Rainbow Mountain Trek, Ausangate + Machu Picchu

Inclusions

Included

• Professional Guides:All of Andean Land Expeditions’ guides on our Rainbow Mountain Trek studied English and tourism at Cusco National University. They all grew up in the Cusco region and are committed to teaching others about their heritage. They’re fun yet professional and will ensure you are safe and happy on your Rainbow Mountain tour.
• Briefing:The night before your Lares Trek around Rainbow Mountain and Ausangate to Machu Picchu, you’ll come to Andean Land Expeditions’ office at 6:30 p.m. for your briefing with your trekking guide. You’ll receive your Andean Land Expeditions duffel bag for your items that must include your sleeping bag and air mattress (ours weigh 2.5 kg and 1 kg respectively). All duffel bags will be carried by your porters and will only be available at your campsite each day (morning and evening). Any items that are needed while hiking should be packed in your daypack.
• Porters & Horsemen:Andean Land Expeditions includes a personal porter who is responsible for carrying your duffel bag containing your items. There is no additional fee for this. Your duffel bag will be provided at your briefing the night before and to be filled with your necessities for the next night and day. You will not have access to your duffel bag until you arrive at your evening campsite.
• Emergency Horse:All of Andean Land Expeditions’ alternative treks include an extra horse for our clients to use if they need a break from trekking.
• Transportation:All your transportation is included in this trek. You’ll be picked up directly from your hotel around 4:30 a.m. and brought to the trailhead to begin your trek. Once you complete the trek, you’ll be brought back directly to your hotel in Cusco for drop off.
• Equipment:Andean Land Expeditions has the best equipment. We use Eureka Timberline 4 person tents that are shared by only two people. You’ll have a spacious dining tent to enjoy your meals in.
• Food:The Andean Land Expeditions chefs cook delicious meals that many previous trekkers have loved. We honor all food restrictions so be sure to add any that you have on your booking form and let your guide know at your briefing. Food is typically all served family-style.
• You’ll enjoy breakfast, lunch, and dinner each day for the trek along with a happy hour of tea and snacks. A snack will be provided each morning for you to enjoy along the hike. Your last meal with your chef will be after breakfast on day four. Lunch on the last day is not included.
• Water:Beginning from your first lunch until your last breakfast Andean Land Expeditions will supply all the water needed. This water is boiled, filtered, and then cooled before distributing. You must bring personal water bottles and or a camelback, we recommend carrying about 3L worth. You’ll be able to refill your water at each meal.
• First Aid:Every Andean Land Expeditions guide has received training in first aid from a physician. We conduct mandatory training sessions every February which every Andean Land tour guide must attend. Your tour guide will always have a first-aid kit for basic medical situations (traveler’s diarrhea, cuts, scrapes, etc.) and oxygen. We’ll get you off the trail as quickly and comfortably as possible if needed and ensure you get directly to a clinic for treatment.
• Extras:Andean Land Expeditions believes it´s the attention to small details that separates us from other tour companies. Every Andean Land Expeditions trekker receives a small pillow to sleep with, a foam mattress for insulation, a day pack cover to protect their things while hiking, and a rain poncho. We work very hard to ensure that you have the very best vacation.
• Satellite Phones:Andean Land Expeditions’ top priority will always be the safety of you and our team. While all Andean Land Expeditions guides are prepared and trained to deal with issues clients may have on the mountain. Being a phone call away from any doctor, hospital, or friend helps everyone feel assured that they are safe. Radios which all our guides have are limited in how far they can reach so Andean Land Expeditions has added Satellite Phones to every trek. Every guide will have a fully charged phone that can be used anywhere on the mountain to reach us. They can be used by our clients for non-emergencies as well. While they are not cheap to use, they’re available just in case you need to check in at home.

Not Included

• Rentals:Every trekker needs a sleeping bag when camping. Inflatable air mattresses and walking sticks (with rubber tips) are optional but encouraged. If you don’t want to bring any of the above, they are all available for rent:Sleeping Bag: $20
  Inflatable Air Mattress: $15
  Walking Sticks (Pair): $15

Price

• 750

$750 per person

• Student Discount:

$25 off per person

Student discounts apply to anyone who has a valid UNIVERSITY STUDENT CARD at the time of the trek or who is 17-years-old or younger. For those using an university student card to receive the discount, we need to see a copy of the card at booking. For those booking children 17-years-old or younger, we need a copy of their passport at booking time. Please send all to sales@andeanlandexpeditions.com.

More Information about STUDENT CARD

• Rentals:

Sleeping Bag (four season): $20 (Maximum size 1.95m / 6’4″)
Pair of walking poles (Black Diamond): $15
Inflatable air mattress (Thermarest): $15
* Foam mats and small pillows are provided for everyone.

Travel Info

Getting to Cusco

The airport in Cusco currently is only for domestic flights. Therefore, all international travelers by plane must disembark in Lima and go through Customs. Even if your flight to Cusco is the same day by the same airline carrier, you must grab your bags in Lima and then check them back in.

The best way to get to Cusco is by air and there are several options in airlines. LAN tends to be the most expensive but has the most options and flights. Expect delays or flight cancellations. Due to the high altitude of Cusco, it tends to be difficult to land and any acclimate weather will stop air traffic. Bus travel is always available and while the trip can be long, especially from Lima the buses in Peru are very well maintained and comfortable. This option is strongly encouraged if coming from a city closer to Cusco like Puno. Lima buses will take about 20 hours to arrive.

