Rainbow Mountain Tour (Vinicunca) and Red Valley

Activity summary

Discover the wonders of The Rainbow Mountain Tour and what the Red Valley has for you.

The Rainbow Mountain (Vinicunca) and Red Valley experience in a private tour, personalizes an excellent adventure at (5,200 masl / 17,060 ft). A trip that gives you unique and colorful landscapes, valleys full of alpaca wildlife, glaciers, and the imposing Ausangate in Quechua “Awsanqati”, the highest mountain in Cusco.

As part of the private tour, you have the opportunity to adjust the schedule to avoid large groups of tourists and enjoy the experience with your friends, colleagues, and family, always accompanied by a professional Guru Explorers guide.

Discover the world-famous mountain and its colors enjoying a day of many adventures, culture and surprises.

Itinerary

Vinicunca Rainbow Mountain Itinerary:

Pick-up from accommodation – Breakfast

The tour to the Rainbow Mountain (Vinicunca) begins early: between 03:50 and 04:30 our guide will pick you up from your hotel in the historic center of Cusco. We will travel approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes to the south of the province, where we will make a stop at a local restaurant to enjoy a traditional buffet breakfast.

Due to the geography of the area and as it is a rural zone far from the city, restaurant options, both for breakfast and lunch, are limited, so standards may be simpler compared to those in Cusco or the Sacred Valley.

Here you can also purchase drinks, snacks, sunscreen, or other items you may need for the hike.

Transfer to the base of the Rainbow Mountain

We will continue the journey to the starting point of the hike. Along the way, you will be able to admire spectacular Andean landscapes, rural communities, and alpacas in their natural habitat.

Ascent to the summit of the Rainbow Mountain

Upon arrival at the base, the professional guide will provide the necessary instructions to start the ascent, which takes on average between 1 hour and 30 minutes, depending on the walking pace. During the hike, you will be able to observe majestic mountains, rocky hills, and herds of llamas and alpacas.

At a moderate pace, you will reach the summit of the Rainbow Mountain (5,200 m a.s.l. / 17,060 ft) and enjoy panoramic views to capture unique photographs. From there, you can appreciate the surrounding valleys and the snow covering the peaks of Ausangate, the highest mountain in southern Peru.

If you wish, you can rent a horse from the local residents to cover approximately 80% of the ascent. Please note that the final section, about 15 minutes uphill, must be done on foot. This service is subject to availability at the time and is managed directly by the local community, without any involvement or responsibility from Guru Explorers.

Visit to the Red Valley

You may extend the experience by walking towards the Red Valley, known as “Mars” for its unique coloration. This Andean desert offers spectacular reddish landscapes and the possibility of observing vicuñas and other wild camelids in their natural state.

Descent and return to the base

After the visit, we will begin the descent (approximately 1 hour) until we meet again with the transport that will take us to the restaurant.

Buffet lunch and return to Cusco

We will enjoy a buffet lunch at a local community restaurant with Peruvian cuisine.

Finally, we will return to the city of Cusco, arriving at around 4:00 p.m. at your hotel in the historic center.

Include

Price of the Rainbow Mountain Tour includes:

Departure from the lodging in the historic center of Cusco.
Return to your hotel in the historic center of Cusco.
Professional guide in English and Spanish (ask for other languages available),
Buffet breakfast and Lunch at local restaurant (vegetarian and vegan options available upon request).
Trekking or hiking poles (on request).
Oxygen available upon request from the guide in case of emergency.
Entrance tickets to the Rainbow Mountain (Vinicunca).

Not included

Price of the Rainbow Mountain Tour excludes:

Transfer from hotels outside the city of Cusco (for private tours, ask for extra costs to pick up from the Sacred Valley or other places).
Entrance ticket to the Red Valley (optional and additional)
Tips for the guide.
Beverages.
Food not specified in the itinerary.
Horse or mule rental (approximate cost USD 30 round trip)

Recommendations

What to bring to the Vinicunca Rainbow Mountain Tour?

Comfortable and optimal footwear for walks, warm jacket, caps or hat, gloves, sunglasses, sunscreen, bottles of water, clothing or rain poncho (especially between November – April).
Passport or DNI.
Travel insurance.
Devices for audiovisual recording (cell phone, camera, camcorders)
Cash (Local currency / Soles (S/.)

Considerations

What considerations should you have when taking the Rainbow Mountain Tour:

The streets of the city are narrow, an aspect that limits vehicular access to certain places; in this case the guide will suggest a nearby point to pass looking for you and enjoy the tour.
You must be in reasonable physical condition to do the tour; however, horses can be rented to cover part of the tour at your own risk.
It is important that you enjoy at least two days in Cusco before doing the Tour “Rainbow Mountain (Vinicunca) and Red Valley”. Only then will your body be adapted to the height of the region.
This tour is not recommended for children under 12 years of age. Adults over 60 years of age should bear in mind that this activity requires being in very good physical condition.
Remember that, since these are outdoor activities, the natural features of the landscape may vary depending on weather conditions and the natural daylight. Each visit is an authentic experience, where nature reveals itself in unique and unrepeatable ways.

