Rainbow Mountain & Red Valley Full-Day Tour
Description
Experience two of Cusco’s most unforgettable landscapes in one incredible day. Hike high into the Andes to the colorful slopes of Rainbow Mountain, then continue into the quieter and equally beautiful Red Valley. Along the way, walk through wide mountain landscapes, see llamas and alpacas, and enjoy impressive views of the Ausangate region. We take care of the transportation, restaurant meals, guiding, and logistics so you can focus on the adventure. Tour Highlights * Visit Rainbow Mountain and Red Valley in one day * Hike above 5,000 m through spectacular Andean scenery * See llamas, alpacas, colorful hills, and distant Ausangate views * Enjoy breakfast and lunch at a local restaurant * Travel comfortably with round-trip transportation from Cusco * Hike with an experienced local guide and high-altitude support Discover the colors, silence, and beauty of the Andes on an adventure you will never forget.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Your adventure begins with pickup from your hotel in Cusco at approximately 4:30 a.m. Travel toward the southern highlands, passing traditional villages, farmland, valleys, and beautiful mountain scenery along the way.
After approximately two hours, stop at a local restaurant for a warm breakfast. Enjoy coffee or coca tea, use the restrooms, and prepare for the hike ahead. Then continue to the trailhead near Rainbow Mountain. Before beginning the hike, your guide will explain the route, review the main safety recommendations, and share helpful advice for walking at high altitude.
The hike to Vinicunca usually takes between 1.5 and 2 hours, depending on your pace, the weather, and how your body responds to the altitude. The trail begins with a gradual climb before becoming steeper near the top. Your guide will set a comfortable pace and stop whenever needed. Along the way, walk through wide Andean landscapes with views of the Ausangate region. You may also see local herders, llamas, and alpacas. Your guide will share stories about the area, its communities, and its natural features. At the Rainbow Mountain viewpoint, take time to rest, capture memorable photos, and admire the colorful slopes of Vinicunca. Your guide will explain how different minerals in the soil and rock created the mountain’s remarkable colors.
From Rainbow Mountain, continue toward Red Valley, a spectacular landscape of deep red hills and wide-open views. This area is usually quieter than the main viewpoint, allowing you to enjoy the scenery in a more peaceful setting. After exploring Red Valley, follow the trail back to the starting point while enjoying the surrounding mountains and high-Andean landscapes.
After the hike, drive back to the local restaurant for lunch. Take time to relax and enjoy a freshly prepared meal made with local Peruvian ingredients.
After lunch, begin the return journey to Cusco, arriving at approximately 5:30 p.m.
Highlights
What's included
Pickup Locations & Times
We also pick up from AirBnBs and any other locations inside Cusco city. Wait in the lobby of your hotel at 4.30 am
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- Please advise any specific dietary requirements at time of booking
- Vegetarian option is available, please advise at time of booking if required
- Passport name, number, expiry and country is required at time of booking for all participants
Reviews(119)
We got a really nice day with our guide Flavio. The experience was intense with our family and little kids, but Flavio explained everything and guide us to do this trek and appreciate the beautiful mountain. Our family really recommends with this guide Flavio a must to have a memorable moment.
Today we did a trek with Davico and his team. The night before he informed us of the trek. This was super helpful and gave us some more information. We were met at our hotel and then we left, the breakfast and lunch was of a very good quality. The cool thing about the trek itself was that we could choose our own pace and this was very pleasant. Thank you to all the team for this beautiful day.
Dear angelogE8557PI, Hartelijk dank voor het delen van uw ervaring. We zijn erg blij te horen dat u een mooie dag heeft gehad tijdens de Rainbow Mountain & Red Valley Tour met Davico en zijn team. Fijn om te weten dat de briefing vooraf, het ontbijt en de lunch hebben bijgedragen aan een comfortabele en aangename ervaring. We waarderen het ook dat u de flexibiliteit om uw eigen tempo te volgen heeft kunnen genieten. Uw vriendelijke woorden worden zeker gedeeld met ons team. Bedankt dat u voor TreXperience heeft gekozen en we hopen u opnieuw te mogen verwelkomen in Peru. Met vriendelijke groeten, Josselyn
What an amazing experience to have while visiting the Cusco region. My guide, Romario was excellent. He was very friendly, easy to talk to and knowledgeable of the region. We took the hike at a nice pace, took water breaks when needed. He reached out the before to let me know pick up time and to pack. The breakfast and lunch preps was awesome, very good! I enjoyed getting to Romario and our chat on the hike. He convinced me that I need to come back and take part in the four day Inca trial hike. One we got to the mountain, he gave us time to explore the area and took photos for me as well to document the amazing experience. I highly recommended Romario if you have the opportunity to request him. Maybe I wlll luck out and he will be my guide for the Inca trail!! Words can’t describe the experience. Thank you, Romario!!
