Rainbow Mountain Hike Peru

RAINBOW MOUNTAIN HIKE IN PERU: 1 DAY TOUR

Rainbow Mountain Hike in Peru is a 3-hour trek of 8 km/4.9 miles trail, and reaches the top at 5,036 m /16,000 ft. The Rainbow Mountain day trip from Cusco shows the second most famous attraction after Machu Picchu. Its name suits and describes perfectly the mountain of the vibrant colors. And, these have been formed over the years through weathering and erosion. This creates the breathtaking display of colors you’ll encounter when Hiking Rainbow Mountain in Peru.

The Rainbow Mountain trailhead is just 3 hours driving from the city of Cusco in Peru. Start the hike to Rainbow Mountain, leading you up via highland pathway. Afterwards, the Andean trail prepares you for the short but steep climb to the lookout point. The Rainbow Mountain Hike in Peru seems very long and difficult, but that is just because of the altitude. But, with a good determination, acclimation and the right company, you can conquer the Rainbow Mountain elevation.

The Rainbow Mountain Hike in Peru can be organized with horses, which offers a good option to handle hiking in the altitude. Riding a horse to the Rainbow Mountain makes it a lot of easier your visit to this incredible place. With this option trekkers could only walk for about half an hour or less. And, this section of the trail offers the best views for photographs and enjoying the fantastic surrounding landscapes.

DETAILS OF RAINBOW MOUNTAIN HIKE:

The Rainbow Mountain Hike in Peru can be organized either on a premium or standard service.

  • Rainbow Mountain Hike length: 3 hours RT, based on regular pace.
  • Rainbow Mountain Trail Distance: 8 km. (5 miles)
  • Rainbow Mountain Altitude: 5,036 meters (16,518 feet) above sea level.
  • Rainbow Mountain Weather: Always cold and changeable at the top, but worse in the rainy season.

RAINBOW MOUNTAIN TREK IN PERU 

The Rainbow Mountain Hike is one of the best treks in Peru. The hikes to Rainbow Mountain used to require at least 5 days, but now you can get there in a day trip!

For this private adventure our private vehicle heads towards the south valley of Cusco and reaches the trailhead of Phulawasipata. The hike to Rainbow Mountain starts here and takes about 3 hours back and forth.

The Andean trail offers beautiful Andean landscapes with the Ausangate Mountain behind. This is the tallest peak in the region of Cusco and has been considered a holy place of worship by indigenous Peruvians for a millennium. The tradition of prayer and making offerings continues to this day. Its valleys are also populated by wild and domestic camelids. With some luck, you might be able to spot them on your hike!

RAINBOW MOUNTAIN HIKE ALTITUDE 

For the Rainbow Mountain Hike in Peru, the altitude is something you should put into consideration. The trail is not too steep and wouldn’t be difficult if it wasn’t for the altitude. We suggest that you take this hike at the end of your trip to allow a good acclimation.

The symptoms of high altitude sickness (“soroche” in Peru) can include headache, nausea, dizziness, tiredness and shortness of breath. In some cases, these symptoms can develop into more serious situation. This can happen when you climb quickly to high altitudes and generally above 10,000 ft. / 3,050m.

BEST TIME FOR RAINBOW MOUNTAIN HIKE IN PERU

The Rainbow Mountain Hike takes place in the Andes of Peru, which offers two different seasons: dry (May through November) and wet (December through March). Therefore, the best time and highly recommended season to take this hike is during the dry season.

If it’s a clear day, the views while on hike and the top are incredible. We don’t recommend the Rainbow Mountain Hike in the rainy season because it might ruin your experience. Also, the hike could be harder as the trail becomes muddy and slippery.

