Rainbow Mountain & Red Valley 2 Day Trek

PRICE AND NUMBER OF TREKKERS

A minimum of 2 trekkers required for this trek. Maximum of 10 trekkers in a group.

Every great trek starts with the right plan.

We offer small group experiences, private treks, and customized adventures tailored to your needs. Whether you’re traveling with friends or looking for a more personalized journey, we’re here to make it happen.

Email us to secure your trip and receive all the details you need to get started.

Private treks, single trekker, custom treks, large groups, and packages welcome! Please email us to customize

DIETARY NEEDS

Yes, we do cater to any dietary restriction. We have had many people join our trips who are vegan, vegetarian, gluten free, dairy free, and have various other intolerances and/or allergies. Just inform us well in advance of your specific needs!

WHEN TO GO AND DEGREE OF DIFFICULTY

March/April to November or the dry season. (Dec to Feb/March or wet season: rainfall and snow can block the pass and cancel the trek though we can arrange the trek during the wet season). This trek is rated as a moderate to strenuous (intermediate) hike considering the high altitudes and length of walking. It is recommended that you acclimatize in Cusco for 2-3 days before trekking.

WEATHER & WHAT TO BRING ON YOUR TREK

Weather on the trek and in Cusco

The weather varies a lot across Peru, having 28 climates and 84 of the worlds 104 ecosystems. Cusco is set high up (3,380 mts, 11,089 ft) in the Andean Mountain Range and the dry season (winter) is from Mar/April to October/November with the wettest part of the year (summer) being December through March. The weather for trekking is pretty much the same year round, with the main difference being the amount of rainfall. During the dry season, most days are dry and clear, but high-altitude mountains always have the potential for rain and/or snow so it is essential to come prepared for all types of weather regardless of the time of year.

The Rainbow trek is very high altitude, therefore the weather can be quite cold and unpredictable. The nights on this trek are usually around 20F/-7C. During the day it can get quite warm if the sun is out; anywhere from 60-75F/15-24C. Keep in mind, if the weather is rainy or cloudy it will be colder, and that the weather can change in an instant, particularly when up at the high-altitude passes. It is often quite windy at the top of the passes as well. As with any high-altitude trek you’ll need to bring plenty of layers to adjust to the fluctuating temperatures and conditions as well as appropriate sun/rain protection.

Cusco weather: Cusco is always very cold at night due to the high altitude. It is regularly around 40F/4.4C at night so bring a nice warm jacket for nighttime walking in town. It is warmer in Machu Picchu and the Sacred Valley and Aguas Calientes as these areas are lower altitudes than Cusco and the trek.

What to bring: for your trek

Everything you need for the day should be kept in your daypack that you carry because all the items you leave with your porter will not be available to you until the evening at the campsite. It is recommended not to hike in cotton or jeans in the event of rain as cotton takes a very long time to dry. It is also recommended to bring true hiking boots or trail running shoes as regular running shoes do not get very good traction, especially when it has rained.

Sleeping bags and walking poles (poles must have intact rubber bottoms)
Recommend a sleeping bag rated for 20F/-7C or below for this trek
Sleeping bag liner (for your sleeping bag if you wish)
Mattress pad – while we provide a mattress pad, being rested is essential for a great hiking experience and we find that sleep habits are very individualized. Therefore we recommend bringing your own pad that you know you are comfortable sleeping on, as well as any other sleep items you might want to have (camp pillow, etc).
Sunscreen: the sun is very strong in Cusco
Sun hat
Sunglasses
Lip balm
Hiking shoes/boots with good, grippy tread
Optional: microspikes in case of excessive snowfall (rare)
Hiking pants (or shorts) and shirts (layers)
Layers – long underwear and/or warm sleep pants for cold nights
Hand warmers if you wish
Warm hat, gloves, scarf and thick warm socks (or you can buy a traditional Peruvian hat and scarf – they are beautiful!)
Daypack and rain cover
Rain gear – rain jacket and rain pants (optional for the pants), can buy an inexpensive poncho before the trek
Cash for tipping porters (USD or Peruvian Soles are fine), cooks, horsemen, guides, buying items along the trail, for in town, emergencies, etc. Note: Cash should be in perfect condition (ripped, damaged bills of any kind are NOT accepted anywhere in Peru)
Swim suit, flip flops, towel for any hot springs you may visit (not every trek/trip has this) if you wish to go
Sandals
Torch/flashlight/headlamp (and batteries)
Insect repellent if you
Extra snacks if you wish (beyond snacks provided I by us)
E.g. if you have a favorite protein bar as Cusco doesn’t sell items like this
First aid kit, including blister protection (though your guide will have one, you may wish to carry one of your own)
Personal medication and toiletries you might want/need
Camera, extra memory cards, batteries and solar panel/power bank
Water bottle or water bladder to refill
Passport (must be valid 6 months past your final travel dates for most countries)
Copies of passport (keep copies separate, give to travel friends to keep, etc)
Power plug adapter
Travel lock(s) approved by TSA (or they cut them off – US only)
Tickets, itinerary, emergency contact information
Any medications you currently are taking or need/may need (see suggestions below)
Small quick-dry pak towels and/or compostable wipes for a quick wipe down at the end of the day

