Day Trips to Rainbow Mountain from Cusco

Among the best things to do when visiting Cusco are the excursions to the Rainbow Mountain. These trips tend to be a bit challenging and even exhausting. However, they are entertaining and offer an incredible experience that will stay in your memory for a long time.

Some excursions offer a half-day tour, while others even plan a camping trip. Others include a different mode of transportation such as ATVs or even going horseback riding for a good distance. This makes each excursion different and varied. You can choose the one you like the most.

Traveling to the Rainbow Mountain from Cusco is one of the favorite activities for tourists traveling to Peru. It is usually a day hike that lasts approximately 12 hours and costs approximately 80 €. Without a doubt this is one of the best activities you can do in Cusco.

In this type of excursion you will always have a professional guide who knows perfectly the way through the Peruvian countryside to reach the Rainbow Mountain. Before starting the tour, your guide will pick you up at your hotel in a private transport. Finally you will arrive at the starting point to begin the tour.

The first stop will be in the village of Quessiuno, where you can enjoy a good breakfast. With your energies recharged, you will continue the five-hour ride to the Rainbow Mountain. From there you will be able to see beautiful landscapes and take all the pictures you can of this beautiful site.

After a while watching the scenery of the last stop, it will be time to return to Cusco. On this road you will meet again the village of Quessiuno. There you will enjoy a delicious lunch. Finally, you will arrive at the last stop, the Plaza Regocijo (Kusipata).

Details of interest

• Price: around 80 €.
• Duration: about 12 hours.
• Means of transport: walking tour.
• Advantages of this option: this type of excursion includes breakfast and lunch, as well as a first aid kit to help those who need it along the way.
• Disadvantages of this option: it is advisable to have physical endurance to endure the 12-hour tour without any problem.

Don't feel like hiking for too many hours, but want to see the Rainbow Mountain? Then I recommend an ATV tour from Cusco. You can experience this incredible adventure for an average cost of 80 €. Keep in mind that the approximate time of this excursion is 10 hours, sometimes less.

This is without a doubt one of the most entertaining ways to do an excursion from Cusco. First your guide will pick you up at your hotel to take you to the meeting point. There you will receive all the necessary instructions to drive an ATV safely. Remember that at all times your guide will lead the group, so you must follow him as you go up the mountain.

When you get into this beautiful landscape, you will be able to take amazing pictures. While you observe the sky and the rest of the site, your guide will tell you everything you need to know about this corner of Peru. Feel free to ask all the questions you want to know about this famous tourist attraction.

At the end of the tour you will take the road back to Cusco. On the way you will make a stop to enjoy a typical lunch of the region. Finally you will arrive at the starting point where a guide will be waiting to take you in a private vehicle to your hotel.

Details of interest

• Price: around 80 €.
• Duration: about 10 hours.
• Means of transportation: ATV.
• Advantages of this option: you will be able to drive an adventurous vehicle so you won't get too tired on the way. In addition, you will arrive quickly at your destination.
• Disadvantages of this option: it is necessary that you know how to drive to be able to live this experience.

Did you know that camping brings multiple benefits to your health? If you camp in a place like Rainbow Mountain, I'm sure those benefits will increase. Getting fresh air and being in contact with nature is the best natural remedy for the body. Live a camping experience of approximately two days for an average cost of 400 €.

As is typical of these excursions, your guide will pick you up at your hotel very early in the morning in a private transportation. When the whole group is assembled at the starting point, it will be time for a briefing about the tour. The best thing about this plan is that the organizers have prepared tents and other equipment, so you don't have to carry them on your own.

You will start the tour on foot making convenient stops to appreciate the scenery and to have lunch. When you arrive at the specified campsite, the team will set up the tents, and you can help in the process too! Afterwards you can settle down and enjoy the sunset, share with the other tourists and the organizing team.

Please note that food and drinks for both days are always included in these experiences. You will not have to worry about these details, you just need to bring your camping clothes and a bag with what you are told to bring. In addition, you will have a portable toilet for the whole group and a first aid kit in case of any problem.

Details of interest

• Price: around 400 €.
• Duration: about 2 days.
• Means of transportation: walking tour.
• Advantages of this option: you will be able to spend a night in the Rainbow Mountain and admire the beauty of this natural landscape.
• Disadvantages of this option: to do an excursion with camping you need much more time in Cusco, so it may not be convenient when you have few days of vacation.

Rainbow Mountain is not the only destination you can visit on an excursion from Cusco. You can also take advantage of the hike to visit the Red Valley and marvel at its colors. This experience has an average cost of 200 ¤ and lasts approximately 15 hours.

