Your day trip begins bright and early, with hotel pickups between 3:00 a.m. and 3:30 a.m. in Cusco. By setting off before sunrise, you'll arrive at Rainbow Mountain (Mt. Vinicunca) ahead of the crowds and enjoy the stunning scenery in peace - perfect for photos and a more serene experience. The first leg of the journey takes about 1 hour and 30 minutes as we drive to Cusipata, where your high-altitude adventure begins.
Our first stop is in the town of Cusipata, where you'll enjoy a warm, traditional Andean breakfast to energize you for the day ahead. This 30-minute pause is the perfect opportunity to relax, acclimate, and savor local flavors before the adventure continues. After breakfast, we drive for about 1 hour through scenic highland landscapes and the village of Pitumarca, arriving at Hanchipata–Llama Chimpana, the starting point of the hike to Rainbow Mountain.
Set off on your trek at the foot of the Ausangate mountain range, starting a 1-hour and 45-minute ascent to the summit of Rainbow Mountain. Along the way, you may spot various South American camelids, such as llamas and alpacas. Upon reaching the red hill, you'll be greeted by breathtaking views of the vibrant landscape.
After reaching Rainbow Mountain (Mt. Vinicunca), adventurers have the option to continue with a 1 hour hike to the breathtaking Red Valley. Far less crowded than Rainbow Mountain, this hidden gem offers otherworldly red and copper landscapes that look like they've been painted by nature itself. No worries about the altitude? We've got you covered. Oxygen tanks and essential safety equipment are always on hand, and our experienced guides are trained to assist at every step!
After completing the hike, enjoy a scenic 1 hour descent back to the trailhead, where your driver will be waiting. From there, we return to the District of Cusipata to reward your efforts with a well-deserved, one-hour buffet lunch. Savor a variety of traditional Andean dishes made with fresh, local ingredients. After lunch, we begin the drive back to Cusco, with an estimated arrival around 3:30 p.m. - plenty of time to relax and relive the highlights of your Rainbow Mountain journey. Drop off will be at Avenida El Sol, in front of Qorikancha temple, around 4:30 pm
An awesome experience. Have trekked in numerous countries…Our guide, Christian, was among the very best!! Was positive, told us watch expect during the drive and hike, and was very informative.
We have to give total credit to Reni, our guide. He was very knowledgeable and gave us total insight on the colors of the mountain, but most importantly, he was, at all times, watching out for our safety. This was a once in a lifetime experience for non hikers like us, the views are incredible, we will never forget this experience; and Yapa Explorers delivered what they promised. The only suggestion we have is to be dropped off at the place of pickup because we were exhausted to walk one more step.
It was definitely worth doing the early tour to avoid some of the crowds, but my only feedback would be that we could’ve moved even faster once we got to the start of the hike and not had to have so much information then, to allow us to reach the top as early as possible (for the people that feel good). They did let us hike at our own pace after the information so that was good. Also I misunderstood that you would hike through red valley, but you hike up to a nice viewpoint looking down at it and then hike down the same way we went up.
Had the wonderful experience with tour, specifically with the 2 tour guides Darwin and Doris, who gave detailed instructions. I greatly appreciate them.
Do not do this tour if you are over 5ft 8 tall. The buses are incredibly uncomfortable, you won’t fit in the seats. Most of the seats are broken and when other customers lean back they crack your knees which are already wedged in. There is also no air on the back of the bus so everyone who is sandwiched in gets very hot and nauseous. The smell of hot diesel fuel also follows you. You will spend 7-8 hours very uncomfortable. The food you are provided is also pretty bad so in all honestly just get a private driver if you are going to do this trip of Cusco it’s not that expensive in Peru. When we got off the bus everyone just matched off, people were tired of feel sick and uncomfortable and another groups of guys said and I quote “55% worth it, 45% not worth it” The rainbow mountains are worth seeing but not like this, this tour is deffo only ok for short under 25s.
Very mixed feelings about this. The mountain was amazing, looks like another world. However, we felt the guides left us, checking back periodically. One of my friends was particularly unwell, as was I, both needing oxygen on the return. It’s a tough climb and altitude affected us both. There’s more pre-information required to help warm people of possible altitude illness and the help that is available.
