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Rainbow Mountain Peru, Vinicunca – 1D

Sometimes Mother Nature produces a display of color so vibrant and so varied, that it seems almost impossible that it could have occurred naturally.

Yet as your eyes fall upon the beauty of Peru´s Rainbow Mountain (known locally as Vinicunca) and Red Valley you are quite literally looking at millions of years of geological history and a natural wonder seen almost nowhere else on Earth.

By far the best way to experience the stunning vistas of rainbow mountain of Peru is via the Cusipata trail. This challenging hiking rainbow mountain Peru, but spectacular trail winds through remote Andean villages with their beautiful adobe style houses, passes herds of wild Llama grazing on the mountainside, and continually rewards us with views of the magnificent Ausangate Glacier.

Standing at over 6,300 m (20,900 ft) this is the highest mountain in the Cusco region and is considered a holy mountain (or mountain spirit) by the local Peruvians. Ausangate is the deity of Cusco and since pre-Inca times has been a place of worship and offerings, a tradition that still continues today.

Most trips that give such unparalleled access to the Rainbow Mountains require a multi-day trek, but we have changed that with this itinerary; designing a spectacular, but challenging hike that can be taken as a day trip from Cusco!

With uninterrupted beauty and solitude, this is a trip for trekkers who love a true outdoor adventure, but are on a tight schedule. So why not allow us to take you on an inspiring and memorable trip, to one of Mother Nature’s true wonders.

Eco Andes Trekking is highly recommended by TripAdvisor. Join hundreds of happy trekkers who have experienced the adventure of a lifetime!

RAINBOW MOUNTAIN HIKE ITINERARY

To make the most of our time on the trail and at the real rainbow mountain Peru, our day will start before dawn. Collecting you from your Cusco hotel at around 3 am we make a 3-hour drive through the South Valley to the trail head at Llacto (4,638m / 15,216 ft). Our transportation is comfortable though, and we provide blankets for those who want to take the opportunity for a little more sleep. Upon reaching the Cusipata village (3,300 m/10,826 ft), we provide a full continental breakfast, perfect fuel for the hiking ahead.

Our trek beings along a meandering path in the foothills of the magnificent Andes. As dawn continues to break around us, the surrounding herds of Alpacas and Llamas will be waking too and our paths often cross along the way.

The whole area is home to many Fincas (local farms) and there will be opportunities to see traditional Quechua people working the land as they have for generations.

The surrounding forests are home to some unique fauna and we may see Chinchillas or even Vicunas (a non-domesticated relative of the llama family found only in Peru) so make sure you have your cameras ready. As if all that wasn’t enough, the striking colors of the red mountains are all around us, providing a spectacular backdrop for this portion of the hike.

After making a challenging ascent for around 1 1/2 hours we reach the magnificent Rainbow Mountain of Vinicunca (5,020 m/16,466 ft). No Photoshop or Instagram filters required here! This awesome display of color is 100% natural, and completely breathtaking.

Taking our time at the summit to take our rainbow mountain Peru photos, explore the area or just take in the spectacular views of our rainbow mountain travels we then make a short 15-minute walk to the Red Valley lookout point, a tranquil and beautiful spot amongst the crimson rocks that has magnificent views across the valley.

Your guide will let you know when it is time to return, and we hike downhill the way we came for around 45 minutes. In a sense though this is an altogether different hike as we take in the views that were behind us on our ascent.

Reaching the trailhead we drive 40 minutes to a local restaurant at Cusipata village or Cusco (base on time) where a delicious lunch will be waiting for us.

Finally it’s just a 2-hour drive back to Cusco. We drop you off at your Cusco hotel around 1 p.m., weary but with incredible memories of a very unique day at the rainbow mountain.

  • Meals: Breakfast / Lunch
  • Lowest Elevation: 4,638 m / 15,216 ft
  • Highest Elevation: 5,020 m / 16,466 ft
  • Distance to walk: 8 km / 4.97 miles
  • Approximate walking time: 2 hours (1 hour up; 1 hour down)
  • Level of Difficulty: Challenging

INCLUDED:

  • Professional Bilingual English speaking tour guide (additional tour guide for groups of nine people or more)
  • Pick up from your hotel and transportation to Llacto (trailhead)
  • Return transportation from Llacto to your Cusco hotel
  • Rainbow Mountain nature preserve entrance fee.
  • One continental breakfast, one lunch in a local restaurant in Cusipata or in Cusco.
  • Emergency oxygen bottle and medical kit

NOT Included:

  • Trekking poles – you can rent them from us
  • Emergency horse and horseman
  • Tips
  • Travel Insurance

What to bring:

  • Original passport
  • Water (recommend at least 2L)
  • Rain jacket/poncho
  • Winter hat and gloves
  • Rain pants
  • Snacks
  • Sun block (SPF 35+ recommended)
  • Sunglasses and sun hat
  • Camera with spare batteries*
  • Binoculars
  • Trekking poles with rubber tips (recommended especially for the steep descents, can be rented from us)

NOTE: *batteries run down faster at high altitudes

PRICES & ADD-ONS

Group: USD $120 per person
Private: USD $180 per person

Group versus Private Treks: What’s the difference?

