Rainbow Mountain tour from Cusco: Hike to 5,200m

Walk into the colored stripes of Rainbow Mountain at altitude

A group tour from Cusco to Rainbow Mountain at 5,200 meters, starting before dawn with hotel pickup, a 3-hour bus ride, light breakfast, and a 30-minute hike to the summit. The guide speaks English or Spanish, the group stays under 14 people, and you return to the city by mid-afternoon. Oxygen, walking sticks and lunch are included. A vegetarian breakfast and meal are available on request.

The experience

The tour leaves your Cusco hotel at 4:00 am and travels by air-conditioned bus for 3 hours toward the Ausangate region, passing through canyons and past glaciers. At the community of Cusipata, you stop for a light breakfast before continuing on a dirt road for another hour to the trailhead. The early start means you reach the mountain while the light is still soft and the path is not yet crowded.

From the parking area, the hike to Rainbow Mountain takes roughly 30 minutes. At 5,200 meters (16,466 feet), the altitude is the main demand. The operator provides emergency oxygen and walking sticks, and the guide watches the group's pace. Once you reach the summit, you have free time to photograph the striped mineral bands that give the mountain its name, eat a snack, or simply stand in the thin air and look. The colors shift with the light and the angle you stand at.

The walk back to the parking area takes the same route. At Cusipata, you eat lunch before the bus returns you to central Cusco, arriving around 4:30 pm. The whole day runs 12 hours from pickup to drop-off. Groups are kept to a maximum of 14 people, and the guide is a professional who speaks English, Spanish, or both.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off in Cusco.
• 3-hour air-conditioned bus ride to the trailhead.
• light breakfast at Cusipata.
• professional guide in English or Spanish.
• walking sticks and emergency oxygen.
• approximately 30-minute hike to the 5,200-meter summit.
• free time at Rainbow Mountain to photograph and rest.
• lunch at Cusipata on the return.
• vegetarian breakfast and meal options available on request.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 04:00

AgesAdult (18 to 70 years) · Child (8 to 17 years) · Under 8: can't be included in the booking

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 13 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical levelPets welcome

Operated by Kantu Peru Tours

Is this one for you?Book this tour if you want to reach Rainbow Mountain early, before afternoon crowds, and have the guide manage the altitude and the pace: the 4:00 am start and the group structure mean you are not navigating the height or the route alone.

Traveler reviews

4.96★★★★★★★★★★

177 verified traveler reviews

5 ★172

4 ★4

3 ★0

2 ★1

1 ★0

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (8 to 17 years). Under 8: they can't be included in the booking.

How high is Rainbow Mountain and what is the altitude like on the hike?

Rainbow Mountain sits at 5,200 meters (16,466 feet) above sea level. The hike from the parking area to the summit takes about 30 minutes, but the altitude is the physical challenge. The operator provides emergency oxygen and walking sticks, and the guide monitors the group's pace. Travelers should have at least a moderate level of fitness. The tour is not recommended for anyone with heart conditions or serious medical issues.

What time does the tour start and when do I get back to Cusco?

The tour picks you up from your hotel in Cusco at 4:00 am. After the 3-hour bus ride, breakfast, another hour on the dirt road, the 30-minute hike, and the return journey with lunch, you arrive back in central Cusco around 4:30 pm. The full day is 12 hours.

What's included in the tour price?

The tour includes hotel pickup and drop-off in Cusco; air-conditioned transport by bus; a professional guide in English or Spanish; light breakfast at Cusipata before the hike; lunch after you return; walking sticks; and emergency oxygen. A vegetarian option is available for both breakfast and lunch if you request it when booking.

What landscapes do I see on the bus ride to the trailhead?

During the 3-hour drive toward Cusipata and the 1-hour dirt road section, you pass through canyons and can see glaciers including the Ausangate. The route climbs steadily as you approach the trailhead, and the scenery shifts from lower valleys into the high Andes.