Day 1: Cusco – Cusipata – Llacto – Rainbow Mt – Llacto – Cusco

Your amazing Rainbow Mountain Trek Adventure begins with pick up from your hotel at 4am! We set out on our drive for 3 hours through the South Valley, on our way to the trailhead at Llacto (4,638m/15,216 ft).  Along the way, there are amazing views of farming Inca terraces, traditional villages, valleys and high Andean peaks.

The herds of alpacas and llamas near your breakfast place will entertain you in the early morning. Enjoy a delicious and hearty breakfast, then get back in the van for the last 5 minute drive to the trailhead. We start on our hike following a lovely stream, with views of the Ausangate Mountain and glaciers. This is a great place to interact with the local people, who are still keeping traditional Quechua culture alive. Learn about their traditional clothes and the significance of the different hats worn by the men. Ask your guide to teach you a few words of Quechua!

After hiking up for about 1.5 hours, we finally reach our destination: the Rainbow Mountain! (5,020m /16,466ft). After admiring the unique beauty of this colorful landscape, you will have time to explore the area. You can take pictures or just soak up the view. We will spend approximately 30 minutes at the top. Afterwards, we hike across tothe Red Valley for 45m, enjoy the red colorfull Valley and Mountains and Fanally we walk back to the trail head.

We will embark on the 3-hour drive back to Cusco and drop you off at your Cusco hotel, arriving around 5:00pm.

**** There is an option to rent a horse from local people right at the starting point of the trek!

WHAT IS INCLUDED

• Pick-up at your hotel the morning of your trek
• Private transport from Cusco to Llacto trailhead and back to Cusco
• English speaking, experienced and professional guide
• Meals as indicated in the itinerary (optional vegetarian food with prior request)
• First Aid kit including emergency oxygen bottle

WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED

• Horses, which can be rented at the trailhead (100 soles roundtrip)
• Trekking Poles – $15
• Tips for the driver, guide and cook of APU PACHAMAMA TRAVEL

Enjoy this 1 day hike with expert team and in a small or private groups!

GROUP PRICES

# of Persons             Price Per Person

2 persons                  $150 pp

3  persons                 $125 pp

4 persons                 $99 pp

5 persons                  $80 pp

6 or more persons  $70 pp

***Price per person based on the number of participants in the group.  When group is finalized, each person will pay per person based on the size of the final group.  There is no guarantee of how many may join except the limit is 10 people per group.

***Minimum is 2 participants per group to start a group.

PRIVATE GROUP PRICES (Any date)

# of Persons             Price Per Person

2 persons                  $170 pp

3  persons                 $150 pp

4 persons                  $130 pp

5 persons                   $110 pp

6 or more persons    $90 pp

***Private group price depends on the number of people, and will be completely private with your own guide, chauffeur and private van.  No others will be added to the group.

***Minimum is 1 person but that person will pay $197 for the private group.

ADDITIONAL OPTIONS

A horse can be rented for the trip from locals when you arrive for about 100 soles round trip. Your guide will help you negotiate the price.

WHY CHOOSE APU PACHAMAMA TRAVEL?

Apu Pachamama Travel is a family owned travel agency and a local tour operator based in Cusco with personal experience over many years of trekking. Apu Pachamama Travel is a 100% Cusqueñian Company without any shareholders.

 Our dream as a locally based company is to create small personalized tours & treks strictly and only operated by local professional staff catering in PERSONALIZED and HIGH QUALITY SERVICE. 

We take pride in our reputation as a RESPONSIBLE & SUSTAINABLE tour operator. Our staff are our extended family. We ensure they are supported financially by offering them a fair salary. We are so proud of our team! Without them, we wouldn’t be able to offer the best service and lifetime experiences to our clients.

Apu Pachamama Travel knows how important it is to trust in a reliable honest operator to create your adventure of a lifetime while in Peru. Check out our reviews and certificates of excellence on, TRIPADVISOR for yourself! Also we are highly recommended on Conde Nast Travelers,  Lonely Planet and by many blogs like: Salkantay/Inka Trail ! July 14th to 20th 2016  Trek de Lares 4 hours, “It’s the journey, not the destination…”, Lares Pass – Day 3.

SMALL GROUPS

To ensure a more personalized service for our guests, at Apu Pachamama Travel we have a policy that our groups will not exceed 8 people. This fact alone sets us apart from other companies that operate departures with bigger groups.

OUR TOUR GUIDES

We are so proud of our guides! They are highly professional and speak fluent English. They are very knowledgeable and passionate for Inca heritage and history.  Our guides are dedicated to continuous personal and professional development. They do research to ensure that you receive accurate and recognized theories in Inca and Andean culture. Our crew is fun loving, great sports and well-educated. They all hold degrees in one of the following: Archeology, Tourism, Botany, History or Anthropology.

