On this Rainbow Mountain single-day trip, you will start early in the morning. Our driver will pick you up for approximately a 3-hour drive until Cusipata. There, you will have breakfast and be offered Coca leaves tea to fight altitude sickness. Then after another hour ride up over the valley tracks, you will arrive at the starting point of your hike. It takes approximately 1…
On this Rainbow Mountain single-day trip, you will start early in the morning. Our driver will pick you up for approximately a 3-hour drive until Cusipata. There, you will have breakfast and be offered Coca leaves tea to fight altitude sickness.
Then after another hour ride up over the valley tracks, you will arrive at the starting point of your hike. It takes approximately 1 hour and a half to hike to the top peak, the best viewpoint to marvel at the colors below.
During your trek you will see camelids, snowy peaks and glacial slabs. The route is mainly flat with a steep incline just before the double peak. There is an additional fee if you wish to ride up a mule or horse to get to this point.
After spending some time at the top, where you can also purchase snacks and take pictures, you will head back down to travel to the same restaurant for a buffet lunch. After this, you will travel back to Cusco.
You should choose the Rainbow Mountain tour because it is the most efficient and rewarding way to reach the spectacular 5,036m summit of Vinicunca. We leave at 4:00 am so that you reach the mineral colors before the large crowds…
You should choose the Rainbow Mountain tour because it is the most efficient and rewarding way to reach the spectacular 5,036m summit of Vinicunca. We leave at 4:00 am so that you reach the mineral colors before the large crowds arrive.
With SouthernPeru Explorers, you benefit from expert bilingual guides, a reliable safety system including oxygen and first aid, and professional logistics that cover everything from Andean breakfast to a buffet lunch. It is a challenging but perfectly managed one-day adventure through the heart of the high Andes.
Daily trail breakdown, key milestones, altitudes, and campsites.
Your adventure begins early in the morning in Cusco, the historic capital of the Inca Empire and gateway to the Andes. This carefully organized official tour is one of the most requested Rainbow Mountain travel experiences in southern Peru. Between 4:00 and 4:30 am, our team provides hotel pickup with excellent transport, either as a comfortable group tour or optional private transport, depending on your preference.
As the tour from Cusco proceeds further to the south, you will see beautiful views related to the Sacred Valley and farming villages with the culture of Quechua preserved there. This is definitely the best way to reach this amazing mountain of Peru in a magnificent remote region of Andes. Once you are leaving behind the bright lights of the city, the landscape changes into the open plains surrounded by the snowy mountains, setting the stage for your wonderful adventure to Rainbow Mountain.
In about three hours, you will come to the village of Cusipata where you can enjoy the Andean breakfast. The stop in this village is included in our comprehensive itinerary so that you would have enough time to rest and acclimatize before climbing up this amazing mountain of Cusco region. You may have some local products and coca tea which is especially necessary when visiting this mountain during the raining seasons or cold time of the year.
Following breakfast, the journey continues by vehicle for about one additional hour along dramatic valley roads, a scenic valley tour experience in itself. Eventually, you reach the trailhead of your guided tour to Rainbow Mountain also known as Vinicunca. Our professional guides, fluent in English and Spanish, carry a complete first aid kit and safety equipment to ensure a secure and well-supported travel experience in Peru.
It takes about 1 hour and 30 minutes to climb to the top of the mountain. It is a pretty easy hike with a slight steep climb close to the end of the trek towards the viewpoint above 5,000 meters (16,400 feet). On your way up, you can see alpacas and llamas calmly grazing on the grass, amazing glaciers, as well as magnificent vistas of the Ausangate range, which is one of the tallest mountains in the area around Cusco.
There is an option of horse rental (paid locally), which is helpful for some tourists who do not feel comfortable hiking the whole way up the mountain (the horses will be led by guides from local villages).
At the peak of the mountain, you will have some time to enjoy the unique mineral stripes of Rainbow Mountain. Standing at the top of Vinicunca Mountain, you will be able to understand why it became one of the best places to visit in Peru. The guide will explain the geological reasons of the creation of the colors as well as the cultural value of this beautiful Andean region.
If you want more, you can add an optional walk to the Red Valley, which combines red landscape and Rainbow Mountain.
After admiring the unique scenery and taking photos (you will probably be the first at the top of the mountain due to an early departure) you will go down along the same trail back to the point of departure where transport is waiting for you. Then the drive back to Cusipata for a tasty buffet lunch followed by transfer to Cusco.
The whole-day tour fits well with the nearby tourist destinations like Moray and Maras Salt Mines to make an Andean expedition complete.
If you plan to take on the mountains next time around, contact us and experience one of the most amazing high-altitude places in South America.
Complete transparency for all equipment, meals, transport, and admissions.
Recommended gear and apparel checklist from our mountain guides.
For experiencing this trekking adventure to Rainbow Mountain, which lies above 5,000 meters high in the mountains, it is important to be ready for extreme weather conditions.
Required Documents & Things
Clothing (Layering System)
Sunscreen & Health
Gear and Technology
Route and altitude profile of this tour.
2 photos from this tour.
