Rainbow Mountain Tour
Moderate
Full Day
2 - 12 people
5036 masl
Hike to the Vinicunca Mountain
Rainbow Mountain Tour Itinerary
Cusco - Cusipata - Rainbow Mountain - Return to Cusco
Your incredible Rainbow Mountain tour begins early at 4:30 a.m. with pickup from your hotel in Cusco City (Center of the city). We'll drive south, offering stunning morning views and rural landscapes. Enjoy this wonderful moment. After a 2-hours drive, we'll arrive in Cusipata, where you'll have a semi-buffet breakfast to recharge your batteries for the hike.
After breakfast, we will continue our journey to Llactoc (4,630 m / 15,190 ft), the starting point of our hike. You will see herds of alpacas and llamas, and your guide will give you a safety briefing and information about the area. The trail will gradually ascend through the Andean mountain range, and you will be able to see the snow-capped Ausangate in the distance. It is the highest peak in the Cusco region at 6,372 m (20,905 ft).
The Rainbow Mountain hike, known locally as Vinicunca, lasts between one and a half and two hours. We begin at 4,700 m (15,800 ft). As we ascend, the landscape transforms into a stunning palette of reds, yellows, and greens caused by mineral deposits over time. At the summit, reaching 5,100 meters (16,732 ft), you'll be rewarded with panoramic views of Rainbow Mountain, Peru, and the Andes.
Before arriving at Vinicunca Rainbow Mountain you will have the option to do the red valley, the entrance is 20 soles (5 - 6 dollars), in this case the guide will continue with the normal group, so you can do this extra walk on your own, when you arrive here you will feel like you are on Mars or another planet because of the incredible color of the valley, a place that few tourists have visited.
Your Rainbow Mountain tour is almost over. We'll begin our descent to the start of the hike and return by bus to Cusipata, where we'll have our semi-buffet lunch around 1:30 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. Enjoy the incredible photos you took and treasure the memories. We'll drive to Cusco, where we'll drop you off at Regocijo Square.
What’s Included Rainbow Mountain Tour
- Round-trip transportation from your hotel in Cusco
- Professional bilingual tour guide (English and Spanish) with extensive experience in high-altitude treks and culture
- Breakfast and lunch prepared with fresh ingredients
- Entrance ticket to Vinicunca Rainbow Mountain
- Trekking poles for easier ascent and descent
- First aid kit to ensure safety in case of altitude sickness
- Natural remedies for altitude sickness
- 24/7 support before and during your trip for any questions
What’s Not Included Rainbow Mountain Tour
- Travel Insurance
- Optional Horse Rental
- Tips for our Staff
- Red Valley Entrance (Optional 20 soles)
- Additional costs beyond our control (bad weather, strikes, pandemics, government changes, etc.)
What’s Bring Rainbow Mountain Tour
- Travel Insurance
- Layered clothing: The weather can vary depending on the season.
- Hiking pants
- Long-sleeved shirts: Be prepared for changes in weather.
- Hiking boots: Not too wide or too tight; new ones are not recommended; something that fits you properly.
- Hiking socks
- Sun gloves and hat: It can be intense on sunny days. We also recommend lip balm with SPF.
FAQ's About the Rainbow Mountain Tour
Why is Rainbow Mountain Peru Colorful?
Rainbow Mountain, also known as Vinicunca, acquires its vibrant colors due to the oxidation of mineral deposits in the soil. Layers of sedimentary rock, rich in iron oxide, copper sulfate, and sulfur, create stunning red, yellow, green, and turquoise hues that give the rainbow-like mountain its appearance. It is undoubtedly a natural wonder and the second most visited destination in Cusco, aside from Machu Picchu.
Is Rainbow Mountain very challenging?
Rainbow Mountain is very challenging. Vinicunca, Peru, is over 5,000 meters (16,000 feet) high, which means you may suffer from altitude sickness during the hike or when reaching the highest peak. It is highly recommended that you acclimatize in Cusco for 2 or 3 days. You can take many tours before visiting this incredible place. Even Machu Picchu is at a lower altitude. This should be the last tour you take. Here are some tour options you can take in Cusco:
City Tour in Cusco
Sacred Valley Tour
Machu Picchu one-day tour
Or another hike like Humantay Lake
Can I rent a horse to make Rainbow Mountain Tour easier?
Yes, there is an option to do Rainbow Mountain on horseback if you prefer to skip the hike. This way, the trek will be much easier to reach the summit. The cost is around 80 to 100 soles, depending on the season.
What's the Rainbow Mountain elevation?
Rainbow Mountain’s elevation is approximately 5,100 meters (16,732 feet) above sea level. Therefore, acclimatization in Cusco is recommended; the hike can be challenging, not because of the trek itself, but because of the altitude.
Is Rainbow Mountain worth it?
Absolutely! This is the second most visited destination, aside from Machu Picchu in Cusco, Peru. Despite the effort required to reach it, Rainbow Mountain boasts the most striking, striking, and unique landscapes and views in Peru. The colors and views of the Andes will make for a unique experience, and what better way to do it than with a local tour operator like Marfes Tours Peru.
Travel info
Location
Rainbow Mountain Peru is located in the Peruvian Andes, about 100 kilometers (62 miles) southeast of Cusco, in the province of Canchis, is located in the Vilcanota mountain range and is often combined with a visit to the Red Valley.
Wheater
The weather at Rainbow Mountain is one of the most varied in Cusco. It also differs in the dry and rainy seasons: the dry season runs from May to October, and the rainy season runs from November to April. During the dry season, rainfall is infrequent or nonexistent, and the sun is intense and dry; sunscreen is very important. During the rainy season, rainfall is more frequent, and the days are cooler and more humid.
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