OUR SUPER COOL PORTERS

Trekking with Apu Pachamama Travel is a life changing experience with a fully portered trek, where your comfort and enjoyment are our first priority. We make sure that you get the best experience for your holiday in Peru, while you interact with the locals, explore fantastic sites and re-discover remote ancient Inca towns. Our porters will carry your gear, prepare your meals, set up your tents by avoiding crowded campsites and take care of you while you sit back and relax.

On the Salkantay portion of the trek, your camping gear will be carried by pack horses. To protect the trail, horses are not allowed on the Inca Trail. For this section of your trek, your camping gear will be carried by porters.

We provide the following items to our horsemen and porters for free: Jacket, sun hat, warm hat, t-shirt, pants, hiking boots, comfortable duffel bags, canteen, a girdle for protecting their spine, sleeping bags, mattresses and travel insurance. All of our porters are hired from isolated mountain communities and are given the opportunity to work with our company. This will better their economic circumstances as well as provide help for their children’s education!  We ensure that all of our porters are treated like family!

OUR EQUIPMENT

Our team (Guides, cooks and porters) and our equipment are what really makes Apu Pachamama Travel stand out from all of our competitors…. For all our adventurous hikes we include the following items:

OUR TENTS: Enjoy a good night sleep in our 4 season EUREKA Timberline tents. All our tents are 4 person tents,  ONLY 2 will sleep in them, leaving lots of room to spread out comfortably and store your duffel bags. They also include a little vestibule in front, giving you some extra outdoor space to leave your boots and walking sticks so you don’t have to bring in dirt.

• OUR FOAM MATS: They are included insulate you from the ground.
• AIR MATTRESSES can be rented for $25 USD.
• OUR KITCHEN & DINING TENTS: The dining tent is used as our meeting room at meal times. This is a great time to sit back relax and catch up for a chat.
• OUR TABLES & CHAIRS: The interior of the dining room includes tables and chairs with two doors on each side, easily adaptable to the day’s weather.
• DUFFEL BAGS: Will be provided at briefing time the night before the trek.
• MORE: Pillows, backpack rain covers, survivor t-shirts, hot shower and bio-chemical toilet are all provided on the trek.

Please note: On the Salkantay portion of the trek, your camping gear will be carried by pack horses. To protect the trail, horses are not allowed on the Inca Trail. For this section of your trek, your camping gear will be carried by porters.

OUR SERVICE PROJECTS

Apu Pachamama Travel have always believed that we should give back to the local isolated communities.  Therefore, as part of our commitment to responsible tourism, we always do many service projects and hire locally.

Apu Pachamama Travel is so proud to be able to support these people, not only employing them but go back to our grassroots as they share with their families. It makes us happy to have this holistic approach with our highland employees and their families!

IMPORTANT INFO

IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR SALKANTAY – INCA TRAIL TO MACHU PICCHU

Please read carefully the following information as it will help you answer all of your questions about our services and the Salkantay Trek & Inca Trail Trek.

ARRIVAL IN CUSCO

You will be welcomed at Cusco airport and taken to your hotel, please ensure that you inform us of your flight details at least 14 days prior to arrival. Look for our representative holding a Apu Pachamama Travel board at the exit from the arrival terminal. It can be done on any date that is best suited to you!

THE BRIEFING

The briefing will take place the night before the trek at 6pm in our office, which is located at Calle Garcilaso 210, office 213 (second floor) in the La CASA DEL ABUELO shopping center.

CAN I STORE MY LUGGAGE AT YOUR OFFICE?

Of course! During the Salkantay Trekking & Inca Trail your main luggage can be store at our office or at your hotel, whichever is more convenient for you. Please don’t leave anything you will need for your hike.

HOW TO BOOK THE SALKANTAY – INCA TRAIL MACHU PICCHU?

FIRST, to book your Salkantay & Inca Trail Trek, we need you to fill out our booking form by clicking on BOOK NOW on our homepage or click here the link BOOK NOW.

Please be ready with the following information (FROM EACH PARTICIPANT in your group).  We cannot purchase an Inca Trail permit without the following information:

• Personal information (your full name, exactly as on your passport):
• Gender
• Passport number
• OB. (dd / mm / yyyy)
• Nationality

SECOND, we require a deposit of $211.00 USD per person in order to purchase a permit for the Salkantay – Short Inca Trail Machu Picchu.  You can make you deposit by clicking on the VISA or PAYPAL symbols on the top of our home page, or you can click on the VISA or PAYPAL symbols on our booking page.

