At an altitude of over 17,000 feet and located just 3.5 hours from Cusco, Peru, Rainbow Mountain is quite a sight to be seen. Officially known as Vinicunca, Rainbow Mountain has recently exploded as a major tourist destination due to the exposure of streaks of red, orange, and yellow along the mountain. A visit to Peru is not complete without hiking Rainbow Mountain!
Here’s a guide for a visit to Rainbow Mountain, what to expect, what to pack, and how to prepare for the altitude.
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Guide to Visiting Rainbow Mountain
How to Get There
Most tours to Rainbow Mountain start from Cusco in the early morning and arrive back in Cusco in the late afternoon. I do not recommend finding your own way there as other transport options aren’t as reliable as a tour and private taxis would be far too expensive. There are plenty of tour options to Rainbow Mountain. You can book online through sites such as Viator and GetYourGuide, or you can book tours in-person in Cusco. However, the price of tours ranges drastically. I’ve seen tours upwards of over $100 USD!
I prefer to have my tours booked in advance in case of limited availability when booking in person. After searching the web, I discovered Rainbow Mountain Travels. I found it to be far cheaper than any of the other online tours I had seen. The full-day tour is $30 USD/person and includes roundtrip transportation from Cusco to Rainbow Mountain, a professional guide that speaks both English and Spanish, the entrance fee, breakfast, and lunch!
Overview of Tour Itinerary
- 3:00 – 3:30 AM: Pick up from hotel
- 5:00 AM – 5:30 AM: Breakfast
- 6:30 AM: Arrive at start of Rainbow Mountain hike
- 6:30 AM – 8:30 AM: Ascend Rainbow Mountain
- 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM: Descend Rainbow Mountain
- 10 AM – 3:00 PM: Drive back to Cusco with 1 hour stop for lunch
- 3:00 PM: Arrive in Cusco
The tour picks you up in Cusco between 3 – 3:30 AM. Then, it will be a 1.5-hour drive before you stop for 30 minutes for a simple breakfast (bread, butter, jam, tea, and coffee). After the breakfast stop, you’ll drive for another hour before you reach the starting point of the Rainbow Mountain hike. Then, you’ll hike for 1.5 – 2 hours from the trailhead to reach the peak of Rainbow Mountain. Your speed depends on your fitness level and how acclimatized you are to the altitude. The tour guide gives time for everyone to take photos and relax. Afterward, it is an hour’s descent down the mountain. Soon after, you will enjoy a buffet lunch and arrive back at Cusco around 3:00 PM. Even if you don’t choose Rainbow Mountain Travels, most tour itineraries will include the items described above.
Overall, I thought that Rainbow Mountain Travels was very organized, and the guide was great! I actually preferred that we left earlier than most other tours because we got to the Rainbow Mountain viewpoint without it being too crowded. By the time we were heading down the mountain, we saw a lot more tour groups hiking up.
What to Expect
I want to paint a clear picture of what to expect when hiking Rainbow Mountain. Quite honestly, I was terrified of hiking Rainbow Mountain just because of all the other guides I had read online. I had previously hiked Laguna 69 and remembered how hard it was on my body due to the altitude (15,092 ft). Crazily enough, Rainbow Mountain’s altitude is even higher (17,060 ft)! However, while I was not at all acclimatized when I hiked Laguna 69, I had spent several days in Cusco before hiking Rainbow Mountain which gave my body time to adjust. In the end, I actually thought that Rainbow Mountain was much easier!
Length of Hike
The positives are that the hike isn’t very far (a little over 4 miles roundtrip). It is actually a flat walk most of the way. It is only at the very end of the hike that there is a steep ascent for around 200 yards. Almost everyone will feel the effects of the altitude at the peak but most will be fine during the hike. The path is easy to follow and mostly straight.
Pacing
Don’t feel pressured to keep up with your group if you want to take it slow! That is the most important advice I have for you when doing any high-altitude hikes. You know your body best. Take it slow, and don’t rush yourself. Most guides will simply let the group walk at their own pace, but they will keep an eye out for the stragglers to make sure they don’t need additional assistance.
Additionally, the hike is quite beautiful! Focus on your surroundings and enjoy the nature that surrounds you. There are beautiful mountains and unique scenery to be seen throughout the hike. Plus, you’ll see llamas and alpacas along the way!
Optional Red Valley Visit
When you get to the peak of Rainbow Mountain, there is also an option to visit the Red Valley (an additional $6 USD/person). Instead of taking the same path down as you ascended, you can descend through the Red Valley which will take you back to the start of the hike. You will get to see all shades of red streaked across the valley!
Additional Information
It is important to note that there are portable bathrooms along the path. If you need to use the restroom, have at least 5 soles handy to pay to use the restroom. On my way back down, I also saw families selling snacks and candy bars. You can always buy something to snack on if you get hungry!
I do want to mention that there are horses available for you to ride for 60 – 70 soles with a local to guide the horse. Although I did not ride a horse, they are available if you need one. I want to emphasize that the horse will only cover the flat portion of the hike and will not take you up to the peak of Rainbow Mountain. You will still need to climb the steep part yourself.
What to Pack
I suggest bringing a lightweight day bag filled with high-protein snacks and about 2 liters of water for the duration of your 12-hour tour. The breakfast provided is very light, so you will definitely need to bring some snacks to sustain yourself throughout the hike. Additionally, I would bring a waterproof jacket or poncho, a hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen (essential due to the exposure at such a high altitude). Depending on the tour company you chose, you might also need to bring your passport (please double-check with your tour company).
You should also prepare for all kinds of weather since you’re leaving early in the morning from Cusco and returning in the late afternoon. Wear layers and comfortable clothing for the hike. Make sure you are wearing adequate shoes such as trekking shoes or hiking shoes. Do not wear sandals or flip-flops for this hike.
Prepare for Altitude
The worst mistake you can make when attempting to hike Rainbow Mountain is not being prepared for the altitude. I made that horrible mistake when I hiked Laguna 69 in Huaraz within 2 days of arriving in Peru with no time to acclimatize. I spent over 4 days in Cusco and its surrounding areas before hiking the Rainbow Mountain, and it made a world of a difference! During the Rainbow Mountain hike, I didn’t experience the breathlessness and the pounding heartbeat that I did during my Laguna 69 hike. I only had to stop to take breaks on the last part of the hike where it was steep.
I recommend that you spend at least 2 days in Cusco before attempting the Rainbow Mountain hike. On top of that, drink plenty of cocoa tea, and take altitude sickness medicine (if prescribed) ahead of time to prepare for the hike. You are starting the hike at over 14,000 ft and ascending to a peak of 17,000 ft. The hike is very doable but only if you take care of yourself and allow your body to acclimatize.
Was it worth it?
Absolutely! In my opinion, I think it is well worth a visit to Rainbow Mountain if you’re in Peru. I saw some jaded reviews that mentioned how crowded it was or how the colors weren’t as brilliant as seen online, but I did not find either to be true. It actually wasn’t crowded when I reached the peak of Rainbow Mountain because my tour group left so early from Cusco. Additionally, the weather is temperamental, but I visited Peru in May (dry season) and found the skies to be clear and saw colorful streaks during my Rainbow Mountain visit. Be sure to research what the weather is going to be like during the season of your visit!
If you’ve acclimatized to the altitude and prepared for the hike as mentioned in this article, then hiking Rainbow Mountain is honestly not too difficult. The hike is flat most of the way, and it is not a far hike. Don’t be intimidated like I was 🙂 Take your time, listen to your body, and stop when you need to. It is so important for you to hike at your own pace to enjoy the entire experience!
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