Discovering the breathtaking beauty of Rainbow Mountain from Cusco is an opportunity not to be missed. This 13-hour tour promises a day filled with stunning landscapes, culture, and an optional trek to the captivating Red Valley. With roundtrip transportation, meals, and a small group size, travelers can expect a personalized experience exploring the vibrant hues of this natural wonder. Whether it’s your first time or you’re a seasoned adventurer, the chance to witness the majesty of Rainbow Mountain is sure to leave a lasting impression.

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Key Points

The tour from Cusco to Rainbow Mountain and optional Red Valley hike lasts 13 hours, with roundtrip transportation, breakfast, and buffet lunch included.
The group size is limited to a maximum of 18 people, ensuring a personalized experience.
The challenging 1 hour 45 minute hike to Rainbow Mountain is not recommended for individuals with altitude sickness or serious health issues.
Along With visiting Rainbow Mountain, participants have the option to hike an extra 1 hour to the Red Valley.
The tour has an overall rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars based on traveler reviews, highlighting the knowledgeable and friendly guide, timely arrival, and positive breakfast experience.

You can check availability for your dates here:

Tour Overview

The Rainbow Mountain Tour offers an exhilarating excursion to one of Peru’s most breathtaking natural wonders.

The Rainbow Mountain Tour offers an exhilarating excursion to one of Peru’s most breathtaking natural wonders.

Priced from $27.90 per person, this 13-hour tour includes roundtrip transportation, breakfast, and a buffet lunch. Groups are limited to 14-16 people, with a maximum of 18.

Pickup is between 4:30-5:00 am from hotels in Cusco. Guides provide commentary in English and Spanish.

Participants can hike to the famous Rainbow Mountain and, if desired, the adjacent Red Valley.

With free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance, this tour provides a flexible and immersive experience in Peru’s stunning landscapes.

Looking for more options in Cusco? We've reviewed plenty of other experiences.

Itinerary

Pickup from hotel in Cusco begins the day’s adventure.

The tour travels to Qollasuyo, stopping for a 30-minute breakfast in Cusipata. Hikers then ascend 1 hour and 45 minutes to Rainbow Mountain, spending 40 minutes taking photos.

Optionally, they can hike 1 hour to the Red Valley. After, the group returns to Cusipata for a buffet lunch before heading back to Cusco, arriving around 4:30 pm at Plaza Regocijo/Kusipata.

The tour includes round-trip transportation, breakfast, buffet lunch, first-aid equipment, entrance fees, and a professional English-speaking guide.

Inclusions

The tour includes round-trip transportation, a breakfast of fruit juice, hot chocolate, coffee, tea, fruit salad, and bread or pancakes. After the hike, a hearty buffet lunch is provided. For emergencies, first-aid equipment and an oxygen bottle are on hand. Entrance fees to Rainbow Mountain and the optional Red Valley are also covered. The key inclusions are:

| Inclusions | Details |

| —————————————— | ————————– |

| Round-trip transportation | Provided |

| Breakfast | Juice, hot drinks, bread |

| Buffet lunch | Served after hiking |

| Emergency equipment | First-aid, oxygen |

| Entrance fees | Rainbow Mountain, Red Valley |

Important Information

Not everyone may be suited for this tour.

This tour may not be suitable for everyone.

The hike to Rainbow Mountain is quite challenging, with an ascent of nearly 2 hours. It’s not recommended for those with altitude sickness, babies under 1, seniors over 95, or people with back problems.

Travelers should bring a daypack, sandals, and their passport or ID card. Alcohol, drugs, and alcoholic drinks aren’t allowed on the vehicle.

However, the tour does offer some flexibility – you can change your tour date within 24 hours without penalty by emailing the operator.

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Traveler Reviews

How do previous travelers rate this Rainbow Mountain tour?

Based on 5 reviews, the Rainbow Mountain tour earns an impressive overall rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars.

Reviewers highlight the knowledgeable and friendly guide, the timely arrival before crowds, and the excellent breakfast.

One traveler from the UK enjoyed the guide, while a French visitor recommended adding the optional hike to the Red Valley.

A US traveler found the trek challenging but rewarding.

There's plenty more to explore in Cusco

Pickup and Transportation

To begin the tour, the operator arranges pickup from your hotel in Cusco between 4:30 and 5:00 am.

The tour operator arranges pickup from your hotel in Cusco between 4:30 and 5:00 am to begin the day’s excursion.

You’ll travel to Qollasuyo, with a 30-minute breakfast stop in Cusipata along the way. The transportation is provided in a comfortable vehicle, seating a group of 14-16 people, with a maximum of 18.

The journey takes approximately 2.5 hours each way. At the end of the tour, you’ll return to Cusco, arriving around 4:30 pm at Plaza Regocijo/Kusipata.

The round-trip transportation is included in the tour price, ensuring a seamless and convenient experience.

Hiking the Rainbow Mountain

After the initial drive, hikers embark on the 1 hour and 45 minute ascent to Rainbow Mountain.

The trek is challenging due to the high altitude, but the views along the way are simply breathtaking. Hikers witness the vibrant, multicolored layers of the mountain as they make their way up.

Once at the top, they’re rewarded with stunning panoramic vistas of the Andes. Guests have 40 minutes to explore the summit and snap photos before beginning the descent.

For those seeking an added challenge, an optional 1 hour hike to the nearby Red Valley is available.

Exploring the Red Valley (Optional)

For those seeking an additional challenge, the optional hike to the nearby Red Valley offers a unique and visually striking experience.

This roughly 1-hour trek takes visitors through a landscape of dramatic red rock formations, revealing the true vibrancy of the region’s geology.

Highlights include:

Spectacular views of the multi-hued mountains, which range from deep reds to golden hues
Opportunities to observe the local flora and fauna, including rare Andean wildlife
A chance to take in the serene, otherworldly atmosphere of this remote and less-visited area

Things To Know

Can I Bring My Own Food and Drinks on the Tour?

You can’t bring your own food and drinks on the tour. The tour includes a breakfast and a buffet lunch, so bringing your own sustenance is not necessary. Outside food and alcoholic beverages are also not permitted on the vehicle.

Is There an Option to Hike at a Slower Pace?

The tour offers an optional slower-paced hike to Red Valley, which takes about an hour to reach. This allows hikers to go at their own pace and explore the area more leisurely. However, the main Rainbow Mountain hike has a set duration of 1 hour 45 minutes.

How Much Time Do We Have to Explore Rainbow Mountain?

Travelers have 40 minutes to explore Rainbow Mountain. This includes time for photos and taking in the stunning views. The tour schedule allows for an adequate amount of time to appreciate the natural wonder of Rainbow Mountain.

Is There Any Mobile Phone Coverage During the Hike?

There’s limited mobile phone coverage during the hike to Rainbow Mountain. Connectivity may be spotty, so it’s best to plan accordingly and inform loved ones of the potential lack of communication while on the trail.

Can I Purchase Additional Food or Souvenirs During the Tour?

Participants can purchase additional food and snacks during the lunch stop in Cusipata. However, there are no opportunities to buy souvenirs during the tour. The focus is on the hiking experience at Rainbow Mountain and the optional Red Valley.

Sum Up

This tour offers an opportunity to witness the breathtaking beauty of Rainbow Mountain and explore the optional Red Valley, all while enjoying roundtrip transportation, meals, and a personalized experience with a small group. At just $27.90 per person, it’s an affordable way to learn about the stunning landscapes of the Cusco region. Don’t miss this chance for an unforgettable adventure.