WHAT ABOUT THE BALANCE?

If you would like to avoid the high credit card fees in Peru, you may pay in cash at our office (US dollars or Peruvian soles) here in Cusco. There are many ATMS within the historical center to withdraw money. You can also pay by VISA or PAYPAL online but you will have to pay a 5.5% service fee, charged by VISA and PAYPAL.  To pay your balance through PAYPAL, you need to log into your PAYPAL account and use our email address samtravelperu@gmail.com.

MAY I CHANGE THE DEPARTURE DATE AFTER THE TICKETS HAVE BEEN BOUGHT?

Unfortunately, the answer is No. Once the tickets have been bought for the Inca Trail the government does not allow any changes, so we can’t change any departure date after the ticket has been bought. Tickets are  also not transferable nor refundable. If you cancel your Salkantay & Inca Trail Trek, the deposit is not refundable at all!

DO I NEED MY ORIGINAL PASSPORT?

Yes! You have to bring your original passport and it is very important that it is the same passport number you sent to us to book your classic Inca Trail Machu Picchu permit. In case you are renewing your passport, go ahead and send us your old number to secure your permit, and we can change it when you get your new passport number. Please send the new passport number as soon as possible.

WHAT IS THE WEATHER LIKE?

The weather is very unpredictable and it’s difficult to foresee. We recommend that you plan to always dress in layers to facilitate adjusting to the quickly changing weather conditions.

WHAT ABOUT ALTITUDE SICKNESS?

In general, if you exercise regularly and spend a couple of days in Cusco or the Sacred Valley, you will be able to acclimate normally. It usually take between 24 hours to 2 days.

The recommended remedies for altitude sickness is WATER, COCA TEA and OXYGEN, IF NEEDED. Our guides are trained to treat you for Altitude Sickness. See our detailed information about Altitude Sickness under FAQS.

DUFFEL BAG AND SMALL BACKPACK

The evening before you start your Salkantay & Inca Trail Trek, you will be given a SMALL DUFFEL BAG to pack your clothes for the next four days. Your weight allowance is up to 7kg/15lbs. By Peruvian law, a duffel bag must not weigh more than 7 kilograms (15lbs). This limit is set to protect the health of the porters and horses. All bags will be weighed before being accepted. If you require more than 7 kilograms, it will then be your responsibility to carry the extra weight with your day pack. In this 7 kilos, please count 2 kilos for your sleeping bag and 1 kilo for your sleeping pad (foam or air). This leaves you about 4 kilos for your personal gear. Your team of porters will carry your duffel bag for you, together with the food and camping gear. It’s important to be aware that you will not have access to your items in the duffel bag until the end of each day, as the porters will always be ahead of the group. During the trek, you need a day backpack big enough to carry your personal belongings such as a warm jacket, a rain jacket, your camera, sunscreen, snacks, water, etc. A 30 to 40L backpack is sufficient.

IS THE TREK DIFFICULT, DO I NEED TO BE FIT?

The Salkantay & Inca Trail Trek is a 76km (47.2 mile) hike through the Andes in the Cusco region. The maximum altitude reached is 4,880m/16,010ft. The trail is a fairly difficult trek and you should be well prepared and healthy prior to starting it. You have to be moderately fit and take regular exercise.

In preparation: try walking 15kms/9 miles in a day or working out in the months leading up to the trek. It is also important to be well acclimatized to the altitude. Try to spend at least 2 or 3 days in Cusco (3350m/11,047ft) prior to starting the trek.

ARE THERE TOILETS ON THE SALKANTAY – INCA TRAIL MACHU PICCHU?

This has been highly appreciated by most of our clients, especially by our trekkers, who want a private, clean and sanitary toilet! Apu Pachamama Travel toilet facilities have an individual tent and a camping toilet with a seat.  Check out the picture, which illustrates how we set up our camping toilet on the trek by using this link: picture of toilet tent. Our toilet is always set up a comfortable distance from our campsite. At night, if you need to use the toilet, it is readily accessible and clean, unlike the facilities supplied by the government which may be dirty. Check out the picture, which illustrates how we set up our camping toilet on the trek by using this link: picture of toilet tent.

WHAT HAPPENS IF I AM UNABLE TO FINISH THE TRAIL?

In the unlikely scenario that you are unable to finish the trek due to a health reasons, Apu Pachamama Travel will assist you to the nearest town for help with transportation. We always carry oxygen on the trek for any respiratory problems. In extreme cases, a helicopter pick up can be arranged at your own expense. (Travel insurance required). There are no refunds in the unlikely situation that you are unable to finish the trek.

