HIGHLIGHTS.
- Hiking in the most remote places off the beaten path.
- Transfer airport Pick up is included (Cusco Airport)
- Learn and interact with our native Tour Guides
- Meet our multicultural team
- 2% of the price you pay goes to support our Social Projects
- Extra duffle bag is included to carry your personal stuff (8 kg duffle bag, most tour companies charge you for this extra service).
Pre-Trek Briefing:
The tour guide will meet you at your hotel one day before your tour to give you a briefing. They will tell you all about your tour and answer any questions you may have. It is important to us that you ask any questions you may have so the tour guide will get you ready for your amazing tour
TREKKING WITH THE BEST TEAM – RUNAS EXPEDITIONS
You will hike with the best team made of our guides, our chefs and porters. You will be proud of the people in our team for their hard work. We treat our team very well and provide them with everything they need to work well and respond to your needs. We have the best equipment to camp in each camping sites.
What makes us different?
Runas Expeditions is owned by locals and based in Cusco-Peru. Runas Expeditions has the best professional staff, we work hard to provide a high-quality service, RE organize all kinds of tour packages and we are ready to answer your questions, we arrange your tour according to your needs and we are very flexible. And the most important thing for us is your safety in each tour, you are in good hands, we take care of you from door to door.
- 100 % local tour company
- Passion for the essential and details
- Passion for Peru Tours
- Small groups and _customized experiences
- Authentic experiences
- Safety standars
- Experienced Tour Guides
- Committed to social projects
Equipment
Every camping tour includes a spacious 4 man tent that will be shared by only two people so you can spread out a bit. These are all King Camp Tents made for all seasons Our rentals are top of the line: Black Diamond Adjustable Walking Sticks, the Thermarest Air Matts can be rented at our office. Sleeping Bags rented from us are mummy style down bags for -15C and liners are always included.
Food
Every trek includes a chef that has been trained in culinary school. They have learned the magic of mountain cooking and you will be amazed. You will enjoy full breakfast, lunch and dinner all served hot and tasty. We also include Happy Hour with snacks and some hot tea before dinner. The key to feeling good on a trek like this is eating well and staying hydrated.
Meals are all served family style – large plates for everyone to take what they like. And all food restrictions are honored. No matter if you are vegetarian or gluten free, you will always be well fed.
AUSANGATE TREK TO RAINBOW MOUNTAIN – 4D/3N.
- DISTANCE: 49 km / 29 miles.
- Day1: 10 km/6 miles, 6 hours approx.
- Day2: 14 km /7 miles, 7 hours approx.
- Day3: 15 km/9 miles, 8 hours approx.
- Day4: 8 km/5 miles, 5 hours approx.
- Day4: Rainbow Mountain and Red Valley.
- Type of trek: Nature, Cultural and history adventure and much more.
- Lowest Elevation: 3,900 m/12,480 ft.
- Hightest Elevation: 5200m/ 16,640ft.
- Weather: From Abril to October dry season, from November to Marchl wet season.
- Hot Spring: optional at Upis on day 1.
- Departure Dates: Depend on your booking time
Day 1- CUSCO – TINKI – UPIS – HOT SPRING
We will pick you up from your hotel with our private transportation at 4:30AM to start our amazing expedition Ausangate trek to Rainbow Mountain. Then we’ll drive to the beginning of the trek the small village called Tinki for 2 ½ hours. Tinki (3900m/12480ft) is the place to meet our horses and horsemen and also our Chef will prepare the first delicious breakfast.
Then you will begin the hike around 8:30a.m. This will be 4 hours gradual uphill of walking until we reach our lunch spot. Along the way we get amazing views of Ausangate Mountain, which is still far distance from where we will be hiking.
We will pass through few traditional locals villages and you may meet some local people, dressed in their traditional clothing very colorful with their animals llamas and alpacas, at this elevation there is not crops growing.
Our lunch spot has amazing views by stunning mountains and the great views of Ausangate Mountain. After lunch it will be another 2 more hour of hike until we get our campsite called Upis which is going to be very gradual uphill almost flat.
