Dreaming of standing before one of the most spectacular natural wonders on the planet? The Rainbow Mountain Hike is masterfully engineered for those seeking breathtaking landscapes and authentic Andean culture. Vinicunca, or Rainbow Mountain, has become the second most visited site in Peru for good reason; its incredible mineral-painted slopes and panoramic glacial views offer a visual feast that feels like stepping onto another planet.
Designed by Inca Trail Hikes Peru, this efficient itinerary balances a challenging physical trek with exceptional service. Your day is a journey through high alpine ecosystems, where you will witness crystal clear lakes, jagged glaciers, and roaming herds of llamas and alpacas. Skip the logistical stress; we manage every detail, from early morning transport and freshly prepared meals to expert mountain guiding, leaving you free to absorb the majesty of the Andes.
5200 m.s.n.m
Up to 8 People
Group
Trekking, Adventure
Moderate
1 day
Itinerary
Your day begins in the early morning as our private van collects you directly from your hotel at 4:00 AM. We travel through the stunning South Valley of Cusco for approximately 3 hours, watching the landscape shift from fertile farming terraces to rugged, high-alpine peaks dusted with snow.
Before hitting the trail, we stop to enjoy a delicious, freshly prepared breakfast in the heart of the mountains. Surrounded by herds of alpacas and llamas, you will fuel up for the climb ahead. After a short 5-minute drive, we reach the Quesiuno trailhead.
The trek begins by following a mountain stream. Over the next 2 hours, you will hike through isolated landscapes, passing local villages and interacting with the community. As we ascend toward 5,020 meters, the landscape becomes increasingly dramatic. Upon reaching the summit, you will be awed by the beauty of Rainbow Mountain. You will have time to explore, take photographs, and soak in the panoramic views of the Ausangate glacier.
For the adventurous, we offer an optional 45-minute trek into the Red Valley, a surreal landscape of deep crimson rock formations. Finally, we hike back down the same path (2 hours) to meet our van. After a hot lunch, we embark on the drive back to Cusco, arriving at your hotel between 5:00 PM and 6:00 PM.
This Rainbow Mountain trek is available to depart any day of the week as long as we have a minimum of two people.
Breakfast & 3 course lunch are included in our price for the rainbow mountain trek and they will be prepared by our cook, this means you will get a fresh and hot meal.
Yes, it is a moderate to challenging hike due to the extreme altitude. While the trail itself is clear, the thin air at 5,000+ meters makes physical exertion more difficult. We recommend at least 2 to 3 days of acclimatization in Cusco before attempting this hike.
Basic facilities are available at the start of the trail, but options are limited once you begin hiking. Please bring toilet paper and a small bag to pack out your waste.
Our guides are trained to monitor your health. If you struggle with the altitude, we can arrange a horse from local community members to assist you on the ascent.
FIRST, to book your Rainbow Mountain Trek, we need you to fill out our booking form by clicking on BOOK NOW on our homepage or click the link BOOK NOW.
Please be ready with the following information (FROM EACH PARTICIPANT in your group). We cannot purchase a Rainbow Mountain Trek entrance ticket without the following information:
SECOND, we require a deposit of US$50 per person in order to purchase a permit for the Rainbow Mountain Trek. You can make you deposit by clicking on the VISA or PAYPAL symbols on the top of our home page, or booking page.
It would be greatly appreciated if you pay in cash at our office (US dollars or Peruvian soles) here in Cusco. We have many cash machines in the historical center to withdraw money. You can also pay by VISA or PAYPAL online but you will have to pay a 5.5% service charge, charged by VISA and PAYPAL. To pay your balance through PAYPAL, you need to log into your PAYPAL account using our email address of info@incatrailhikeperu.com to complete the payment.
With alternative treks like the Rainbow Mountain Trek we may be able to change dates for a fee depending on what has been already purchased. Please contact the office as soon as possible if you need to change your date.
If you cancel your Rainbow Mountain Trek, the deposit is non-refundable!
The weather is very unpredictable and it’s difficult to foresee. With the RAINBOW Mountain Trek, we highly recommend you bring some warm clothes and good rain gear in your day backpack especially in rainy season, there can be snow or rain. It can be very cold at the high altitudes you will reach on this trek.
In general if you exercise regularly and spend 3 days in Cusco, or in the Sacred Valley for acclimatization to the altitude, you will be just fine.
The recommended medicine for altitude sickness is WATER, COCA TEA and OXYGEN IF NEEDED; our guides are trained to treat you for Altitude Sickness. For more detailed information on Altitude Sickness click this link: Altitude Sickness.
We offer the Cusco City Tour and Sacred Valley tours that you can book while you are acclimatizing. Check out our day tours on our Main Page.
The maximum group size is 8 people. Usually our groups are between 2-6 people. INCA TRAIL HIKE specializes in SMALL, PRIVATE groups and provides a personalized service.
It has been the highlight for most of our clients, especially females!! INCA TRAIL HIKE includes a Responsible & Sustainable “Camping toilet with seat” that we use on the trek.
In the event that you are unable to finish the trek due to a health issue, INCA TRAIL HIKE will assist you to the nearest town for help with transportation. We always carry oxygen on the trek for any respiratory problems. In extreme cases, a helicopter pick up can be arranged at your own expense. (Travel insurance required). There are no refunds in the unlikely situation that you are unable to finish the trek.
Absolutely!! Included in the package and on the last day we will drop you off at your hotel in Cusco! If you have booked your hotel in the Sacred Valley like Ollantaytambo or Urubamba, we will drop you off there too!
If you’re happy with the services provided, a tip – though not compulsory – is appreciated. While it may not be customary to you, it’s of great significance for the people who will take care of you during the trek. It inspires them to give excellent service and is an entrenched feature of the tourism industry across many INCA TRAIL HIKE destinations. Of course you are free to tip as much as feel is appropriate, depending on your perception on the quality of service and the length of your trip. Remember, a tip is not compulsory and should only be given when you receive excellent service.
Local, sustainable & responsible tourism operator in that we incorporate the universal principles of tourism: protect the environment and benefit the local communities by respecting their culture and religion. With this in mind, we have trained all our local staff to know and understand, respect the places and the local people.
Pack these essential items in a lightweight daypack for a comfortable day in the mountains:
Cusco
Cusco
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