Rainbow Mountain has recently become one of the most popular day hikes in the Cusco region. At over 5,000 meters (16,000 feet), Rainbow Mountain and the Red Valley are truly an unforgettable experience as you explore the rich colors of Vinicunca.
Vinicunca, Montaña Arcoíris and Montaña Colorida are some of the few names for this incredible place, a relatively new tourist attraction located in Cusco. Sacred Expeditions Peru will pick you up from your hotel in Cusco and drive hours to the trailhead where your local chef will serve you a picnic breakfast with stunning views of the Vilcanota Mountain Range. After breakfast, start a 2-hour hike to the top of Rainbow Mountain. The trek is challenging due to the high altitude of the mountain (5000m-16000ft). the red valleyit is located a few meters from Rainbow Mountain; you can reach the landscapes of iron-rich soils after enjoying the Rainbow Mountain. You will then continue hiking to the trailhead where your trekking chef will be waiting for you with a fresh lunch prepared from local produce.
Sacred Expeditions Peru Rainbow Mountain tours will give you adoor to door service(we pick you up from your hotel and take you back to your hotel), private transportation, an exclusive tour guide, trekking chefs, picnic meals, all entrance fees and the necessary equipment to hike this Vinicunca painted hill.
Color Mountain Highlights
- Book with confidence and flexibility
- Visit Andean communities and interact with the locals as you walk alongside llamas and alpacas.
- Visit the Rainbow Mountain and the Red Valley in one day from Cusco with picnic meals.
- Travel in small groups with an exclusive tour guide and trekking chef.
- Price per person
- To reserve Rainbow Mountain, you must make an initial payment of 20 USD per person, the remaining balance can be paid online, in installments or in Cusco with any credit card without any reservation fee.
Full description of Rainbow Mountain
Full Description of Rainbow Mountain We will pick you up at 5:00 am from your hotel in Cusco anywhere within the city (hotels, Airbnb, apartments, hostels) and drive for 3 hours to the trailhead. Upon your arrival, our chef will prepare a delicious breakfast with abundant options while you enjoy the view of the mountains with a cup of hot coffee orcoca teato help us with the 5000 meter mountain ahead.
After breakfast, we will start the 2 hours to the top of the mountainVinicunca(also known asrainbow mountain). Along the route, you will be able to see hundreds of llamas and alpacas, walk through the snowy peaks of theAusangate mountain range, the highest mountains in the city of Cusco. As we get closer to the top, the views become more impressive with every meter we climb.
The hike is mostly flat with a gradual and steep incline towards the end, the temperature is cool at the top and you will need a good jacket, hats, gloves and a good camera to capture the amazing views. on top of therainbow mountain, your guide will explain the formation of the painted hills, the Andes and the importance of this mountain for the locals. After enjoying the beautiful views of the Peruvian Andes, taking in the spectacular 360° view from the top of Vinicunca, we will take a further 30-minute hike to the Red Valley, another impressive and inspiring place with landscapes that will take your breath away. and is rarely visited by travellers. Next, we will return to the beginning of the trail, where our lunch will be waiting for us. We use local products to bring you the best of our Peruvian gourmet food prepared by our chef and then Return to Cusco, arriving around 5:30 pm.
What is included in Rainbow Mountain:
- Transportation: Sacred Expeditions Peru offers a door to door service (pick up and drop off at your hotel)
- Professional tour guide (all of our local tour guides are fluent in English)
- Picnic, breakfast and lunch
- Snacks, water, hot drinks.
- Entrance tickets to Rainbow Mountain and Red Valley
- First aid kit, oxygen tank, satellite phones
- Trekking sticks
- Trekking chef, porters
- Picnic equipment (tents, chairs, tables)
- Private Portable Toilets
Packing list:
- Rain gear (just in case)
- Camera and extra batteries
- hat and sunglasses
- warm layers
- Sunscreen
cancellation policy
You can cancel this tour for up to 48 hours and you will get a full refund.
