Rainbow Mountain & Red Valley

Experience Rainbow Mountain Peru on a 1-Day Hike from Cusco

Discover the stunning Rainbow Mountain Peru on an unforgettable 1-day trek from Cusco! This vibrant, multicolored mountain, quickly gaining popularity, offers a truly one-of-a-kind hiking experience. Rainbow Mountain Peru is a must-see destination, and it’s best to visit now before the rest of the world catches on.

Why Hike Rainbow Mountain Peru?

The Rainbow Mountain Peru hike takes you through 2 hours of challenging terrain and high altitudes, making it an exciting adventure for those in good shape. Although the hike can be demanding, the incredible views that await at the summit are worth every step. The vibrant sandstone stripes covering the mountain create a surreal and breathtaking sight, making this a highlight of any Peru adventure.

Rainbow Mountain Peru Tour Details:

  • Tour Location: Rainbow Mountain Peru, located in the Cusco region of Peru
  • Tour Type: Hiking, adventure, nature exploration
  • Ideal For: Adventurous souls in good physical condition looking for a challenge
  • Temperature: Expect cold temperatures, especially at higher altitudes where it can drop below 0°C at night
  • Difficulty Level: Challenging, with steep inclines and high elevation
  • Why Visit Now: Experience the magic of Rainbow Mountain Peru before it becomes overrun by tourists.

Book Your Rainbow Mountain Tour Today

Don’t miss your chance to visit one of the most beautiful destinations in Peru.

Book your Rainbow Mountain Peru hike today and embark on a thrilling adventure that will leave you with unforgettable memories.

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Rainbow Mountain & Red Valley

Full Day
Price 150 USD Por Persona
Group To From 2 People
Difficulty Moderate
Book now

Rainbow Mountain Trek from Cusco: The Ultimate Guide to an Unforgettable Experience

Ready for the adventure of a lifetime at the majestic Rainbow Mountain? This unique tour from Cusco will take you to one of Peru’s most stunning natural wonders. The tour includes a comfortable ride, delicious breakfast, expert guides, and breathtaking views that will leave you in awe. Discover all the details of the Rainbow Mountain trek and get ready for an experience you won’t forget.

What to Expect on the Rainbow Mountain Tour

We’ll pick you up between 4:00 – 4:30 am from your hotel, Airbnb, or accommodation in Cusco to begin this epic journey to Rainbow Mountain. After a 2½-hour drive, we’ll arrive at the Phulawasipata trailhead at 4200m / 14,300ft, around 7:00 am.

Breakfast at the Trailhead

Once you arrive, enjoy a delicious buffet breakfast prepared by our chef. The breakfast includes coffee, tea, hot chocolate, bread, fresh fruit salad, eggs, and hot drinks. This hearty meal will give you plenty of energy for the Rainbow Mountain trek ahead.

Prepare for Altitude and Weather

Keep in mind that Cusco sits at an elevation of 3300m / 11,300ft, and the trailhead is at 4200m / 14,300ft. The weather can be quite cold, especially early in the morning, so it’s essential to bring warm clothing, including a jacket, scarf, hat, and gloves.

The Rainbow Mountain Trek

The trek to Rainbow Mountain takes around 2 hours of uphill hiking, though the time can vary depending on your pace. If you’re well-acclimatized and in good shape, some people complete it in 1½ hours, while others may take up to 2¾ hours. Along the way, your expert guide will share interesting information about the area’s history, geography, and the opportunity to spot local wildlife like llamas and alpacas.

The trail is wide and suitable for those with a fear of heights, making it a perfect option for both seasoned trekkers and beginners. The dry season is the best time to visit as the trails are easier to navigate and less slippery.

Spectacular Views at the Top of Rainbow Mountain

Upon reaching the summit of Rainbow Mountain around 9:00 – 10:00 am, you’ll have about 1 hour to explore the stunning landscapes, colorful mountains, valleys, and the towering Ausangate Glacier, the highest peak in Cusco at 6,384m / 20,944ft. It’s one of the tallest mountains in Peru!

Take plenty of time to snap some photos and learn from your guide about the fascinating geological process that creates the vibrant colors of Rainbow Mountain. You’ll also hear about the Incan history of the area.

Descent to the Red Valley: A Hidden Gem

Instead of following the same route back, our tour takes you on an alternative path leading to the Red Valley lookout point, a breathtaking spot that many hikers say is even more beautiful than Rainbow Mountain itself. This extra 2½-hour downhill trek offers serene views of the landscape, far from the crowds.

