Ausangate Trek to Rainbow Mountain 3 days / 2 nights

Everything you need for the day should be kept in your daypack because all the items you leave with your porter will not be available until the evening at the campsite. It is recommended not to hike in cotton or jeans in the event of rain as cotton takes a very long time to dry. It is also recommended to bring true hiking boots or trail running shoes as regular running shoes do not get excellent traction, especially when it has rained.

• Sleeping bags and walking poles (poles must have intact rubber bottoms) Recommend a sleeping bag rated for 20F/-7C or below for this trek
• Sleeping bag liner (for your sleeping bag if you wish)
• Mattress pad – while we provide a mattress pad, being rested is essential for a great hiking experience and we find that sleep habits are very individualized. Therefore, we recommend bringing a pad that you know you are comfortable sleeping on and any other sleep items you might want (camp pillow, etc.).
• Sunscreen: the sun is powerful in Cusco
• Sun hat
• Sunglasses
• Lip balm
• Hiking shoes/boots with good, grippy tread
• Hiking pants (or shorts) and shirts (layers)
• Layers – long underwear and/or warm sleep pants for cold nights
• Hand warmers if you wish
• Warm hats, gloves, scarves, and thick warm socks (or you can buy a traditional Peruvian hat and scarf – they are beautiful!)
• Daypack and rain cover
• Rain gear – rain jacket and rain pants (optional for the pants), can buy an inexpensive poncho before the trek
• Cash for tipping porters (USD or Peruvian Soles are fine), cooks, horsemen, guides, buying items along the trail, for the town, emergencies, etc. Note: Cash should be in perfect condition (ripped, damaged bills of any kind are NOT accepted anywhere in Peru)
• Swimsuit, flip flops, towel for any hot springs you may visit (not every trek/trip has this) if you wish to go
• Sandals
• Torch/flashlight/headlamp (and batteries)
• Insect repellent if you visit Machu Picchu
• Hand sanitizer and face covering (for the COVID-19 Pandemic)
• Extra snacks if you wish (beyond snacks provided by us)
• E.g., if you have a favorite protein bar Cusco doesn’t sell items like this
• First aid kit, including blister protection (though your guide will have one, you may wish to carry one of your own)
• Personal medication and toiletries you might want/need
• Camera, extra memory cards, batteries, and solar panel/power bank
• Water bottle or water bladder to refill
• Passport (must be valid 6 months past your final travel dates for most countries)
• Copies of passport (keep copies separate, give to travel friends to keep, etc.)
• Power plug adapter
• Any medications you currently are taking or need/may need
• Small quick-dry pack towels and/or compostable wipes for a quick wipe down at the end of the day

When to go and the degree of difficulty

March/April to November or the dry season. (Dec to Feb/March or wet season: rainfall and snow can block the pass and cancel the trek though we can arrange the trek during the wet season). This trek is rated as a moderate to challenging (intermediate to advanced) hike considering the high altitudes and length of walking especially on the 2nd Day. It is recommended that you acclimatize in Cusco for at least 3 days before trekking.

Weather on the trek and in Cusco

The weather varies a lot across Peru, having 28 climates and 84 of the world’s 104 ecosystems. Cusco is set high up (3,380 mts. 11,089 ft.) in the Andean Mountain Range and the dry season (winter) is from Mar/April to October/November with the wettest part of the year (summer) being December through March. The weather for trekking is pretty much the same year-round, with the main difference being the amount of rainfall. During the dry season, most days are dry and clear, but high-altitude mountains always have the potential for rain and/or snow so it is essential to come prepared for all types of weather regardless of the time of year.

The Rainbow trek

Is a very high altitude, therefore the weather can be quite cold and unpredictable. The nights on this trek are usually around 20F/-7C. During the day it can get quite warm if the sun is out; anywhere from 60-75F/15-24C. Keep in mind, if the weather is rainy or cloudy it will be colder, and the weather can change in an instant, particularly when up at the high-altitude passes. It is often quite windy at the top of the passes as well. As with any high-altitude trek you’ll need to bring plenty of layers to adjust to the fluctuating temperatures and conditions as well as appropriate sun/rain protection.

Cusco weather

Cusco is always very cold at night due to the high altitude. It is regularly around 40F/4.4C at night so bring a nice warm jacket for nighttime walking in town. It is warmer in Machu Picchu the Sacred Valley and Aguas Calientes as these areas are at lower altitudes than Cusco and the trek.

The Departure point for the trek

Cusco is always very cold at night due to the high altitude. It is regularly around 40F/4.4C at night so bring a nice warm jacket for nighttime walking in town. It is warmer in Machu Picchu the Sacred Valley and Aguas Calientes as these areas are at lower altitudes than Cusco and the trek.

• The Departure point for the trek
• Our meeting point to depart is at San Francisco Square at 05:30 am. There are fixed pickup points to help reduce time going to numerous hotels.
• If you are near Sol Avenue, Cultura Avenue or the center of town be ready at 05:20 am.
• In any Hotel in San Blas please wait for us in front of the Church of San Blas for your transfer departing from 5.00 am.
• If you are at Loki Hostal, Niños Hotel, Meloc, or Arcopata area please wait at the lobby of the hotel at 5.40 am.
• This information will be clarified by your guides at the briefing the night before the trek.

Left Luggage during your trek

It is best to leave extra luggage in your hotel in Cusco since you will arrive back around 8:00 pm on the 3rd day.

Passport

We recommend that you bring your original passport.

Temperature

• Day temperatures vary from -7 to 22 degrees Celsius
• You must always use layering to manage the temperatures well. Night temperatures, (in the coldest season May to Sept) average -7 to -5 degrees Celsius.

Environmental issues

Please carry your rubbish to each campsite where the porters will pack it out. There are toilets at points along the trail and in campsites. At other points please leave the trail on the non-river side at least 30m and burn or bury toilet paper. Please encourage your group and staff to protect the environment.

Tips for the porters, cooks, and guides and emergencies

We recommend considering $40-50 this is not mandatory but it is a tradition. You need to have your own money for bottled water or other drinks if wanted along the route. As for all American countries, tipping is common practice and is a part of the experience but not obligatory. Generally, groups prepare a collective tip shared between the porters, trekking crew, and cooks on the third night. It is customary to thank the guides with a voluntary tip after the Tour in Ausangate on the fourth day. Please only use this information as a «guideline» requested by some trekkers but don`t let it cause you, or any other person in the group discomfort.

Travel Insurance

We strongly recommend that full travel insurance be taken, including coverage under certain circumstances against the loss of deposit or cancellation charges. Please note that no reimbursements are given when cancellations occur or for any unused services.