Dear Y8437HTlawrences, Thank you for sharing your wonderful experience at Rainbow Mountain and Red Valley. We are so happy to know that Romario made the day special with his kindness, knowledge, and friendly support along the hike. It is great to hear that he kept a comfortable pace, helped with water breaks, shared helpful details before the tour, and gave you time to enjoy the mountain and take photos. We are also glad you enjoyed the breakfast and lunch prepared by our team. Thank you for highly recommending Romario. We would be delighted to welcome you back for the 4-Day Inca Trail one day. Best regards, Josselyn
Fantastic experience. Our guides were fantastic and took care of us every step of the way. Breakfast and lunch was also great. Five Star Experience!
Dear mattmorrisadventure, Thank you for sharing your experience. We are so happy to know that your family trip to Rainbow Mountain was fantastic. It is wonderful to hear that our guides took care of you every step of the way and that you enjoyed both breakfast and lunch. We are glad the day felt like a true five-star experience for your family. Thank you for choosing TreXperience. Best regards, Josselyn
Our guide Romario was great!! We had a great day with him. He was able to adapt to each of the family members. The rest of the staff was also great, we ate very well. We highly recommend Romario!
Dear S528FDpatricel, Thank you for your kind words. We are very happy to know that you and your family had a great day at Rainbow Mountain and Red Valley with Romario. It is wonderful to hear that he adapted the experience for each family member and that you also enjoyed the food and the care from our team. Thank you for recommending Romario. We hope to welcome you back to Peru one day. Best regards, Josselyn
TreXperience are such an amazing, well managed and forward thinking company. Add to that the incredible, personable, engaging and very knowledgeable guide - David. Such a down to earth and committed individual that not only embraces the Inka ways and the history, but also makes you feel part of the path that these strong, resilient, caring and intelligent people carved out. I highly recommend using TreXperience and reaching out to David. And also a shout out to the Driver - she was a gem!
Dear DayTrip39595688258, Thank you very much for your kind review. We are very happy to know you enjoyed the Rainbow Mountain & Red Valley tour and that David made your experience engaging, informative, and memorable. We also appreciate your kind words about our driver. Your recommendation means a lot to us. TreXperience Yosselyn
This tour was so fabulous! With fresh Peruvian dishes and great conversation along the trek! Beautiful views!! Davico was a great tour guide!
Dear I6853EGmaggier, Thank you for your kind review. We are happy you enjoyed the Rainbow Mountain & Red Valley tour and that Davico made your experience great. We really appreciate your recommendation and hope to see you again in Peru. Warm regards, TreXperience Yosselyn
Abelardo was a fantastic host and guide. The mountains and glaciers were stunning and Rainbow Mountain and Red Valley so unique. Aberlado’s photography skills were first class capturing so many wonderful memories for us. We liked the ceremony with the coca leaves and all feel touched and blessed that a part of us remains in the mountains here in Peru. The lunch was superb with the standard and choice first class. Please pass on our thanks to your team for looking after us so impeccably.
Dear cowellrob, Thank you so much for your wonderful review. We are very happy to know that you enjoyed the Rainbow Mountain and Red Valley tour with Abelardo. It is great to hear that the landscapes, glaciers, coca leaf ceremony, and picnic lunch made the day so special. We are also glad Abelardo helped capture beautiful memories with his photos and took such good care of you. We will gladly share your kind words with Abelardo and the whole team. TreXperience
We had such a good time doing this!! Sebastian is the best! He’s so knowledgeable, kind, and very experienced. The food made by Papacudo and Freddy was amazing!! They gave us so much food and all of it was SO good! This whole team is the best
Dear colingY3484SO, Thank you for your wonderful review! We are very happy to know that you had such a great time on the Rainbow Mountain and Red Valley tour. It is great to hear that Sebastian made the experience special with his knowledge, kindness, and experience. We are also glad you enjoyed the amazing food prepared by Papacudo and Freddy. Thank you for choosing TreXperience. TreXperience
What an out of this world experience! Started at 4.30am from Cusco. Our guide Elias made it great fun and very informative. Stopped for breakfast and our chefs Esteban y Jheymi outdid themselves with a hot cooked breakfast in the wilderness. The hike up over 5000 m above sea level was challenging but I got a ride on a pony, Poderosa, for some of the trek. I was blown away by the view of the colourful mountain Vinicunca from the top, with snow capped Ausangate behind us….but my favourite was the Red Valley. Just wow❤️ On the trip home we had a delicious hot lunch again cooked by our superchefs, before the drive back to Cusco. If you are going to do this trip, you can only go with TreXperience 😍😍
Dear Cecilia, Thank you for your beautiful review! We are so happy to hear that Elias, Esteban, and Jheymi made your Rainbow Mountain and Red Valley adventure so special. Thank you for sharing your experience with us and for your kind recommendation! Thank you, TreXperience
