From US$137 per person.
Rainbow Mountain (Vinicunca) Day Tour from Cusco
- 5,036 m at the viewpoint, reached on foot in 90 minutes to 2 hours from the trailhead at 4,600 m.
- Fourteen mineral layers exposed by glacial retreat since about 2013, in red iron oxide, green chlorite and yellow iron sulphide.
- Best between May and September, when the sky is clear. In the rainy season the mountain is often hidden in cloud.
- Horses available at the trailhead for the climb, hired directly from local families, around US$30 to US$40.
- Small group, licensed local guide, oxygen in the vehicle, breakfast and lunch included, hotel pickup from Cusco.
- Do it after two days acclimatising in Cusco. If you arrived yesterday, choose Palcoyo at 4,900 m with a flat 45-minute walk.
Rainbow Mountain sits at **5,036 m (16,522 ft)**, and reaching the viewpoint means walking uphill for **90 minutes to 2 hours** on the day of the tour, in air with roughly half the oxygen you are used to at sea level. That is the honest version, and it is the part most listings leave out. The colours are real, the walk is short, and the altitude is what decides whether you enjoy it.
You will see **5,200 m** quoted almost everywhere, including in older versions of this page. That figure belongs to the ridge behind the viewpoint, not to the point the trail actually reaches. The number that matters for your lungs is 5,036 m at the top and about 4,600 m at the trailhead, which means you climb roughly 400 vertical metres.
**Do this tour if** you have already spent two full days in Cusco, you can walk uphill for two hours at your own pace, and you want the single most photographed landscape in the Peruvian Andes. **Skip it, or choose Palcoyo instead, if** you arrived in Cusco within the last 48 hours, you have heart or lung conditions, or you are travelling with young children. Palcoyo reaches 4,900 m with a nearly flat 45-minute walk and has three coloured ridges instead of one.
**The day, hour by hour.** Pickup at your hotel between 4:00 and 4:30 a.m. Three hours by road to Cusipata for breakfast, then on to the trailhead at Phulawasipata. The walk starts around 8:00 a.m. and the viewpoint is reached between 9:30 and 10:00. You get 40 minutes at the top, descend in about an hour, have lunch in Cusipata, and are back in Cusco between 5:00 and 6:00 p.m. It is a 13 to 14 hour day for a 3 to 4 hour walk.
**What the colours actually are.** Fourteen mineral layers laid down over millions of years and tilted by the same collision that raised the Andes. The red is iron oxide, the green is chlorite, the yellow is iron sulphide, the white is calcium carbonate. They were under ice until roughly 2013, when the glacier retreated far enough to expose them. That is why nobody had heard of this mountain fifteen years ago.
**Weather changes everything.** Between May and September the sky is usually clear and the colours are sharp, but the summit can be below freezing with wind before 10 a.m. Between November and March the mountain is often in cloud and the trail turns to mud, and some days you climb for two hours and see grey. If your trip falls in the rainy season, go early in the morning and accept the risk, or choose a different day tour.
**Horses are available** for the uphill section, hired from local families at the trailhead for around US$30 to US$40, paid directly. They take you to about ten minutes below the viewpoint; the final stretch is on foot for everyone. Taking a horse is not cheating, it is what makes this tour possible for a lot of people.
We run this tour in small groups with a licensed guide who lives in the region, an oxygen tank in the vehicle, and hotel pickup included. Breakfast and lunch are included. The entrance fee to the community land is paid on site.
At a glance
- Days: 1
- Highest point: 5200 m
- Price: From US$137 per person
Itinerary
Day 1: Cusco Vinicunca Cusco
Altitude: 3900 a 5200 m · Meals: Buffet breakfast and buffet lunch · Overnight: Cusco (3400 m)
We pick you up between **4:00 and 4:30 a.m.** and depart south of Cusco, enjoying Andean valleys and mountains, traditional towns, and herds of alpacas. After **2.5 hours** of travel, we stop at a local restaurant for a hot **buffet breakfast**. The adventure begins from **Llacto (4,630 m)**, with an ascent of **1.5 to 2 hours** (*moderate to challenging* difficulty due to altitude), taking in the impressive Ausangate snow-capped mountain and the multicolored valleys formed by natural minerals.
After exploring Rainbow Mountain, we will begin the descent back to Cusipata, where you will enjoy a delicious buffet lunch with typical Peruvian dishes. Afterward we will begin the return trip to Cusco, taking in the beautiful landscapes of the Vilcanota Mountain Range along the way. The excursion ends between 4:00 and 5:00 p.m. with drop-off at a point near the Plaza de Armas of Cusco, culminating one of the best adventure and nature experiences in Peru.
What is included
- Entrance to Rainbow Mountain Entrance ticket to the Vinicunca community.
