Home » Rainbow Mountain and Red Valley – Day Hike
Rainbow Mountain and Red Valley – Day Hike
Explore Rainbow Mountain in small groups with exclusive tour guides, and be amazed by the scenery of colorful peaks, local villages, llamas, alpacas, and surrounding glaciers. Enjoy daily departures with picnic-style meals and private transportation from Cusco.
Tour Description
Rainbow Mountain has recently become one of the most popular one-day hikes in the Cusco region. At more than 5,000 meters (16,000 ft), Rainbow Mountain and the Red Valley offer a truly unforgettable experience where you’ll explore the rich colors of
Vinicunca.
Vinicunca, Rainbow Mountain, or the Colored Mountain are some of the names for this amazing place, a relatively new attraction located in the south of Cusco. We will pick you up from your hotel and drive for about 3 hours to the trailhead, where your local chef will serve a picnic breakfast with incredible views of the Vilcanota mountain range.
After breakfast, you begin a 2-hour hike to the top of Rainbow Mountain. The hike is challenging mainly because of the altitude (around 5,000 m / 16,000 ft), but the views of the Andes make every step worth it.
Red Valley is located just a short walk from Rainbow Mountain. After enjoying the main viewpoint, you can continue to this iron-rich landscape with intense red and orange tones that few visitors get to see. Then you descend back to the trailhead, where your trekking chef will be waiting with a fresh lunch prepared using local products.
Our Rainbow Mountain tours provide a true door-to-door service: pick-up and drop-off at your hotel, private transportation, exclusive tour guide, trekking chef, picnic meals, all entry fees, and the necessary equipment to hike this painted hill of Vinicunca.
Highlights of the Rainbow Mountain Tour
- Book with Confidence and Flexibility
- Visit Andean communities and interact with locals as you hike alongside llamas and alpacas.
- Visit Rainbow Mountain and the Red Valley in one day from Cusco with picnic meals included.
- Travel in small groups with an exclusive tour guide and trekking chef.
Price & Booking
Price
Price per person: 140 USD
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Booking & Deposit
To book the Rainbow Mountain tour, you need to make an initial payment of 50 USD per person. The remaining balance can be paid online, in installments, or in Cusco with any credit card, with no booking fees.
Full Description of Rainbow Mountain
We will pick you up at 5:00 am from your hotel in Cusco (hotels, Airbnbs, apartments, and hostels inside the city) and drive for about 3 hours to the trailhead. Upon arrival, our chef will prepare a delicious breakfast with plenty of options while you enjoy views of the mountains with a hot cup of coffee or coca tea to help with the high altitude ahead.
After breakfast, we start the 2-hour hike to the top of Vinicunca (Rainbow Mountain). Along the way, you will see herds of llamas and alpacas, and walk beside snowcapped peaks of the Ausangate mountain range, the highest in the Cusco region. As we get closer to the summit, the views become more impressive with every step.
The hike is mostly gradual with a steeper incline near the end. Temperatures at the top can be very cold, so you will need a warm jacket, hat, gloves, and a good camera to capture the stunning scenery.
At the top of Rainbow Mountain, your tour guide will explain the geological formation of the painted hills, the Andes, and the cultural importance of this mountain to local communities.
After enjoying panoramic 360° views, we take an extra 30-minute hike to the Red Valley, another breathtaking area with vivid red landscapes that is rarely visited by travelers.
We then return to the trailhead, where lunch will be waiting. We use local ingredients to prepare a fresh Peruvian meal in picnic style. After lunch, we drive back to Cusco, arriving at your hotel at around 5:30 pm.
What’s Included in the Rainbow Mountain Tour
- Transportation: Door-to-door service (pick-up and drop-off at your hotel in Cusco).
- Professional tour guide: Local guide fluent in English.
- Picnic breakfast and lunch prepared by our trekking chef.
- Snacks, drinking water, and hot drinks.
- Entrance tickets to Rainbow Mountain and Red Valley.
