Rainbow Mountain Small-Group Full-Day Hike from Cusco with Meals
Description
This is not just a day trip to Rainbow Mountain; it’s a meeting with the sacred Andes. From the first light of dawn on the road to the moment Vinicunca appears in front of you, everything is designed so you don’t just see the mountain – you feel its energy. You travel in small groups, in tourist vehicles with oxygen and a first-aid kit, led by local bilingual guides who speak fluent English and know the legends of the Apus, the protective mountains. A hot Andean breakfast and a buffet lunch are included, so you can focus on hiking, breathing and enjoying the views. Along the trail, your guide doesn’t just share facts; they help you understand why this landscape is considered sacred. If the altitude feels challenging, you can rent a horse and still reach the viewpoint. By the end of the day, you return not only with stunning photos, but with the feeling of having taken part in a small Andean ritual and having conquered one of Peru’s most famous mountains.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Your Rainbow Mountain adventure starts with early hotel pickup in Cusco between 4:00 and 4:30 am, driving south to Cusipata for a hot Andean breakfast. We then continue in a tourist vehicle equipped with oxygen and a first-aid kit to the trailhead. From here, a 1.5–2 hour hike takes you through high Andean landscapes with llamas, alpacas and sacred mountains known as Apus, guided by a bilingual Spanish–English guide; if you prefer, you can rent a horse along the route (optional, extra cost). At the main viewpoint (around 5,000 m), you’ll have time for stunning photos of Vinicunca’s colorful stripes before hiking back down, returning to Cusipata for a buffet lunch and then back to Cusco, with the satisfaction of having conquered one of Peru’s most famous mountains.
Highlights
What's included
Pickup Locations & Times
If your hotel is outside our pickup area, we will meet you in Cusco’s main square (Plaza de Armas). A member of our team will be waiting for you there with a sign showing your name, so we can easily find you and start the tour.
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- A fleece or jacket, basic toiletries
- Bring a small day pack with water to drink
- Camera and rain jacket or poncho
- Comfortable shoes or runners
- Hat for the sun , sunscream, insect repelent for mosquitoes
- Original Passport (ISIC student card if your book as student).
- Some extra money for lunch, drinks, snacks and souvenirs
Reviews(15)
The weather hit me with some snow/frost but it looked nice the mountain. I recommend to acclimate well in Cusco before climbing (I went on my 3rd day of the trip)
Excellent experience! Oliver, the guide was great. And the cost of the tour is totally worth it. I recommend doing this tour
The tour was amazing. The view on top of the mountain was really beautiful, breathtaking. The guide, Rony, was kind and helpful. We were really happy we booked this tour. Daniel from the agency helped us book the tour and was really helpful! Would definitely book again.
Gracias ..
A wonderful place, you can take spectacular pictures, indispensable to have docking time at the height, at least 3 days in Cusco before doing this tour. If you can not make it advisable to use the rental service of four-wheelers or horses (they are well taken care of and thus worth paying). The wonderful Esteban Adventure guides, the 100% plan offered
Muchas Gracias señorita por la recomendación .. seguiremos avanzando ..
Great tour, excellent service, friendly staff. Everything was smooth. We were connected by our Airbnb and glad we did this tour.
I loved the tour all out of ten. Very organized, I recommend 100 percent. Everything was super, everything turned out perfect. Very friendly and I recommend them all
We had a fantastic day and we were given plenty of time to climb to the top and return. Getting breakfast and lunch was an amazing bonus. Our guide was great, helpful and informative.
The tour was very organized, the food was delicious, the guide was super attentive to the entire group, incredible landscapes to photograph, it is recommended to bring clothing for the cold.
Very nice view, the guide very friendly. To enjoy the trip you must be in good physical condition, otherwise it is necessary to rent a horse from the beginning.
I highly recommend it! Wonderful day, with an incredible view and support from an attentive team. Grade 10!
