Rainbow Mountain and Red Valley Day Trip in Cusco, Colorful Hike
A climb past llamas and alpacas to a summit of wide panoramic views
Climb from the foot of the Ausangate range toward Rainbow Mountain, its colors formed by minerals over millions of years, and take in wide views from the top. This is a day tour out of Cusco, with a buffet breakfast, a buffet lunch and a professional guide along the way.
Step-by-step itinerary
Rainbow Mountain and Red Valley hike
- Pickup from Cusco hotel early morning
- Travel to Cusipata for buffet breakfast
- Continue to Fulawasipata trailhead
- Hike up to Rainbow Mountain summit
- Enjoy panoramic views and take photos
- Descend back to trail starting point
- Return to Cusipata for buffet lunch
- Travel back to Cusco, arrive afternoon
- Cusco 10m
- Rainbow Mountain Vinicunca Entry included 1h
- Cusco 10m
What’s included
- Professional guide.
- Trekking sticks.
- Breakfast and lunch, with a vegetarian option.
- First aid and oxygen kit.
- Pickup from your Cusco hotel.
- Every day 04:00
Information
You hike from the foot of the Ausangate range up to Rainbow Mountain, with panoramic views at the top and buffet breakfast and lunch included.
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The experience
The road out of Cusco carries you through Andean landscapes for about 1.5 hours to Qollasuyo, where Cusipata waits with a buffet breakfast. One more hour brings you to Fulawasipata, the spot where the hike begins at the base of Ausangate. From there the ascent takes about 1 hour and 45 minutes, and along the way the route can bring you past llamas and alpacas, with high Andean scenery opening up behind you.
Then the summit. Snow-capped mountains rise around you, Andean valleys fall away below, and the colorful natural landscape of Rainbow Mountain spreads out in front of you. Its colors were formed by minerals over millions of years. Entry is covered, so you have time to explore and take pictures before the walk down, at over 5,000 meters high.
The way down is a simpler path that takes about 1 hour back to the starting point. Then you return to Cusipata for a buffet lunch, with a vegetarian option, before the drive back toward Cusco. The tour ends on Avenida El Sol, in front of the Qorikancha temple and close to plenty of hotels, around 4:30 p.m.
Top questions
What languages is the tour guided in?
Live guide in English and Spanish.
Can children come?
Yes. Ticket types: Youth (12 to 17 years); Child (6 to 11 years). Children under 6 can't be included in the booking.
Is good physical condition needed for the Rainbow Mountain hike?
Yes, good physical condition is required. The ascent takes about 1 hour and 45 minutes, and the descent on a simpler path takes about 1 hour.
Is Rainbow Mountain entry included in the tour?
Yes, entry to Rainbow Mountain is included in the tour.
Where does the hike to Rainbow Mountain start?
At Fulawasipata, at the base of the Ausangate range, reached after the drive through Cusipata.
Where are meals served during the Rainbow Mountain tour?
Breakfast comes first at Cusipata, and lunch comes after the descent, back at the same place. A vegetarian option is available at lunch.
Where does the Rainbow Mountain tour end back in Cusco?
On Avenida El Sol, in front of the Qorikancha temple, near numerous hotels, around 4:30 p.m.
Operated by World Explorer Peru. Explorevia does not run this tour: we compare it with similar options, and you book it with our booking partner.
Prices and times updated 3 days ago
Rainbow Mountain and Red Valley Day Trip in Cusco
12h · EN · ES · at your hotel
from US$ 30 per person
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