  • Depending on the number of people in your booking, additional people may join the trek to make a full group.
  • If you choose “private”, no additional people will be joining your group, no matter the size.
  • Minimum booking size is two people; one person may book a group trek if Eco Andes Trekking is able to join that person with additional groups.

Rentals

  • Hiking poles – USD $5 (pair)

PRICE PER PERSON IN USD:

Group: $120

Private: $180

DURATION:

1 Day

AVAILABLE ADD-ONS

INQUIRE ABOUT THIS EXPERIENCE

WHY WE'RE DIFFERENT

Your Full Satisfaction or Your Money Back

We understand planning a big trip like ours at EAT takes a lot of trust, and we’re here to make sure that trust pays off from the moment you book to the day your adventure wraps up. We’re fully committed to making your experience unforgettable. If something doesn’t go as planned—whether it’s an issue with the service or something unexpected along the way—we’ll step in to fix it.

That even includes offering a refund if needed so you can book with total peace of mind.

Your Peruvian adventure means the world to us, and we’ll go the extra mile to make sure it not only meets but exceeds your expectations. With our satisfaction guarantee, you can relax and focus on taking in all the incredible beauty and culture Peru has to offer.

We Help You Experience Peru Through The Eyes of a Local

We’re 100% locally owned and operated, with guides, porters, and chefs who grew up in the Cusco region. Fluent in Spanish, English, and Quechua, our team brings unmatched cultural and historical knowledge to share with you. Traveling with us means gaining insight into Peru’s traditions, landscapes, and stories from those who know them best.

We Work With Professional Guides Who Provide Exceptional Service

Our guides are the best of the best. Truly skilled experts with at least 5 years of experience, every guide we employ is ready to share their expertise on Peru’s trails, culture, and history. Our porters are no exception. They work hard to make your journey one for the books, while our chefs will prepare you delicious meals along the way. With a 99% recommendation rate, we’re dedicated to making every detail of your trip unforgettable.

We’re Committed to Our Team

Our porters and horsemen are easily the backbone of every trek. That’s why we are fully committed to prioritizing their well-being. We ensure they’re paid above-average wages—higher than those offered by most tour companies—recognizing their hard work and dedication to the team. Beyond fair pay, we truly care for their well-being, providing proper gear, meals, and working conditions so they’re not just safe but comfortable, too.

We Look Out for Our Community

A portion of every trek we sell supports local projects, like helping fund a much-needed school roof in Sacsayhuaman, where many of our team live. For years, children in the area had no nearby school and faced grueling four-hour walks in harsh conditions to get an education. Today, thanks to these contributions, they have a local school, and we continue to donate to its upkeep—because making an impact goes beyond the trek.

We Customize Our Adventures to Suit Your Travel Style

We want every trip to feel like it was made just for you. Whether you’re keen on hiking the famous Inca Trail, exploring lesser-known spots in the Sacred Valley, or tackling our one-of-a-kind Ancashcocha + Inca Trail trek, we’ll plan your adventure to fit your travel style. To keep things personal, we keep group sizes small—and if your group is larger than eight, we’ll bring in an extra guide so no one misses out on the experience.

We Travel with Purpose – Serving the Women, Children, & Men of Peru

Every journey with us has a ripple effect. Your adventure supports ethical tourism, fair wages for porters, and opportunities for female trekkers–many of whom are breaking barriers on the Inca Trail–and children. We’re passionate about creating opportunities for local children to grow up healthy and learn about everything their heart desires. Through initiatives like repairing schools, donating educational materials, and funding projects, we make it a mission to build a brighter future for kids in the Cusco region. Every trek you take with us contributes to this mission. When you book with us, you’re not just exploring Peru; you’re investing in it and setting a standard for all other tourism companies and tourists.

Our Reputation is Built on Trust

Year after year, Eco Andes Trekking has earned top ratings on TripAdvisor and the prestigious Certificate of Excellence. We’ve worked hard for these awards and are proud to see our hard work recognized. Even prouder to know our travelers leave with unforgettable memories and stories worth sharing.

We Travel Sustainably & Responsibly

Peru’s landscapes are magnificent. That’s why we work so hard to protect them. We prioritize sustainable traveling by working with our local communities and employing indigenous guides––thus promoting economic empowerment and preserving cultural heritage. Along the journey, we’ll always encourage travelers to embrace responsible practices as advocates for the environment.

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