OVERVIEW
Rainbow Mountain is a natural geological formation near Apu Ausangate and is now the second most visited site in Cusco after Machu Picchu. This stunning mountain in Peru goes by many names: Rainbow Mountain, Colorful Mountain, or Vinicunca Mountain. It is one of those places where the entire journey is as awe-inspiring as the destination itself. The scenery along the hike is just like in the photos!
Itinerary
Very early in the morning, at approximately 4:00 am, you will be picked up at your hotel in Cusco. We will drive to Cusipata for a hearty breakfast, and our professional guide will provide the first information about the day's itinerary and additional safety precautions. Later, we will arrive at Llactoc, the starting point of our 2-hour hike to Rainbow Mountain. The first part of the trail has a moderate incline, which then increases to a steeper climb for the last 30 minutes. Upon reaching the top, we will admire a colorful and impressive mountain landscape at 5,000 meters (16,404 feet), as well as the beautiful snowy peak of Apu Ausangate (6,400 meters/21,000 feet). On our way back to Cusco, we will stop at a local restaurant to enjoy a delicious lunch with our group. We will arrive in Cusco between 5:00 pm and 6:00 pm and drop you off at Plaza San Francisco.
INCLUSIONS
📦 What Is Included?
🍽️ Meals
- Meals as indicated in the itinerary (1x Breakfast, 1x Lunch).
- Meals can be accommodated for any dietary requirements such as vegetarian or vegan. Please let us know in advance if you have certain preferences, so we can plan ahead.
🚗 Transportation
- Pick-up from your hotel in Cusco to the starting point of the trek.
- Transportation back to Cusco (drop-off at Plaza San Francisco).
👥 Local Guides & Team
- English/Spanish speaking professional guide, plus an assistant guide for groups over 12.
- All our trekking guides have a minimum of 3 years of guiding experience and are certified. They carry a first aid kit with them, as well as an extra oxygen bottle in case of emergencies.
📝 Tickets & Briefing
- Briefing: You will have a meeting with your guide in our office to go over all the details regarding your tour. The orientation will be between 5:00-7:30 pm at our office in Cusco the day before departure.
- Entrance ticket to Rainbow Mountain.
❌ What Is Not Included?
🍴 Meals, Beverages & Snacks
- Meals, beverages, or other snacks not mentioned in the program (dinner not included).
📝 Other Activities
- Other activities or excursions that are indicated as optional or not mentioned in the itinerary.
FAQs
There are two aspects that affect the difficulty of this day hike: the altitude and the steep uphill climb.
The trek starts at an altitude of 4,650 meters (15,256 feet) and you will hike for 1.5 hours up to Vinicunca Pass, which is the classic viewpoint of the colourful Rainbow Mountain, located at 5,040 meters (16,535 feet).
The hike is not long, but it involves a very steep, uphill climb with an elevation gain of approximately 400 meters (1,312 feet). This can be very demanding. Of course, some might find the return trip down even more challenging! Steep inclines can be very hard on the knees.
Please make sure you are well acclimatized before beginning the hike. We also recommend using hiking poles, which improve posture, making hikers more upright as they walk, and this can help with breathing.
Rainbow Mountain has a very high altitude – you will hike over 5,000 meters (16,404 feet), which is why acclimatization is very important!
The best way to prepare yourself for this trekking experience is simple: spend at least 2 to 3 days at a high-altitude place like Cusco so your body gets used to the high altitude. If you have already been to a high-altitude destination before arriving in Cusco, we still recommend you spend at least one full day in Cusco to rest, recuperate from your trip, and enjoy the beautiful views of the city before your trek.
Additionally, taking good care of your body helps deal with the extra pressures that altitude creates. We recommend eating healthy food, drinking lots of water, and staying away from alcohol. Chewing coca leaves and drinking coca tea can help alleviate any discomfort associated with the altitude.
We have two main seasons in the Andes Mountains: the rainy season (November-March) and the dry season (April-October).
During the rainy, warmer season, temperatures average around 15°C (60°F) during the day and 5°C (40°F) at night. However, these temperatures may feel a lot colder to you.
During the dry season, the weather is sunny and clear, with average temperatures around 20°C (70°F) during the day but much colder at night, around -3°C (26°F).
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