Rainbow Mountain Tour “Vinicunca” Full Day

Trip Details

Duration: 1 day
Activities: Trekking
Average Group Size: 12 to 16 people
Difficulty: moderate
Tour service: group tour (ask for our private confort options)
Departures: every day
Meals: 1 breakfast and lunch (Vegetarian and vegan options available)
Tour Language: English, Spanish
Hiking Distance: 7 km / 4.35 miles (round trip)
Walking time: 4 hours (round trip)
Starts/Ends: Cusco/Cusco (Hotel to Main Square)
Entrance permits: Vinicunca Rainbow Mountain.
Starting Elevation: 4,630 m / 18,190 ft
Highest Elevation: 5,065 m / 16,617 ft
Rainbow Mountain Site Elevation: 5,065 m / 16,617

OVERVIEW

Explore the stunning Vinicunca Rainbow Mountain Full Day, one of Peru’s most stunning natural destinations. Located near Cusco, this geological wonder—also known as Rainbow Mountain or Vinicunca—offers unique landscapes that seem painted by nature.

If you’re looking for a challenging yet rewarding experience, this day trip is perfect for you. Explore the majestic Andean plains, traditional villages, and the stunning valleys of the Vilcanota mountain range. During the tour, you’ll admire the imposing sacred mountain Ausangate (6,372 m), a symbol of the Peruvian Andes.

Experience an unforgettable day surrounded by color, culture, and nature on one of the most spectacular routes in Cusco.

TRIP ITINERARY

Our trip to Vinicunca Rainbow Mountain full day starts very early, at 4:30 a.m., with our guide picking us up from our hotel. We will travel for 1 hour and 30 minutes south of Cusco until we reach the community of Tintinco, in Cusipata, where a delicious breakfast awaits us. We will have about 30 minutes to enjoy our meals and make last-minute purchases, such as gloves, hats, chocolates, or sweets, ideal for this adventure in the Andes.

After breakfast, we will continue by transport for an hour to Phulawasipata (4,600 m / 15,091 ft), the starting point of the hike to Vinicunca Rainbow Mountain. Before beginning the ascent, our guide will give us recommendations and interesting facts about the hike. During the 2-hour hike (4 km), we will enjoy breathtaking landscapes with giant mountains, glaciers, colorful valleys, and the company of llamas and alpacas. We will also have the opportunity to interact with local residents and learn about their ancestral culture.

Around 10:00 a.m., we will arrive at the majestic Vinicunca Rainbow Mountain (5,065 m / 16,617 ft). We’ll take a 15-minute break while our guide shares information about the geological formation of the site, and we’ll be able to admire the imposing Ausangate Snow-Capped Mountain (6,380 m / 20,931 ft), the highest mountain in Cusco.

We’ll enjoy 30 minutes of free time to explore, admire the landscape, and take the best photographs of the Vinicunca Rainbow Mountain. We will then begin the approximately 1 hour and 30-minute descent to the starting point.

Afterwards, we will return to Tintinco (45 minutes by car) to enjoy a delicious local lunch and rest. Finally, we will return to Cusco on a 2-hour trip, arriving at Plaza Regocijo around 4:30 p.m., where this unforgettable full-day excursion to Vinicunca Rainbow Mountain ends.

Note: If you wish, you can add an additional hike to the impressive Red Valley, a place with unique landscapes that seem from another planet. The hike to the viewpoint takes 30 minutes and has an additional cost of US$25.00 per person, which includes a tour guide and entry permit.

INCLUSIONS

What is included?

  • Permits & Entrance Tickets:
    Entrance ticket to Vinicunca Rainbow Mountain
  • Experienced Tour Guide:
    The official tour guide speaks both English and Spanish. All of our guides have finished a professional tourism program. We chose them for their knowledge, experience, responsibility, seriousness,
    boundless excitement for inquiry, and real desire to proudly share our culture and history. He or she will keep you safe, sound, and comfortable throughout your travel, allowing you to enjoy yourself without worry!
  • Hiking sticks
  • Meals:
    Breakfast and Lunch Buffet (Vegetarian and vegan options available)
  • Transportation:
    Transportation is included in this tour. We’ll pick you up from your hotel and normally finishes close to the Cusco main square
  • Medical Kit or First AID Kit:
    Our guides have all had specialised first-aid training. We have mandatory training sessions with our guides every February. In the event of a minor emergency, your guide will always have a
    first aid kit and oxygen on hand. If necessary, we will immediately evacuate you from the path and bring you to a clinic for treatment.
  • 24/7 customer service.

What is not included?

  • Travel insurance
  • Local souvenirs
  • Ride horse:
    If you do not want to hike, you can rent a horse from the locals; this is an optional/additional service that you can choose at the trailhead; the round trip cost is US$ 35.00, which you can pay directly to the community members.
  • Tips for our staff:
    Tipping is customary on any trip. Although we pay our entire crew well, anything extra is always appreciated, especially given how hard they work.
  • Additional costs or delays beyond our control:
    Landslides, bad weather conditions, itinerary modifications due to a safety concern, illness, pandemia, government policy changes, political instability, strikes, act of God, etc.

What to Pack?

If you plan to tackle the Rainbow Mountain, you will need to pack appropriately. Here are some important items to consider bringing.

CLOTHING:

  • Comfortable hiking shoes/boots
  • Moisture-wicking hiking socks
  • Quick-drying pants
  • Long-sleeved shirt
  • Fleece jacket or sweater
  • Rain jacket and pants
  • Hat or cap
  • Gloves

TREKKING GEAR:

  • Backpack day
  • Hiking poles
  • Sunscreen
  • Water
  • Snacks (energy bars, trail mix, etc.)
  • Personal toiletries (toothbrush, toothpaste, wet wipes, etc.)

MISCELLANEOUS:

  • Passport and necessary documents
  • Camera or phone with a good camera for capturing memories
  • Portable charger for electronic devices

What our customers say on Tripadvisor

star rating  Bonita experiencia para los recuerdos el valle sagrado de los incas bellos lugares  - Vistas increíbles, bonitos lugares llenos de energía también excelente paisajes para tomar fotos con amigos y familiares

avatar thumb Joshua valentin V
July 17, 2025

star rating  Muy bueno - Muy bonito todo, muy amables todos. La guía espectacular nos explicaba cada detalle. Muy recomendado. Gracia a todos por su servicio

avatar thumb Jeison U
January 1, 1970

star rating  Excelentes planificando vacaciones, todo super genial  - Excelente para poder planear nuestras vacaciones en familia, los lugares muy mágicos y bonitos. Sin duda alguna super recomendado

avatar thumb Karen C
January 1, 1970

star rating  Todos fueron amables, fue divertido y la pasé bien.  - Fueron muy amables, la pase muy bien, todo fue tranquilo y divertido, recomiendo mucho a los que desean viajar con esta agencia.

avatar thumb ANGIE GUADALUPE C
January 1, 1970