Rainbow Valley is a recently revealed natural wonder, the striking striated colors only having been revealed with the retreat of Andean glacial snow. As climate change alters the shape of our world, Vinicunca or Montaña de Colores appeared as snow melt exposed a variety sedimentary minerals oxidizing to a startling variety of mustards, scarlets, greens and browns. This is a "you have to see it to believe" type of experience, and in fact has been listed by National Geographic as one of the "100 Things to See Before You Die."
At 5000m/16,000ft, this hike is challenging due to the altitude, but well worth the effort. Your private tour day will begin with a peaceful, 2-hour drive by private transportation from Cusco in the morning to Cusipata district. One more hour of driving will then take us to Llaqto and the start of our 2-hour hike to the summit. Your Authentic Treks guide will give you the full scoop on the history and ecology of the mountain as you step through the landscape and flora and fauna of the Andes including llamas and alpacas. After your hike back to the start, we will have lunch in Cusipata before your relaxing ride back in Authentic Treks private transport to your hotel in Cusco.
Late Morning Rainbow Mountain Hike
Duration: 11 hours
Price from $ 99
Day trips Peru tours
Late Morning Rainbow Mountain Hike
How long: 11 hours
Country: Peru
Price from $ 99
A Rainbow Mountain hike is quickly becoming the top travel destination before or after visiting Machu Picchu—don't miss this incredible sight! If early start is not your cup of tea, we got you covered with our Late Morning Rainbow Mountain Hike.
Tour Essentials
Duration
11 hours
Tour Style
Private - Only you and your party
Getting Around
Private transportation + hiking
Availability
Year-round - pick up is at 7am
Language
English-speaking guide
Difficulty
Demanding due to altitude
Easy Booking
Online booking available
Altitude
5000 meters / 16,000 feet
Accommodation
Not included
Airfare
Not included
Bring
Hiking gear ,rain gear, Sun protections(Sun glasses,Sun hat, Sun lotion) warm jacket&hat
Customer reviews
Tour Highlights
Rainbow Mountain
Get a 360 degree view of this amazing wonder from the summit
Red Valley
An optional add-on to your Rainbow Valley hike
Price Information
$140
2-3 people
Price is per person, not per group.
2-3 people
$140
4-5 people
$110
6-12 people
$99
Included
- Briefing prior to tour
- Entrance to Rainbow Mountain
- Round trip private transportation from Cusco to the starting point of the hike.
- Professional English-speaking guide and assistance throughout the tour
- Lunch in Cusipata
- Bottled water and snacks
- First-aid kit including an emergency oxygen tank
Not Included
- Accommodations in Cusco
- Airfare
- Travel Insurance
- Tips for staff
Bookable extras
- Entrance to Red Valley hike ($TK)
- Hiking poles or other gear available to rent ($5 per pair of poles)
- Horse rental
Tour Map and Itinerary
Itinerary
Rainbow Mountain Hike
Stop 1
Cusco
We will pick you up in private transportation from your hotel in Cusco around 7am in order to avoid the crowd on the mountain and to give you a peaceful experience at the summit.
NOTE: have breakfast in Hotel in Cusco city.
NOTE: have breakfast in Hotel in Cusco city.
Stop 2
Cusipata
After about a 2-hour drive, you will arrive to the Cusipata. This area south of Cusco is known for whitewater rafting on the Urubamba River and is a nice stopping point before we reach the trailhead in Llaqto (a 1-hour drive away).
Stop 3
Rainbow Mountain
Your Rainbow Mountain hike begins in Llaqto and is designated "demanding" not because the technical difficulty of the trail, but due to the high altitude (5000m, 16,000ft). The summit of Vinicunca is roughly the same as Everest's base camp—about 1/2 the height of Mt. Everest! Horses are available to rent along the trail. Your Authentic Treks guide will lead you all the way through the approximately 2.5 hour hike to the view point. Along the way, you can appreciate the typical landscape and flora and fauna of the Andes, including llamas and alpacas. Your guide will fill you in about the history, topography, ecosystem and colors of the mountain, with background about which minerals result in the various stunning colors you will see.
You also have the option to walk to Red Valley which takes 30 minutes from Rainbow Mountain (an extra 15 Peruvian Soles for entrance). The striking red, iron-rich soil of this nearby valley stands out beautifully against patches of bright green grass to make you feel you have traveled to another world.
It is suggested that you bring (or rent from us) hiking gear for this hike, and layered clothing at the weather can be changeable.
After your hike, we will return to Cusipata for lunch (included) and then your guide will return you in private transportation to your hotel in Cusco. Your Instagram will thank you for the beautiful pictures you will post, and the memories you will take home with you.
You also have the option to walk to Red Valley which takes 30 minutes from Rainbow Mountain (an extra 15 Peruvian Soles for entrance). The striking red, iron-rich soil of this nearby valley stands out beautifully against patches of bright green grass to make you feel you have traveled to another world.
It is suggested that you bring (or rent from us) hiking gear for this hike, and layered clothing at the weather can be changeable.
After your hike, we will return to Cusipata for lunch (included) and then your guide will return you in private transportation to your hotel in Cusco. Your Instagram will thank you for the beautiful pictures you will post, and the memories you will take home with you.
Cusco
We will pick you up in private transportation from your hotel in Cusco around 7am in order to avoid the crowd on the mountain and to give you a peaceful experience at the summit.
NOTE: have breakfast in Hotel in Cusco city.
NOTE: have breakfast in Hotel in Cusco city.
Cusipata
After about a 2-hour drive, you will arrive to the Cusipata. This area south of Cusco is known for whitewater rafting on the Urubamba River and is a nice stopping point before we reach the trailhead in Llaqto (a 1-hour drive away).
Rainbow Mountain
Your Rainbow Mountain hike begins in Llaqto and is designated "demanding" not because the technical difficulty of the trail, but due to the high altitude (5000m, 16,000ft). The summit of Vinicunca is roughly the same as Everest's base camp—about 1/2 the height of Mt. Everest! Horses are available to rent along the trail. Your Authentic Treks guide will lead you all the way through the approximately 2.5 hour hike to the view point. Along the way, you can appreciate the typical landscape and flora and fauna of the Andes, including llamas and alpacas. Your guide will fill you in about the history, topography, ecosystem and colors of the mountain, with background about which minerals result in the various stunning colors you will see.
You also have the option to walk to Red Valley which takes 30 minutes from Rainbow Mountain (an extra 15 Peruvian Soles for entrance). The striking red, iron-rich soil of this nearby valley stands out beautifully against patches of bright green grass to make you feel you have traveled to another world.
It is suggested that you bring (or rent from us) hiking gear for this hike, and layered clothing at the weather can be changeable.
After your hike, we will return to Cusipata for lunch (included) and then your guide will return you in private transportation to your hotel in Cusco. Your Instagram will thank you for the beautiful pictures you will post, and the memories you will take home with you.
You also have the option to walk to Red Valley which takes 30 minutes from Rainbow Mountain (an extra 15 Peruvian Soles for entrance). The striking red, iron-rich soil of this nearby valley stands out beautifully against patches of bright green grass to make you feel you have traveled to another world.
It is suggested that you bring (or rent from us) hiking gear for this hike, and layered clothing at the weather can be changeable.
After your hike, we will return to Cusipata for lunch (included) and then your guide will return you in private transportation to your hotel in Cusco. Your Instagram will thank you for the beautiful pictures you will post, and the memories you will take home with you.