Incredible experience, guide Doris was really excellent and took great care of the group on a challenging climb. Would definitely recommend and the super early start really is worth it for a much less crowded visit.
What a great experience with Rainbow Mountain Tours. The guides are excellent really helpful and encouraging. It's really worth it to get the the mountain early as it gets very busy so would 💯 recommend them. Thanks for a great day!
Flor and Vicky (tour guide) made us get off the bus because supposedly one (1) street was closed. We followed the GPS all the way to our hotel and absolutely nothing was preventing the bus to let us at the door of the hotel. They made us walk 20min after a 12h journey. Totally Unprofessional.
Excellent experience and we appreciate the updates and attention received by the team throughout the experience. Pickup details were clear, seamless and direct. Our guides (Yury and Vicky) were always available to ensure the group's safety during the trek. Will definitely encourage travelers to join the tour to experience an unique adventure within Cusco!
The guide Kristine did an excellent job took our group to rainbow mountain all the way from pick up at hotels till took us back to Cusco. I highly recommend people planning to Cusco book this tour and hopefully can go with this guide.
We had an awesome experience hiking the Rainbow Mountains with MC Peru Expeditions Via TripAdvisor. Everything was very well organized, and our tour guide, Rafael was awesome!! Rafael made our hike truly enjoyable and memorable. His explanations in English was clear and informative,l. He made sure everything ran smoothly and on time and he was very helpful in everything we needed. The breakfast and lunch were very delicious! Thank you so much Rafael, for making this trip so incredible!!
The pickup at the hotel In the morning was fine although earlier than stayed in the booking. The bus was not super comfortable for the long ride and did not have air conditioning on the way back so it was long and hot. The timing was not always clear and the hike was really on your own, which was fine but there was limited explanation or direction.
Save your money and skip Rainbow Mountain Tours. You are far better off simply hiring a local driver or taking a taxi. For a tour that charges a significant premium including an extra fee for hotel pick-up you still end up having to manage everything yourself. The Guide & Communication Our guide, Kristien, was deeply disappointing. His English pronunciation was so poor that it was nearly impossible to understand him. His time management was just as frustrating: after we had already lost time waiting over 10 minutes for late guests at pick-up, he waited until we actually arrived at the mountain trailhead to ask all 15 people individually, "Do you remember when you arrived in Peru?" a conversation that easily could have happened during the multi-hour drive. Instead of sharing meaningful historical, geographical, or cultural context about the mountain and the local communities, he spent ages giving unnecessary lectures on how to rent horses. Later in the day, his "commentary" felt like a slow, painful reading of basic Wikipedia facts you could Google in two minutes. To make things worse, after lunch he made the group stand outside under the blazing sun in 30°C+ heat while he read off these notes, forcing people to wander off just to find shade instead of letting us stay inside the air-conditioned restaurant. The Hike & Disorganization There was no clear briefing before we began walking. We were simply told the guide would stay at the back with oxygen, chocolate, and first-aid supplies if anyone needed them (though good luck actually getting any support when needed). At the summit, our guide was nowhere to be found. A different guide had to inform us that our group was being called. When we tracked Kristien down, cutting our photo time short, he abruptly told us that we either had to hike the Red Valley right that second or go straight back down to the bus. We chose not to do Red Valley, descended, and ended up sitting at the bus for 45 minutes doing nothing. That was nearly an hour we could have spent enjoying the view and taking photos at the top without being unnecessarily rushed. The Food The breakfast buffet was miserable. The hot items were completely cold (cold fried potatoes), the cereal was stale and soggy, and not a single glass of water was included; everything had to be purchased out of pocket. For lunch, we were brought to the exact same tourist buffet used by budget tours that cost only 65 Soles. While the lunch food itself was acceptable, the buffet heaters didn't work, so once again, the food was served cold. The Only Highlight: Driver Edgar The only reason this trip gets any credit is our driver, Edgar. He deserves five stars. He was exceptionally kind, professional, and drove with great care over every bump and tight curve along the mountain roads. Recommendation Aside from Edgar's safe driving, this tour is poor value. The guide added zero value, spoke barely intelligible English, and created needless frustration throughout the day. Hire a private taxi, support a local driver directly, and go at your own pace.
