Humantay Lake and Rainbow Mountain

Itinerary

Day 1: Cusco – Soraypampa – Humantay lake – Cusco

We will pick you up from your hotel around 4:30 am and drive in our comfortable vans for 2 hours to the town of Mollepata where we will make a stop to have a delicious breakfast, which will take about an hour and then we continue for 1 more hour towards the beginning of the hike which is called Soraypampa at 3900 m, then we go to the control point to pay the entrance fee to the community (20 soles).

Embark on a 1.5-hour uphill hike (3 km) to Lake Humantay, where you’ll be captivated by breathtaking scenery. Take photos, listen to our guide, and savor the stunning landscape. Leave an offering for Pachamama with coca leaves or create an ‘el hito de Piedras’ (stack of rocks) as a tribute to the mountain. For a 360° view, hike around the lake’s edges, but it’s advisable to take a private tour or go solo if time permits.

After we will get ready for the return hike to the van and it will be the end of the hike then we take the van back to Mollepata for an hour where our chefs will prepare a variety of Peruvian dishes in a buffet style. Later take our private van back to Cusco, arriving at your hotel around 6:00 pm.

Day 2:  Cusco → Cusipta Town → Rainbow Mountain → Cusco

Pick up We will pick you up at 4:00 – 4:30 am from any hotel, Airbnb, or hostel in Cusco. It will be a 3 hour drive to the trailhead, after 2 hours we will arrive at the village of Cusipata.

Breakfast. In Cusipata we will stop at a restaurant to enjoy an exquisite buffet breakfast to get energies for the hike, after breakfast we will take a 1 hour trip to the starting point of the hike.

Trek The hike takes about 2 hours uphill to Rainbow Mountain. At a slower pace, it could be 2¾ hours, or if you are really fit and well acclimatized, some people can do it in 1½ hours. The climb includes some brief pauses where the guide will explain some important facts about the mountains and the geography of the area. You may have the opportunity to see some of the local people, such as llamas and alpacas, who frequent this area.

Upon arrival at the top of Rainbow Mountain, you will have about 1 hour to take pictures and explore the spectacular views of the surrounding area – valleys, mountains and to see the highest glacier mountain in Cusco – Ausangate, whose summit is at an altitude of 6,384m / 20,944ft, making it one of the highest mountains in Peru.

Descent and Lunch At the end of our visit to the 7 Colors Mountain we will descend the same way we used to climb the mountain until we reach the starting point where our transportation will be waiting for us.

With the complete equipment we will go to Cusipata to the same restaurant where we had breakfast, there our buffet menu will be waiting for us.

After lunch, it will be another 2½ hours drive to Cusco around 5:30 – 6:00 pm and thus ends our tour to the 7 Colors Mountain.

Inclusions

Included

• Pick up from your hotel
• Round trip transportation
• 2 Breakfast
• 2 Buffet lunch
• Walking stick
• Groups ranging between 10-15 people.
• Professional guides English speaking.
• First-Aid equipment and oxygen bottle for emergencies

Not Included

• Extra expenses not mentioned in the itinerary
• Horse riding (optional)
• Water, please bring 1 liter per person
• Tips

Packing List

• Light and waterproof backpack
• Hiking boots
• Warm clothing and hiking pants
• Layers of clothing for variable temperatures
• Camera with film and spare batteries
• Sun protection: sunscreen, hat, sun glasses
• Thermal clothing, wool socks, gloves, scarf, wool hat in cold season
• Insect repellent
• Waterproof clothing and/or rain poncho
• Water bottle
• Personal first aid kit
• Extra money for souvenirs, beverages, tips
• Walking sticks if needed (for rent)
• Favorite snacks
• Hand sanitizer
• Toilet paper