Lunch and Return to Cusco

After the hike, enjoy a fresh meal prepared by our chef, which includes appetizers, soup, and a main course, along with cold drinks. Following lunch, we’ll embark on a 2½-hour drive back to Cusco, where we will drop you off at your accommodation between 5:30 – 6:00 pm.

Unforgettable Views & Colorful Landscapes

At the top of Rainbow Mountain Peru, you’ll be treated to panoramic views of the surrounding valleys and snow-capped peaks, including the towering Ausangate Mountain. The iconic Rainbow Mountain colors—a combination of reds, yellows, and greens—are caused by unique mineral formations that make this landscape one of the most photogenic spots in Peru.

What to Expect on Your Rainbow Mountain Peru Adventure

  • A strenuous hike with some altitude challenges (the trailhead starts at 4,200m / 13,800ft).
  •  Stunning photo opportunities of the Rainbow Mountain colors.
  • A chance to connect with nature and experience one of the most incredible landscapes on Earth.
  • Expert guides who will share insights into the geography, culture, and history of the region.

Prepare for the Adventure

  • Bring warm clothing, as the weather can be extremely cold, especially in the early mornings.
  • Wear comfortable, waterproof hiking boots for the challenging terrain.
  • Keep in mind that acclimatization is important when hiking at high altitudes—make sure you’re prepared for the thin air!

At Tunqui Expeditions, 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.

What is Included?

  • Pre-departure Briefing in our office or your hotel
  • Pick up from your hotel
  • Private transportation to the trailhead from Tunqui Expeditions.
  • Entrance Tickets to the National Park (Vinicunca Mountain and Red Valley)
  • Professional tour guide in English or Spanish.
  • Cook
  • Freshly prepared, hot Breakfast and Lunch Buffet
  • Drinking water
  • Chairs & tables
  • 24/7 Customer Service – We have 24 hours a day telephone service.
  • Medical Kit or First AID Kit and Oxygen – Our guides are trained to deal with basic emergencies.
  • Walking Sticks (Pair)
  • Taxes
  • Satellite phones

The safety of our clients and our team will always be our number one priority. All of our guides have been thoroughly trained to meet any challenge that may arise during a mountain adventure. With direct access to professional and medical facilities, as well as the support of close friends, we ensure that everyone feels safe during the trip. Although the radios carried by each guide have limited range, we have taken extra precautions by equipping each excursion with satellite phones. These devices are fully charged and offer global connectivity, ensuring that we can communicate with anyone, anywhere on the mountain. In addition, our clients can use these phones for non-emergency communications. Although the cost of using them is not minimal, they offer peace of mind, even for personal updates, such as checking on the puppy you left with grandma.

What is NOT Included?

  • Dinner
  • Travel Insurance
  • Tips for our staff
  • Additional costs or delays beyond our control

We are the safest operator of Ultimate Rainbow Mountain Tour, for this reason, we can guarantee you the absolute funniest experience as you trek through the high Andes.

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 Tunqui Expeditions in one place. Please read the following information carefully – it will help you with any questions about our services.

Do you have another question that we haven’t answered here? Write us and we will get back to you as soon as possible!

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.

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 things and remember to take everything once you leave our transport, tents or restaurants. You’re the only one responsible for your objects during the tour.

Remember to check this list before packing your bags to make sure you don’t forget anything important. Have a nice trip!

Essential

  • Valid Passport
  • Extra money (recommended soles)
  • Personal medication
  • Water bottle or CamelBak
  • Sunblock: factor 70 or more

Clothing

  • Light footwear or sandals
  • Warm jacket
  • Waterproof jacket
  • Raincoat or rain poncho
  • Sun hat to protect neck and face
  • Wool hat for the cold
  • Sunglasses with UV protection

Equipment

  • Medium trekking backpack (15 – 25 liter)

Recommended

  • Camera and charger Camera and charger

The “Rainbow Mountain & Red Valley One Day Hike” can leave any day of the week, the whole year.

Group Price: US$ 180.00 US$ 150.00 per person

This small group tour is guaranteed to operate with just 2 people.

Please note that PayPal charges a 5% fee, which we ask the client to cover as it is due to the use of their service. This fee is only for online deposits so you will pay the rest in cash (on the day of the briefing in Cusco) at no charge.

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.

Cancellation Policy

Free cancellation

  • For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
  • This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
  • Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.

Additional Info

  • Specialized infant seats are available
  • Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • Our tour start and finish in Cusco. People who want to starts in the Sacred Valley must to add extra payment.
Book now

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