We will start early with a 4:00 am pickup from our hotel in Cusco. We will travel approximately 3 hours (185 km / 115 mi) by private vehicle to Alqatari. There, we will enjoy a hot breakfast prepared by our professional cook.
After breakfast, we will begin the rainbow mountain 2 day treks, walking through high Andean plains, local homes, and grazing areas for llamas and alpacas. We will ascend gradually toward Pucacocha Pass, enjoying open views of Ausangate Glacier, the highest peak in Cusco at 6,370 m (20,906 ft). Along the way, we will see colorful mountains, small streams, and native vegetation including ichu grass and polylepis forests.
We will descend to Ananta Camp, situated at 4,700 m (15,420 ft). We will have lunch in a prepared dining area and spend the afternoon resting, exploring nearby trails, or taking photographs. In the evening, we will set up tents and enjoy dinner prepared at the camp. If the weather is clear, we will observe a bright, starry night typical of high Andean regions.
Day 1 Statistics:
Route: Alqatari – Pucacocha Pass – Ananta Camp
Distance: 12 km
Highest altitude: 5,000 m at Pucacocha Pass
Lowest altitude: 3,300 m at Alqatari start
Difficulty: Moderate, gradual ascents with high-altitude exposure