Mountain
The Rainbow Mountain Day Trip is an absolute must for all those who love stunning landscapes and gorgeous scenery. If you are planning to Travel in Peru!

Duration
Full Day
Difficulty
Moderate
Group Size
12 Guest
Height
5,100 m
- Cusipata - Llactoc - Rainbow Mountain Peru, Vinicunca - Red Valley
Hike to the Astounding Multi-colored Mountain
Close to the city of Cusco is one of the most stunning natural sights you can imagine — the mountain of seven colors, aka, Rainbow Mountain, or Vinicunca and also the Red Valley that will make you feel as if you have set foot on Mars. If you’re looking for an exciting day out of the city, that’ll challenge you but give you the most fantastic rewards, this is the perfect option.
Get ready to discover one of the most impressive natural wonders on the planet in the middle of the Peruvian Andes. If you visit Cusco, this day trip is a must! Our one-day tour to Vinicunca, or Rainbow Mountain, will take you through remote high-altitude barren lands and through isolated communities found in the Vilcanota mountain range. You’ll also be able to witness the immensity of the sacred Ausangate mountain (6,372 m/ 20,905 ft), the highest in the region.
- ITINERARY
- INCLUSIONS
- BEFORE YOU GO
- PRICING
- ENQUIRE NOW
Join us on this epic one-day trip away from the city and get out into nature, among the most beautiful landscapes imaginable. Whether you’re traveling as a couple, or in a larger group, we have daily departures to accommodate you. This tour is designed for travelers with little time and great physical resistance.
Along the route, the difficulty ranges from moderate to challenging, which is mainly due to the high altitude that reaches over 5,000 meters. We recommend you spend a day or two in Cusco to acclimatize before joining one of our tours.
Despite the fact that Rainbow Mountain is usually full of tourists, we start our adventure very early to be the first to arrive. This way, you can enjoy the peacefulness and beauty without many interruptions. We take our time and enjoy the hike without pressure.
You’ll also walk through the surreal Red Valley, a little-known destination with almost no tourists. Not many people get the chance to venture into this unique landscape, so make the most of your time in Cusco and join us on this epic adventure.
On the hike, expect to immerse yourself in the lifestyle of the inhabitants in the small communities, observe numerous herds of llamas and alpacas grazing in the mountains, and be a first-hand witness of millions of years of geological history. The imposing mountain landscape is sure to be the protagonist of your photographs. Choose Know Machu Picchu for the ultimate tour in the Andes.
HIGHLIGHTS
- BHike among some of the most stunning Andean landscapes imaginable and let Mother Nature whisk you away in her sheer beauty.
- Immerse yourself in the small mountain communities and witness how they live their lives so far away from the city.
- Observe the unique flora and fauna and see alpacas and llamas grazing in the mountains and roaming free.
- Hike to one of the most unique places on our planet and snap some special photos of the spectacular geological formation.
- Enjoy views of the highest mountain in the Cusco region, Ausangate, whose snowy peak stands tall nearby.
DETAILED ITINERARY
DAY 1: Cusco | Cusipata – LLactoc – Rainbow Mountain Peru, Vinicunca – Red Valley View Point
Highlight of the day: Arriving at the spectacular Rainbow Mountain and enjoying the amazing panoramic view of the surrounding landscape.
Hike to the Mountain of Seven Colors.
Our epic adventure begins at 4:00 am. We’ll pick you up from the door of your accommodation to head for 3 hours towards the Southern Valley of Cusco in our private transport. Despite the early morning, you’ll have the opportunity to catch some more z’s along the way in our comfortable transport with the cozy blankets that we provide for you.
Along the way, we’ll observe picturesque Andean towns, agricultural platforms from the Inca period, fertile valleys, and beautiful rolling mountains. We’ll stop off and observe the herds of llamas and alpacas that’ll entertain you while you enjoy a delicious continental breakfast to give you the nourishing boost you need to begin the hike.
We’ll continue our journey until we reach the starting point of the hike at 4,630 m / 15,190 ft. There we’ll start by heading along a meandering path in the middle of the Andean mountains that follows a pretty stream. As you ascend, you’ll be rewarded with the impressive view of the Ausangate Mountain (6,372 m / 20,905 ft). Take a few minutes to try to understand why this mountain is a living deity for the Andean people.
This remote region is home to many people, and you’ll have the opportunity to see them working the land. You’ll also be amazed to see the traditional clothing they use and make themselves thanks to the artistic textile talents that they’ve inherited from their ancestors. This is one of the many ways an ancient culture is preserved in the rural regions of Peru that refuses to be submitted by the rules of the western world. Your guide will teach you about the meaning of some garments and, if you want, you can ask him to teach you some words in Quechua, the native language of many inhabitants of the zone and one that’s been spoken since Inca times.
