Rainbow Mountain Trek, Cusco

4.5 (14 reviews)
Discover Rainbow Mountain and immerse yourself in picturesque landscapes and local culture with a knowledgeable guide.
Adam
Adam H.
Apr 18, 2025
Rainbow Mountain was a highlight of the trip. Even though we weren't initially planning on it, it turned out to be one of the best parts... Read more
Anna Mae
Anna Mae R.
Dec 08, 2024
Breathtaking literally and figuratively.
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Overview

Embark on an adventurous trek to the picturesque Rainbow Mountain with an experienced guide. The journey begins with an early morning pick-up and a three-hour drive southwards, passing through charming villages and lush valleys. After a 1.5-hour hike to the summit, marvel at the stunning hues of the mountain, a unique natural wonder. Enjoy a packed lunch before descending and returning to your hotel by the evening.

Highlights

  • Embark on a picturesque hike to the stunning Rainbow Mountain
  • Experience a patient and encouraging guide who checks on your progress
  • Enjoy breathtaking vistas, perfect for capturing memorable photos
  • Witness groups of llamas and alpacas along the route
  • Explore nearby ruins or charming villages as an alternative option

Know before you go

Duration
11.5 hours
Recommended for
8 years old & up
Group
Private
Food & Drink
Breakfast, Lunch Included

What you'll do

Your day of adventure begins with an early morning pick-up from your hotel as you embark on a scenic three-hour drive (or four-hour drive from the Sacred Valley) southwards. Traveling through quaint villages and fertile valleys, you'll be able to appreciate the grandeur of the Peruvian landscape. On clear days, you may even catch sight of Ausangate Mountain, the highest peak in Cusco, standing at a staggering 6,384 meters.

Upon arrival at the trailhead, situated at an elevation of 4,350 meters, you'll start your hike to Rainbow Mountain. This trek typically takes about 1.5 hours to summit. Although the trail is fairly straightforward, you'll take a slow and steady pace due to the high altitude. The difficulty level of the activity varies depending on your fitness level. Be sure to keep an eye out for groups of llamas and alpacas roaming the picturesque landscape.

As you reach the summit at 4,980 meters, you'll see the striking hues of red, orange, yellow, green, and purple that give Rainbow Mountain its name. These unique colors are a result of the mountain's mineral composition, creating a breathtaking view unlike any other. If you're up for it, an additional 50-meter climb will reward you with a panoramic vista that is perfect for unforgettable photos.

When you're ready to descend, you'll make your way back down the mountain, reaching your vehicle in about an hour. You'll break for lunch at a suitable spot and savor packed lunches while taking in the natural beauty around you. Wrapping up your day of adventure, your driver will take you back to Cusco and drop you off at your hotel. This excursion, though physically demanding due to the high altitude, promises a once-in-a-lifetime experience filled with stunning views and unique natural landscapes.

Start times

  • Daily
    5:00 am

What's included

  • Transportation to and from your hotel
  • Entrance ticket to Rainbow Mountain
  • Experienced tour guide fluent in English
  • Breakfast and lunch at a buffet restaurant

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Traveler photos
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Travelers often mention

Summarized by AI based on kimkim traveler reviews

Worth the Effort

Despite the long journey to get there, reviewers consistently felt that the hike was definitely worth the effort, providing a remarkable experience. (3 mentions)

Dion
“Wow, it lives up to the expectations in every way.”  — Dion F.
Matt
“definitely worth the hike”  — Matt M.
Matt
“it's truly remarkable / worth the day trip”  — Matt M.
Guides' Support

The role of the guides, particularly individuals like Valerio, was highlighted as crucial, providing encouragement, patience, and options like horse rides. (2 mentions)

L
“He encouraged us, was patient, checked on our progress/condition and reminded us we could get a horse at any time.”  — Linda F.
Brett
“our guide provided us with a great alternative, exploring nearby ruins instead”  — Brett J.
L
“Our guide (Valerio) was key on this tour.”  — Linda F.
Altitude Concerns

Altitude-related issues were frequently noted, with some travelers experiencing headaches or needing to skip the hike. However, alternatives were offered. (2 mentions)

Paige
“We had a headache afterward due to the altitude”  — Paige S.
Brett
“We ended up skipping the hike to Rainbow Mountain due to some altitude-related concerns”  — Brett J.
Breathtaking Scenery

Many reviewers mentioned that the Rainbow Mountain Trek offers overwhelmingly beautiful and spiritual scenery, with picturesque views enhanced by snow on the mountains. (2 mentions)

Dion
“It's so overwhelmingly beautiful it's a spiritual experience.”  — Dion F.
Paige
“the actual hike was picturesque, and the snow on the mountains made it even more beautiful.”  — Paige S.

Traveler reviews

14 total ratings, 9 with reviews
4.5
Feature ratings
Quality of Experience
4.8
Food
3.5
Guides, Drivers and Staff
4.8
Transport
4.7
Adam
Adam H.
Newark, NJ | Reviewed on Apr 18, 2025

Rainbow Mountain was a highlight of the trip. Even though we weren't initially planning on it, it turned out to be one of the best parts of our travel. The breathtaking views and the vibrant colors of the mountain make it a must-do activity in Peru.

