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Rainbow Mountain

Rainbow Mountain: Our most recommended tours and activities

Cusco: Rainbow Mountain Tour with Meals

1. Cusco: Rainbow Mountain Tour with Meals

Experience the incredible beauty of Rainbow Mountain on a guided hiking tour. You get a chance to see alpacas, llamas, and vicuñas while soaking in the stunning mountain views during the journey. Savor a local lunch before heading back to your accommodation in Cusco.  Your professional tour guide will pick you up from your accommodation in Cusco between 4:00 AM and 4:30 AM. After a 2-hour drive, you will arrive in Cusipata where you will stop for breakfast and buy water and snacks for the trek. Following breakfast, you'll travel one more hour to the hike starting point, at 4,850 meters. From there you will start your 3.5-kilometer trek to Rainbow Mountain over both flat and uphill terrain. During your hike, you will enjoy amazing views and encounters with wild alpacas, llamas, and vicuñas. Once you reach the top at 5,010 meters, you can make use of some free time to take a break, and if the weather is good, you will be able to enjoy views over Rainbow Mountain. You'll go downhill to the starting spot for another hour. Then, take transportation back to Cusipata where a local lunch will be waiting for you. Once you finish your buffet lunch you will travel back to Cusco, where you will arrive between 4:00 PM and 5:00 PM at Plaza de Armas.

Cusco: Full-Day Tour to Rainbow Mountain

2. Cusco: Full-Day Tour to Rainbow Mountain

Witness Rainbow Mountain in all its glory, take some photos and explore the area on a day trip from Cusco with a guide. Set out on an adventure in the early morning with a hotel pickup. Head up the mountain, cross small villages, immerse yourself in the local culture, and have lunch after your hike. Begin your full-day tour in Cusco city, where you will be picked up between 4:15 AM and 4:45 AM. You will then drive in a comfortable van for 3 hours to the town of Cusipata, where you will have breakfast in a local family house. Following breakfast, head to the starting point of your hike. There are approximately 3 kilometers of flat land uphill, leading to the majestic "Mountain of Colors". The hike will take about 1.5 hours, depending on your level of fitness. Along the way, enjoy panoramic views of the valleys, wild llamas, alpacas, and vicuñas, as well as of the Andes and the nearby glaciers.  Once here, if the weather is good, get the first views of Rainbow Mountain. At the top, take a well-deserved break, which will also be your chance to catch your breath and enjoy the stunning views. After taking beautiful photos, begin your descent, where you will enjoy a delicious lunch upon your return. You will then take private transportation back to Cusco, where you will arrive at approximately 5:00 PM.

Cusco: Full-Day Rainbow Mountain & Red Valley Trekking Tour

3. Cusco: Full-Day Rainbow Mountain & Red Valley Trekking Tour

After pickup from your accommodation in Cusco, head in the direction of Quiquijana and savor a delicious breakfast buffet in a local restaurant.  Then, continue the journey until you reach the control point in Llaqta and finally arrive in Phulawasipata, where your trekking adventure awaits. Before starting the trek, your guide will recommend starting your adventure towards Rainbow Mountain. Walk for approximately 1.5 hours until you reach Rainbow Mountain at 5,036 meters above sea level.  Take in panoramic views from the top of the mountain from where you'll be able to see the Ausangate Mountain, Peru's fifth highest mountain. Enjoy 20-minute of leisure time to take pictures of the fascinating scenery. Then, continue for a 30-minute trek to the Red Valley. Once again, admire the views of the Red Valley, located 5,038 meters above sea level. After 15 minutes, you'll return to the parking lot where your driver awaits you. On the way back, stop for a break in Quiquijana where you'll taste delicious buffet lunch. Then, head back to Cusco where you'll be dropped off at the Plaza Regocijo, 2 blocks from Plaza de Armas.