For this day of adventures, you must wait for your guide to take you in a vehicle to the starting point. From there you will start walking to the villages of Quechan where you can enjoy a good breakfast. Be aware that this hike can be very challenging for some people, so it is best to sign up only if you have sufficient physical stamina.

Your guide will take you through the highlights of the trail. He will also explain the reason for the colors of the Vinicunca Rainbow Mountain and the Red Valley. You will also hear about the mysteries and legends of these sites. You will be able to make convenient stops to recharge your batteries, eat snacks and drink water.

A Peruvian goumert-style lunch is also included in this excursion. If you like this type of food, I recommend taking Peruvian cooking classes in Cusco after this tour. At the end of the tour you can return to the starting point. You can ask the organizers to take you to your hotel for more comfort.

Details of interest

• Price: around 200 ¤.
• Duration: about 15 hours.
• Means of transportation: walking tour.
• Advantages of this option: you will be able to visit two destinations in the same trip.
• Disadvantages of this option: the tour can be somewhat long and tedious.

If you plan to stay in Cusco for more than three days, I recommend taking a horseback tour to Rainbow Mountain. The average cost of these tours is 100 € and they last approximately 15 hours. You will be able to ride a horse to make the tour less strenuous and entertaining.

To begin this experience, your guide will pick you up in a private vehicle to take you to the meeting point. There you will receive a lesson in which you will learn how to ride a horse, as well as the general instructions of the experience. I recommend you ask all the questions you need to ask before moving on.

At all times the group of tourists will be following the guide. This professional will be in charge of telling you all the details and curiosities about the different sites. You will pass through picturesque villages. There you will see herds of alpacas and llamas, take a picture with these adorable animals!

When you come back, you can eat a delicious dinner, as it is recommended to do this tour at sunset. Then you can decide to do some night activities in Cusco to continue enjoying these beautiful natural landscapes.

Details of interest

• Price: around 100 ¤.
• Duration: about 15 hours.
• Means of transportation: on horseback.
• Advantages of this option: you will be able to interact much more with nature.
• Disadvantages of this option: people who do not know how to ride a horse may have a less pleasant experience. However, they are recommended to request a short lesson a few days before to ensure that the tour will be safe and fun.

Traveller tip
When interacting with the horse try not to be frightened, but very confident and affectionate. This way the tour will be calmer.

The time you need to walk from Cusco to Rainbow Mountain can vary. You should keep in mind that the amount of activities included in your experience, as well as the pace of the trek, may take more or less hours.

On average, a round-trip tour lasts 12 hours. However, some tours that include transportation last at least 10 hours. If you decide to camp, the duration is usually two days. Each of these options are different plans that adapt to the tastes of each tourist.

On the other hand, in all the excursions the guides constantly talk about the history of the landscape and its curious facts. In these chat spaces you have the opportunity to ask all the questions you want. Sometimes these conversations make the tour a little longer or take longer to finish.

If you are interested in learning more about the Rainbow Mountain or about the whole city of Cusco and its surroundings, I recommend you to visit the best museums of this city. You will be able to learn about its culture, traditions and why the colors of this mountain.

To visit the Rainbow Mountain from Cusco you must take into account what is the best time to go to Cusco. It is generally recommended to make this trip between the months of June and August, since the rains are infrequent. Thanks to this you will be able to walk with more tranquility and comfort.

On the other hand, it is important that you keep in mind some tips for hiking. For example, you should wear comfortable clothes, carry walking sticks, carry water, among other things. In general, the organizers of the excursions always offer a safety talk so that you are prepared for this adventure.

Footwear is also important, since you will be on your feet the whole way. Your shoes should be special for this type of activity, so you won't get tired so quickly. On the other hand, using sunscreen is a necessary step for your tour. On the trail you will have no way to protect yourself from the sun, so you should apply it on your skin before leaving.

The Rainbow Mountain of Peru has seven beautiful colors that will surprise you. Also known as Vinicunca, this mountain has this variety of colors thanks to the different minerals found in it. Among them are clay, limestone, silicates, copper oxide and many more.

Taking an excursion to this beautiful natural landscape you can admire its beauty from up close, learn all about its curious facts and much more. The hike, although it can be a bit challenging, is rewarding, as you will constantly see beautiful natural images.

If you go camping, you will have the opportunity to observe the starry sky in the middle of one of the most frequented destinations in Peru. Enjoying nature is always a good plan to have a great time with friends.