About this experience
Explore Vinicunca, the Mountain of Colors or Rainbow Mountain, where red, ochre, turquoise and green streaks paint the Andes at over 5,200 m. In a single day from Cusco you will live a high mountain trekking with the reward of a unique geological landscape. The service is door-to-door: early pick-up from your hotel, comfortable tourist transport and return to the city center, without transfers. With a professional bilingual guide you enjoy personalized attention, data on the mineral formation of colors and support during the three-hour walk. If the altitude demands you, the villagers offer optional horses. The tour includes complimentary energy breakfast, buffet lunch and oxygen; focus on capturing Andean panoramas, herds of flames and nearby glaciers. Return to Cusco with the satisfaction of having conquered one of the most photographed natural viewpoints in Peru.
At a glance
- Duration: 11 hr–12 hr
Plan your experience
Set aside 11 hr–12 hr for the experience itself, with additional time to reach your meeting or pickup point.
Before you go
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Local guides to help you plan
Cusco Airport to Historic Center Transportation Guide
Compare taxis, pre-booked transfers, hotel pickups, and locally verified public transport for the trip from Cusco Airport to the Historic Center. Learn how to confirm fares, allow for traffic, handle narrow streets, and
Rainbow Mountain Day Trip From Cusco
Plan a Rainbow Mountain day trip from Cusco with practical guidance on altitude, tour options, costs, access, packing, and the demanding full-day schedule.
Machu Picchu Mountain Guide
Plan Machu Picchu Mountain with the correct Ruta 1-A ticket, clear Circuit 1 comparisons, arrival rules, packing restrictions, and live-status checks.
What is included
- Transport
- guide
- Lunch
- All Fees and Taxes
- Breakfast
- Entrance Tickets
Not included
- Services not specified
- Travel insurance
- Horse Rental in case the road becomes very demanding for you.
Itinerary and highlights
Early in the morning, we will pick you up from your hotel between 4:20 a.m. and 4:50 a.m. to begin the journey to the Vinicunca base.
Along the way we will make a stop of approximately 40 minutes in the town of Cusipata for breakfast.
When arriving at the base you will encounter cold weather, so it is advisable to wear warm clothes. Here guide will give you important information for climbing to the top of the mountain.
The ascent walk takes approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes. This walk requires considerable physical effort, so it is recommended to be in good physical shape. During the walk you will have the company of a guide who will give you information about the tour. If the hike becomes too demanding for you, there is the possibility of renting a horse to the local mountain inhabitants paying with cash (this service is not included in the package).
Once at the top, at 5,036 meters above sea level, you can enjoy a spectacular view. Then you will walk down back to the base for lunch before leaving back for Cusco.
After finishing the hike we will take you back to the town of Cusipata so that there you can have lunch for about 1 hour. At the end of lunch we will continue our journey back to Cusco.
End of tour
Meeting and pickup information
- If it is not possible to pick you up from your hotel or you prefer to go to a meeting point, we will pick you up at Plaza Regocijo, one block from Plaza de Armas.
- We will pick you up with your companions 20 minutes before the tour departure.
Languages and tickets
- English — Guide
- Spanish — Guide
- Mobile Only
Tour operator
- Eco Tour Cusco
Accessibility and practical details
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Cancellation policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
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