The tour started on time from our hostel with very efficient communication from the guides so we knew when they would be arriving. Our guides David and Phillip were very positive throughout and gave us some great insights into the area. The meals that were included were also good quality and filling! Would recommend!
Really good day with David and Philip. Easy pickup, good breakfast and a got there before the main rush to see the mountains! Lunch included on the way back. Great value for money.
We had an amazing experience visiting Rainbow Mountain in Peru! Our guide was incredibly engaging, knowledgeable, and supportive throughout the entire journey. He ensured we travelled comfortably to the mountain and provided excellent recommendations on the best routes, whether walking or horseback riding, based on everyone’s individual needs and abilities. His encouragement and patience throughout the hike made the experience even more enjoyable, especially at such a high altitude. We truly appreciated his dedication to making sure everyone felt comfortable and supported. Highly recommend this tour!
Emil and Kiki was an excellent guides.. highly recommended
The best trip ever from pick up to drop off Emil was a very knowledgeable and supportive guide and Edwin was the best driver in Peru! Recommend to all
Very good, we appreciated Yuri and Justin's assistance with the trek and had an amazing time (going early is worth it!)
Great communication, picked us up right on time at our Airbnb. Guides, Justin and Yuri, were very helpful and nice. Great overall experience.
Everything was was absolutely amazing from pick up tothe end. They were on time and took us to a breakfast buffet ,that was great. Then to the hike that was throughly explained. There was no rush and had the opportunity to take a horse or motorcycle from a thrid party as well. After getting to the top you have the option to do red valley for a fee paid to the locals. Then to the lunch buffet and back to the drop off point. Note they dont take you back to your hotel, I assume because of traffic. It was a 3 minute walk for us. This was definitely one of the best bang for your bucks trip.
The views of Rainbow mountain and the Red Valley were magical. We would certainly recommend the tour company as they were so helpful throughout. The elevation hit me hard but their team gave me support every step of the way.
Early start, but worth it to beat most of the crowds. Food is provided and Carlos ensured that even though we were slower walkers, we did not miss out on the experience
Edgar, our tour guide was excellent, giving plenty of info about what to expect and keeping an eye on us during the hike. The views were great at rainbow mountain and red valley and the meals were pretty good too. Pity that the van journey back to Cusco was so bad with no real air conditioning to speak of which was pretty rough for 2 hr journey in hot weather.
Great trip to see rainbow mountains and he red valley. The tour guides were both amazing
Great guide, buffets were really good as well
Great trip with Edgar to climb Rainbow Mountain, very early start and pickup at 3am but worth while.as we got there before it got really busy. Don't underestimate the impact of the atitude, it affects people differently so just take it slowly and acclimatise in Cusco for as long as you're able a minimum of 2-3 days ideally. We didnt manage the Red Valley extension due to sheer exhaustion, drink plenty of water and bring energy snacks too as you're body uses up way more energy at that elevation. Layers are a must but we were lucky and it was really warm and sunny for September. Edgar was an amazing guide and supporting us on tbe way up and down down was almost as hard! Views are stunning and all worth the effort.
The day trip to Rainbow Mountain organized by Rainbow Mountain Travels went very well. I was picked up at the Eco Bunnu Inn at the specified time, and the land trip to the mountain was hassle-free. Alex and Felix were thoughtful guides who always checked in on us, asking us how we felt at high altitude. Their instructions were always clear, so no one in our group had any trouble during the trek. They also generously shared the oild which helped with handling the altitude. It was a very tiring trek, but the reward of reaching the viewing area with the magnificent view was well worth all the effort. The buffet spread for breakfast and lunch was nice too. Thanks to Rainbow Mountain Travels! - Oliver
Great time. Shirley and David were great. The whole place was great and well worth the trip. Delighted to have to gone.
I used a horse when climbing, and it was just right in terms of physical exertion.
The staff was very helpful. Justin, Alexander end Edwin were very knowledgeable and helpfull. Would go with them again.
Absolutely brilliant. We did a private tour, 2 couples + guide, and our guide, Julian Pacco, was awesome, l cannot say enough about him. He told us so much info, showed us where to take the best photos, and is an all round nice person. Our slow walk from Rainbow Mountain past the Red Valley back down to the parking place was unbelievable. I initially wanted the ATV Tour, but we would have missed so much lm glad we walked.