Our camp site Upis 4150m/13240ft. it’s near to the hot springs called the same name. So if you want to, you can enjoy the hot spring. Later happy hour and dinner. For each night we give you hot water bottles.
Overview:
- Lowest Elevation: 3,900 m/12,480 ft.
- Highest Elevation: 4,150 m/13,240 ft.
- Distance to walk: 10 km/6 miles
- Approximate walking time: 6 hours
- Area: Dry and cold mountain
- Level of Difficulty: Moderate & Challenging
Includes:
- Accommodations: campsite
- Camping equipment included: sleeping tent (2people), Sleeping Mattress (sponge), pillow, dinning tent, table + chairs
- Crew included: Top Guide, Master Chef, Porter, and a horsemen + horses
- Meals Included: Water, Breakfast, Lunch, tea time, and Dinner
- Entrance tickets: included
Day 2. UPIS – CONDOR PASS – PUCACCOCHA LAKE.
Wake up time will be with the amazing coca tea in your tent at 6a.m. and then you’ll pack your belongings and have a good breakfast. After breakfast you will get ready to start the amazing second day of our hike. Once you will be hiking very nearby, you will have more amazing views of the Ausangate Mountain and the Vilcanota ranges.
And also you will appreciate spectaculars views of the blue lakes and some waterfalls. You’ll be able to see llamas, alpacas and wild vicuñas (wild animals, family of the alpacas and llamas and vicuña has the most expensive wool in the world). If we are lucky we may see Condors above us. So we´ll hike uphill around 3 hours in order to reach the first pass called Condor Pass 5000m/16000ft.
where you will get impressive views of the Mountain ranges and the great valleys and also our porters will be waiting for you to offer hot coca tea. Probably you will be able to see vicuñas as first time, after resting and after photos you will continue walking gradual downhill for 2 hours until we reach our lunch spot.
Lunch spot has also good scenery surrounded by the Ausangate Mountain. Following we’ll keep walking gradual uphill for 2 hours to get our second camp site called Puccacocha 4450/14240ft (red lake).
This campsite is unique one of the best campsites, located at the foot of the Ausangate peak and at the bank of the lake. You can see the beautiful and at night you will be able to watch the stars Constellations Milky Way.
Don’t worry if you walk slowly, take your time, and enjoy every moment of the amazing trek. later happy hour and dinner. This is the best place at nigh to watch stars and Inca constellations. For each night we give you hot water bottles.
Trip overview:
- Lowest Elevation 44500 m/ 14240 ft.
- Highest Elevation: 5300m/ 16960ft.
- Distance to walk: 14 km/ 7miles
- Approximate walking time: 8 hours
- Level of Difficulty: Challenging
- Area: Dry & cold Mountain
Includes:
- Accommodations: campsite
- Camping equipment included: sleeping tent (2people), Sleeping Mattress (sponge), pillow, dinning tent, table + chairs
- Crew included: Top Guide, Master Chef, Porter, and a horsemen + horses
- Meals Included: Water, Breakfast, Lunch, tea time, and Dinner
- Entrance tickets: included
DAY 3: PUCACCOCHA – RUMIYOQ PASS – CHILLCA – VICUÑA PASS – YANACCOCHA.
We will wake you up early in the morning with the amazing hot Coca tea to start the other unbelievable day of our adventure. Today you’ll have to do 2 passes with the incredible scenery of the mountains and the depths of the beautiful valleys.
Then you’ll enjoy the delicious breakfast and get ready for our hike. Afterwards you will start to hike uphill for 3 hours in order to reach the second pass called rumiyoq pass 5100m/16320ft. on the way to the second summit you will appreciate gorgeous views of the blue lakes and the majestic views of the Ausangate Mountain which is very next to you, and the great views of the valley.
Sometimes you can see avalanches from Ausangate Mountain. Once you reach the summit of Rumiyoq Mountain, you will be almost touching Ausangate, facing each other, and you’ll really enjoy the impressive high Mountains and the Chillca Valley, with many llamas and alpaca around. At point you’ll really understand how incredible are the Andes and you can do some offerings to Ausangate Mountain because back in the Incas time Ausangate was the main Apu (the spirit of the montains).
