Pallay Punchu Mountain tour

ESSENTIAL INFORMATION FOR PALLAY PUNCHU MOUNTAIN TOUR

IMPORTANT TO MENTION

Acclimatize before starting the Rainbow Mountain hike,
June and July are the busiest seasons for the Rainbow Mountain hike.
This hike is based on an occupancy of 2 people.
Hiking is not recommended from mid-January through February due to rainy conditions.
Wheelchair access is not available.
The Rainbow Mountain hike is flexible and can be modified after booking.

WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO VISIT RAINBOW MOUNTAIN?

Weather is one of the most important factors to consider when hiking Rainbow Mountain. The most suitable time to hike Rainbow Mountain is the dry season (March through December). Normally, during these periods, the skies are clear from dusk to dawn. The clear blue skies provide the most spectacular views of Mount Vinicunca.
The temperature rises to 20 degrees during the day and drops to – 0 degrees at night.
The weather turns frigid from January to February, and it begins to hail and snow. Weather around Rainbow Mountain can be unpredictable, and the temperature can change very quickly, often within a few hours.

ACCLIMATIZATION

Acclimatization before hiking at high altitude is crucial. As a general rule, you are at risk of altitude sickness if you go above 2438.4 m (8000 ft). Allocate 3 days in Cusco for acclimatization. Altitude sickness on high altitude trips is a common problem.

WHAT TO EXPECT ON RAINBOW MOUNTAIN

The trek is not complicated at all, all it requires is endurance, prior adaptation to the high altitude and good physical fitness. This is a high altitude trek and altitude sickness changes are quite high, but with proper hydration, rest and a well-planned itinerary that takes into account acclimatization criteria will help you counteract these problems. Be prepared for extreme weather conditions, as weather at high altitude is unpredictable. Dress appropriately to regulate body temperature and stay comfortable during the hike. When it is sunny, the weather can get quite warm and you may even have to shed a couple of layers on the first day of hiking, so even if you are having good weather during the day, please consider that sunburn may also be a problem, get the proper gear to avoid sunburn. However, from 16:30 onwards, the temperature drops rapidly.

HOW MUCH LUGGAGE CAN I CARRY DURING THE RAINBOW MOUNTAIN TREK?

For this hike, please be sure to take with you a daypack with only the essentials for a full day hike. You can leave excess luggage safely either at your hotel or at the Bigfoot Machu Picchu tent free of charge.

LAST MINUTE TRIP TO RAINBOW MOUNTAIN IN PERU

It’s always best to book in advance, but if you’re unable to do so, Bigfoot Machu Picchu Travel offers a special arrangement for last-minute bookings. In the case of a last-minute reservation, we require 100% payment of the trip 24 hours before the hike departure.

WHO CAN PARTICIPATE

• Travelers already acclimated to Cusco’s altitude
• Age 10 years and up
• Experience with high-altitude hiking, at least one hike over 3,500 meters
• Hikers should be in good shape and have enough endurance to cover at least 5 km per day

CURRENCY EXCHANGE IN PERU: USD TO PERUVIAN SOLES

The local currency is the Peruvian sol or soles. 1 USD = 3.50 soles, and the exchange rate varies daily. You can exchange most foreign currencies at legitimate money exchange locations around Cusco. We recommend bringing cash and exchanging it once in Cusco. You can also withdraw USD cash from one of the many ATMs around the main square. ATMs in Cusco operate 24/7. On trekking routes, there are no banks or exchange offices, so you’ll need to exchange your money in Cusco.

Please note that if you use a foreign card, your bank will determine the maximum withdrawal limit. Most established businesses in Cusco accept foreign currency. Be sure to bring new bills, as damaged or faded notes will be rejected.

DIETARY NEEDS

We can accommodate any dietary restrictions. We cater to different dietary requirements: vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and more options are available.

STRIKES

Strikes in Peru can interfere with the Rainbow Mountain hike. When this happens, people block the main roads for a period of 24 hours or more. If a strike occurs during your hike, we will inform you in advance and do our best to adjust the itinerary. This may incur additional costs for the traveler and involve modifications to the original itinerary.