What to bring: medications – medications are optional and depend on your specific needs

Antibiotic for travelers diarrhea or UTI
Antibiotic for a severe bacterial infection
Medication for upset stomach/indigestion
Medication for prevention of altitude sickness (requires a prescription from your physician and has contraindications for certain people and potential side effects)
Anti-inflammatory medication (some people find this is useful for prevention of altitude sickness as well. Speak with your physician for more information)
Anti-diarrhea medication
Anti-nausea medication for motion sickness/altitude sickness if needed
Cold/flu medication
General pain killer/fever reducer
Vaccinations – recommend bringing all boosters up to date (MMR, tetanus, etc)
COVID19 negative test result (currently within 72 hours of departure) and eventually will likely need a COVID19 vaccination card
We have blogged about what we bring and you can use it as a general guideline if you wish: What To Pack For Peru Trekking
View latest travel advisories and recommended vaccinations and medications for the regions you plan to visit. For Lima, Cusco, and Machu Picchu there are generally no vaccinations required. If you are going to the jungle or any other higher risk area you may need: yellow fever vaccine, medicine for malaria, typhoid vaccine, etc. Click here for updated info: http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/peru.aspx NOTE: Please consider visiting your doctor several weeks before your trip to discuss any health restrictions you may have, medications he/she might recommend for you personally, and to seek more information about any vaccinations or medications recommended for Peru (or any of your other destinations). Additionally: speak with your doctor before taking any over-the-counter and/or prescription medications alone or combined.

WHAT TO CARRY – DAYPACKS

On the trail you should carry a day pack with your camera, water bottle or bladder, snacks, hand sanitizer, face mask, cold weather clothing and rain gear or poncho in case of rain (unlikely in dry season – May to October) and anything you will need before dinner as horses do not walk alongside you. A recommended packing list is sent after you book the trip and can be found below under the “what to pack for your trek” tab. We will provide you with a dry bag for your overnight gear to be carried by horses. Your bag will be waiting for you at every campsite. Yes we do offer luggage storage and most hotels/hostels in Cusco also offer this service.

PAYMENT & PASSPORT INFO

Deposit: A 200 USD deposit will be charged to your card when you book the trek. This allows us to purchase time-sensitive items
Payment of Balance: The balance (pay cash in Cusco at the briefing time)
Passport: For this trek we do NOT need a photo of your passport bio page. However, as this involves international travel, please note that each traveler is responsible for knowing the re-entry rules for their country of residence/citizenship. Some countries require 6 months of passport validity beyond the final date of travel. Please ensure that your passport is up to date and meets your country and residency requirements.
Visa’s: Most countries are allowed to obtain a visa upon entry at immigration. Very few countries require a visa to be granted in advance. Please note that each traveler is responsible for finding out and obtaining a visa prior to entry if required. Please also note that tourist visas are for 90 days or less (typically) and you must show proof of return travel.

