- 4 Days & 3 Nigths
- Up to 12
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RAINBOW MOUNTAIN ONE DAY TOUR
Hike to the Astounding Multi-colored Mountain Close to the city of Cusco is one of the most stunning natural sights you can imagine — the mountain of seven colors, aka, Rainbow Mountain, or Vinicunca and also the Red Valley that will make y…
Duration
FULL DAY
Group Size
Up to 12
Distance
4.35 mi / 7 km
Difficulty
Moderate
Departures
Daily departures
Ideal For
For Everyone
THE EXPERIENCE
RAINBOW MOUNTAIN ONE DAY TOUR
RAINBOW MOUNTAIN · Cusco, Peru
Hike to the Astounding Multi-colored Mountain
Close to the city of Cusco is one of the most stunning natural sights you can imagine — the mountain of seven colors, aka, Rainbow Mountain, or Vinicunca and also the Red Valley that will make you feel as if you have set foot on Mars. If you’re looking for an exciting day out of the city, that’ll challenge you but give you the most fantastic rewards, this is the perfect option.
Get ready to discover one of the most impressive natural wonders on the planet in the middle of the Peruvian Andes. If you visit Cusco, this day trip is a must! Our oneday tour to Vinicunca, or Rainbow Mountain, will take you through remote high-altitude barren lands and through isolated communities found in the Vilcanota mountain range. You’ll also be able to witness the immensity of the sacred Ausangate mountain (6,372 m/ 20,905 ft), the highest in the region.
Itinerary
Day-by-day information for this experience.
Day 01: Cusco | Quiquijana - Llacto - Rainbow Mountain Peru, Vinicunca - Red valley viewpoint
Hike to the Mountain of Seven Colors
Our epic adventure begins at 4:00 am. We’ll pick you up from the door of your accommodation to head for 3 hours towards the Southern Valley of Cusco in our private transport. Despite the early morning, you’ll have the opportunity to catch some more z’s along the way in our comfortable transport with the cozy blankets that we provide for you.
Along the way, we’ll observe picturesque Andean towns, agricultural platforms from the Inca period, fertile valleys, and beautiful rolling mountains.
We’ll stop off and observe the herds of llamas and alpacas that’ll entertain you while you enjoy a delicious continental breakfast to give you the nourishing boost you need to begin the hike. We’ll continue our journey until we reach the starting point of the hike at 4,630 m / 15,190 ft. There we’ll start by heading along a meandering path in the middle of the Andean mountains that follows a pretty stream. As you ascend, you’ll be rewarded with the impressive view of the Ausangate Mountain (6,372 m / 20,905 ft). Take a few minutes to try to understand why this mountain is a living deity for the Andean people.
This remote region is home to many people, and you’ll have the opportunity to see them working the land. You’ll also be amazed to see the traditional clothing they use and make themselves thanks to the artistic textile talents that they’ve inherited from their ancestors. This is one of the many ways an ancient culture is preserved in the rural regions of Peru that refuses to be submitted by the rules of the western world. Your guide will teach you about the meaning of some garments and, if you want, you can ask him to teach you some words in Quechua, the native language of many inhabitants of the zone and one that’s been spoken since Inca times.
After an hour-and-a-half of walking, we’ll reach the amazing Rainbow Mountain of Cusco (5,100 m / 16,732 ft). Take your time to admire the astounding beauty of this impressive natural formation and feel the thrill of witnessing a unique natural site. You’ll explore the surroundings a little and take in the stunning landscape while your guide explains the theories that exist regarding the origin of this mountain that seems like it’s been taken from a colorful dream. Use this opportunity to take some incredible photos or simply immerse yourself in the landscape. We’ll spend around 30 minutes to an hour at the top, depending on how fast you hiked and the weather conditions.
After enjoying this gem amidst the Peruvian Andes, we’ll begin our trek towards the fascinating Red Valley (5,050 m / 16,568 ft). This is a place that feels like you’ve stepped foot on another planet and that’s visited by very few tourists. You’ll be surprised not only by its amazing beauty but also by the immense tranquility that’ll surround you. It only takes 30 minutes of walking to reach the viewpoint from where you’ll get the best views of the valley all around.
We will then embark on a 2-hour descent to reach the starting point of the trek, passing through ancient Andean communities and alongside herds of llamas. If you are lucky, you will come across some vicuñas, a beautiful undomesticated animal that has lived with the inhabitants of Peru since pre-Inca times.
Finally, we will board our transportation to the restaurant in Cusipata and enjoy a buffet lunch. Then, we will board again our private transportation to return to the city of Cusco. We will leave you at the door of your accommodation to rest your tired legs.