Generally those who have to be assisted off the trail are taken to Ollantaytambo and if they recover quickly they continue the journey to Aguas Calientes (cost incurred by trekker) and visit Machu Picchu according to the original plan.

TIPPING

If you’re happy with the services provided, a tip – though not compulsory – is appreciated. While it may not be customary in your country, it’s of great significance for the people who will take care of you during the trek.  It inspires excellent service and is an entrenched feature of the tourism industry across many Apu Pachamama Travel destinations. Of course, you are free to tip as much as you would like, depending on your perception of the quality and the length of your trip. Remember, a tip is not compulsory and should only be given when you receive excellent service.

ARE YOU SUSTAINABLE?

Yes, we are a local, sustainable & responsible tourism operator that incorporates universal principles of tourism: protect the environment and benefit the local communities by respecting their culture and religion. With this in mind, we have trained all our local staff to know and understand, respect the places and the local people.

Please read carefully the following information. It will help with your questions about our services and the trek to Rainbow Mountain.

WELCOME TO CUSCO

You will be greeted at Cusco airport and taken to your hotel, please ensure that you inform us of your full flight details at least 14 days prior to arrival. Look for our representative holding an orange Apu Pachamama Travel board at the exit from the arrival terminal.

THE BRIEFING

The briefing will take place the night before the trek at 6pm in our office, which is located at Calle Garcilaso 210, office 213 (second floor) in the La CASA DEL ABUELO shopping center.

CAN I STORE MY LUGGAGE AT YOUR OFFICE?

Of course! During the Rainbow Mountain Trek your main luggage can be stored at our office or at your hotel, whichever is more convenient for you.

HOW TO BOOK THE RAINBOW MOUNTAIN TREK

FIRST, to book your Rainbow  Mountain Trek, we need you to fill out our booking form by clicking on BOOK NOW on our homepage or click here the link BOOK NOW.

Please be ready with the following information (FROM EACH PARTICIPANT in your group).  We cannot complete your booking for the Rainbow Mountain Trek without the following information:

• Personal information (your full name, exactly as on your passport):
• Gender
• Passport number
• OB. (dd / mm / yyyy)
• Nationality

SECOND, we require a deposit of US$53 per person in order to purchase a permit for the Rainbow Mountain Trek.  You can make you deposit by clicking on the VISA or PAYPAL symbols on the top of our home page, or you can click on the VISA or PAYPAL symbols on our booking page or click here on the payment of your choice, either VISA or PAYPAL.

WHAT ABOUT THE BALANCE?

If you would like to avoid the high credit card fees in Peru, you may pay in cash at our office (US dollars or Peruvian soles) here in Cusco. There are many ATMS within the historical center to withdraw money. You can also pay by VISA or PAYPAL online but you will have to pay a 5.5% service fee, charged by VISA and PAYPAL.  To pay your balance through PAYPAL, you need to log into your PAYPAL account and use our email address samtravelperu@gmail.com.

MAY I CHANGE THE DEPARTURE DATE AFTER THE TICKETS HAVE BEEN BOUGHT?

With alternative treks like the Rainbow Mountain Trek we may be able to change dates for a fee depending on what has been already purchased.  Please contact the office as soon as possible if you need to change your date.

*** If you cancel your Rainbow Mountain Trek, the deposit is not refundable at all!

WHAT IS THE WEATHER LIKE ON THE RAINBOW MOUNTAIN TREK?

The weather is very unpredictable and it’s difficult to foresee.  With the Rainbow Mountain Trek, we highly recommend you bring some warm clothes and good rain gear in your day backpack especially in rainy season, there can be snow or rain.  It can be very cold at the high altitudes of this trek. Also, at high altitude clouds and even storms blow across quickly and with little warning.

WHAT ABOUT ALTITUDE SICKNESS ON THE RAINBOW MOUNTAIN TREK?

In general, if you exercise regularly and spend 3 days in Cusco, or in the Sacred Valley for acclimatization to the altitude, you may be just fine.

The recommended medicine for altitude sickness is WATER, COCA TEA and OXYGEN if needed; our guides are trained to treat you  for Altitude Sickness. All guides carry oxygen. For more detailed information on Altitude Sickness click this link: Altitude Sickness.

We offer the Cusco City Tour and Sacred Valley tours that you can book while you are acclimatizing.  Check out our day tours on our Main Page.

HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE THERE PER GROUP?

The maximum group size is 8 people. Usually our groups are between 2-6 people. Apu Pachamama Travel specializes in SMALL, PRIVATE groups and provides a personalized service.

IS THE TREK DIFFICULT, DO I NEED TO BE FIT?

