Rainbow Mountain: Afternoon Hike & Quiet Viewpoints from Cusco

Summary

Rainbow Mountain’s colors without the crowds, afternoon hike from Cusco

You’ll hike Rainbow Mountain from Cusco after most crowds have left, with a local guide who knows all the shortcuts and stories. Expect fresh air, real quiet at the summit, snacks along the way (yes, cake!), and time to take in those wild colors without feeling rushed. It’s less about racing to the top — more about actually being there.

What’s the experience like?

I’ll admit, I wasn’t thrilled about waking up at 3 AM just to see Rainbow Mountain — I mean, I love a good sunrise but not when it means missing breakfast and feeling like a zombie. So when our guide, Diego, grinned and said we’d leave Cusco at 8 instead, I was honestly relieved. The van was quiet at first — everyone clutching their coffee or just staring out the window as we rattled through little villages and potato fields. At some point, Diego handed out these cloth bags with water and snacks (the chocolate bar didn’t last long in my pocket). It felt like someone had actually thought about what travelers need on a day trip to Rainbow Mountain.

The trail itself isn’t exactly easy — there’s altitude, so you feel it in your lungs even if you think you’re fit. But we took it slow. There were these moments where the wind would suddenly pick up and you’d catch a whiff of wet earth mixed with something almost metallic (maybe that’s just what 5,000 meters smells like?). We hardly saw anyone else on the path except a couple of locals herding alpacas who nodded at us but mostly kept to themselves. Diego pointed out names for all the different colors in Quechua — I tried repeating one and he laughed because apparently my accent is hopeless.

When we finally reached the viewpoint, it was just…quiet. No lines of people waving selfie sticks or shouting over each other. Just our small group sitting on rocks eating cake from those snack bags (crumbs everywhere), watching clouds drift across those wild stripes of color. The sun was lower than I expected — kind of gold and soft — which made everything look even more unreal. I still think about that silence up there; it felt like we’d stumbled onto something secret even though I know thousands come here every week.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Afternoon Rainbow Mountain hike

• Depart Cusco at 8:00 AM
• Hike Rainbow Mountain in afternoon
• Enjoy exclusive, crowd-free views
• Return to Cusco around 7:00 PM

Top questions

What time does this Rainbow Mountain tour start from Cusco?

The tour departs Cusco at 8:00 AM.

Is lunch included during the Rainbow Mountain day trip?

You’ll get a snack bag with water, chocolate, cake, Andean cereal bar, fruit, and candies.

Do they provide walking sticks for the hike?

Yes, walking sticks are available upon request.

How many hours does the whole tour take?

The tour leaves at 8:00 AM and returns around 7:00 PM.

Are vegetarian or vegan options available for snacks?

Yes, vegetarian and vegan dietary needs can be accommodated if requested in advance.

Is this Rainbow Mountain hike suitable for beginners?

You should have at least moderate physical fitness due to altitude and terrain.

Will there be many other tourists at Rainbow Mountain in the afternoon?

No, this itinerary is designed so you arrive after most crowds have left.

What’s included

Your day includes pickup in Cusco by private group transport with a licensed local guide leading the way. You’ll get a cloth bag packed with water and snacks—think chocolate bars, fruit, Andean cereal bars (plus cake!). Walking sticks are available if you want them. Dietary needs? Just let them know ahead of time so they can sort it out before you hit the trail together.