After an hour-and-a-half of walking, we’ll reach the amazing Rainbow Mountain of Cusco (5,100 m / 16,732 ft). Take your time to admire the astounding beauty of this impressive natural formation and feel the thrill of witnessing a unique natural site. You’ll explore the surroundings a little and take in the stunning landscape while your guide explains the theories that exist regarding the origin of this mountain that seems like it’s been taken from a colorful dream. Use this opportunity to take some incredible photos or simply immerse yourself in the landscape. We’ll spend around 30 minutes to an hour at the top, depending on how fast you hiked and the weather conditions.
After enjoying this gem amidst the Peruvian Andes, we’ll begin our trek towards the fascinating Red Valley (5,050 m / 16,568 ft). This is a place that feels like you’ve stepped foot on another planet and that’s visited by very few tourists. You’ll be surprised not only by its amazing beauty but also by the immense tranquility that’ll surround you. It only takes 30 minutes of walking to reach the viewpoint from where you’ll get the best views of the valley all around.
We will then embark on a 2-hour descent to reach the starting point of the trek, passing through ancient Andean communities and alongside herds of llamas. If you are lucky, you will come across some vicuñas, a beautiful undomesticated animal that has lived with the inhabitants of Peru since pre-Inca times.
Finally, we will board our transportation to the restaurant in Cusipata and enjoy a buffet lunch. Then, we will board again our private transportation to return to the city of Cusco. We will leave you at the door of your accommodation to rest your tired legs.
At Know Machu Picchu, we specify the included and non-included services under all the tour itineraries listed on our website. We take care of all the logistics, but please pay attention to the details to avoid missing anything. Some items may be different for specific programs, so please read carefully before booking with us.
WHATS IS INCLUDED?
- Entry to the Rainbow Mountain.
- Entrance to the Red Valley View Point.
- High Quality Service & Safety.
- Pre-departure Briefing Phone Call: The evening before the tour, you will receive a phone call via WhatsApp from your guide, who will provide you with important information about your trip. To ensure that you receive all the necessary information, it is essential that you provide us with accurate and complete personal information.
- Experienced Tour Guide: All our guides have professionalism, experience, responsibility, seriousness and passion, which will make your trip safe and comfortable.
- Trekking Poles.
- Medical Kit or First AID Kit: All Know Machu Picchu guides have received specialized training in first aid. We hold mandatory training sessions with our guides every February. Your guide will always carry a first aid kit to face basic emergencies (altitude sickness, travelers’ diarrhea, cuts, scrapes, etc.) as well as oxygen. If necessary, we’ll evacuate you from the path as quickly as possible and ensure that you arrive at a clinic for treatment.
- 24/7 Customer Service: We have telephone service available 24 hours/day for ease of communication with Know Machu Picchu leading up to your trek.
- Breakfast and Lunch.
- Transport: All your transportation is included in this package. We will pick you up from your hotel. Once you complete the tour, we will take you back to the door of your hotel.
WHATS IS NOT INCLUDED?
- Dinner,
- Personal Hiking Gear.
- Travel Insurance.
- Tips for our staff: Tipping is usual on any excursion to Peru. Although we pay good salaries to our team, something extra is always welcome.
- Additional costs or delays beyond our control: Landslides, bad weather conditions, itinerary modifications due to a safety concern, illness, pandemia, government policy changes, political instability, strikes, act of God, etc.
PACKING LIST
WHAT SHOULD YOU BRING?
ESSENTIAL.
- Valid Passport.
- Extra Money (recommended soles).
- Personal Medication.
- Water bottel or camelback.
- Sunblock (factor 70 or more).
- Insect repellent.
CLOTHING
- Light footwear or sandals.
- Trekking pants.
- Trekking socks.
- Shorts.
- Long sleeve t-shirts.
- Warm jacket.
- Waterproof jacket.
- Raincoat or rain poncho.
- Sun hat to protect neck and face.
- Neck gaiter or buff.
- Sunglasses with UV protection.
EQUIPMENT
- Medium trekking backpack (15 – 25 liter).
RECOMMENDED
- Camera and charger.
- Power bank.
We want to make your trip to Peru as memorable and as carefree as possible. In this section, you’ll find the answers to all the questions you have about traveling with Know Machu Picchu in one place. Please read the following information carefully – it will help you with any questions about our services.
Briefing or Informative Meeting
The evening before your trip, our staff will contact you to provide full instructions on the tour at your Hotel (between 6 to 8 p.m., by phone call and Whatsapp)
Please make sure you are available at that time. If not, please contact us by email or phone to schedule a different time.