And also our porter will be waiting to offer you the amazing hot coca tea. After that you will continue walking for another 2 hours downhill and 30 minutes gradual uphill until reach our lunch spot called Chillca valley 4500m/14400ft. the downhill hike is a little bit slippery and some sections is difficult to see the trail, but don’t worry the trail is not visible because we are the only ones hiking through the area.
The views where you’ll be all the time is incredible surrounded by big Mountains and snow peaks Mountgains. After your delicious lunch and a little rest, we will keep walking uphill to the second summit of the day called (the third pass on the hike) VICUÑA pass at 5300m/16960ft. So it will take us around 2 hours to reach the summit, this will be the highest point in our entire trek, if you are lucky you may see Vicuñas and condors flying around above you.
Afterwards we will continue walking down for one more hour until we reach our camp site called yanacocha 4550m/14240ft. our camp site is located 2 hours away from the rainbow mountain.
Later happy hour and dinner. This is another good place at nigh to watch stars and Inca constellations. For each night we give you hot water bottles.
Trip overview:
- Highest Elevation: 5,300 m/16,960 ft.
- Lowest Elevation: 4,450 m/14,240 ft
- Distance to walk: 15 km/9 miles
- Approximate walking time: 9 hours
- Level of Difficulty: very challenging
- Area: dry & cold mountain
Includes:
- Accommodations: camping
- Camping equipment included: sleeping tent (2people), Sleeping Mattress (sponge), pillow, dinning tent, table + chairs.
- Crew included: Top Guide, Master Chef, Porter, and horsemen + horses
- Meals Included: Water, Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
- Entrance tickets: included
Day 4: YANACCOCHA – RAINBOW MOUNTAIN – CUSCO
Today is the day you have been waiting for. We will wake you up at 05:00 am with coca tea delivered to your tent then you will hike for about 1 and half hour until Rainbow Mountain. you will have time to explore the area and take pictures. We will spend approximately 30 minutes to 1 hour (depend on your trekking speed and weather conditions). After enjoying the RAINBOW MOUNTAIN for about one hour, we go to explore the RED VALLEY which takes another 30 minutes. Then we go to the bus station to catch our van. Today after our last supper we say goodbye to our horseman and the chef and get back to Cusco where you will be dropped off at your hotel around 04:00 pm.
Trip overview:
- Meals: Breakfast, Snacks, Lunch.
- Coca tea on the Rainbow Mountain.
- Lowest Elevation 3700 m/ 11840ft.
- Highest Elevation: 5200m/ 16640ft.
- Distance of walking: 8 km/5 miles
- Approximate walking time: 4 hours
- Level of Difficulty: Moderate – Challenging
- Area: Dry and cold Mountain
Includes:
- Accommodations: N/A
- Camping equipment included: dinning tent, table + chairs
- Crew included: Top Guide, Master Chef, Porter, and horsemen + horses
- Meals Included: Water, Breakfast, Lunch
- Entrance tickets: included
Frequently Asked Questions
WHY RUNAS EXPEDITIONS?
RUNAS EXPEDITIONS is an experienced travel company, we are experts doing tours and you are our motivation; to show you our culture; You will have your best adventure and experience ever in PERU. We will work together to do your trip, hiking through the Andes to reach MACHUPICCHU or any other tours.
Peru is one of the countries that has so many things to do as an adventure, so we offer you the best experiences ever in your lifetime. Whatever is your tour you will have the best adventures. All our tours are only and strictly operated by RUNAS EXPEDITIONS with our professional staff. we are located and based in Cusco, working more than 10 years in the tourism industry, we believe that we are in advance than any others tour companies because we really practice and educate the people to protect the environment and we really help to local people with giving jobs, and giving donations to the local children. And we really care about our employees guides, chefs, porters, horsemen and all our staff. Runas Expeditions contributes to the Peruviangovernment with 19%taxes on all sales (overseas companies are exempt from paying this so do not contribute to the Peruvian economy in this aspect).
