SUMMARY: Also known as the Colored Mountain, we will have the pleasure of visiting unique landscapes of glacial mountains, Andean communities and villages that are found throughout the Andes. Vinicunca is the original name of the Mountain of Colors that is located in the Cusco region, the Puna shows us a unique landscape, with the fauna of Alpacas, Llamas and Vicuñas that still roam freely.
| Duration | Full day, 12 hours |
| Interests | Adventure, Nature, Hiking. |
| Climate | Cold – frigid |
| Climate weather | Rain – wind |
| Temperature: | 6 °C to 0 °C Humidity: 55% RELATIVE |
| Geographic: | Valleys, mountains and glaciers. |
| Maximum altitude: | 5070 m.s.n.m. |
| Physical Demand Level: | High |
| Travel restrictions: | Good physical condition and helth |
| Transportation: | Bus, trekking, horseback riding. |
| Area visited: | A.C.R Ausangate. |
CUSCO - CUSIPATA - CHILLIWANI - VINICUNCA
Early, we left at 4:00 AM toward to the southeast of the city of Cusco, after 1 hour and 30 min driving. We will make a stop at the restaurant for breakfast and then we will continue driving for 1 hour and 30 minutes more, until reaching the starting point of the walk that takes us to the viewpoint of the mountain of colours, the walk lasts by an average of 2 hours to reach the viewpoint of the Coloured Mountain where it takes 40 minutes to 1 hour to visit the different viewpoints to enjoy the beautiful scenery also taking the advantage of the best photographic shots, from this place you can also admire the Ausangate glacier and the various orographic formations. The return walk is 1 hour and 30 minutes on average until taking the return driving that first returns us to the restaurant and then continues to Cusco, all this accompanied by the best staff of guides and experienced drivers.
Breakfast and lunch in the restaurant.
IT DOESN´T INCLUDES
TREKKING POLES WITH: (OPTIONAL)
Normally we rent trekking poles to walk safely, especially in the rainy season.
- PERSONAL EQUIPMENT (CLOTHING, BACKPACKS, SHOES, CAMERAS, BINOCULARS, ETC.)
TRAVEL INSURANCE…………………..
ADDITIONAL COSTS: Any unforeseen event, such as delays, itinerary changes, weather or social instability, purchases, upgrades, anything that is beyond the company's capabilities.
TIPS FOR THE STAFF. It is at your discretion, and according to how you have perceived the level of service. They will be very grateful for this detail.
TRAVEL INFORMATION
GEOGRAPHY: The Vinicunca mountain area is located in the Andes mountain range, specifically in the eastern Andes of southern Peru within the Vilcanota mountain chain, which is formed by, deep valleys and high plateaus. It is located within the administrative territory of the Cusco region between the districts of Cusipata in the province of Quispicanchis and the district of Pitumarca in the province of Canchis.
HISTORY: the Andean civilization has settled since remote times forming their own identity and culture, over time they adapted their needs to a hostile and difficult environment such as the Andes mountain range and they knew how to develop knowledge that even today are part of our admiration, due to its historical content many times they keep secrets that little by little we will discover in each of our experiences, the history in a good percentage is related to the Incas, since they were the result of an amalgamation of ancient civilizations that developed many years ago, with colonization and the arrival of the Catholic religion, many customs were acquired and many remain, forming a perfect cultural syncreticim in all its aspects, which is why it is summed up in the real importance of all the elements that come to form our history, religion and our ethnic diversity.
IDIOSYNCRACY: Generally, the inhabitants of the Andes in rural areas are extremely friendly and reserved people. The language spoken is Quechua, which has been transmitted from generation to generation since ancient times, and Spanish is spoken more in cities and large towns, even many of them maintain their traditions and customs. In the cities, regional nationalism is practiced, the Catholic religion is carried out with traditional practices of the Andean religion, making it a cultural-religious syncretism, there are a long line of traditional festivities throughout the year, many times they pause normal activities.
ECONOMY: Agricultural activity in many remote areas is the only livelihood, but in the last decade the Ausangate mountain area has been positively impacted by tourism activity. In rural areas, many peasant communities still practice ancient agricultural techniques to be able to master the verticality of our geography.
CLIMATE: In general, the Andes Mountains play like a natural barrier that determines its climate, scholars vertically analyze the orography of our territory and classify it according to altitude, higher altitude lower temperature, lower altitude higher temperature, specifically the area to explore has a altitude close to 5 thousand meters above sea level, there are chances of rain starting at noon and the temperature varies between 5 and 0 degrees Celsius depending on the time of year.
TRANSPORTATION: There are a good number of paved roads and unpaved roads "dirt roads" which we will use to get to realize our excursions, for the classic visit to Vinicunca we will use the paved road that connects Cusco with Puno and the diversion by dirt road until we reach the beginning of the trekking. Also taking note that there are rural roads that are still used by peasant communities and a large part of them made up the ancient and famous Inca road network or "Ccapac Ñan".
