Photo gallery
Rainbow Mountain tour photos
Tour overview
Rainbow Mountain tour at a glance
The Rainbow Mountain tour takes you to Vinicunca, the striped mountain at about 5,000 m in the Vilcanota range, plus the quieter Red Valley viewpoint, in one long day from Cusco. Pickup is at 4:30 am, the hike takes about 1.5–2 hours up a wide dirt trail with a steep final section, and you are back in Cusco around 5:30 pm. Breakfast, lunch, guide, community fees and emergency oxygen are included, from US$ 89.
Our Cusco team checks the services, timings and availability for your dates and sends the options in a written quote.
Journey highlights
Highlights of the Rainbow Mountain tour
- Vinicunca's striped slopes at about 5,000 m
- The less-visited Red Valley viewpoint
- Breakfast and lunch included
- Emergency oxygen carried by your guide
Detailed itinerary
Rainbow Mountain tour itinerary
Times and services are indicative. Your final schedule is confirmed in your written quote.
4:30 am — Pickup and breakfast on the way
We pick you up at your Cusco hotel and drive south through the Vilcanota valley, past the towns of Urcos and Checacupe. Breakfast is served in the village of Cusipata, where you can use the toilets and change into warm layers.
7:30 am — Arrival at Phulawasipata
A mountain road climbs into the high plateau of the Vilcanota range to the trailhead at Phulawasipata. Your guide checks how everyone feels and explains the hike. Horses with local handlers are available here for most of the way up, paid locally in soles.
8:00 am — Hike to Vinicunca
The trail climbs gently at first through a valley of alpacas and llamas, with the snowy peak of Ausangate (6,384 m) on the horizon, then steepens for the last 20–30 minutes. Walk slowly and drink water; your guide carries emergency oxygen. At the top you see the striped slopes of Vinicunca, colored red, ochre, turquoise and lavender by layers of minerals, with time for photos.
10:30 am — Red Valley viewpoint
Instead of going straight back, your guide takes you along a ridge to the viewpoint over the Red Valley, a wide valley of deep red hills, much quieter than the main summit. Then you walk back down to the trailhead.
12:30 pm — Lunch and return to Cusco
Lunch is served on the way back in Cusipata, before the drive to Cusco and your hotel.
What's included
What's included in the Rainbow Mountain tour
Included
- transport
- guide
- breakfast and lunch
- Vinicunca and Red Valley community fees
- emergency oxygen and first-aid kit
Not included
- horse rental for the climb (paid locally)
- tips
Compare your options
Which Rainbow Mountain: Vinicunca, Palccoyo or Pallay Punchu?
Vinicunca (this tour) is the famous Rainbow Mountain: the highest (about 5,000 m) and busiest, with the Red Valley next to it. Palccoyo has three colorful mountains and a short, gentle walk of 45 minutes to 1 hour each way, at about 4,900 m. It is the best choice for older travelers or anyone worried about the climb, though the drive is longer. Pallay Punchu has dramatic pointed striped peaks above Langui-Layo lake at about 4,700 m and very few visitors, but about 4 hours of driving each way.
| Vinicunca | Palccoyo | Pallay Punchu | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Max altitude | About 5,000 m | About 4,900 m | About 4,700 m | |
| Hike | 1.5–2 h up, steep end | 45 min–1 h each way, gentle | About 3 km round trip, steep end | |
| Crowds | Busy | Quiet | Very quiet | |
| Duration | 12–13 h | About 12 h | About 14 h | |
| From | US$ 89 | US$ 89 | US$ 89 |
Compare your options
How hard is the Rainbow Mountain hike?
The trail itself is not technical: about 4–5 km up a wide dirt path from the trailhead at about 4,600 m, gentle at first through a valley of alpacas and llamas, then steep for the last 20–30 minutes. The difficulty is the altitude. At 5,000 m, headaches and shortness of breath are common, so walk slowly, drink water and do this tour after at least 2–3 days in Cusco, ideally after Machu Picchu. Horses with local handlers are available for most of the way up, paid in soles. It is not recommended for travelers with heart or breathing conditions. Our Machu Picchu altitude guide explains how to prepare.
Plan with confidence
Duration, difficulty and price
Good to know
Good to know before you go
Planning guides
Planning guides
What to bring
What to pack
- Warm layers: thermal base, fleece, down jacket, wool hat and gloves
- Rain jacket, sunglasses, sun hat and high-SPF sunscreen
- Hiking shoes with good grip
- Refillable water bottle and snacks
- Cash in soles for the horse, toilets and tips
Carry the original passport used to book. Check your confirmed ticket and operator instructions for current baggage and site rules.
Frequently asked questions
Rainbow Mountain tour FAQs
Rainbow Mountain or Humantay Lake?
Rainbow Mountain is higher and more famous. Humantay is lower, greener and shorter. If you do both, do Humantay first.
Will the colors be visible?
The stripes look best in sunny, dry weather. Clouds and snow can mute them, especially from December to March.
Can I do it the day after Machu Picchu?
Yes, if you have already spent at least 2–3 days at altitude. It should never be your first day in Cusco.
How high is Rainbow Mountain?
The viewpoint at Vinicunca is at about 5,000 m (16,400 ft), and the trailhead at Phulawasipata is at about 4,600 m. It is one of the highest day hikes in Peru.
Can I ride a horse up Rainbow Mountain?
Yes. Horses with local handlers are available at the trailhead for most of the way up, paid locally in soles. The last steep section to the viewpoint is on foot.
What should I wear?
Warm layers, a windproof and waterproof jacket, gloves and a hat for the freezing dawn and windy summit, plus sunglasses and sunscreen for the strong sun later. Wear hiking shoes with a good grip.
What is the Red Valley?
A wide valley of deep red hills next to Vinicunca, seen from a ridge viewpoint. It adds about 30–45 minutes of walking and is much quieter than the main summit. It is included in our tour.
Is there a minimum age?
Yes, 8 years, because of the altitude and the cold.
Tripadvisor reviews
What travelers say about the Rainbow Mountain tour
Reviews of Traveleez Peru SAC, the operator of Machu-Picchu.tours, on our Tripadvisor profile Machu Picchu by Traveleez.
★★★★★
Incredible experience
“An unforgettable experience. Super punctual, good transportation, and very good treatment.”
Translated from Spanish