Trek Balance Payment (in Cusco)
If you still have a pending balance, you must pay it 2 days before your hike/tour. Otherwise, your trip reservation will not be confirmed.
If possible, it would be greatly appreciated if you could settle the remaining balance for the trek/tour in cash, either in US dollars or the local currency, at our office in Cuscoor your Hotel. You can withdraw funds from various ATMs located along Avenida Sol, offering both US dollars and Peruvian Soles. Alternatively, you have the option to pay using a credit/debit card or WETRAVEL, either online or in person, but please note that a 6% service charge will be applied by our payment gateway (IZIPAY) and WETRAVEL. We regret to inform you that we are unable to accept bank checks or traveler’s checks as forms of payment for the balance.
Can I store my luggage at your office?
Of Course! During the trip, your main luggage can be stored at our office (you can organize it with us on the briefing day or by email) or at your hotel, both free of charge.
Any equipment that you won’t need on the trek can be stored safely in your hotel. Nearly every hotel will provide this service. Don’t leave items of value with your bags; put them in the hotel safe and obtain an itemized receipt (in the unlikely case of theft, many insurance companies require that you have a copy of the receipt itemizing everything). It’s best to put items such as credit cards inside a sealed, signed envelope for extra peace of mind.
Pick up of guests
Please note:
- All pickups are within Cusco City, but we recommend booking a hotel in the historic center for its convenient location.
- Our guide or staff will confirm the pickup time the day before the tour.
- Due to traffic conditions, the pickup time may vary between 30 and 45 minutes.
- Cusco is an old city and has many narrow cobbled streets. Some hotels and Airbnbs are located on streets without car access or on long, steep slopes, making it difficult to transport luggage. For such reasons, we strongly advise you to book accommodation with good access.
Return To Cusco
Returning from Machu Picchu requires quite a bit of logistics, but don’t worry. Everything is included in your tour!
- From Machu Picchu, you’ll board a bus for 25 minutes to the town of Aguas Calientes. The buses are boarded according to arrival.
- In Aguas Calientes, you’ll board a train to Ollantaytambo. Your guide will give you the train tickets with the boarding time. Make sure you’re on the platform 30 minutes early. The train from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo takes 1:45 hours.
- Once you arrive at the station, our representative, will be waiting to transfer you to Cusco. The trip from Ollantaytambo to Cusco takes 1:30 hours.
- In Cusco, we’ll drop you off directly at your hotel and, depending on your hotel’s location, as close as possible.
Group Tours
Group tours are made up of different types of people, then physical conditions and ages can vary. By agreeing to be part of a group tour, you also accept that some people may be faster or slower than you. Therefore, each person can go at their own pace on the route.
It may be the case that a group wishes to modify the tour; however, the guide will be the one who decides, after consulting with all the participants, if such modifications are possible.
Strikes and demonstrations
Strikes and demonstrations are common in Peru, and this may interrupt some of our tours. Roads can be blocked, and train tracks can be taken over. However, we will try to keep your trip as originally planned, even if it means leaving the night before the scheduled date.
Under these circumstances, tours may also be canceled. In case of changes or cancellations, everything will be coordinated with you by our operations department. Your safety is our highest priority, and our decisions will be made to protect it.
Lost objects
Please pay attention to where you leave your belongings and remember to take everything once you leave a place or a transport. You’re the only one responsible for your objects during the tour.
«Rainbow Mountain Peru» can leave any day of the week, from January through December.
2024 Land Cost
Group Price: US$ 130.00 per person.
This small-group journey is guaranteed to operate with just two guests.
Notice that Wetravel charges a fee of %6, which we ask the client to cover since it’s due to the use of its service. This tax is just for online deposits so that you will pay the remaining in cash (the briefing day in Cusco) without charges.
Price Guarantee
Once your booking has been confirmed, we guarantee the price won’t increase, whatever the circumstances. So please, before booking, ensure you’ve read all our important tour information.
Thank you for your interest in having an adventure travel experience in know Machu Picchu. Please take a moment to complete our short form, so one our friendly Adventure Consultants could provide you all the information for your trip of a lifetime in Peru.
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Customer Support
Feel free to write us about your doubt or questions you have. Do you have any questions?
- +51 950 705034
- info@knowmachupicchu.com

Enjoy the best tours and hiking adventures to Machu Picchu, The Lost City of the Incas…
- Sol Avenue N°610, Office 2, Cusco -Peru
- info@knowmachupicchu.com
- (+51) 950 705034 - 941 701080
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