All our tour guides are from university who speak English; they are very professional with a lot knowledgeable and a lot passion to their work.
DO I NEED TO BE FIT?
Well all the treks Ancascocha trek, Inca Quarry Trek, Salkantay Trek, Lares Trek, Ausangate trek or whatever trek are moderately difficult, at least you need to train like go running, gym, hike a little bit or do any exercise. On the trail you will have enough time do anything, if you are hiking slow on the way that’s not problem take your time enjoy yourself because our tour guides will be ready to help at any times.
Please when you will be going high altitudes, go slowly and steady and drink a lot water and of course drink the magical coca tea.
How long in advance should I book for this Trek?
For the alternative trek or any Machu Picchu tours: Ancascocha Treks, Inca Quarry Trek, Lares trek, salkantay, Huchuy Qosqo etc. You can book three months in advance before doing the trek or any tour to Machu Picchu.
How can I proceed to book a reservation for the altervative treks?
The same as the Inca Trail, sending your departure date and backup date:
You must provide us a main date and a backup date. By providing us with a main date and a backup date for your trek classic, you automatically authorize Runas Expeditions to use either of these dates for your reservation. Runas Expeditions within the next 24 hours, we will send you an electronic receipt confirming your trek has been officially booked and also to confirm the exact departure date of your trek and also you have to do a deposited of 200$ usa or 20% of the total price of the trip.
How many days in advance is recommended to BE in Cusco? How far in advance must one check in at the ROYAL ADVENTURE Office to guarantee the reservation?
All the hiker from any treks, we high recommended to be in Cusco 1 or 2 days before doing the trek or any tour in order to acclimatize with high elevation. The last details about your trek (to pay the remaining balance) should be at the Runas Expeditions office at least two days prior to departure.
HOW TO MAKE A DEPOSIT?
We are Unable to accept any bookings without completed booking form and deposit sent to Runas Expeditions. All deposits are $200 per person and are non-refundable.
We accept payments through PayPal and Visa, they do charge 6% so the total per person is $212 and should be sent to runasexpeditions@gmail.com
You can make your deposit by clicking on the PAYPAL symbols on our page or you need to log into your Paypal account and send the money to runasexpeditions@gmail.com
NOTE: The client will assume all transaction fees.
CAN I BOOK GROUP SERVICE OR PRIVATE SERVICE.
When you book as Group Service, you will meet people from different nationalities, different ages, and different culture minds, while you are hiking you don’t have to wait for the last one but you will wait at lunch place and camping site because you will share the same food, the same sleeping tents etc.
When you book as Private Service, you will definitely have exclusive service with more details and surprise to you. You will travel just yourself not with other people to share thing, it will selected just two people for honeymooners, for family or a group of friends and normally the groups are small but they could be a big group.
Is there a meeting before the trek?
Of course there will be a meeting at Runas Expeditions office before doing any tours, where you will meet your tour guide, the rest of your group, and be provided with a clear information about your trek or any tours.
Can i rent equipment from Runas expeditions?
Yes, You can. Here you can rent sleeping bag, sleeping tens, trekking poles, inflammable matrass or air mattresses but we don’t rent hiking boots, rain jackets or other personal clothing.
CAN I RENT AN EXTRA PORTER AND HOW MUCH WILL THEY CARRY FOR ME?
Runas Expeditions, you don’t have to pay for extra porter, we included in all our tour extra porter to carry 8 kilos per person (duffle bag), so we are the only tour company who provide this. You will carry just a small daypack.
DO I NEED INSURANCE?
We strongly advise you to get travel insurance that covers accidents, medical expenses and emergency repatriation, including rescue and air ambulance. We also recommend that it covers bad weather tour cancellations, loss of luggage, etc. Please forward a copy/ policy number to our offices.
How many people will there be in my group?
According to Peruvian laws and regulation on the Inca Trail, the maximum group size is 16 hikers and 2 tour guides. After 9 hikers there will be 2 tour guides, and from 2 hikers to 8 hikers there will be a tour guide. At many times of year, the group size will be smaller.
