Rainbow Mountain Peru Full Day
Description
Get ready for an unforgettable full-day journey to one of Peru’s most breathtaking natural wonders – Rainbow Mountain, or Vinicunca as it’s also known. Tucked away in the Andes, right by the stunning Ausangate Glacier, this colorful mountain has become a must-see spot in South America, famous for its striking stripes of red, gold, green, and lavender, all thanks to the unique mineral deposits.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Between 4:30 a.m. and 5:00 a.m., we’ll pick you up directly from your hotel in Cusco to begin our journey south through scenic landscapes filled with valleys and traditional agricultural communities. Our first stop is the town of Cusipata (3,329 m / 12,772 ft), about a two-hour drive away. Here, we’ll enjoy a nutritious breakfast to prepare for the day’s adventure. After breakfast, we’ll continue by van along a stunning route through the mountains. Our hike begins at Phulawasipata. The trek takes about two hours and brings us to the summit of Rainbow Mountain. Once we arrive at the top of Rainbow Mountain, you will have enough time to absorb the majesty of the red mountains that surround this area. After taking in the scenery—and perhaps spotting a condor soaring on the wind—we’ll begin our descent. We’ll then return to Cusipata to enjoy a delicious and energizing lunch. Finally, we make our way back to Cusco, arriving between 4:30 p.m. and 5:00 p.m.
Highlights
What's included
Pickup Locations & Times
The collection is carried out within a one kilometer radius of the main square.
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Reviews(14)
I took a tour to the Rainbow Mountain with the agency Rainbow Mountain Peru; everything was great, thank you for everything.
Booked this excursion following a three day trek in Machu. I was exhausted and had actually made a plan to cancel it and to just take a day off from adventuring. The thought of getting up at 4am and another long car ride did appeal to me Then again, I thought when else will I have this opportunity? So I went I booked through SAM travel Peru. They are so well planned giving me a carefree feeling for all of my Peru adventures It was freezing cold! But I had dressed for it, just not prepared for a trek at 16,000+ feet. The first quarter mile almost wiped me out. But my guide, Cesar, was so knowledgeable in treating my exhaustion and the adjustment to the altitude, giving me some sort of local remedy that remarkable helps almost instantly. Incredible. For the entire journey, Cesar gave us incredible insights to the location, the history of its local people, and kept the pace super slow so we could enjoy it more, thanks you Cesar Siccos and our amazing driver Zadam. It is a beautiful sight. The colors, the glacier, the vibrant locals. Amazing experience It wasn’t too much of a climb But do get there early, it gets really busy
Had the most amazing day at Vinicunca & Valle rojo - challenging walk but worth it for the insane landscapes. Hilton our guide was super informative, helpful and patient along the way. It was a pleasure the spend the day with him.
My cousin and I booked the Rainbow Mountain tour through Sam’s Travel to celebrate our 50th birthdays, and we couldn't have asked for a better team than Liz Montesinos and Abdul. Even with a 4:00 AM hotel pickup, they both arrived with cheerful, high-energy attitudes that set a great tone for the day. While the hike itself isn't incredibly long, the altitude is a serious challenge. Liz was incredibly patient, hiking right alongside us and cheering us on the entire way. She never rushed us when we needed to stop and catch our breath, and she was always ready with tea to help us manage the elevation. Abdul is a phenomenal driver. The roads to the trailhead can be tricky, but he navigated them like a total pro, making us feel completely safe so we could rest before and after the trek. If you are planning this bucket-list hike, especially for a milestone like a birthday, I highly recommend requesting Liz and Abdul. Their professionalism, kindness, and genuine care for their guests made our 50th celebration unforgettable!
So much effort. Great show of nature. Too many people on top
Came back to write a review to try help others, like previous reviews helped me. So in the aftermath, it was beautiful, the views are very impressive. We took the tour with the ATVs, definitely worth it since the climb is super hard as it is. I will start by saying that the way to rainbow mountain is around three hours and very bumpy. It was very windy, cold and muddy when we got there, so come with your warm clothes, jacket, scarf , gloves, beanie and walking boots and poles if you use them.once we were off the ATVs, there is quite a walk, large part of it is uphill. The air is very thin due to the altitude so this could take time reaching the top. Once there, like all other Peru attractions, it’s very touristy, lots of llamas for photographs, food vendors etc. the view all along was very beautiful. We were lucky to have good weather but that’s just luck..
It was an amazing experience! Unfortunately I got altitude sickness but the guides were always very attentive and yet I could enjoy the beautiful views, thank you Justin and Yuri for an amazing experience!
An amazing and unforgettable experience. The Mountain of Colors is simply spectacular, each view worth the effort of the hike. Everything was well organized and the guide was very professional. Fully recommended
Day with Gilthon exciting and very well organized, tasty breakfast and lunch, clear and reassuring explanations! Oxygen if needed, thank you for this experience
It’s a long day trip from Cusco. 2h start at 5am. Stop for breakfast and then another 1 to reach the car park. Options are long trek up, horse or motorcycle. I opted for the motorcycle which goes to the summit along a separate route. Cost about US$30 for the return trip. Weather was changeable with sun, snow and sleet which meant slippery conditions all round. Lots of tourists which means overcrowding on the summit. I agree with some of the other comments about posted photos being potentially photoshopped as colours on the day were no way as bright. You can only spend 10-15 min at the summit before you have to return to your travel party. Overall view was ok but spoilt by overcrowding and changeable weather.