Good time to pick up so we avoided people wave for photographing. Clear instruction in English to ensure we could understand the whole timeline. Caring guide. :)
I had an amazing time on the rainbow mountains tour, the food for breakfast and lunch was amazing, they picked us up straight from our accommodation and guided us up the mountain whilst taking breaks when nessesary. I learnt so much about the mountain and the history as well as having a great time laughing with the guides at both rainbow mountain and red valley. Honestly couldn’t recommend this tour enough!
Excellent experience! We were very concern because we are an older couple. We took a horse ride guided by the local "Inka" people dressed in beautiful outfits. We had to climb a part of the trail, but the guide Alex was so carrying and helpful. We feel supported and taken care of. We had a great breakfast before the trail and a great lunch after before we returned to Cusco. We also climbed up to the Red Valley. It was a unique experience.
Rainbow Mountain Travels was great at communication, messaging details in advance of our trip, as well as the day before and day of, so we were very prepared and knew exactly what to expect. We had Kristien as our guide, and he and our driver were both very professional and helpful. I thought I was fairly fit, but he hike itself was difficult because of the altitude! Kristien made sure everyone could take it at their own pace though, and stayed behind for anyone that needed assistance. The mountain itself was incredible, and despite it being a physical challenge, was totally worth it.
Everything was great as described ! Value for money !
My Rainbow Mountain tour was excellent. Miguel, our guide, was warm, friendly, and very professional. He encouraged me all the way to the top, making the journey safe and motivating. Truly one of the best tours I’ve experienced.
The tour went smoothly with good breakfast and lunch buffets. Highly recommend
Our trip to Rainbow Mountain and Red Valley was an absolute highlight! Getting there early made all the difference—we were the very first people on the mountain, which allowed us to enjoy the stunning views and take incredible photos before the huge crowds of tourists arrived. Our guides (both named Edgar!) and our driver (whose name escapes me, sorry!) were fantastic. They were incredibly attentive to all our needs throughout the day and helped us capture the best photos. To top it off, both the buffet breakfast and lunch provided were great. Outstanding service from start to finish—highly recommended!
Being lucky to see the clear skies on the peak! Nicely organized tour. Highly recommended. Waking up before 3 to beat the crowds was worth it!
Experience was great, beautiful site and got there early before the crowd. In the morning the trail to rainbow mountain was icy and I wish the guides were closer in distance to help walk through icy areas. Also, the good was not great
Over all it was a good experience, everyone was friendly and we got great photos. My guides were Carlos and Felipe. My biggest complaint is that I wasn’t picked up/dropped off at the agreed meeting point. At 3am after already arriving to the meeting point I was asked to walk and meet somewhere else… Then when we were dropped off after the tour they left us in a completely different location 20mins from my hotel which wasn’t ideal after such a long day of hiking.
A definite highlight of our two qeek Peru trip! The guides were organized and energetic, which made for a really fun day. Definitely don't skip the Red Valley addition as part of the excursion as it is breathtaking.
Great experience ascending Rainbow Mountain with Flor and Shirley as our guides. The van picked me up from my hostel with clear communication. The breakfast and lunch were great. The guides were very friendly and helpful, helping everyone deal with the +5000m elevation. I can definitely recommend this company for your tour.
Great experience ascending Rainbow Mountain with Flor and Shirley as our guides. The van picked me up from my hostel with clear communication. The breakfast and lunch were great. The guides were very friendly and helpful, helping everyone deal with the +5000m elevation. I can definitely recommend this company for your tour.
The view was breathtaking! I enjoyed every second of it. David, my guide, and another female guide were very friendly and nice took good care of me. It wasn't easy climbing for me, but worth it!!
Flor was such a wonderful tour guide! She communicated very well and made sure we had a complete list of everything we needed to know and expect before going to Rainbow Mountain. This really helped us feel prepared for the experience. She was professional, kind, patient, and very understanding throughout the entire trip. You can truly tell that she cares about her guests and wants everyone to have a great experience. We feel very blessed to have had Flor as our tour guide. She made our Rainbow Mountain experience even more special. I highly recommend Flor to anyone visiting Peru and looking for an amazing tour guide! 🇵🇪❤️
Great experience, our guides Kristien and Vicki were super awesome! Definitely worth it for the money, would highly recommend!
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