IF I am travelling by myself. Will I have to share THE SLEEPING tent?
The sleeping tents for all our treks are 4 man tents but we only designed for two people in each thus allowing you more space and comfort. If you are travelling alone and there is an even number of people in your group, you will share the tent with somebody else unless you rent an extra single tent.
ARE THERE TOILETS ALONG THE WAY?
On the Inca Trail there are toilets at every lunch spot and every campsites. The type of toilets are squat toilets and sometimes will be busy, they may become slightly dirty.
We will provide chemical baths on the Inca trail and alternate treks, as these baths are more hygienic
WHAT KIND OF FOOD ARE THERE ON THE TRAIL? Can I GET my dietary needs?
You should not worry about the food; our meals are just amazing and plenty for everyone, the type of food that we provide are buffet so you can eat as much as you want. And definitely we have the best food, by the way you will have four meals per Day Breakfast, Lunch, Happy hour and Dinner.
Runas Expeditions is able to accommodate many types of needs upon request at the time of booking. If you are vegetarian or any specially diet or any specific allergies, it will not be a problem for. Our international chefs will be able to give you a surprise at every meal and you will have variety of dietary needs.
WILL I GET WATER ALONG THE WAY?
We will provide you boiled water. At Every morning, you will get plenty water from us, and after every lunch you will get more water from us, even if you need water at night just let us know.
Is there a student discount?
Runas Expeditions gives student discounts of %25. You only need to send us your scanned student card at booking time, and your price will be adjusted accordingly.
WHAT TIME WILL I GET BACK TO CUSCO?
We give you all the chance to enjoy more the Inca city Machu Picchu. Our transportation back to Cusco is not early and not late. That’s why we have to book in advance too, because the Train Company Peru Rail provides us all departure times. You will get back to Cusco between 7pm to 8pm.
WHAT TIME WILL I ARRIVE AT MACHUPICCHU?
When you are coming from the Inca Trail, you will arrive to MachuPicchu around 7:30am. But if you are doing any others tour you will arrive to MachuPicchu between 6:30am to 7am or depend on your bokking time.
IS THERE ANY OTHERS THINGS TO DO AT MACHUPICCHU?
After the guiding tour you will have plenty of time to visit by yourself. If you book for the extra climb to Huayna Picchu Mountain or Macho Picchu Mountain you can do it, or you can go to the Inca Bridge or you can go the Sun Gate or you can just explore at the Inca city.
WHY AND HOW MUCH SHOULD WE TIP THE PORTERS?
Runas Expeditions fully complies with the porter’s Law (27608) requirements of payment and insurance. However, tipping is a tradition on the Inca Trail or any trek that has been taking place for the 20 years as a way of showing the porters your gratitude. Generally the groups prepare a collective tip which is shared out between the cook, head porter and porters. Suggested amount to tip is 90 soles to each porter and 250 soles the cook, from the whole group not from each tourist.
Please Note: to tip to the porters is a personal decision and it is optional.
SHOULD I TIP THE GUIDE?
Tipping the guide is again a personal decision. If you decide to tip we recommend that it is according their performance, knowledge and skills while on the trail. Guides are tipped individually at the end of the trek and tipping depends on their performance!
WHAT HAPPENED IF I GET SICK DO I NEED TO TURN BACK?
We have a very low rate of people turning back once on the trek. Our priority is to help you complete it; all our guides are properly trained and carry a first aid kit and a bottle of oxygen for emergencies. Please do not think about this, be positive mind and definitely you are in good hands.
In the exceptional case that a trekker decides to head back once they have started the trek, they must pay additional expenses such as food, lodging and transportation. On the last day the tourist will be able to rejoin the group and participate in the Machu Picchu tour.
No refund will be given.
What KIND OF MONEY is used in Peru?
Peruvian Soles are the national currency.
What type of money is most commonly accepted?
Soles are accepted everywhere in Peru. However, at tourist sites you are often able to use American dollars and money exchanges are easy to find it.
