’s top sights in one seamless, adventure-packed journey.

Itinerary

As soon as you arrive in Cusco, you’ll have a briefing with your guide at 6:00 PM, and you set into your hotel to rest after the journey. If you arrive earlier, enjoy a stroll through the city’s cobblestone streets, its mix of Inca and colonial architecture, and lively plazas. Have an early dinner and a good night’s sleep—your adventure begins the next morning.
The day begins with a 4:00 a.m. pickup in Cusco and a ~3-hour drive to the trailhead at Pukutuni School (4,200 m / 13,780 ft). After breakfast and meeting the chef, porters, and horsemen, you start hiking: ~3 hours to the lunch stop near Upis village, then 1.5 hours uphill to Vicuña Pass (4,850 m / 15,912 ft) for panoramic views. From the pass, you continue for ~3 hours to the high-altitude campsite at Pucaccocha (4,600 m / 15,092 ft), with big valley, waterfall, and glacier scenery along the way. Distance: 16 km (9.94 mi) | Elevation Gain: +650m (+2,133 ft) -250m (-820 ft) | Time: 7.5 hours
After an early hot breakfast, you tackle a 2-hour climb to Condor Pass (4,900 m / 16,076 ft) with constant views of Ausangate, lagoons, and Andean wildlife like llamas and alpacas. Then it’s a ~2-hour gradual descent to lunch. After lunch, you climb again to Alpaca Pass (4,950 m / 16,240 ft) for your first glimpse of Rainbow Mountain, then finish with ~1 hour downhill to the campsite near Soroni Lake (4,700 m / 15,420 ft), where the team sets everything up so you can relax and enjoy the sky. Distance: 8 km (4.97 mi) | Elevation Gain: +350m (+1,148 ft) -250m (-820 ft) | Time: ~5 hours
Waking up at altitude means you’ll reach Rainbow Mountain early, before most crowds. After breakfast and hot drinks at the campsite, you hike ~2 hours gradually uphill to Rainbow Mountain (5,030 m / 16,503 ft), with chances to spot vicuñas. After photos and your guide’s explanation of the minerals and colors, you hike ~1 hour to the end of the trail, say goodbye to the trekking team, and continue by vehicle: ~4-hour drive to Ollantaytambo for dinner, then the 7:00 p.m. train to Aguas Calientes for a hot shower and a 3-star hotel night. Distance: 6 km (3.73 mi) | Elevation Gain: +330m (+1,083 ft) -N/A | Time: 3 hours
Rise early for the bus ride to Machu Picchu AT 5.30 AM, witnessing an unforgettable sunrise over the ruins. Enjoy a guided tour and free time to explore or hike Huayna Picchu (this is a separate entrance ticket not included). Return to Cusco by train and bus, reflecting on a journey that has blended breathtaking natural beauty with deep cultural immersion. You arrive late (around 8 Pm in Cusco) so we recommend departing the next day and taking your time to have a nice, good sleep.

Important stuff

From the highest peaks to the hidden trails, we've got your back

Once you book, your trip is guaranteed to run, allowing you to book your flights with confidence.

Want to change your departure date or trip? No problem—enjoy maximum flexibility to make changes up to 60 days before departure.

Travel with peace of mind. Our insurance package covers accidents and rescue during outdoor activities, medical expenses, and luggage protection, as well as trip cancellations and 24/7 medical assistance from our insurance partner.

see more on How it works

What's included

Accident insurance
Medical and luggage insurance
Travel cancellation insurance
Hiking Guide
3 Dinners
Porters
Pre-trip briefing in Cusco
Bus and train transport back to Cusco
Guidance by an experienced, English-speaking tour guide
Personal duffle bag provided for trek belongings (up to 7 kilos)
Round-trip bus tickets between Aguas Calientes and Machu Picchu
Safety gear including a first aid kit, oxygen tank, and satellite phone for the trek
Access to filtered water during the trek
Emergency Horse in case you need a break from the trekking
1 night in a hotel in Aguas Calientes
First Aid
Satellite Phones
Accommodation in tented camps during hiking days
1 night in Cusco (3-star hotel)
Machu Picchu entrance
Transfers to the trail heads (hikes)
4 Breakfasts
Flight
Visa (if applicable)
Transport from airport
Transport to airport
Everything not mentioned in the “What’s included”
Tips
Optional Huayna Picchu Mountain climb available for $75 per person, must be booked in advance
Single Room supplement
Dinner on Day 1
All the meals not mentioned in the what's included section
Lunch and dinner on the last day
Sleeping Bag rental: $30
Inflatable Air Mattress rental: $25
Walking Sticks (Pair) rental: $22

Accomodations

3-star hotel in Cusco

Your classic 3-star hotel in Cusco offers comfort and charm double rooms. You can enjoy friendly services, and warm décor with local touches. Perfect for resting before setting off on the adventure.

Campsites

Campsites along the Inca Trail in Peru offer a unique blend of breathtaking natural beauty and historical richness. Nestled amidst stunning Andean landscapes, these sites provide trekkers with a serene setting to rest, surrounded by panoramic views of mountains and ancient ruins. Equipped with basic amenities for comfort, they serve as gateways to experiencing the trail's cultural heritage, connecting hikers to the path once walked by the Incas.

Aguas Calientes Hotel

This marks our final rest stop before visiting Machu Picchu. Our exceptional hotel is equipped with Wi-Fi, hot showers, and offers a cozy spot to relax after our day's hike. Nearby, we find local hot springs available for an entry fee of ten soles. In the evening, our local partner treats us to our last dinner, preparing us for the next day's adventure.

Guides

Raul & Alpaca Expeditions

Raul & Alpaca Expeditions

Raul is the owner and director of Alpaca Expeditions. They have tour guides 100% local. They mastered the craft of leading groups through the most beautiful places and over the highest elevations without losing any bit of information and any tip to make the hiking more enjoyable. All the guides have graduated in Tourism and passed tests to be able to guide along the treks.

Meeting point

-13.53186068880774-71.96752365041547
Cusco

Frequently asked questions

Departures

All departures are guaranteed to run

April 2026
Wed
22 Apr
5:00 PM
Sun
26 Apr
8:00 PM

Confirmed

16 spots left
1440 €
(475 € deposit)
Sun
26 Apr
5:00 PM
Thu
30 Apr
8:00 PM

Confirmed

16 spots left
1440 €
(475 € deposit)
Wed
29 Jul
5:00 PM
Sun
2 Aug
8:00 PM

Confirmed

12 spots left
1440 €
(475 € deposit)
Tue
22 Dec
5:00 PM
Sat
26 Dec
8:00 PM

Confirmed

10 spots left
1440 €
(475 € deposit)
692b04e588259d024449f926
Ambassador
6950c999ba6fc5a638e6acf8

1440 €

(475 € deposit)