DAY FACTS
- MEALS: Breakfast and Lunch
- DIFFICULTY: Moderate
- WALKING DISTANCE: 7 km / 4.35 mi
- WALKING TIME: 2-3 hours
- STARTING ELEVATION: 4,630 m / 15,190 ft
- HIGHEST ELEVATION: 5,100 m / 16,732 ft
Inclusions
Services included and excluded from the trip.
WHAT IS INCLUDED?
Permits & Entrance Tickets
- Entry to the Rainbow Mountain
- Entrance to the red valley viewpoint
High Quality Service & Safety
Experienced Tour Guide
Our official tour guides speak English and Spanish and are professionally trained and certified. We choose them for their experience, responsibility, unbridled passion for exploring, and pride in sharing our culture and history. In every experience, they will keep you safe and comfortable so you can enjoy your time worry-free!
Trekking Poles
Medical Kit or First AID Kit
All Salkantay Trekking guides have specialized first aid training and attend mandatory training sessions every February. Your guide will always carry a first aid kit and oxygen to handle basic emergencies (altitude sickness, diarrhea, cuts, scrapes, etc.). If needed, we will evacuate you from the trail as quickly as possible and ensure you arrive at a clinic for treatment.
24/7 Customer Service
We have telephone service available 24 hours/day for ease of communication with Salkantay Trekking leading up to your tour.
Meals
Breakfast and Lunch
Snacks and water
For the hike, we’ll provide you with a water bottle and snacks of local fruits, cookies, chocolate, caramels, etc.
One cloth snack bag per person
To avoid the use of plastic bags that contaminate our environment, we’ll give you a cloth bag for your snacks.
Transportation
All transportation is included in this tour. We’ll pick you up from your hotel and after the end of the trip, we’ll drop you back at the door of your hotel in Cusco.
WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED?
Dinner
Personal Hiking Gear
Travel Insurance
Tips for our staff
Tipping is usual on any excursion to Peru. Although we pay good salaries to our team, something extra is always welcome.
Additional costs or delays beyond our control
Landslides, bad weather conditions, itinerary modifications due to a safety concern, illness, pandemic, government policy changes, political instability, strikes, acts of God, etc
Before You Go
Practical information to help you prepare for the journey.
We want to make your trip to Peru as memorable and carefree as possible. In this section, you’ll find the answers to all your questions about traveling with Salkantay Trekking. Please read the following information carefully – it will also help you with any questions about our services
How many days do I need to acclimate in Cusco before the Trek?
It’s very important to be well acclimated to the altitude before exerting yourself on a trek. We recommend that you arrive in Cusco at least 2 or 3 days before the trek starts to help you adjust and avoid possible problems with altitude sickness while on the trek.
You might have already been in another area of Peru at a high altitude before arriving in Cusco. In that case, we still recommend you have a whole day in Cusco to rest, recover from your travel, and enjoy the sights and sounds of Cusco before departing for the trek.
Here some suggestions for activities to do in the Cusco vicinity before starting your adventure trek:
- CITY TOUR
- SACRED VALLEY
Can I store my luggage at your office?
Of course! During the trip, you can store your main luggage for free at our office (arrange it with us on the briefing day or by email).
You can also safely keep any equipment you won’t need for the tour in your hotel. Almost every hotel offers this service. Please do not leave valuable items in your bags; put them in the hotel safe and ask for an itemized receipt (in the unlikely case of theft, many insurance companies require that you have a copy of the receipt). For extra peace of mind, place items like credit cards inside a sealed and signed envelope. »
Pick up of guests
Please note:
- All pickups are within Cusco City, but we recommend booking a hotel in the historic center for its convenient location.
- Our guide or staff will confirm the pickup time the day before the tour.
- Due to traffic conditions, the pickup time may vary between 30 and 45 minutes.
- Cusco is an old city and has many narrow cobbled streets. Some hotels and Airbnbs are located on streets without car access or on long, steep slopes, making it difficult to transport luggage. For such reasons, we strongly advise you to book accommodation with good access.”
Group tours
Group tours are made up of different people with varying physical conditions and ages. By agreeing to be part of a group tour, you acknowledge that some people may be faster or slower than you. Therefore, each person can go at their own pace on the route.
In some cases, a group may want to modify the tour; however, the guide will be the one who decides, after consulting with all participants, whether such changes are possible.
Strikes and Demonstrations
Strikes and demonstrations are usually common in Peru, which may interrupt some of our tours. Roads and train tracks can be blocked or taken over. However, we will try to keep your trip as originally planned, even if it means leaving the night before the scheduled date.
In case of changes or cancellations, our operations department will coordinate everything with you. Your safety is our highest priority, and we will make our decisions to protect it.
Lost objects
Please pay attention to where you leave your belongings and remember to take everything once you leave a place or a transport. You’re the only one responsible for your objects during the tour.
