Rainbow Mountain (Full Day Tour)

Rainbow Mountain, also known as Vinicunca, is a stunning multi-colored mountain located in the Peruvian Andes, in the south of Cusco. It is famous for its vibrant mineral stripes of red, yellow, green, white, and blue, which became visible as glaciers receded due to climate change. The mountain’s striking colors are the result of mineral oxidation and geological processes that occurred over millions of years. Today, global warming has further revealed these natural formations. Although the hike is challenging due to the high altitude, it is one of the most popular tours in the region. From the mountain top, you will enjoy not only panoramic views of Rainbow Mountain itself, but also stunning views of the entire Vilcanota Mountain Range.

We pick you up from your hotel at 4:00 am and make our way to the community of Cusipata for approximately 1.5 hrs, where you can enjoy breakfast. Afterward, we continue for about two more hours to the trailhead, located at 4,626 meters (15,177 ft) above sea level. This is the starting point of our hike. This hike consists of a one-hour uphill walk, during which you will have the opportunity to admire stunning landscapes, impressive mountain scenery, and local people wearing traditional clothing. Along the way, you may encounter herds of llamas, alpacas, sheep, and horses. With some luck, you might also spot the vicuna, Peru’s national animal. Upon reaching the mountain top of Vinicunca (5,100 m / 16,626 ft), you have some time to rest, take photos, and enjoy the incredible panoramic views. Then, we begin a one-hour downhill descent back to the trailhead. From there, we return to Cusipata, where you can have lunch. After lunch, we return to Cusco, arriving at approximately 5:00 pm.