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Itinerary & Map

RAINBOW MOUNTAIN HIKE IN PERU FULL DAY ITINERARY

(PREMIUM SERVICE)


The full-day private Rainbow Mountain Hike begins with a pick up at 7:00 am from your hotel in Cusco. Then, we will take a 2-hour drive to Cusipata in our comfortable private vehicle. The paved road heads off to the south valley of Cusco and passes picturesque Andean villages. Our journey continues for another one hour, this time in a dusty but scenic road. This typical andean road shows farming villages and beautiful andean landscapes.

Rainbow Mountain full-day tour continues and reaches the trailhead at phulawasipata at an altitude of 4,600 m. Here, you will ride a horse and ascend enjoying a typical Andean scenery with herds of alpacas and llamas. Views of Ausangate Mountain will grace us as we hike the last section of the trail. You’ll also see many red-colored mountains and green valleys which are the main highlights of this adventure.

We summit the Rainbow Mountain after a total hike of approximately 2 hours. The Rainbow Mountain lookout point is at an elevation of 5,036 m / 16,500ft. From this spot enjoy the natural and fantastic vibrant colors, such as red, turquoise, yellow and others. Additionally, you’ll have plenty of time to explore, take pictures and take it all in. We’ll stay approximately one hour at the summit. We’ll descend the same trail for a few minutes and head towards the Red Valley.

The Rainbow Mountain in Peru neighbors the incredible red valleys, some of the best places on earth. The quiet environment adds an extra context to your visit. You can actually walk all over the sandy red hills to feel and almost believe that you are on a different planet. This hike grants trekkers with two different lookout points for the best view of the entire attraction.

After visiting this spectacular place, we’ll walk down for one hour to the parking lot. Here, you will have some time to enjoy of your box lunch before heading to Cusco. The returning journey will take the same route as in the morning, arriving in Cusco city around 7:00pm.

RAINBOW MOUNTAIN HIKE PERU 1 DAY

(STANDARD SERVICE)


The Rainbow Mountain Hike starts with a pick up at 5:00 am from your hotel in Cusco. Then, We will take a 2-hour drive in our private vehicle, heading to the south valley of Cusco. When we reach Cusipata, we will enjoy our breakfast. This also gives a chance to use the bathroom and strech your legs after two-hour journey. Eat as much as you can because you still have an hour to go and digest.

This Rainbow Mountain hiking tour continues in our transport for one more hour to reach the trailhead of phulawasipata. Here, begin your hike enjoying a typical Andean scenery with herds of alpacas and llamas. Views of Ausangate Mountain will grace us as we trek through villages and interact with locals. You’ll also see many red-colored mountains and green valleys who are the main highlights of this adventure.

We summit the Rainbow Mountain after a total hike of approximately 2 hours. we’ll reach our destination at an elevation of 5036m/16,500ft. From the lookout point enjoy the natural and fantastic vibrant colors. Also, you’ll have plenty of time to explore, take pictures and take it all in. We’ll stay for 20 minutes at the summit and another in the lower area. We’ll descend for one hour the same way back to the trailhead. Our private transportation takes us for another one hour to our lunch spot.

Finally, we will take a 2-hour drive back to Cusco and we’ll drop you off at your hotel at 5:00 pm.

Prices & Inclusions

PRICING

The Rainbow Mountain Peru Hike is perfect for friends, couples, and families because you can leave any date you wish. With our private tours, you can also set your pace to maximize your experience. You don’t have to wait for anyone else, the Rainbow Mountain Tour starts with only 02 passengers.

Prices are per person, valid through 2023
23 – 45 – 67 – 8
$ 175$ 125$ 95$ 80

RAINBOW MOUNTAIN HIKE INCLUDES:

  • Professional English-speaking tour guide.
  • Roundtrip private transportation between your hotel and the trailhead at phulawasipata.
  • Rainbow Mountain ticket.
  • Tickets for Rainbow Mountain and Red Valley in premium service.
  • Breakfast and lunch at restaurant.
  • Box lunch for premium service.
  • Emergency oxygen bottle and medical kit.
  • Horse for premium service.
  • Trekking poles for premium service.

