Rainbow Mountain (Vinicunca, Peru): how to get there, price and hike

The best time to hike Rainbow Mountain (Vinicunca) is during the dry season, from May to September. June to August coincides with the high tourist season, so there are more visitors and prices tend to be a bit higher.

Vinicunca Mountain, also known as Rainbow Mountain or the Mountain of 7 Colors, is in the Cordillera Vilcanota, in southern Peru, about 3 hours from Cusco.

The most practical way to get there is on an organized tour from Cusco, since doing it on your own means combining different types of transportation or renting a car. On the way you'll pass impressive Andean scenery, with views of Nevado Ausangate, traditional villages and fields full of alpacas and llamas.

Cusco has tons of agencies offering the Rainbow Mountain tour. You can book one once you're there or do it online. We recommend checking the ratings carefully before you book.

🔝 We chose to go with AB Expeditions and we highly recommend them: small groups (6 people maximum), an expert guide, oxygen and first-aid equipment. They also include a visit to the Red Valley (Valle Rojo), which is very much worth it. If you contact them, tell them we sent you 🫶🏽

Most tours include:

• Round-trip transfer from your lodging in Cusco
• Mountain guide
• Breakfast and lunch
• Oxygen and first aid

The most common version is a day hike from Cusco. The tour starts very early (around 3 or 4 AM), with a 3-hour van ride to the trailhead.

From there, you walk for 90 to 120 minutes on a moderately difficult trail with a gradual slope. The last 300 m (984 ft) are the most demanding, since they end at the viewpoint at 5,036 m (16,522 ft). All along the way there are people selling snacks, coca candy and drinks.

💨 You feel the altitude, so it's key to walk at an easy pace and drink lots of water.
🦙 On the way you'll see vicuñas, snow-capped mountains and the vibrant colors of Vinicunca, which look painted. If you're lucky, like we were, you might get to see it with snow: a beautiful contrast.

As we were saying, it's one of the most visited places in Peru, so there may well be many other tourists when you go. Some agencies offer to leave 1 hour earlier than most (around 3 am), so you can enjoy a bit of peace on the mountain.

Types of Rainbow Mountain tours

1. Classic 1-day tour: Rainbow Mountain

The most common one. It includes the round trip from Cusco, breakfast, the hike to Vinicunca and lunch.

👉 A very good classic option, with small groups and an earlier start, is this Rainbow Mountain tour. Otherwise, you can go for this cheaper tour, which leaves a bit later and has bigger groups.

2. 1-day tour: Rainbow Mountain + Red Valley

Our favorite option. After climbing Rainbow Mountain, you come back by a different route through the impressive Red Valley (a 2 h 30 min walk).

👉 You can go for a private tour to Vinicunca Mountain + the Red Valley or a group tour that includes both, like this one.

3. Ausangate Trek + Rainbow Mountain (2 to 6 days)

A more challenging and complete experience, ideal if you like multi-day hiking. We did the 2-day option, with Apacheta Pass on the first day and Rainbow Mountain at sunrise on the second. We got to enjoy it all to ourselves!

👉 If this option appeals to you, we recommend this tour: 2 Day Hike In Rainbow Mountain And Red Valley

• Acclimatize for at least 2 days in Cusco before doing the hike.
• Book with an agency you trust. We chose AB Expeditions.
• Dress in layers. It's very cold in the morning. Bring thermal clothing, a down jacket, gloves, a hat, and good hiking shoes or boots.
• Bring sunscreen and sunglasses.
• Stay well hydrated. Bring at least 1.5 liters of water. A hydration pack is ideal.
• Eat light the night before and at breakfast.
• Climb slowly, at your own pace. The altitude is tough.
• Chewing coca leaves or coca candy can help ease the effects of altitude sickness.
• Don't ride horses unless it's an emergency. It's better to walk and respect the animals.
• Get travel insurance that covers high-altitude activities, like Heymondo.
• Respect the environment. Don't leave trash behind, and be responsible.

Besides Vinicunca, there are other rainbow mountains around Cusco, less touristy but just as impressive:

Palcoyo Mountain
4 hours from Cusco. A hike of just 30 minutes, more accessible but at 4,900 m (16,076 ft). It's less demanding and quieter.

👉 If this option appeals to you, you can book this tour: Full-Day Tour to Palcoyo - SMALL GROUP

Pallay Punchu Mountain
The newest and least visited. 3 hours from Cusco. A walk of about 2 hours up to 4,700 m (15,420 ft). Some agencies only offer it on certain days, so it's worth checking ahead.

👉 It's best to book in advance: Half-Day Experience from Cusco on Pallay Punchu Mountain