Full-Day Rainbow Mountain Trek (Meals Included)
- 14 hours
- Free cancellation up to 24h before
- 3 languages
- Instant confirmation
Highlights
Discover one of the most extraordinary landscapes in the Peruvian Andes on a full-day experience to the famous Rainbow Mountain (Vinicunca). Departing from Cusco, you'll travel through breathtaking Andean scenery to reach one of Peru's most iconic natural landmarks. With the support of a professional guide, you'll receive guidance throughout the hike and learn more about the history, Andean culture, and unique features of this region. The itinerary is designed to let you enjoy the experience at a relaxed, safe pace, with time to take in each view. The trail begins at approximately 4,800 meters (15,745 ft) above sea level and requires a good level of physical fitness. For that reason, we recommend a steady, unhurried pace, honoring your own rhythm and allowing your body to acclimatize gradually to the altitude.
Inclusions
What's included
- First-aid kit.
- Onboard Starlink satellite internet connection.
- Round-trip transfer from your hotel to the tour (please confirm your accommodations with our team).
- Professional driver qualified for long-distance routes.
- Buffet lunch.
- A bottle of water.
- Comfortable air-conditioned vehicle.
- A blanket for cold weather, available in the vehicle.
- A trekking pole.
- Buffet breakfast.
- Certified professional tour guide specialized in trekking.
What's not
- Meals or drinks not mentioned above.
- Gratuities and tips, at each traveler's discretion.
- The admission fee to Rainbow Mountain is not included in the tour.
- Horse rental (optional).
Itinerary
Our day starts early with pickup from your hotel in Cusco. The drive to the Rainbow Mountain area takes approximately 2.5 hours. About 30 minutes before reaching the trailhead, we'll stop for breakfast at a cozy restaurant surrounded by the Andean mountains.
Before starting the hike, our guides will provide important guidance to help you complete the route safely and comfortably. The hike begins at approximately 4,800 meters (15,745 ft) above sea level. Since this is a high-altitude region, we recommend hiking at a steady pace, honoring your own rhythm and taking short breaks whenever needed. Altitude is simply part of the Andean experience, and with good acclimatization and the right pace, you'll be able to enjoy the trek even more. Upon reaching the top, you'll be rewarded with one of Peru's most striking natural landscapes: the famous colored bands of Rainbow Mountain, set against the grandeur of the Andes. During the visit, your guide will share information about the mountain's geological origins, local culture, and the significance of this region, and will also set aside time for you to take in the view and capture photos.
After a day of adventure through the Andes, it's time to enjoy a well-earned lunch. The return to the parking area takes approximately 1.5 hours. We'll then stop at a selected restaurant for a buffet lunch featuring the flavors of Peruvian cuisine. After lunch, we'll begin the drive back to Cusco. Upon arrival in the city, our team will drop you off at your accommodations.
Cancellation
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the experience starts, for a full refund.
Reviews
4.9
- 51,448
- 460
- 315
- 23
- 11
Ratings come from 1,527 reviews collected by our booking partner. They are travellers' own words, in the order they were written — never reordered to flatter the experience.
Showing reviews written in English.
5Nice Day in Rainbow Mountain
Very good Experience with Jehomar, super atencious and with good explanations
3Mediocre Food and a lovely view
The altitude at this site is a major factor. This is of course no reflection on the tour itself. But it is a "know before you go" tip. We took the tour today and had planned to hike the full way. We ended up riding horses up and walking down. Perhaps the tour could allow more time at the hiking level before beginning. A full description of the options for climbing up should be included in the tour description. The mountain itself is beautiful and worth visiting. The only real complaint we had about this tour was the restaurant we were taken to for the included breakfast and lunch. It was mediocre food, with no good beverage options. Two meals there was just disappointing. All in all, the tour could be better.
4Rainbow mountain
It was a really good tour that I would highly recommend. They provide food before and after the hike which is really good cause you have to wake up early and then feel exhausted and hungry after the hike. The guide even provided us with walking sticks, which helped a lot. He offered to take pictures of two of us. However, the tour advertised that we will be picked up from our hotel, which didn't happen in our case. Although our hotel wasn't accessible by car, they could've chosen a closer pick-up location at least. Another slight issue was although we were given a meet-up spot, it was a huge square and we had to message the organisers for some time before they got back to us saying they'll be there in 2 mins, which was later than agreed.
5Excellent Guide!
Excellent guide, the vehicle was new. Overall very good.
4Survived Painted Mountain trek
It is a long 3+ hours trip from Cusco but once you get to the top of the mountain the views are awesome. I would highly recommend paying for a horse unless you’re under 30 and very fit. The altitude affect is significant
5This is a must see even...
This is a must see even during rainy season! The coordination of transfers was seamless, there were horses for those who didn’t want to make the entire hike up and/or down, and the guide and driver took great care of us. The meals were also wonderful.
Know before you go
- Pickup
- Pickup is included for everyone.
- Ticket type
- Mobile or paper ticket accepted
- Group size
- Up to 17 travellers
- Operated by
- Viagens Machu Picchu
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Travelers should have a high level of physical fitness
- The hike begins at approximately 5,000 meters (16,400 ft) above sea level and requires a good level of physical fitness.
- We recommend travelers be properly acclimatized to the altitude before taking part in this experience.
- We recommend consulting a doctor before the trip if you have any health condition that could affect your ability to take part in this activity.
How it compares in Cusco
- Its from-price is 67% below the median of the 4460 experiences we list in Cusco.
- Its length is typical for the group.
- By number of reviews it ranks 14 of 4460.
- The operator lists free cancellation on it.
About Cusco
Cusco, the old Inca capital high in the Peruvian Andes, blends massive stone walls with colonial churches and is the gateway to Machu Picchu.
The Plaza de Armas is the heart of the city, framed by the cathedral and the Jesuit church of La Compañía. Inca stonework survives throughout the centre, most famously at the Qorikancha, the sun temple on which the Spanish built a monastery, and in the twelve-angled stone on Hatun Rumiyoc street. San Blas, the artisans' quarter, climbs steeply with workshops and cafés.
Top-ranked sights in Cusco: Aguas Calientes, Machu Picchu, Ollantaytambo Ruins.
Special offers in Cusco
Was/now prices come from the operator, never from us.
