Rainbow Mountain, Ausangate, and Machu Picchu: An Epic 4-Day Adventure

We all feel drowned and less energetic on Monday. It is difficult to say goodbye to Sunday and again be excited for Mondays and returning to work. Rainbow Mountain, Ausangate, and Machu Picchu: An Epic 4-Day Adventure.

Life is not meant to be hustled between a weekend and again waiting for weekends. Planning holidays and going to a place that can enrich our souls becomes essential.

In recent years, hiking has become extremely popular. Hiking activates the parts of our body, increases blood circulation, increases brain creativity, and pacifies random and incessant thoughts, giving peace of mind.
When planning hiking trips, people often look for adventurous places that offer breathtaking views and a rich history.

The Andeans region of Peru is the perfect holiday destination for people looking for trekking, excitement, and spiritual rejuvenation.

The Andes Mountains

These mountains span over 4300 miles along South America’s western edge. These mountain ranges are the home to the World’s most beautiful towering peaks and diverse ecosystems. Along with being the best tourist place in South America, it is also home to one of seven wonders of the World.

The Rainbow Mountains, Machu Picchu, and Ausangate Mountains are some of the highest mountains in the Andes region. They are all beautiful and scenic and hold religious importance in Inca culture.

These three mountains are ideal destinations for hikers, adventure seekers, or anyone looking to connect with nature and escape daily worries.

Machu Picchu

Everyone knows about Machu Picchu. It is the symbol of the Inca’s wisdom and patience. Not only is it one of the Seven Wonders of the World and a UNESCO site, but it is also an example of how optimism can beat all odds.

Machu Picchu is situated at an elevation of 2430 meters. The Incas built it around 1420–1530 AD but only used it as a holiday home. When the Spanish came to destroy the Incas, they could not find any trace of Machu Picchu, as it was beyond the Spanish imagination that an incredible thing could be built on such a difficult terrain.

It’s truly a wonder how a holiday home built entirely of stone, equipped with all essential facilities, could be constructed at such a challenging altitude, withstand nature’s fury, and still stand tall—proving that ‘what stands the test of time, stands forever.

For this reason, tourists keep flooding Machu Picchu to learn the secrets of the Incas and experience the magic themselves.

The Rainbow Mountains

We all get so excited whenever we spot rainbows after rain showers. Imagine a mountain fully covered with 14 colors! Yes, it is true. Rainbow Mountain has 14 different colored minerals that form rainbow-like layers due to erosion, oxidation, and other geographical factors.2 hours to Condor Pass, where you can get views of Ausangate Mountain, lagoons, Llamas, and Alpacas

National Geographic also listed the Rainbow Mountains as one of the top 100 places to visit before you die. Trekking the Rainbow Mountains could be trickier, but it is equally rewarding due to the phenomenal views, unique flora and fauna, and vibrant topography.

The Ausangate Mountain

The Ausangate mountain is significant to the people of Peru. In ancient times, it was revered, and people used to worship it and ask for protection. At an elevation of 6385 m, it is the fifth-largest mountain in Peru.

It boasts many glacial landscapes and icy lakes of various colors, including red, blue, and green. Various hot springs are located in this range. People love to take baths or dip in the hot springs to relax tired muscles.

These mountains are unique, and while visiting the Andes region for hiking, one should not miss any single one of them. However, many tourists have time constraints, and planning separately to hike these mountains becomes difficult.

For this reason, Alpaca has a unique package that combines these three mountain trek tours in only four days!

Let’s explore what one can get in this epic 4 day tour

Day 1

• Alpaca drivers will pick you up from your respective location and take you to the trailhead at Pukutuni School.
• Here, you will have a fresh, locally made breakfast prepared by the Alpaca chefs and get to know and bond with the horsemen, guides, and porters.
• After having the local Peruvian breakfast, you will hike for three hours to Upis Village, located at the base of Ausangate Mountain, where you will have lunch.
• Guides would advise you to rest and start hiking for 1.5 hours to Vicuña Pass again.
• Here, you can enjoy the breathtaking views while taking a short break.
• Again, you will walk for 3 hours to the Pucaccocha campsite to enjoy beautiful landscapes, including valleys, waterfalls, and glacier peaks.

