Cusco: Rainbow Mountain & Red Valley Premium Day Trip with Meals
Description
Beat the crowds with early access to Rainbow Mountain (Mt. Vinicunca) and Red Valley on this full-day guided tour from Cusco. Admire the vibrant colors of this Andean gem, and, for those seeking even more, opt for the scenic hike to Red Valley - an otherworldly expanse of crimson peaks and dramatic vistas. Along the way, enjoy warm hospitality with a hearty Andean breakfast and a satisfying buffet lunch featuring traditional Peruvian cuisine. Our experienced local guides are by your side every step of the way, equipped with oxygen tanks and safety gear to ensure your journey is as smooth and enjoyable as it is unforgettable. Why Travelers Love This Experience: Be one of the first to summit Rainbow Mountain—crowd-free and serene Capture breathtaking views from panoramic lookout points Enjoy a hearty local breakfast and a delicious buffet lunch Hike with confidence thanks to expert guides, oxygen support, and safety equipment
Tour Options
Itinerary
Your day trip begins bright and early, with hotel pickups between 3:00 a.m. and 3:30 a.m. in Cusco. By setting off before sunrise, you'll arrive at Rainbow Mountain (Mt. Vinicunca) ahead of the crowds and enjoy the stunning scenery in peace - perfect for photos and a more serene experience. The first leg of the journey takes about 1 hour and 30 minutes as we drive to Cusipata, where your high-altitude adventure begins.
Our first stop is in the town of Cusipata, where you'll enjoy a warm, traditional Andean breakfast to energize you for the day ahead. This 30-minute pause is the perfect opportunity to relax, acclimate, and savor local flavors before the adventure continues. After breakfast, we drive for about 1 hour through scenic highland landscapes and the village of Pitumarca, arriving at Hanchipata–Llama Chimpana, the starting point of the hike to Rainbow Mountain.
Set off on your trek at the foot of the Ausangate mountain range, starting a 1-hour and 45-minute ascent to the summit of Rainbow Mountain. Along the way, you may spot various South American camelids, such as llamas and alpacas. Upon reaching the red hill, you'll be greeted by breathtaking views of the vibrant landscape.
After reaching Rainbow Mountain (Mt. Vinicunca), adventurers have the option to continue with a 1 hour hike to the breathtaking Red Valley. Far less crowded than Rainbow Mountain, this hidden gem offers otherworldly red and copper landscapes that look like they've been painted by nature itself. No worries about the altitude? We've got you covered. Oxygen tanks and essential safety equipment are always on hand, and our experienced guides are trained to assist at every step!
After completing the hike, enjoy a scenic 1 hour descent back to the trailhead, where your driver will be waiting. From there, we return to the District of Cusipata to reward your efforts with a well-deserved, one-hour buffet lunch. Savor a variety of traditional Andean dishes made with fresh, local ingredients. After lunch, we begin the drive back to Cusco, with an estimated arrival around 3:30 p.m. - plenty of time to relax and relive the highlights of your Rainbow Mountain journey. Drop off will be at Avenida El Sol, in front of Qorikancha temple, around 4:30 pm
Highlights
What's included
Pickup Locations & Times
Pickup is available from hotels in Cusco's historic center (excluding private residences, Airbnbs, bus terminals, etc.). For hotels located in downtown areas with inaccessible narrow streets or private apartments, we'll arrange the nearest meeting point. Please send us an email if your hotel is not on the list and we're happy to assist!
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Reviews(2,377)
The hike and the views at the top were amazing, especially the Red Valley. Nevertheless, the schedule was too tight. We felt constantly pressured by the guide to go faster, and we couldn't properly enjoy this amazing experience. Adding 30 minutes to the hike would go a long way in improving the experience.
This is a brilliant trip. The views are spectacular and it’s well worth the early start to avoid the crowds. Our guides (Krystien and Doris) were superb. They regularly checked in on us, made sure we were feeling ok, very clear directions, and generally looked after us so well.
It’s definitely not an easy activity to do but thankfully with the support from the professional guides along the way, I made it ! It’s a lifetime experience:)
A very good experience, the guides were attentive to us the whole time, they gave us directions and advice at all times 100/100 recommended
I really liked the experience, the guides are very friendly and speak Spanish/English. I highly recommend it
This tour was great. We had the perfect weather and the mountain was amazing! The colours and views were breathtaking. We continued to red valley and it was worth it. A little challenging but so rewarding. If it’s a cloudy day maybe the colours on Rainbow Mountain don’t stand out as much but we had full sun and no clouds and I found the colours stood out more than I expected. Very satisfied. Definitely recommend.
We started early in the night, but the promise was kept and we were the first ones at base camp. The guides were super friendly and made sure at all times that everyone was doing well. The breakfast and lunch were excellent and exceeded expectations.
Best price in the market. Amazing food for meals. The guide was super nice and informative ✨ It was fun. And good. Recommend it 💗
Our Guide Carlos was incredible! We felt super safe with him and he shared very interesting facts with us. The pick up was at 3am therefore we were one of the first people on the mountain, which was great. Also the tour and the mountains are stunning. Would recommend that tour to anyone! GRACIAS
Hi Lisa, We're delighted to hear that you had such an amazing experience and that Carlos helped make your adventure even more memorable. It's great to know that you felt safe throughout the tour and enjoyed learning about the area through his interesting insights. We're also happy that the early pickup allowed you to be among the first visitors on the mountain, making the experience even more special. Warm regards, Rainbow Mountain travels team
Extremely difficult and humbling experience but also a story I will be telling for awhile to come. I booked this trip as an adventurous solo traveler who loves llamas! Vicki and Darwin were amazing, kind & supportive guides from the beginning to end, especially as a lot of us became sick due to altitude. Beautiful but difficult experience! Be prepared for severe altitude as you hike :)
Hi there, Thank you so much for sharing your experience with us! We're thrilled to hear that, despite the challenge, your Rainbow Mountain adventure became such a memorable experience. The altitude can certainly make the hike demanding, and we're glad to know that Vicki and Darwin were there to support and encourage you every step of the way. We'll be sure to share your kind words with them, they'll be delighted to know they helped make your adventure a positive and unforgettable one. Thank you for choosing Cusco Rainbow Mountain and for recommending future travelers to be prepared for the altitude. We hope to welcome you back for another incredible adventure in Peru! Warm regards, Rainbow Mountain travels team
