Vinicunca Mountain is located in the province of Canchis, near the snowy mountain Ausangate (6384 – the highest mountain in Cusco and the fourth highest mountain in Peru). This is the most spectacular place in Cordillera Vilcanota (the Central Andes). National Geographic includes this to 100 places you must see.
TREKKING - ORGANIZE
In Cusco, you can find a whole range of travel agencies that offer trips to the Colorful Mountains. On the internet you can also read a lot of articles about how to organize trekking in various variants. From one day trips to several days, with a group or alone. We decided on the one-day option because of the limited time
The trail is a 3-hour drive from Cusco to place where we begin to climb to the top. Trekking takes about 2-3 hours. You can get to the starting point in different ways. There is a possibility of transportation covered by travel agencies. They offer the possibility of a carriage and pick up from a place – without a guide and food.
If we use travel agency with the whole package – it is good to know if the offer also includes the entrance to the Park (10 soles). This is a very important information, because the ticket to the Park is paid half-way, not at the beginning. This can cause disappointment, the bigger if we do not have money with us. I didn’t read this notation, but fortunately I had cash with me.
HOW NOT TO BE SURPRISED BY APU
You should be well-prepared for any weather. As I wrote earlier, Apu will bring us to each of the seasons. It is therefore worth to wear a raincoat, thin fleece, short sleeve, comfortable trousers (good option is 2in1 trousers, with removable leg), cap that will protect us from the sun and will help when snow begins to fall, gloves will also be useful. Light backpack for water and snack is worth taking.
TREKKING IN THE RAINBOW MOUNTAINS
Trekking is not very difficult – the condition is early acclimatization. It is worth spending some time in Cusco to get used to the height. Ignoring this basic factor one can end up with mountain sickness which should not be ignored. In Cusco, we can have some first symptoms, which we soften with coca leaves or tablets purchased earlier in the pharmacy. Let’s give time to our organism to adapt to the prevailing conditions and for us to visit the beautiful Cusco and its surroundings.
To sum up – each of you may be to go through this beautiful trail. All you need is acclimatization, some fitness and a pinch of determination