Day 2

• After having freshly made breakfast and hot drinks, you will walk for 2 hours to Condor Pass, where you can get views of Ausangate Mountain, lagoons, Llamas, and Alpacas.
• After lunch, you will gradually descend and reach Alpaca Pass, where you will get your first glimpse of Rainbow Mountain.
• After another one-hour downhill hike, you will reach your campsite(under the mountains) and be greeted by Alpaca team members who will arrange everything for you, starting with sanitation and camping.

Day 3

• You will wake up in the mountains, get fresh, and walk upto Rainbow Mountains early to avoid crowdedness and click for clear and better photographs.
• After finishing the Rainbow Mountain sightseeing, you will get a fresh and hot breakfast from the Alpaca team and hike for 2 hours to reach the uphills of Rainbow Mountain.
• You’ll spot unique wild animals, take stunning photos, avoid crowds, and capture the World’s best photos on your devices.
• The Rainbow Trek guide would explain everything about the mountain’s unique colors and historical significance.
• Afterward, you will head towards Ollantaytambo and take the Train to Aguas Calientes, where you will stay in a comfortable hotel.

Day 4

• Alpaca staff will recommend that you leave your hotel early and head to Machu Picchu to enjoy the sunrise.
• The guides will lead you through Machu Picchu, highlighting ancient ruins, temples, ceremonial areas, and agricultural sites.
• Guides would give you a 2.5-hour guided tour and help you take some of the fantastic photos in Machu Picchu.
• You can also visit Huayna Picchu( which would cost extra and require booking). You will also have some free time to explore Machu Picchu independently.
• Guides will also explain all Important trains to Ollantaytambo. Again, the Alpaca team will meet you at the Ollantaytambo station and then give you a ride to Cusco.

Things Required To Have A Perfect Vacation

• You must pack all your necessary stuff, such as clothes, bags, personal medications, warm clothes, insect repellents, hats, cameras, etc., along with all the required documents, such as passports and IDs.
• Your trip will be more rewarding and fulfilling when you are accompanied by a guide who will explain the relevance of each place you visit. The guide will also advise you to adjust your pace according to your body so that you do not get tired all the time.
• While trekking, it is difficult to carry your bags and equipment; when you have a personal porter by your side, it becomes easy and tidy to the trekking.
• Traveling is best enjoyed when it is taken slowly. There should be no rush to get back to camps or cook food. It would be ideal to have a cook who cooked and arranged everything while you traveled. In the meantime, the cook made all the arrangements, like setting camp, arranging food, and waiting for you to return.
• Sufficient water should be available throughout the trip so your body does not become dehydrated or tired.
• Sanitary facilities should be available at each step of the trek for your convenience.
• Medications for altitude sickness, horsemen, and satellite phones should be available to treat any emergency case immediately.

While traveling to high-altitude points, which can be challenging, you must have all your preparations. But if you book your holidays with Alpaca, all the above-mentioned necessities will already be at your fingertips. From the best camping equipment to guides, chefs, bathroom facilities, first aid boxes, etc., everything will be ready for you.

No stress, no hassle—Pack Your Bags, and Alpaca will take Care Of The Rest.

No need to plan your trip; simply book with Alpaca and pack your bags for a stress-free adventure. Once you do that, Alpaca will be responsible for making your vacation one of the best memories of your life.

Also, when you plan the trip with the most sustainable tour operator in Peru, you can be guilt-free and pay respect to the ancient and revered mountains.

There are so many other tours, packages, and luxury tours available with Alpaca that will suit your busy schedule. If you want to know more about traveling, Peruvian culture, or updates regarding Inca discoveries, you can check them out here.