Small Group to the Rainbow Mountain Max. 6 Hikers

Joining a small group to visit Rainbow Mountain was just what I wanted, getting more chance to interact with the guide and receiving more attention from him/her. That was exactly what I got and more. Our guide Anibal is an outstanding tour guide. He is joyful, energetic, and enthusiastic. He took many nice pictures for each of us during the trip. After all he has rich knowledge about Peruvian history, culture, and people’s daily lives. It’s very interesting to listen and talk to him. It seems that he has a magical wand to bring us a wonderful experience and a life time memory. I had a great day!

A great experience and thought the guide - Roger - was excellent! Enjoyed the day. The hike was tough for some with the high altitude, but there are horses available to get you up most of the way if needed. Breakfast and lunch was included which was good after a 4am pickup time!

Our guide was also the owner of the company. He ensured we were one of the first groups to the mountains. It is very cold in the morning but it warms up by the time you hike back. Make sure you have single sol to use the bathroom.

Wow a great eye popping vista of Rainbow mountain and and wonderful guide Carlos who arranged an alpaca to come with us along the trail. Great company and a great visit to the potato farm and co-op. Breakfast and late lunch added to a wonderful day. A must see and do with Carlos. One of the best attractions and trips we had from Cusco.

Part of multi day hike in Cuzco. Highly recommend Karikuy tours and Guide Gilbert. Recommend you do this at the end of your stay in Cuzco so you get acclimatized to the elevation. We took acetazolamide 125 mg twice a day which helped with high altitude sickness. Numbers and tingling in the face are common with this altitude. About 2 hour drive to Cusipata (3340 m). After breakfast came steep elevation. The road is unpaved and took 1 hour to the trail head Phulawasipata (4700 m).. The hike distance is about 4 km. The First 3 km are not steep. Horses are available for 80 soles for round trip which get you through the flat part. The last part is steep about 1 km if you want to get to the summit. The summit is about 5200 m above sea level (17,000 ft) which is slightly above the base camp of Mt. Everest. Our guide carried portable tank of oxygen. No one needed oxygen but it is common to feel the altitude effect. Drink plenty of water. The atmospheric pressure is about half of sea level with effective oxygen at 11% compared to 21% at sea level. The wind is strong and cold at the summit. It is worth a trip and you feel accomplished after finishing the trail. Vinicunca (mountain of colors) has been gaining popularity since 2010. We took the same path back. If you feel adventurous there is a longer trail (2.5 hours) back to the trail head which takes you through red valley.

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Great nature tour! We went with Luis, a very good driver and very nice guy. Start at 4 am and we were back at 4 pm. The mountain and the colors are so beautiful. Great Nature although it gets very busy... the rainbow mountain is definitely worth a visit! Good shoes and different layers are required. The air is getting thin, but when you are on top you will feel like in heaven!

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