Rainbow Mountain FAQ
Is Rainbow Mountain very challenging? rainbow mountaineitherVinicuncait is located at more than 5000 meters – 16000 feet; To reach the top of this mountain without altitude problems, it is necessary to acclimatize first. We recommend staying in Cusco for a few days before visiting this place. You should plan your trip so that you spend a few days in Cusco, travel to Machu Picchu and at the end visit the Rainbow Mountain. This way you will have time to adjust to the altitude while visiting other places. The recommended order is:
1: City tour in Cusco
2: Sacred Valley Tour
3: Trekking tour or train tour to Machu Picchu
4: Tour to therainbow mountain
The hike itself is not very challenging; It’s an easy 2 hike to the highest point of Rainbow Mountain and another similar time to get back to the trailhead. However, the altitude can make this hike challenging.
Why choose Sacred Expeditions Peru?
Sacred Expeditions Peru Rainbow Mountain tours are organized in small groups with private transportation, exclusive tour guide and picnic meals with many different options. Our tours are simply walks; we make sure you enjoy Peruvian food served in a picnic style with stunning views of the mountains. In addition, you will have cultural experience visiting these amazing places.
How many hours of hiking does the Rainbow Mountain tour take?
You can get to Rainbow Mountain with a relatively easy 2-hour hike from the trailhead and similar time on the way back.
Can I get altitude sickness?
Rainbow Mountain is over 5,000 meters / 16,000 feet, and altitude sickness is a real problem that many travelers will face.
To reduce the risk of altitude sickness, you should:
1: Take time to acclimatize to Cusco before visiting Rainbow Mountain
2:Start taking altitude medication a few days before the trek.
3: Drink plenty of water during the hike.
4: Drink coca tea that will be available during breakfast.
There is no way to avoid altitude sickness; however, by following the guidelines above, you can reduce the chances of altitude problems.
Covid-19 measures to keep you safe during traveling
- Temperature checks for all travelers are mandatory.
- Face masks are required for travelers and staff in public areas
- Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff at all times
- High traffic places and equipment are sanitized regularly between use.
- Maximum eight people per group to reduce crowds
- Transportation and touristic sites capacity will be reduced to 50%
- Printed material such as maps or vouchers will be avoided.
- 100% online payments with no booking fees at all
- Flexible bookings during COVID – 19 outbreak
Frequently Asked Questions about Rainbow Mountain
Is Rainbow Mountain very challenging?
Rainbow Mountain or Vinicunca is located at more than 5000 meters – 16000 feet; to reach the top of this mountain without having altitude problems, it is necessary to acclimatize before. We recommend staying in Cusco a few days before visiting this place.
You should plan your trip so that you spend a few days in Cusco, travel to Machu Picchu, and in the end, visit rainbow mountain. This way, you’ll have time to adjust to the altitude while visiting other places. The recommended order is:
1: City tour in Cusco2: Sacred Valley Tour3: Trekking tour or train tour to Machu Picchu4: Rainbow Mountain Tour
The hike itself is not very challenging; It’s an easy hike of 2 to the highest point of Rainbow Mountain and another similar time to return to the trailhead. However, the altitude can make this hike a challenge.
Why choose Sacred Expeditons Peru?
Sacred Expeditions Peru Rainbow Mountain tours are organized in small groups with private transportation, exclusive tour guide, and picnic meals with many different options. Our tours are simply hiking; we make sure you enjoy Peruvian food served in a picnic style with stunning views of the mountains. In addition, you will have cultural experience visiting these amazing places.
How many hours of hiking does the Rainbow Mountain tour take?
You can reach Rainbow Mountain with a relatively easy 2-hour hike from the trailhead and a similar time on the way back.
Can I get altitude sickness?
Rainbow Mountain is over 5000 meters/16000 feet, and altitude sickness is a real problem that many travelers will face.
To reduce the risk of altitude sickness, you should:
1: Take the time to acclimatize to Cusco before visiting Rainbow Mountain2: Start taking altitude medication a few days before the hike.3: Drink plenty of water during the hike.4: Drink coca tea that will be available during breakfast.
There is no way to avoid altitude sickness; however, by following the above indications, you can reduce the chances of having problems with altitude.