SERVICES: In remote places there is some difficulty with the telephone signal. In the area of the Mountain of Colors there are places where you could suddenly find a mobile phone network signal. There is no electricity, the exchange rate from dollars to soles is done with a considerable margin against the dollar, attempt to bring soles in cash, the community in charge of the administration of Vinicunca is implementing rest rooms. There are small shops where you could find snacks, handicrafts and rehydration drinks.
HEALTH AND SAFETY. Your safety is very important to us, we have a large database which is part of our care procedure and emergency protocols, in the Rainbow Mountain, Vinicunca, first aid points are being implemented but the closest hospital is in Cusco. Although there are health posts or mini hospitals on the route. Cusco is considered one of the safest regions in Peru, and remote areas in many cases are being watched by the self-defense committee and peasant rounds that maintain order in the absence of the Police.
SUGGESTED EQUIPMENT
| EQUIPMENT | TREKKING |
| HEAD |  |
| cold cap | |
| sun hat | |
| sunglasses | |
| bandana | |
| TRUNK AND ARMS | |
| t-shirt | |
| fleece jacket or polar | |
| windbreaker | |
| Winter gloves | |
| sun gloves | |
| LOWER EXTREMITIES | |
| heaters | |
| trekking pants | |
| cold pants | |
| Waterproof pants | |
| hiking socks | |
| trekking shoes | |
| OTHERS | |
| Small backpack “day pack” | |
| cameras | |
| binoculars | |
| trekking sticks | |
| Dry bag |
Bring personal documents and extra money with you
The prices are subject to the services included in your tour: There are discounts for group trips, more people more discount. Every day we fixed departures. We also offer private tours. Remember we practice the fair trade.
The difference in prices between each program is according to the type of trip and the different requirements such as entrance tickets, or other requirements that can be coordinated.
Ask about the special services and requirements, we are here to design your trip. Any questions about the price agreement will be resolved.
The final cost of group tour to VINICUNCA CLASSIC VISIT IS 55 USD.
How to book my tour? Contact us. After advising you about the activities you will have, We will send to you a proforma containing a budget and plan. Answer if you are happy with your plan and the cost. If you agree.
Proceed to make the payment of the advance or the total payment of the service.
Through:
Pay Pal, Visa, Western Union, Deposit
RESERVATION POLICIES:
For the services of "day tours" or last minute purchases, you can pay by making an interbank transfer or deposit one day before the service according to availability.
CANCELLATION POLICIES:
The climate is very varied according to the altitude, the season and the geographical area where it is located, The rainy months the last days of October, November, December, January, February, March and part of April. The dry months last weeks April, May, June, July, August, September.
Clarifying; due to the geographical location near the Amazon region, there is an untimely presence of rain throughout the year. The coldest months are June and July. That is why we suggest you be well equipped.
You may be exercising in your place of residence, going for a walk up is a good option, to "catch air" or exercise our aerobic energy, when you arrive in Cusco try to hydrate regularly, a little more than you usually do.
choose your programs starting from low places towards high places "gradual ascent".
The diet must be light (no red meat in large dimensions) the digestion is very slow at hight altitude places, help yourself by drinking infusions of Andean ment, tea, and Coca leaves.
Some medication can be prescribed from your country, if you are going to take any other medication you must be sure that you usually take it, if the problem occurs during the excursion our guides will be prepared for a prior evaluation and if necessary, execute the evacuation protocol.
The minimum number of participants is 1 and in average we organize a group of 8 participants, all this will depend on the traveler's requirements, since we are specialists in tailor-made trips.
The minimum age suggested of the participant to be able to do it without any special consideration is 14 years, less ages will have to be detailed for logistics and special requirements.
You can change to local currency "SOL" the American Dollar, the Euro, Pounds, Brazilian Reales, Chilean Pesos.
Only in the cities of Cusco, Pisaq, Urubamba, Ollantaytambo and Aguas Calientes are there places to change them.
Yes, you can purchase services at the last minute after consulting with the Andean Holidays travel advisor.
We handle security protocols, in terms of injuries you will be evaluated in which mediated the state of "usability" to be able to activate the evacuation protocol to the Health center, in case of emergencies, you must have some type of insurance contracted on your trip.
If you do not have problems with altitude and digestion, try to eat normally, but for our excursions we suggest eating more carbohydrates and obviously also experiencing the Peruvian cuisine that is in fashion.
Trying to carry out the planned activities in your country, exercising doing ascents is a good option, cycling in your place of residence is another good option if you are going to ride a bike with us.
For the excursions to Vinivcunca, it is suggested that you take the passport copy, photograph or any ID for other excursions.
There are some shops, of the brands North Face, Patagonia and others in the historic center of Cusco, you will have to do this before going on an excursion with us. The stock in Cusco is moderately limited.
I'm new to this, not sure if I can do it.
Consult with all confidence with our travel advisors. To any number that we have on our website, we will be happy to help you.
Yes, some programs are carried out in places that are moderately not exposed to vacuum, with our tailor-made travel programming we will help you and give you some options for your comfort.
Yes, let us know and we will prepare the logistics and the requirements that are needed.
Our aspiration is your enjoyment, we have tailor-made programs for different profiles which are very well designed considering your safety and delight.