Montaña de Colores Palcoyo 1 dia

4. Montaña de Colores Palcoyo 1 dia

Estaremos pasando por su alojamiento en donde se encuentre hospedado, preferible (dentro del centro historico de la ciudad del cusco) 4:30 Hrs aproximadamente. Luego nos dirigiremos al sur de Cusco, hasta la localidad de Cusipata donde tendremos nuestra primera parada para tomar el desayuno. Antes de llegar al pueblo de palccoyo, relizaremos una parada para tomar algunas fotos del atractivo de puente colonial y el puente inca. Llegando a la comunidad de palccoyo ubicacion a 4100 m.s.n.m tendremos tiempo libre de 1 hora para disfrutar del lugar y el guiado incluido. Volveremos hasta la playa de estacionamiento para retornar a Cusipata donde tendremos el almuerzo y despues con destino a la ciudad del cusco ( hora aproximada de llegada 18:00 hrs) les dejaremos a una cuadra de la plaza de Armas.

Cusco: Full-Day Rainbow Mountain Tour

5. Cusco: Full-Day Rainbow Mountain Tour

Drive approximately 2.5 hours after your pick-up from your hotel in Cusco. Stop in Pitumarca for a delicious breakfast before continuing your way toward the amazing Rainbow mountains. Next, admire the beautiful landscapes as you hike, with many mountains covered in snow. Walk past local people wearing the typical dress of the region and llamas and alpacas breeders. Once you reach the top, take advantage of some free time to take pictures and enjoy the beautiful view. After this, start to descend, you can choose between going through the Red Valley (optional) or going the traditional way. Finally, stop at the meeting point where you'll be transported to a delicious comforting lunch before returning to Cusco where the tour ends.

From Cusco: Rainbow Mountain Trek

6. From Cusco: Rainbow Mountain Trek

Be collected at your accommodation in Cusco around 4:00 AM. Travel about three hours to the Hanchipacha community and stop for breakfast. Then drive 15 minutes more to the Quesiuno community at 4,326 meters (14,189 foot). Start the trek and over three hours enjoy amazing landscapes with alpaca and llama herds, the Ausangate Mountain, many red mountains, and traditional local houses. The rainbow mountains are one of the spectacular places of the Vilcanota mountain range. The natural coloration is due to the presence of sedimentary stones in erosion. The impressive thing is how the stones have been formed to form a set of seven colors.  Reach the rainbow mountains at 5,020 meters (16,466 foot) and have time to explore the area and take photographs. Spend between 30 minutes and one hour here, depending on your trekking speed and the weather conditions.  The return hike takes two hours. At the Quesiuno community, take transportation to the Hanchipacha community, where you will have lunch. Then be driven to Cusco and dropped off at Regocijos Square, which is two blocks from the Main Square.

From Cusco: Rainbow Mountain Full Day Trek with Meals

7. From Cusco: Rainbow Mountain Full Day Trek with Meals

Depart Cusco and get back to nature on a vigorous approximately 6-kilometer hike in the Andes. Experience the majestic beauty of the Rainbow Mountains as you trek in the foothills of Mount Ausangate. Keep a look out for native wildlife, such as the mighty condor - the largest bird in the world - pumas and different types of camelids. Learn more about the extraordinary geology and the flora and fauna of Peru from your knowledgeable guide. Soak up the stunning views before you return to Cusco for a refreshing cold chicha drink (a fermented or non-fermented beverage usually derived from maize).

Peru: Rainbow Mountain and Red Valley Full Day Tour

8. Peru: Rainbow Mountain and Red Valley Full Day Tour

Be stunned by all the colors of the rainbow as you take in the sights of some of the Andes' prime real estate, the much-celebrated Rainbow Mountain and its counterpart, the Red Valley. After a very early pickup and breakfast at Cusipata, continue to Phullawasipata (4,626 m./15,177 ft.) the trail head where the hike starts. Along with sightings of locals, see groups of Alpacas, Llamas and sometimes wild Vicuñas, and small lagoons created by the thawing glaciers. Arrive at the summit of Vinicunca (5,020 m./16,469 ft.) and grab a photo opp of breathtaking scenery. Then take the Red Valley route, so-named for the red color of the mountain soil. Enjoy the peace and quiet found here. Hike downhill through the red landscape to Phulawasipata for a well-earned lunch. Then be taken back to Cusco main square again in the late afternoon for the colorful journey's conclusion.

