Peruways runs day trips from Cusco to Vinicunca — Rainbow Mountain — with a 03:00 start, breakfast at a community kitchen, and a 1.5-2 hour hike up to the 5,200-metre viewpoint.

The guides are Quechua-speaking locals from the valley communities. Horses are available on the final push. Tour groups run small, so pace is flexible.

Visit Peruways to book your Vinicunca day. Make sure you’ve got two acclimatisation days in Cusco first — the altitude catches anyone who skips that step.