Yes, though the distance is not great, it is a difficult trek due to the high altitude and the last section is steep. You reach the altitude of 5100 metres/16732ft.  You need to be in good physical condition and have had time to adjust to the altitude before going on the trek. It is also important to be well acclimated to the altitude. Try to spend at least 3 days in Cusco (3350m/11,047ft) prior to starting the trek.

If you are doing other treks and tours in the Cusco area, we suggest that you schedule Rainbow Mountain as your last activity.

WHAT HAPPENS IF I AM UNABLE TO FINISH THE RAINBOW MOUNTAIN TREK?

In the unlikely scenario that you are unable to finish the trek due to a health issue, Apu Pachamama Travel will assist you to the nearest town for help with transportation. If you are unable to finish due to fatigue you can rent a horse. We always carry oxygen on the trek for any respiratory problems. In extreme cases, a helicopter pick up can be arranged at your own expense. (Travel insurance required). There are no refunds in the unlikely situation that you are unable to finish the trek.

ARE WE GOING TO BE DROPPED AT OUR HOTEL AFTER THE TREK?

Absolutely!! Included in the package we will drop you at your hotel in Cusco! If you have booked your hotel in the Sacred Valley like Ollantaytambo or Urubamba, we will drop you off there too!

TIPPING

If you’re happy with the services provided, a tip – though not compulsory – is appreciated. While it may not be customary in your country, it’s of great significance for the people who will take care of you during the trek. Tipping is a part of the culture here in Peru. It inspires them to give excellent service and is an entrenched feature of the tourism industry across many Apu Pachamama Travel destinations. Of course, you are free to tip as much as you feel appropriate, depending on your perception of the quality and the length of your trip. Remember, a tip is not compulsory and should only be given when you receive excellent service.

ARE WE SUSTAINABLE?

Yes, we are a local, sustainable & responsible tourism operator. We incorporate the universal principles of sustainable tourism: protect the environment and benefit the local communities by respecting their culture and religion. With this in mind, we have trained all our local staff to know and understand, respect the places and the local people.

WHAT YOU HAVE TO TAKE WITH YOU

• Original passport (it has to be the same you have used for booking your trek)
• Valid student ID card (if you booked as a student)
• Good daypack (the smaller, the better)
• Water storage: 2-3L (Please bring reusable bottles, not disposable ones).
• Comfortable hiking boots with ankle support
• Sleeping bag (can be rented from Apu Pachamama Travel)
• Headlamp: essential
• Toilet paper

WHAT TO PUT IN THE DUFFEL BAG

As a Direct Local Tour operator we provide you with a duffel bag at your briefing and INCLUDE an extra porter who will carry up to 7 kgs or 1 pounds including your sleeping bag, mattress and extra clothing. By Peruvian law, a duffel bag must not weigh more than 7 kilograms (15lbs). This limit is set to protect the health of the porters or horses. All bags will be weighed before being accepted. If you require more than 7 kilograms, it will then be your responsibility to carry the extra weight with your day pack. In this 7 kilos, please count 2 kilos for your sleeping bag and 1 kilo for your sleeping pad. This leaves you about 4 kilos for your personal gear.

• 2 t-shirts
• 2 hiking pants at least
• 4 sets of undergarments
• 3 sets of hiking socks
• 2 Fleece/ Thermals
• Warm clothes, down jacket — 2nd campsite temp around 3º C.
• Waterproof gloves (even if they are ski gloves, take them)
• Comfortable shoes for camp
• Quickdry towel. We provide small ones, you might prefer something larger.
• Small bottle of soap: we provide warm water each day to wash.
• Battery Charger: No electricity along the trek.
• Large plastic bags will be provided at the office — Please ask for them.
• Sleeping bag: It has to be at least -15ºC – This can be rented from us for $25 USD.

TOILETRIES

• Face moisturizer
• Hand sanitizer
• Wet wipes
• Toothbrush and paste
• Personal medications
• First aid kit: band aids, moleskin, etc.

WHAT TO PUT IN THE DAYPACK

We highly recommend a small backpack 30 to 40L for hiking in the day. A big backpack will not be allowed into Machu Picchu. The remainder of your belongings will be in your duffel bag at camp.

• Water: Please supply your own water until the first lunch. Bring your own water bottles.
• Sun hat
• Sunscreen
• Insect repellent
• Headlamp: essential
• Wool hat
• Rain gear
• Fleece
• Snacks like chocolate bars, cereal bars or any dry fruits
• Rain plastic poncho
• Gloves
• Camera
• Hand sanitizer
• Toilet paper and small plastic bag for waste
• Extra money for souvenirs, drinks & tips