Sweep of the striped ridge above the stone shelter and visitors at the Rainbow Mountain viewpoint

Rainbow Mountain Full Day Tour

1 day · up to 5,036 m · max 16

From $120 · $30 deposit

Check dates
4.9 of 5 · 480 reviews on Tripadvisor (checked Oct 2026)

Choose your start date

Please proceed to booking by clicking on the date you would like to start the tour.

Trek Highlights

A 7-8 km walk on the Cusipata route to the viewpoint at 5,036 m, back in Cusco the same day. Hotel pickup, breakfast, lunch and the entrance fee included.

The viewpoint at 5,036 m

Mineral stripes of red, yellow, green and purple, at the top of a 1.5-2 hour walk.

Ausangate range

On a clear day, the snow and glaciers of the Ausangate range from the ridge.

One day from Cusco

Hotel pickup at 04:00 to 04:30, back about 5:00 pm. No overnight.

Meals and entrance included

Breakfast, lunch and the entrance fee, with oxygen carried by your guide.

Committed to Conservation

We support environmental conservation efforts and local community development in the region.

Overview

A full day from Cusco to the Rainbow Mountain (Vinicunca) viewpoint at 5,036 m. You walk the Cusipata route, 7-8 km round trip, climbing 436 m from the trailhead at 4,600 m. It takes 1.5-2 hours up and about 1 hour down. The altitude is the hard part, not the distance.

  • Our own group of up to 16, with a bilingual guide who carries oxygen.
  • Pick up from your Cusco hotel at 04:00 to 04:30; back in Cusco about 5:00 pm.
  • Breakfast, lunch and the entrance fee are included.
  • Spend at least 2-3 days in Cusco (3,400 m) before you go. Postpone if you have altitude symptoms there.
  • Runs all year. January and February have the heaviest rain and are not advised.

Itinerary

04:00 to 04:30: pickup in Cusco

Pick up from your hotel to join the group, then 2.5-3 hours by road, leaving the Cusco-Puno road at Cusipata. Breakfast is before the walk.

The walk up to 5,036 m

3.5-4 km, 1.5-2 hours, 436 m up. High point 5,036 m. The path climbs a high valley from the trailhead at 4,600 m, and your guide sets a slow pace for the altitude. Local handlers offer horses for most of the way, about $20-30 paid in cash; the last, steepest stretch has to be walked.

At the viewpoint

The stripes are minerals in the rock: red from iron oxide and red clays, yellow from limonite and sulfide-rich sandstone, green from iron-magnesium clays with copper oxide, purple from marl and silicates. On a clear day you can also see the snow and glaciers of the Ausangate range.

The way back

About 1 hour down. Lunch after the walk, then the drive back to your hotel, arriving about 5:00 pm.

Meals: breakfast and lunch. No overnight.

What is included

  • Hotel pickup and return in Cusco
  • Round-trip transport to the trailhead
  • Bilingual guide (English and Spanish)
  • Breakfast and lunch
  • Rainbow Mountain entrance fee (about 15-30 soles, depending on the route)
  • Emergency oxygen and a first-aid kit, carried by your guide

Not included

  • Horse ride: about $20-30, paid locally in cash
  • Hiking poles: add them in the booking box
  • Travel insurance (strongly recommended)
  • Tips, snacks, water and personal gear

Group Service Price : Rainbow Mountain Full Day (1 days)

Starts from: Cusco | Deposit: $30
From $120USD $105USD per person * lower price with valid student ID
GENERAL Double/Triple Single
STANDARD: Rainbow Mountain Full Day Tour $ 120.00 $ 120.00

*If any of the third party costs included on this package experiences an increment, we will immediately update the package price. Trekkers affected by the modification must pay the difference upon arrival in Cusco.

Booking Essentials

Travel Insurance

Travel insurance covering high-altitude trekking to 5,036 m is strongly recommended but not mandatory for this day tour. We still advise cover for trip cancellation and emergency medical costs.

