Rainbow Mountain: ATV & Motorcycle Day Trip with Pickup

Summary

Early morning wheels, mountain colors, and laughter on the trail

You’ll set out before sunrise from Cusco with hotel pickup, sharing breakfast in a mountain village before riding ATVs through valleys dotted with llamas toward Rainbow Mountain’s wild colors. There’s barely any hiking—just a short walk after your motorcycle ride—and you’ll have time to soak it all in before lunch with your guide. It’s fast-paced but leaves space for quiet moments too.

What’s the experience like?

“You sure you’re awake?” our driver grinned at 3:40 AM as I shuffled into the van outside my Cusco hotel, clutching a coffee that tasted more like hope than caffeine. The city was still asleep, but by the time we reached Hanchipacha village for breakfast, the sky had that soft blue tint and the air smelled faintly of woodsmoke. Our guide, Javier, handed out bread and eggs — nothing fancy but somehow perfect after three hours bumping along winding roads. I watched a local woman in a bright shawl wave at us from her doorway. She had this smile that made me feel like maybe being up before dawn wasn’t so crazy.

The real fun started in Kayrawiri — helmets on, engines rumbling, cold wind stinging my cheeks as we took off on ATVs. I’d never driven one before (don’t tell my mom), but Javier just laughed and said “solo sigue el camino” — just follow the road. Llamas and alpacas watched us pass like they’d seen it all before. The ride was loud and muddy and honestly kind of thrilling; I could smell wet grass and hear someone behind me whooping every time we hit a bump. At Qosqopata we switched to motorcycles with drivers for the last stretch (I clung on tight), then hopped off for a quick walk — maybe seven minutes? — to that first view of Rainbow Mountain.

I didn’t expect the colors to look so raw in real life — bands of red, gold, green under a sky that kept changing its mind about the weather. We got there early enough to beat most of the crowds; it was mostly just our group and some locals selling coca tea from battered thermoses. My hands were freezing but I barely noticed because everyone was laughing or taking photos or just staring quietly at those stripes of color. Javier pointed out Ausangate in the distance and told us stories about local legends — I only caught half of it because my Spanish is iffy, but it felt special anyway.

The way back was quieter. Maybe everyone was tired or just full from lunch in Cusipata (I still think about that soup). The van dropped us off near Plaza de Armas in Cusco around mid-afternoon; my boots were caked in mud and I couldn’t stop smiling. If you want a day trip to Rainbow Mountain without hiking for hours — with plenty of laughs and some weirdly good bread — this is probably it.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Rainbow Mountain ATV and motorcycle tour

• 3:30 AM hotel pickup
• 3-hour bus to Hanchipacha village
• Breakfast in Hanchipacha village
• 15-minute bus to Kayrawiri village
• 20-minute ATV ride with mountain views
• 7-minute motorcycle ride to Rainbow Mountain
• 5-7 minute walk to main viewpoint
• 1 hour at Rainbow Mountain with guide
• 25-minute walk back to Qosqopata village
• 1-hour ATV ride back to base
• Lunch in Cusipata district
• Return to hotels in Cusco city center

Top questions

How long does the Rainbow Mountain ATV tour take?

The full-day tour lasts approximately 10-11 hours including travel time from Cusco, meals, and stops along the route.

Is there much hiking on this Rainbow Mountain day trip?

No, there’s only about 5-7 minutes of walking to reach the main viewpoint after riding ATVs and motorcycles most of the way.

What meals are included on this tour?

Both breakfast (in Hanchipacha village) and lunch (in Cusipata district) are included during the day trip.

Is hotel pickup included from anywhere in Cusco?

Pickup is included only from hotels located within Cusco city center; drop-off is also limited to these areas.

Are guides provided during the ATV & motorcycle tour?

Yes, an experienced local guide accompanies you throughout the journey up to Rainbow Mountain.

Do I need previous ATV or motorcycle experience?

No previous experience is required; instructions are given by your guide before starting each section.

Is this Rainbow Mountain tour suitable for everyone?

This tour isn’t recommended for pregnant travelers or those with poor cardiovascular health; moderate fitness is suggested due to altitude.

What’s included

Your day includes early morning hotel pickup in central Cusco, breakfast at Hanchipacha village, all fuel surcharges for both individual or shared ATVs plus motorcycles with drivers up to Rainbow Mountain’s viewpoint, guidance throughout by a local expert (with first aid kit handy), a hearty lunch in Cusipata district afterward, and drop-off back at your hotel or Plaza de Armas by mid-afternoon.