RAINBOW MOUNTAIN TREK EXCLUDES:

  • Trekking poles (can be rented from us).
  • Dinner and bottles of water.
  • Travel /Health / Emergency insurance.


BRING FOR RAINBOW MOUNTAIN HIKE:

  • Original Passport.
  • Sufficient drinking water.
  • Rain jacket/poncho and pants.
  • Warm clothing, hat, and gloves.
  • High-energy snacks.
  • Sunblock, minimum 30+ recommended.
  • Sunglasses and sun hat.
  • Camera with extra batteries.
  • Binoculars.
  • Trekking poles.

CUSTOMIZE YOUR TOUR EXPERIENCES AROUND PERU

We will design a customized trip to connect you with our country through your interests, you can modify a tour package on our website. You decide where to visit, how long to spend in each place, what type of accommodation suits best for you, and more including:

  • Adding extra activities to your itinerary.
  • Assisting with planning a business Trip.
  • Getting hotel upgrades.
  • Arranging any special packages to celebrate important occasions, whether it’s an anniversary, birthday, retirement, honeymoon, or other milestones.

Contact us to help you planning the adventure of your dreams.

Client Reviews

machu picchu guided tour

Karen

USA

Best Memorable Trip Ever!! Our experience with Mapi Tour Peru was terrific, incredible and first rate. We worked with David to set up the tours and hikes of Sacred Valley, Pisaq, Machu Picchu, Huayna Picchu, other Inca sites near Cusco, Rainbow Mountain and Lake Titicaca. Every part of our tour was well thought out and memorable from cocktails at the San Cristobal Church belltower our first evening to lunch at the Hacienda Huayocari to the private home tour in Ollantaytambo and boat tour to the Uros and Taquile islands. We visited Peru during the Winter Solstice which is a very special time of year with many celebrations and much dancing in the streets. The accommodations chosen for us were first rate. We especially loved the Casa Andina in Cusco. Our tour guide, Catalina was a gem. She was my inspiration to keep hiking up the tall and narrow mountains and was so knowledgeable of the history of where we visited. I can't give enough great affirmations for this company. They were great to work with. Written July 18, 2023
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Leticia

USA

Mapi Tour Peru exceeded all my expectations. Very organized and soul fulfilling experience!! 10 stars!
Mapi Tours exceeded expectations all the way right from the get go in Lima to cusco sacred valley Machu Picchu and Amazon Jungle. Special thanks to Catalina for providing me a great organized private tour experience. Thanks to Joanna Davis and Omar!! This vacation was my best ever in 20 years of travel!! Way to go Mapi tours! 10 stars to this team for making my vacation so special!! I don't know if I will ever be able to get this experience with any other private tours anywhere else in the world!! Truly impressed and Amazing!
Written August 1, 2023
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Miguel

USA

Perfect Trip to Cusco & Machu Picchu! We had a fantastic experience using Mapi Tour. I reached out to a number of tour guides to help me plan my 1 week vacation to Lima/Cusco/Machu Picchu. I number of them where located in the United States so they seemed more like middlemen, but after interacting with David I felt the most comfortable working with him as a local tour operator with years of experience leading tours in Cusco and Machu Picchu. My wife and I did a tour of Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu and added Rainbow mountain whilst we were in Cusco. David and his team - Karen, Freddy, and Eloy were very professional, friendly and supportive to our needs in making sure we were worry-free about our tours. I truly recommend using local tour guides and David if you are planning a trip to Peru. Written August 15, 2023
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Mapi Tours Peru


Mapi Tours Peru


Mapi Tours Peru



Trip Level: Mapi Tours Peru


Trip Details:

Length: Full day
Tour Type: Private Service


Price From:

USD $: 125.00


Activity:

Adventure Tour


Virtual Tour:

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Highlights:

  • The colorful Rainbow Mountain.
  • Red Valley, Ausangate snow mountain.