BOOKING TERMS/CANCELLATION

Please review our booking terms carefully.
The minimum number of trekkers required for departure is 2 for the price quoted online. If the minimum is not met within 2 weeks of departure, Cachi Life Peru reserves the right to offer the 1-2 paid trekkers the option of 1) paying the difference to take a private trek, 2) transferring their payment to another trek with more trekkers booked, or 3) cancel the trek and provide a full refund. Please contact us with questions.
At the time of booking only a deposit is charged. The trek deposit is required to secure your spot on a trek and is non-refundable. It is used to purchase non-refundable items such as train tickets, Machu Picchu entrance tickets, etc. The balance of the trek is pay in Cusco but in cash.
Cancellations: Initial deposit is non-refundable. You may cancel your booking by notifying Cachi Life Peru or Agent used and the applicable cancellation fees shall be determined based on when the request is received by Cachi Life Peru or Agent.
Travel Medical Insurance: is required to depart on any trek (including emergency evacuation coverage and high altitude hiking). We also suggest travel interruption insurance in the event of inclement weather or other unforeseen circumstances that may arise. Cachi Life Peru is not responsible for losses incurred due to any travel interruption (ex: weather/natural phenomena, missed/delayed/canceled flight, acts of war/terrorism, pandemics/epidemics, strikes, etc.), passport, visa, family emergency, or illness/medical

WHY CHOOSE CACHI LIFE PERU?

ETHICAL, SUSTAINABLE, ECO-FRIENDLY Our mission is to provide exceptional treks, tours, and adventure trips with a strong commitment to environmentally responsible, sustainable, ethical, and socially conscious travel. During our trips, we make every effort to minimize negative impacts and maximize the benefits to the local people and natural environments we visit. We pay fair, livable wages, ensuring we hire and maintain the absolute best guides and support staff. We are committed to international sustainable tourism guidelines and have developed ongoing community projects and charity events supporting 4+ local Andean communities.

EXCELLENCE We pride ourselves on providing 5 star service before, during, and after your trip. Cachi Life Peru is dedicated to excellent customer service and adventure experiences. We have been awarded the 2023, 2024 & 2025 Trip Advisor Certificate of Excellence!

QUALITY When trekking through rugged mountain terrain, at high altitudes, with unpredictable weather, it is essential to have the best equipment available. We provide Eureka 4 season tents (3 season for Inca Trail due to warmer weather), extra thick mattress pads, to ensure a safe and pleasant journey.

NO HIDDEN COSTS Our treks and tours are truly 5 star and all inclusive. We do not charge extra to “upgrade” as we offer the best option included in the price already. There are no hidden meal costs, we are transparent about all inclusions, and best of all no booking fees!

SMALL GROUPS Our groups average about 2 guests per departure, and are typically a mix of solo travellers, friends travelling together, and couples, all of varying ages, backgrounds and nationalities. Come prepared to make lots of new best friends. If you book a custom/private large group we provide 1 guide per 8 travelers, ensuring a small group feel and specialized attention.

GOURMET Only the best, quality ingredients are selected from local farmers. Our chefs prepare a specially designed menu to maximize energy and facilitate acclimatization. And the dishes, a mix of traditional Peruvian cuisine and contemporary cuisines, are delicious too! And yes, we cater to any dietary need.

PERSONALIZED We can customize any trek or tour to suit your travel, fitness, budget, and time preferences. Got a corporate or work shindig, charity group, or other major event you’d like to book a trek or tour for? Get in touch, we can arrange everything for you!

LEAVE NO TRACE Our trips leave behind nothing but smiles and footprints, as it should be.

REDUCE REUSE RECYCLE We love our planet, which is why we reduce, reuse and recycle. Our gear is reusable (no paper or plastic plates/cups/utensils), we buy local goods that do not come in paper/plastic wrapping, and we recycle everything we can. This is not the norm in Peru but we hope to help it become the norm one day soon!

PASSIONATE All of our employees are passionate about what they do. Who wouldn’t be with majestic mountains and never-ending vistas as your office! We are proud to offer our guides and staff the highest wages.

WE GIVE BACK We buy locally produced food, hire native tour guides, and book locally owned hotels and restaurants whenever possible. We hold numerous charity events throughout the year in various traditional Andean communities. Events often involve distributing food, drinks, daily essentials (such as toothpaste, toothbrushes, soap, and more), toys for the children, shoes and clothes donated by many of our wonderful guests, and we are currently raising funds to finish building a school in the Marcuray Community. Ask us about how you can help.

Our Team: meet some of our amazing guides!