Rainbow Mountain: Private Day Trip & Picnic Lunch, Late Start

Summary

Reach Rainbow Mountain after crowds leave share lunch with locals and Andes views

You’ll hike Rainbow Mountain after most groups have left, sharing open trails and silence with your guide. Enjoy a private picnic lunch with locals overlooking the Andes before heading back to Cusco. Expect real conversation, fresh air, and that feeling you get when you realize you’re actually there.

What’s the experience like?

We were supposed to leave at 7am but I messed up my alarm — turns out our guide, Martín, just grinned and said, “No rush, we start at eight anyway.” That’s their thing: you get to Rainbow Mountain after everyone else has already come and gone. The drive from Cusco took about three hours. I dozed off here and there, waking up to patches of sunlight flickering through the van window and the smell of coca tea (they hand you some before you even ask). The air got thinner as we climbed higher — my ears popped a bit but nothing dramatic.

The trailhead was quiet except for some dogs chasing each other near the parking lot. Martín pointed out little things I’d have missed: wild potatoes growing along the path, a herder waving from far off. The mountain itself — Vinicunca — kind of sneaks up on you. No big crowd, just us and maybe two others in the distance. Wind tugged at my jacket; I could taste dust in my mouth when I laughed too hard at Martín’s story about tourists fainting from excitement (or altitude). He handed me oxygen “just in case” — didn’t need it but it felt reassuring.

Afterwards we hiked down slowly, legs like jelly but happy. Lunch was this picnic set up on a ridge with views that made me forget how tired I was. A couple of local women joined us for part of it — they brought fresh cheese and laughed when I tried to thank them in Quechua (I definitely butchered it). The food tasted extra good out there, maybe because of the cold or just being hungry from the hike. We talked about how they plant a tree for every booking; small thing but it stuck with me.

The ride back to Cusco was mostly quiet except for Martín humming along to some old Peruvian pop song on the radio. My boots were filthy and I felt sunburned on my nose, but honestly? I still think about that view when everything else feels noisy back home.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Rainbow Mountain hike and picnic

• Pick up at hotel at 08:00 am
• Drive 3 hours to trailhead
• Hike to Rainbow Mountain viewpoint
• Enjoy mountain views without crowds
• Hike down to parking lot
• Drive to picnic location
• Have picnic lunch with views
• Drive back to Cusco
• Drop off at hotel

Top questions

What time does the Rainbow Mountain day trip from Cusco start?

The tour starts with an 8:00 am pickup from your hotel in Cusco.

Is lunch included on this private Rainbow Mountain tour?

Yes, an exclusive à la carte picnic lunch is included after your hike.

How long is the drive from Cusco to Rainbow Mountain?

The drive takes about three hours each way between Cusco and the trailhead.

Are entrance tickets for Rainbow Mountain included?

Yes, all entry fees for Rainbow Mountain are covered in your booking.

Is hotel pickup and drop-off provided?

Hotel pickup and drop-off in Cusco are both included in this tour.

Will there be crowds at Rainbow Mountain during this tour?

No, this tour arrives after most groups have left so trails are quieter.

Is oxygen available during the hike?

Oxygen is provided if needed during your time at high altitude.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup and drop-off in Cusco, all entrance tickets to Rainbow Mountain, snacks and water for the hike, professional guidance throughout, oxygen if needed for altitude comfort, plus an exclusive à la carte picnic lunch shared with locals before returning home in an air-conditioned vehicle.