Rainbow Mountain BEFORE the crowds + Red Valley. #1 Operator

9. Rainbow Mountain BEFORE the crowds + Red Valley. #1 Operator

Start with pickup from your hotel in Cusco between 3:00 AM and 3:30 AM. Travel for approximately 1.5 hours to Qollasuyo. Pass through the district of Cusipata with a stop for a 30-minute breakfast. From there, continue onwards with the journey for 1 hour until reaching Fulawasipata. Here, take a pause for a quick brief on how the journey will be carried out. Begin the walk at the foot of the Ausangate mountain range. This will be followed by an ascent of approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes to the highest point of the Rainbow Mountain. During this journey, you will have the opportunity to see the different types of South American camelids, a relative of the camel. Upon reaching the red hill, take in the beautiful scenery. Finally, continue the journey with a 1-hour descent into the flat terrain and back to the starting point of the hike. Return to Cusipata to enjoy a buffet lunch. Following lunch, return to Cusco, arriving at approximately 4:30 PM at Plaza Regocijo/Kusipata, centrally located and close to all hotels.

From Cusco: Rainbow Mountain and Humantay Lake 2-Day Tour

10. From Cusco: Rainbow Mountain and Humantay Lake 2-Day Tour

Day 1 – Humantay Lake Have a morning pick-up from your hotel in Cusco and continue on a 2-hour ride enjoying the beautiful landscapes until reaching Soraypampa. Enjoy breakfast prior to the trailhead. Begin your adventure along a photogenic path called the “Camino Real,” as you gain altitude. Continue for another hour and a half, ascending 360mts/1,200 feet in just 2 miles up a steep path. After conquering the last hill, you'll gaze down on a turquoise lake below, which is surrounded by steep peaks and an impressive glacier. The hike is dominated by Salkantay Peak, one of Peru’s most sacred mountains, towering more than 6,000mts/20,600 feet with a sheer and snowy face. The equally impressive Humantay Peak, rising 5,900mts/19,412 feet, is also within view. Once on the shores, enjoy, relax, and take pictures. When ready to hike back, descend to Soraypampa for lunch. After lunch, it’s time to take the transportation back to Cusco downtown arriving in the late afternoon. Day 2 – Rainbow Mountain Today, you'll visit the trendy Rainbow Mountain, famous for becoming viral on social media. Located in the southeast of Cusco in the middle of the Andean mountain ranges. After a morning pick-up from your hotel, venture on a 3-hour drive passing valleys, rivers, mountains, and some smaller communities. Reach Hanchipacha, to enjoy breakfast, then head to the starting point which is already at 4900 meters above sea level. From here you will hike uphill for about 45 minutes to the highest point of the excursion at 5000 meters. Pass the unique formations of the rainbow mountain range and enjoy the breathtaking views at the snow-capped Ausangate, the second-highest in Peru. Once on top of the viewpoint, you'll have the Vilcanota Mountain range in front of you. Have all the time to rest and take pictures. After the exploration, back to Cusipata and enjoy a rewarding lunch. Take the bus to return to Cusco arriving in the late afternoon.

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What people are saying about Rainbow Mountain

Overall rating

4.5 / 5

based on 1,478 reviews

It was definitely worth it. Great experience. Our guide was very good, his name is Broli. He speaks 2 languages, very attentive, gave us a lot of information about the place, he definitely knows his job! Breakfast and lunch were good, I would only add some more meat options in the menu for lunch. But anyone who wants to book this tour should prepare for the altitude(lower amount of oxygen, low atmo pressure and dangerous sunlight) and thats its NOT a walk through the park. But when you reach the top it’s one of those moments you remember for life! Also prepare for a rough drive through the mountains from Cusipata to the parking near the rainbow mountain(1 hour + 1 hour return.)

Broley, our tour guide was amazing and took such good care of all of us! This was a tough hike with the altitude but so cool to do.

Very good and organized trip. Tour guide was able to answer any question and made sure we were all prepared for the trip.

Simple trip. Transport was great, guide also and the mountain was exceptional. Lunch and breakfast were great :)

Incredible experience. César with Inka Altitud was awesome.