- First-aid kit, oxygen tank, and satellite phones.
- Trekking poles for the hike.
- Trekking chef and support staff.
- Picnic equipment (tents, chairs, tables).
- Private portable toilets.
Not Included
- Optional horse riding (can be hired directly from local horsemen).
- Gratuities for guides and staff.
Packing List
- Rain jacket or poncho (weather can change quickly).
- Camera and extra batteries or power bank.
- Hat and sunglasses.
- Warm layers (fleece, gloves, scarf or buff).
- High-SPF sunscreen and lip balm.
Cancellation Policy
You can cancel this tour up to 48 hours before departure and you will receive a full refund.
Covid-19 Measures to Keep You Safe
- Temperature checks for travelers may be required.
- Face masks may be required for travelers and staff in public areas, according to current local rules.
- Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff at all times.
- High-traffic areas and equipment sanitized regularly between use.
- Small groups (maximum 8 travelers) to reduce crowds.
- Capacity in vehicles and tourist sites may be reduced when necessary.
- Printed materials such as maps or vouchers are minimized.
- 100% online payments with no booking fees.
- Flexible bookings during the COVID-19 period.
Rainbow Mountain FAQs
Is Rainbow Mountain very challenging?
Rainbow Mountain or Vinicunca is located at over 5,000 m / 16,000 ft. To reach the top without major problems, it’s important to acclimatize in Cusco beforehand. We recommend spending a few days in Cusco, then visiting Machu Picchu, and leaving Rainbow Mountain for the end of your stay.
A good order for your trip is:
- City tour in Cusco
- Sacred Valley tour
- Trekking tour or train tour to Machu Picchu
- Rainbow Mountain tour
The hike itself is not technically difficult: it is about 2 hours up and 2 hours down. However, the high altitude can make it feel challenging.
Why choose TreXperience?
Our Rainbow Mountain tours are organized in small groups with private transportation, an exclusive tour guide, and picnic meals with plenty of options. We don’t just “bus and hike”; we focus on good Peruvian food, comfort, and cultural interaction with the communities you visit.
How many hours of hiking are there?
You will hike approximately 2 hours from the trailhead to the main viewpoint and a similar time to return. If you choose to visit the Red Valley as well, you will walk an additional 30–60 minutes.
Can I get altitude sickness?
Rainbow Mountain is over 5,000 m / 16,000 ft, and altitude sickness is a real possibility for many travelers.
To reduce the risk, you should:
- Take time to acclimatize in Cusco before visiting Rainbow Mountain.
- Discuss altitude medication with your doctor and, if appropriate, start a few days before the hike.
- Drink plenty of water during the day.
- Drink coca tea, which will be available at breakfast.
There is no way to completely guarantee you won’t feel the altitude, but following these tips will reduce the chances of having serious problems.
When is the best time to hike Rainbow Mountain?
Peru has two main seasons: a dry season and a rainy season. We recommend taking this tour during the dry season when there is usually better visibility and less rain.
Recommended months: April to December
Not recommended: January to March (rainy season)
How large are the groups?
We organize small group tours with a maximum of 8 people so that you can enjoy a more personalized experience. We can also organize larger private groups on request; in that case, we provide two or more tour guides.
How far is Rainbow Mountain from Machu Picchu?
Rainbow Mountain and Machu Picchu are located in opposite directions from Cusco: Machu Picchu is to the north, while Rainbow Mountain lies to the south. They are accessed by separate routes and require different travel days.
What should I wear?
You will need warm clothing for the early morning and whenever it is cloudy or windy:
- Gloves and warm hat (beanie).
- Fleece or insulated jacket.
- Rain jacket / poncho.
- Comfortable trekking pants and good hiking shoes.
Can I hire a horse?
Yes. If you struggle with the hike or prefer not to walk the entire route, you can hire a horse directly from local horsemen. A one-way ride typically costs around 70–80 soles (price may vary slightly each season).