Packing List
Recommended items for a comfortable and well-prepared trip.
- Valid Passport
- Extra money (recommended soles)
- Personal medication
- Water bottle or CamelBak – (optional water purifying pills)aa
- Sunblock: factor 70 or more
- Hiking boots or shoes (preferably waterproof)
- Trekking pants (*)
- Trekking socks
- Pair of thermal pants
- Warm jacket
- Waterproof jacket
- Raincoat or rain poncho
- Waterproof or wool gloves
- Sun hat to protect neck and face
- Wool hat for the cold
- Neck gaiter or buff
- Sunglasses with UV protection
- Medium trekking backpack (15 - 25 liter)
- Camera and charger
- Power bank
Pricing
Rates and important commercial information for this tour.
Starting From
US$ 100
per person
Frequently Asked Questions
General travel information for Inja Expeditions guests.
Booking with Inja Expeditions is simple. First, choose the tour or trekking experience you are interested in and send us your travel details, preferred date and number of passengers. Our team will confirm availability and provide the corresponding booking instructions. Once the required deposit or payment has been received, we will send you a confirmation with the details of your reservation. We recommend checking all passenger information carefully after receiving your confirmation.
For multi-day treks, the briefing allows you to meet your guide and review the most important details before departure. We will explain the itinerary, weather conditions, recommended equipment, pickup time, luggage arrangements and any specific considerations for your route. It is also a good opportunity to ask last-minute questions and make sure you are fully prepared for the experience.
For selected multi-day programs, luggage storage can be coordinated before departure. Travelers normally take only the items required for the trek and leave their main luggage securely stored until they return. Please confirm this service with our team before your departure, as arrangements may vary depending on the itinerary.
Water arrangements depend on the specific itinerary. For many multi-day treks, travelers should begin the first day with their own drinking water and additional safe water is provided or made available during the route. Your trip briefing will explain exactly how water is managed on your chosen trek. We strongly recommend carrying a reusable water bottle or hydration system.
Yes. We recommend carrying some Peruvian soles in cash, especially on trekking routes and in remote areas where cards may not be accepted. You may need cash for snacks, drinks, optional activities, local services, hot springs, tips or unexpected transportation. The amount you need will depend on the length and type of your trip.
Tips are completely optional and should reflect your satisfaction with the service you receive. If you feel your guide, cook, muleteers or support team provided excellent service, a gratuity is always appreciated. There is no mandatory amount, and our team can provide general guidance during the pre-trip briefing if you wish.
Group size depends on the tour, season and number of confirmed travelers. Inja Expeditions aims to keep groups comfortable so guides can provide personal attention and travelers can enjoy the experience without feeling part of an excessively large group. The expected group size can be confirmed before you book.
For trekking programs, you should carry a small daypack with the personal items you need during the day, such as water, sunscreen, rain protection, a warm layer, camera and snacks. Depending on the trek, Inja Expeditions may also provide or coordinate a duffel bag for additional belongings transported by the support team. Weight limits vary by route and will be explained before departure.
Electricity and internet access vary considerably between routes and campsites. Some accommodations or camps may offer charging points and limited Wi-Fi, sometimes for an additional fee, while remote sections may have no connectivity at all. We recommend bringing a fully charged power bank and downloading any important information before leaving Cusco.
A group tour allows you to share the experience with other travelers who have booked the same departure, making it a social and generally more economical option. A private tour is reserved exclusively for you and your companions, allowing greater flexibility with pace, attention from the guide and certain logistical details. Private tours are especially suitable for couples, families and groups of friends looking for a more personalized experience.
Bathroom and shower facilities depend on the route and the type of accommodation used each night. Some campsites provide basic bathroom facilities, while certain locations may offer hot showers for an additional local fee. On routes that include a hotel night, standard bathroom and shower facilities will normally be available. Please review your specific itinerary for exact details.
On certain trekking routes, especially Salkantay and Ausangate, horses may be available for assistance on specific sections of the trail. Availability depends on location, weather and local operators, so this service cannot always be guaranteed at every point of the trek. If you are concerned about your fitness or altitude, please let us know before departure so we can explain the available options.
Why you'll love it
Tour Highlights
Hike among some of the most stunning Andean landscapes imaginable and let Mother Nature whisk you away in her sheer beauty.
Immerse yourself in the small mountain communities and witness how they live their lives so far away from the city.
Observe the unique flora and fauna and see alpacas and llamas grazing in the mountains and roaming free.
Hike to one of the most unique places on our planet and snap some special photos of the spectacular geological formation.
Enjoy views of the highest mountain in the Cusco region, Ausangate, whose snowy peak stands tall nearby.
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