- High-quality service and safety Professional bilingual guide, first aid kit with emergency oxygen and 24/7 assistance.
- Meals Buffet breakfast and buffet lunch.
- Transportation Pick-up and drop-off at your hotel in Cusco, round-trip tourist transportation to Llacto.
- Trekking poles to help with the ascent and descent
What is not included
- Red Valley viewpoint Optional visit, subject to time and weather conditions.
- Personal equipment and travel insurance Personal clothing and hiking equipment. Tips for guides, drivers, and service staff (optional but recommended).
- Optional transportation Motorbike via Pitumarca US$ 22.00 (70.00 SOLES) per stretch Horses via Cusipata or Pitumarca US$ 24.00 (80.00 SOLES) per stretch
- Possible Costs or Delays Beyond Our Control Landslides, bad weather, itinerary modifications for safety reasons, strikes, or other unforeseen events.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Rainbow Mountain (Vinicunca)?
Vinicunca, also called Rainbow Mountain, is a mountain at 5,200 m / 17,060 ft with natural colored stripes (red, green, yellow, white, orange) formed by minerals. It is one of the most photographed destinations in the Peruvian Andes.
What is the difficulty level of the trekking?
High. The hike is 8 km round trip with 400 m elevation gain from 4,800 to 5,200 m / 15,750 to 17,060 ft. Good fitness and at least 2, 3 days of acclimatization in Cusco beforehand are needed. The pace is free.
What is included in the tour?
Includes round-trip transport from Cusco, buffet breakfast in the field, lunch, bilingual guide, trekking poles and travel insurance. Horses are also available at an additional cost for those who need them on the final stretch.
What time do we leave and what time do we return?
The bus departs very early, between 3:30 and 4:00 AM from Cusco to reach the starting point with morning light. The return to Cusco is approximately at 5:00 PM. It is a full and exciting day.
What is the best time to visit Vinicunca?
The dry season (May, October) offers the clearest days and most vivid colors. In the rainy season (November, April) the mountain may have fog or snow, although on clear days it can also be spectacular. January, March is the rainiest period.
Why does Rainbow Mountain have such special colors?
The colors are the product of different minerals present in the rock: red is from iron oxide, green from chlorite, yellow from sulfur, white from quartz and salt, and orange from iron oxide with different concentrations. For centuries it was covered by glaciers; the retreat of the ice exposed it and the colors became visible. It is a unique geological phenomenon.
Is there altitude sickness risk at Vinicunca?
Yes, there is risk. The summit is at 5,200 m / 17,060 ft, much higher than Cusco (3,400 m / 11,150 ft). We recommend: acclimatizing at least 2, 3 days in Cusco beforehand, staying well hydrated, walking slowly, and not doing the tour on your first day of arrival. If you feel severe symptoms (confusion, severe vomiting), descending is the best medicine.
Is it possible to rent horses to go up to Vinicunca?
Yes. At the trekking starting point there are horses available at an additional cost (approx. S/ 50, 80 per stretch depending on season). Horses can help for half the way or on the steepest stretch. It is a good option for those who feel altitude more strongly or prefer to save energy.
Is Vinicunca suitable for beginner hikers?
Not exactly. The extreme altitude (5,200 m / 17,060 ft) makes it challenging even for fit people. However, no mountaineering technique is required, just aerobic endurance. With good acclimatization, horses available if needed, and a relaxed pace, many travelers without prior experience complete the route successfully.
What to bring for the Vinicunca tour?
Essentials: layered clothing (extreme cold at the summit, warmth on the trail), waterproof jacket, hat and gloves, SPF 50+ sunscreen (UV radiation at 5,200 m / 17,060 ft is very intense), sunglasses, at least 2 liters of water, energy snacks, trekking poles (included) and trekking shoes with good grip. Breakfast and lunch are included.
What is the difference between Vinicunca and Palcoyo? Which is better for me?
Vinicunca is ONE very dramatic rainbow mountain at 5,200 m, with a ~7 km hike and greater physical effort. It is the most famous and photogenic but also the most crowded. Palcoyo shows THREE rainbow mountains at once at 5,000 m with a much shorter hike (2, 3 km) and fewer people. Choose Vinicunca if you want the most stunning iconic landscape and can handle the physical challenge. Choose Palcoyo if you have less time, less fitness, are traveling with family, or want three mountains in one visit.
Related tours
- Ausangate 7 Lakes, from US$147 per person
- Huchuy Qosqo Trek, from US$177 per person
- Humantay Lake Day Trek from Cusco, from US$137 per person
Read before you book
- Things to Do in Cusco: 10 That Are Worth It, and How Many Days You Need
- First Time in Cusco? Essential Tips for Altitude Acclimatization and High-Altitude Treks
- Vinicunca, Palcoyo, or Pallay Punchu: Which Cusco Rainbow Mountain is Best for You?