The tour starts from your hotel in Cusco in the morning (around 4:00–4:30 am). Transfers are included, there will be a stop for breakfast and lunch in Cusipata.
It's possible to make vegetarian and some other dietary changes in advance.
Booking information for this tour.
Thank you for selecting our Rainbow Mountain Full-Day Tour, a unique high-altitude adventure to one of Peru’s greatest natural attractions – Rainbow Mountain or Rainbow Montain of Seven Colors.
The program goes through Andean nature, includes contact with local communities and reaches an altitude of over 5,000 meters. The tour was designed as the full-day trip from Cusco with well-organized and coordinated itinerary.
Being licensed local tour operator, we assure you reliable, secure and comfortable travel experience. We organize all aspects of your trip including transport, entrance to Rainbow Mountain and guiding with meals arranged in advance.
How to Reserve Your Rainbow Mountain Tour?
Booking your tour is easy and safe process. In order to book Rainbow Mountain Tour you need to provide us with the information about the passengers listed below.
Passenger Information Requaired
In order to make sure that the reservations are made correctly, please provide the following information for each passenger:
• Name (please provide exactly as written in the passport)
• Passport number
• Citizenship
• Date of birth
Information provided should be accurate. Mismatches might cause issues during the registration at the entrance or during the tour arrangement.
Accommodation & Pick-Up Arrangements:
As it is an early departure tour (about 4:00 - 4:30 am), we need you to provide information about your accommodation in Cusco prior to the day of the tour to arrange your hotel pick up on time.
It is extremely important in case of high altitude tours as proper timing is crucial in avoiding queues at Vinicunca.
Food & Special Diet Needs:
Breakfast and buffet lunch in Cusipata are provided as part of your tour program. If you have any special diet needs or food allergies (vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, lactose-free etc.) please let us know in advance.
Payment & Reservation Confirmation Securely:
We ensure our payment process is absolutely safe and encrypted. To get confirmed for your reservation, please make payment by clicking on the link below:
Contact us to confirm availability and request a payment link
Please be informed that Rainbow Mountain is one of the most popular attractions around Cusco and departures operate daily with restricted group capacity. It’s highly recommended to get confirmation in advance.
Answers to the most common questions regarding trail preparation and logistics.
This will be a full-day high altitude tour to Rainbow Mountain travels – one of the most amazing natural landscapes of Peruvian Andes. This experience will consist of scenic driving through mountain valleys, hiking at an elevation of 5000+ meters, cultural meetings with Andean communities and panoramic views from the top of Vinicunca.
It will be a perfect choice for those who want to have an amazing short nature based experience while visiting Cusco.
Yes, it is very highly recommended. This tour is one of the most popular day tours from Cusco and operates daily with limited group capacity. Getting confirmation in advance will help us better coordinate all the activities.
The tour is considered moderate to challenging due to the high altitude. The hike takes approximately 1.5 hours each way and reaches elevations above 5,000 meters (16,400 ft). The terrain is mostly gradual with a steeper incline near the summit.
Participants should be in relatively good physical condition and feel comfortable walking in high altitude.
No previous trekking experience is required as the trail is not technical and can be followed by any general tourist. Our guides will help you with your pace, give safety instructions and altitude recommendations during the whole hike.
Participants who prefer more help have an opportunity to get horses on rent during the hiking trail (optional).
Are Machu Picchu and Rainbow Mountain Close to Each Other?
No. They are located in different parts of the Cusco region and are usually visited on separate tours. Most travelers return to Cusco between visits, as the journey between them takes several hours.
The tour includes:
• Andean breakfast before the hike
• Buffet lunch after the hike down
The meals are served to ensure enough energy supply in high altitude.
Yes. The tour takes place under the guidance of experienced bilingual guides certified in first aid and altitude sickness. Guides have a full set of the first-aid kit and oxygen. Transfers take place by authorized companies according to all regional standards.
As any activity in high altitude, it's important to follow guide instructions and get acclimatization in Cusco prior to the tour.
Sure. There are private services which are suitable for those travelers who want to have a different timing, a flexible pace, and a small company.
Changes can be made depending on availability and policies. As transportation and entrances are planned ahead, any alterations will be subject to such factors as availability or costs. Early notification would give us a chance to make all necessary changes.
There is no exact age limit but as there is some level of altitude and activity involved in the Rainbow Mountain it is recommended for healthy travelers. If you are traveling with your family or senior travelers should take into account their abilities and tolerance to the altitude.
You should pack:
• Good pair of trekking shoes
• Layers (weather conditions are diverse)
• Windproof or waterproof jacket
• Protection from the sun (sunglasses, hat, sunscreen)
• Water bottle to carry with you
• Small backpack
• Money to rent a horse and/or to buy something
All the information about what to pack and how to prepare for the Rainbow Mountain trip is presented in the preparation manual after booking.
Yes. It is a great option for travelers looking for colorful landscapes, Andean views and fewer crowds. The hike is also considered an easier alternative compared to other high-altitude mountain routes.
Travel guides from our team in Cusco to help you prepare.
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