Not recommended for:

People with heart disease, back problems, asthma or high blood pressure.
People in wheelchairs.
Pregnant women

Terms and conditions

According to Peruvian regulations, foreign tourists may be exempt from the local tax IGV (VAT). As a formal and registered travel agency, we are required to submit to the local authorities a copy of the document you used to enter the country, as well as your date of entry. For this reason, a few days before your arrival, we will contact you to request a photo of that document and ask you to let us know the date you entered Peru. If we do not receive this information, we will be required to add the 18% corresponding to the IGV tax.

Thank you for your cooperation!

Cancellation Policy

More than 30 days in advance: Penalty is 20% of the total amount
Between 7 and 30 days in advance: Penalty is 40% of the total amount
Less than 7 days in advance: Penalty is 100% of the total amount

Date changes

More than 30 days in advance: Penalty is 5% of the total amount
Between 7 and 30 days in advance: Penalty is 10% of the total amount
Less than 7 days in advance: Penalty is 100% of the total amount
Subject to availability.
There will be no refunds in case of delayed flights, train delays, bad weather, or other external factors.

Force Majeure Policy

Guru Explorers values your time and makes every effort to follow the itinerary. However, it may be affected by force majeure events such as weather conditions, rain, natural disasters, protests, roadblocks, or other circumstances beyond our control. In such cases, no refunds or compensation will be provided, as these are unforeseeable and unavoidable situations. Nonetheless, we will do everything possible to offer efficient alternatives and solutions for your enjoyment. Any additional costs resulting from changes or alternative activities will be the responsibility of the client and not Guru Explorers.

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

How difficult is the hike to the Rainbow Mountain (Vinicunca)?

At Guru Explorers, we rate it moderate. It is not an easy walk, and you must consider two important factors which are the height and the incline. The estimated time for the hike is 1.5 to 2 hours, starting at 4,650 masl / 15,250 ft and reaching 5,200 masl / 7,000 ft. If you think you are not prepared enough to do the trek, you can rent a horse at the base before starting the ascent.

If you want a less complex hiking route as an alternative, check out our spectacular Tour to the Palccoyo Rainbow Mountain!

Can I do the tour if I don't exercise regularly?

The hike to the Rainbow Mountain (Vinicunca) requires some effort; however, generally people who are not in good physical condition do this tour to a slower pace.

If you want a more affordable alternative hiking route, check out our tour to the colorful mountains of Palcoyo!

How long does it take to do the Rainbow Mountain (Vinicunca) Walk?

The time depends on the physical condition of each person and the speed of the group. On average, reaching the Vinicunca pass, which is the “viewpoint”, takes between an hour and a half to two. The total time, including the descent, is from two and a half to three hours.

Can horse services be hired on site?

Yes, at the base camp you will find several residents offering the services of their horses, they will accompany you as muleteers on the way. In high season it is difficult to find horses available due to the high demand. The approximate price to hire this service up and down the Rainbow Mountain (Vinicunca) is approximately 100 Peruvian soles. (~ 30 USD) (payment is in cash and in soles)

How's the weather?

It should be taken in consideration that the coldest period is between May and October, and the rainiest months are between November and April. However, the weather and altitude can be unpredictable, ranging from sunny, windy, coldy and even rainy from one moment to the next. We suggest you always be prepared with the equipment for all weather conditions. The sun is usually intense during the morning and part of the afternoon and the temperature can rapidly decrease from -5 to 18 ° C.

Are there toilets on the route to the Rainbow Mountain (Vinicunca)?

Yes, there are bathrooms available provided by the residents along the way to the Rainbow Mountain (Vinicunca). The cost per use is 1 Peruvian Sol (~ 0.3 USD), which is paid in cash.

What luggage should I bring?

As it is a full day trip, you are not allowed to carry large suitcases or bags. However, you can carry a backpack with basic items such as water, camera, cap or hat, sunscreen, sunglasses, among others needed items.

What other alternatives do you recommend?

If you want to take to the next level and enjoy the splendor of the Rainbow Mountain (Vinicunca) and its surroundings, we invite you to join the 2-day tour to the Rainbow Mountain (Vinicunca); with the opportunity to see Ausangate up close, camp in a privileged area, see lakes and impressive landscapes. Also, the next day you will be one of the first to reach the Rainbow Mountain (Vinicunca), avoiding large groups of tourists.

At what time of year is the Rainbow Mountain (Vinicunca) covered in snow?

The probability that the Rainbow Mountain (Vinicunca) is covered with snow is during the rainy season; from November to March.

What is the difference between group and private service?

The main difference between Group and Private service is the type of experience provided. In the first one you share the experience with a small group of passengers, all departing from Cusco and being picked up at their respective lodgings. In the second one the service is personalized and you have the option of leaving earlier, to avoid other groups of tourists. Also, in private, the tour will be done at your own pace and you can customize the experience on special occasions: birthdays, anniversaries, family trips, among others.