Luggage Storage

Any extra luggage you have with you can be left safely in Cusco at either your hotel or with us at the Andean Land Expeditions office while you trek. We’ll store your luggage on the morning of your trek and return it once you’re back in Cusco. Make sure your bags have tags on them so they are easy to locate.
Altitude

As soon as people book their trip to Peru, specifically Cusco they start wondering about altitude sickness. The air at high altitudes contains less oxygen than at sea level and forces your body to work harder to get the oxygen it needs. Over several days at high altitude your body adjusts to the lower amount of oxygen in the air. For this reason, we always recommend spending at least two days in Cusco before beginning any trek in the Andes. Cusco is a marvelous city with lots to do so if you have more time to acclimate you won´t be bored.

With altitude sickness you may first feel like you have the flu or a hangover. You may have a headache, tiredness, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, trouble sleeping, or trouble breathing during exercise. If any of these effects become severe please contact our office and we’ll help you get to a doctor.

Most of the time these symptoms will be mild. We always recommend easing into activity slowly allowing your body time to adjust. Drink plenty of fluids such as water or coca tea. Coca tea has been used since ancient times to help prevent altitude sickness. Leaves from the Coca Plant contain alkaloids that help bring oxygen into your blood. This helps your body avoid the effects of altitude sickness. Avoid drinking a lot of alcohol and coffee since they will cause you to urinate more often and become dehydrated. Avoid smoking. Smoking makes it more difficult for your body to get oxygen. Avoid sleeping pills. They may cause shallow breathing at night, making it more difficult for your body to absorb oxygen while you sleep.

Remember the trek to Machu Picchu is not a race. Even those in the best shape will suffer from altitude sickness if they race to the top of the mountain too quickly. Go slow and it’ll give your body time to adjust to the elevation. Your healthcare provider may prescribe medication such as Acetazolamide and Dexamethasone to help prevent altitude sickness. Start the medicine two days before you get to high altitude and continue to take it while you are at high altitude. You must remember that this is your holiday and you don’t want to stress out about the possibility of getting sick from it. Do everything slowly, drink lots of water, and enjoy the coca tea. If anything does happen and you unfortunately get sick, let your guide know right away. Andean Land Expedition guides are trained to help you get through it.

Weather

Of course, the weather is unpredictable. The Cusco dry season is April thru October. Although this does not stop rain from falling in June or the sun from coming out in December so just be prepared. No matter what month you are doing the trek make sure that you have rain gear that includes a waterproof jacket, pants, poncho, and waterproof gloves. Many people forget about gloves but being cold and wet makes hiking very unpleasant.
Also be ready for four seasons. Treks in the Andes involve various microclimates and you will need to be prepared for each one. Layers are always key since they are easy to adjust to different temperature changes. Be prepared with a warm packable down jacket since the evening will be cold.

First Aid

Every Andean Land Expeditions guide has received training in first aid from a physician. We conduct mandatory training every February and every Andean Land guide attends. When guiding you they’ll have with them a first aid kit for basic medical situations (traveler’s diarrhea, cuts, scrapes, etc.) and oxygen.
In case something unexpected happens and you feel you can no longer complete the trek they’ll figure out the safest and quickest way off the trail and to a clinic. You’ll never be left alone, you’ll have a member of the team escort you every step of the way until safely with a doctor. When you’re feeling up to it, we’ll make sure that you still have the chance to visit Machu Picchu and re-connect with your group. This way you can finish your trip traveling by train comfortably.

Travel Insurance

To protect your travel investment, we highly recommend the purchase of travel insurance. Getting travel insurance before you leave home is strongly encouraged and very easy. We work with a great agency in the United States that has helped to make it easy and affordable. It’s an excellent way to protect yourself while you are visiting Peru.

Environmental Impact

Andean Land Expeditions uses biodegradable soap and transports all our garbage back to Cusco. Our porters are trained to look after the trail and pick up any waste from other groups, as well. We also use environmentally-friendly chemical portable toilets that allow us to pack waste out. We strongly believe in leaving no footprint behind.

Community

Andean Land Expeditions is proud of the work we do for our community as this is the main focus of our company. We’ve worked with villages directly to help supply them with the needs their families were missing. We’ve supported local schools by giving them computers and books. Andean Land Expeditions also sponsors a teacher at the village. This is where most of our porters come from and ensures their children have the best opportunity for education.
We buy all our food from local farmers and markets and serve the freshest ingredients. We provide English classes for all our team including guides, porters, chefs, and drivers. We’re also building a house for our porters. By giving them a safe and comfortable place to stay before and after our treks.
Twice every year we bring our porters and their families to Machu Picchu. The men and women who work tirelessly have never visited the Lost Citadel of the Incas. So that makes this trip our favorite to do. It’s an honor to show them this place.

We’re always looking for partners as well as doing more. Please let us know about your ideas and we’ll work to help.

Personal Porter Included

All Andean Land Expeditions camping treks include porters who’re responsible for carrying and setting up all equipment. They’ll additionally carry the duffel bag you receive at your briefing the night before your trek. Each duffel bag cannot exceed 7kg/14lbs and must include your sleeping bag and air mat. Andean Land Expeditions gives each porter a proper uniform, salary, and insurance. They’re the backbone of our company.

Packing list

Packing list

• Day pack
• Copy of your passport
• Good hiking gear: hiking boots, warm jackets, gloves, hat, warm fleece, and socks
• Sleeping bag
• Walking boots
• Waterproof jacket/rain poncho
• Hat and gloves
• Warm clothes: Layers for variable temperatures, especially at night
• T-shirts
• Comfortable trousers
• Sun hat
• Sunscreen
• Insect repellent
• Reusable plastic/metal water bottle, or camel bags
• Water for first four hours of trek, then we’ll provide you with drinking water
• Toiletries
• Personal medication
• Camera and films
• Flashlight with spare batteries
• Walking stick
• Bathing suit for the hot springs
• Extra money for souvenirs, drinks and tips