Craig
Craig Y.
Boston, MA | Reviewed on Jan 13, 2025
This was a big item on my bucket list so I’m glad I went. But I didn’t really realize how far away it is. It was a solid 3 to 3 1/2 hour car drive. We stopped for both lunch and breakfast on the way there. It was very far away. I didn’t like lunch or breakfast. The restaurant buffet serve was really not that good. The hike up rainbow Mountain was fine. We rented horses. Again, it wasn’t explained well to us, but it’s a one-way ride up only. You walk the rest of the way. Which was fine. It... Read more

This was a big item on my bucket list so I’m glad I went. But I didn’t really realize how far away it is. It was a solid 3 to 3 1/2 hour car drive. We stopped for both lunch and breakfast on the way there. It was very far away. I didn’t like lunch or breakfast. The restaurant buffet serve was really not that good. The hike up rainbow Mountain was fine. We rented horses. Again, it wasn’t explained well to us, but it’s a one-way ride up only. You walk the rest of the way. Which was fine. It snowed the night before so we actually couldn’t see the rainbow in the rainbow mountains. Again, in hindsight, I wish we had use us as a stopping point head further south towards lake Tacoma.

Anna Mae
Anna Mae R.
Chicago, IL | Reviewed on Dec 08, 2024
Breathtaking literally and figuratively. Read more

Breathtaking literally and figuratively.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
M-J
M-J C.
Canada | Reviewed on Sep 22, 2024
The hike itself is great! Too many people asking to ride a horse and bad toilets but overall reslly great. But I did NOT enjoy the drive. I got scared we were going to fall off the cliff. We did ask our driver to slow down but still, the road is very very dangerous. Read more

The hike itself is great! Too many people asking to ride a horse and bad toilets but overall reslly great. But I did NOT enjoy the drive. I got scared we were going to fall off the cliff. We did ask our driver to slow down but still, the road is very very dangerous.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
.
Transport
The driver webt way too fast in the mountains. I did tell him to slow down and it helped a bit but they should consider the safety of the travellers instead of just trying to get there as fast as possible
Dion
Dion F.
Flagami, FL | Reviewed on Jun 24, 2024
Wow, it lives up to the expectations in every way. It's so overwhelmingly beautiful it's a spiritual experience. The surrounding area is beautiful too. Read more

Wow, it lives up to the expectations in every way. It's so overwhelmingly beautiful it's a spiritual experience. The surrounding area is beautiful too.

Tips for future travelers

Don't spend too much time up there or you WILL get a terrible headache. Rather than going up to the top level and looking down at a sea of people, go down the path on the side of the mountain where there are unobstructed views of the entire rainbow mountain range and valley

Quality of Experience
So overwhelmingly beautiful it's a spiritual experience
Food
Worst meals I had in Peru. The buffet breakfast and lunch were terrible quality, pack a lunch instead and eat light at the buffet, fruit, coffee etc. Unfortunately this is the only place around and all the tours stop here.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Valerio is great
Paige
Paige S.
Canada | Reviewed on May 24, 2023
The Rainbow Mountain Trek was better than anticipated. Although touristy, the actual hike was picturesque, and the snow on the mountains made it even more beautiful. We had a headache afterward due to the altitude, but it was worth it. Read more

The Rainbow Mountain Trek was better than anticipated. Although touristy, the actual hike was picturesque, and the snow on the mountains made it even more beautiful. We had a headache afterward due to the altitude, but it was worth it.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Brett
Brett J.
Carmel, IN | Reviewed on May 19, 2023
We ended up skipping the hike to Rainbow Mountain due to some altitude-related concerns, but our guide provided us with a great alternative, exploring nearby ruins instead.
Rating: 4/5 Read more

We ended up skipping the hike to Rainbow Mountain due to some altitude-related concerns, but our guide provided us with a great alternative, exploring nearby ruins instead.
Rating: 4/5

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Matt
Matt M.
Chattanooga, TN | Reviewed on Oct 16, 2022
Incredible experience - a long haul to get there but definitely worth the hike. It doesn't look exactly like the instagram photos you see (they've been run through Photoshop) but it's not far off - and it's truly remarkable / worth the day trip. Read more

Incredible experience - a long haul to get there but definitely worth the hike. It doesn't look exactly like the instagram photos you see (they've been run through Photoshop) but it's not far off - and it's truly remarkable / worth the day trip.

Tips for future travelers

I don't think the books / operators do enough to tell you about the summit of this being above 17,000 feet - the highest I've ever been without supplemental oxygen and I've climbed my fair share of mountains. Be sure to buy a box of Diamox in the local pharmacy (readily available) and not expensive - start taking them BEFORE your trip. I'd also work with your guide - if you can - to get there as early as possible to beat the crowds. We departed Cusco on a private tour at 4am and while we had minimal traffic / lines at the top - we still weren't the first on site.

Quality of Experience
Food
The place we stopped to eat for breakfast and lunch was terrible - it's the pre-arranged place our operator always uses. Lots of canned food and not very authentic. There are better places along the way I'm sure (we talked to other hikers)
Guides, Drivers and Staff
EXCELLENT guide / driver!
Transport
L
Linda F.
Carrboro, NC | Reviewed on Oct 14, 2022
Our guide (Valerio) was key on this tour. He encouraged us, was patient, checked on our progress/condition and reminded us we could get a horse at any time. Read more

Our guide (Valerio) was key on this tour. He encouraged us, was patient, checked on our progress/condition and reminded us we could get a horse at any time.

Tips for future travelers

Take as much time as your body needs to adjust to the altitude. It’s worth the trek when you get to the top!

Quality of Experience
Food
We ate at the same buffet restaurant for breakfast and lunch. The food was just ok. Once again, beverages weren’t included with our prepaid lunch- not even water.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport

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Itineraries with Rainbow Mountain Trek

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