Visa Requirements

Most nationalities (US, EU, UK, Canada, Australia) receive a free 183-day tourist stamp upon arrival in Peru. No visa required. Passport must be valid 6+ months beyond travel date.

Age Restrictions

Minimum age 12. Under 18s must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. No upper age limit, but travellers over 60 should check with their doctor first.

Required Documents

Original PassportCarry it on the day.Tour voucherShow it to your guide at pickup.

Deposit & Payment

$30 USD per person

Payment Methods

Credit CardVisa, Mastercard, American Express via secure payment portalNo additional feesPayPalSecure online payment in USD currencyNo additional feesBank TransferDirect transfer to US or Peru accountCustomer pays transfer fees

Payment Schedule

Deposit$30 USD per personAt time of bookingBalanceRemaining amount24 hours before departure

Booking Deadline

Book online up to 2 days before departure, subject to availability. Peak season (June-August): book 3-5 days ahead.

Booking Terms

Deposit or Full Payment$30 per person deposit, or full payment, at booking.Balance DueThe remaining balance is due 24 hours before departure.Flexible BookingNo permit needed. Book online up to 2 days before departure, subject to availability.

Cancellation Policy

Full refund minus $50 admin fee if cancelled 60+ days before departure. 50% refund if cancelled 30-59 days before. 25% refund if cancelled 15-29 days before. No refund within 14 days of departure. We strongly recommend travel insurance with trip cancellation cover.

Fitness Requirements

Level:Moderate to GoodRequirements:Comfortable walking 1.5-2 hours uphill and about 1 hour down above 4,600 m. A horse (about $20-30, paid locally) can carry you for most of the way up, but the last stretch has to be walked.

Medical Requirements

No vaccinations required for Peru. If you are prone to altitude sickness, ask your doctor about altitude medication (acetazolamide, Diamox) before you travel. Your guide carries oxygen and a first-aid kit.

Safety Requirements

Travel InsuranceTravel insurance covering high-altitude trekking to 5,036 m is strongly recommended.Physical FitnessAbility to walk 1.5-2 hours uphill (436 m gain) between 4,600 m and 5,036 m. Horses are available locally for most of the way.Altitude AcclimatizationAt least 2-3 days in Cusco (3,400 m) first. Postpone if you have altitude symptoms in Cusco.

Check dates · from $120
Mineral bands and roped path - Mineral bands of red, cream and green crossing the slope at Rainbow Mountain, a roped path at their foot
Hikers before the striped peak - Hikers on the ridge in front of the striped peak of Rainbow Mountain, with more visitors lower down
Chevron stripes and blue sky - Chevron stripes of Rainbow Mountain under the deep blue sky of 5,036 m, red hills on the horizon
Horse on the track - Horse and hikers on the dirt track to Rainbow Mountain, crossing a wide high valley under blue sky
Glaciers of the Ausangate range - View from the Rainbow Mountain ridge over red hills to the snow and glaciers of the Ausangate range
Striped slope and red hills - Striped red, cream and green mineral slope of Vinicunca falling toward a valley of red hills

Frequently Asked Questions

The distance is modest: 7-8 km round trip with 436 m of climbing. The altitude makes it hard, because you walk between 4,600 m and 5,036 m. Expect 1.5-2 hours up, with rests, and about 1 hour down. You should be comfortable walking uphill for that long.

We pick you up from your Cusco hotel at 04:00 to 04:30 to join the group, and you are back in Cusco about 5:00 pm.

Spend at least 2-3 days in Cusco (3,400 m) before you go, and postpone if you have altitude symptoms there. Your guide carries oxygen and a first-aid kit for emergencies.

Yes. Local handlers at the trailhead offer horses for most of the way, about $20-30 paid in cash. The last, steepest stretch has to be walked.

Yes. The fee is about 15-30 soles depending on the route, and it is included in the tour price.

May to September is the dry season and has the clearest skies. The tour runs all year, but January and February have the heaviest rain and are not advised.

Warm layers, a rain jacket, sun protection, sturdy boots, water and snacks. Bring cash in soles for a horse, tips and small purchases along the way.