Rainbow Mountain 1 Day Tour
Rainbow Mountain is a unique natural formation located close to the Ausangate Mountain range. This mountain reflects its name, in that it features brightly colored minerals that cascade down and blend into each other. This challenging hike takes you up to approximately 5,000 meters (16,404 feet) so it is only recommended for travelers who are well acclimated to the high altitude.
| Perfect for: | Travelers looking for a short, challenging hike in a remote area of Cusco Province to visit a one of a kind mountain |
| Duration: | 1 day |
| Level: | Difficult, depending on fitness level |
| Limited Spaces: | This hike does have not a restriction on the number of people allowed, so there is always availability. |
| Acclimatization: | The highest point is 5,030 meters or 16,502 feet, so it is essential that you are well acclimatized to the altitude before beginning the hike. We recommend that you spend at least 2-3 days in Cusco or the surrounding high altitude area before starting the hike in order to properly acclimatize. |
Itinerary
We will pick you up from your hotel in Cusco at about 5:00 am, and from there we will drive about 3 hours to the south of Cusco. We will follow the highway and stop at a local restaurant to have breakfast, and then will follow a mountain road that passes through traditional villages and fertile valleys. If it is a clear day we will be able to see the nearby snow-capped Ausangate Mountain, which is the tallest mountain in the Cusco Province at 6,384 meters or 20,945 feet. Then we will start hiking at 4,350 meters (14,271 feet) and it will take about 1.5 hours to reach the top of Rainbow Mountain. Although this hike is short and gradual, because of the altitude we will go slowly enjoying the scenery and will look for herds of llamas and alpacas. We will finish the hike to the top of Rainbow Mountain at 4,980 meters (16,338 feet). This incredible mountain features beautiful colors of red, orange, yellow, green, and purple as a result from the minerals it is formed from. You will have the option to hike up another 50 meters (164 feet) to take incredible photos of this beautiful natural formation, and when you are ready we will start our descent. Hiking downhill, we will reach our vehicle in about 1 hour, and then will begin our drive back, stopping to have a buffet lunch at the local restaurant. We will arrive back to Cusco and drop you off at your hotel at approximately 4:00 pm.
Included & Not Included
Services Included:
- Transportation from your hotel in Cusco to the start of the hike and back to your hotel at the end
- Entrance ticket to Rainbow Mountain
- Experienced tour guide fluent in English, Spanish and Quechua. Our guides are equipped and trained to practice First-Aid and administer oxygen if needed.
- Breakfast and lunch at a buffet restaurant
Not Included:
- Horse to ride (this can be contracted at the beginning of the hike if you prefer)
- Trekking poles (can be rented from us)
- Water
- Tips for your guide and driver (optional)
What to Bring
- A small day backpack to carry your personal belongings and boxed lunch
- Trekking poles (or you can rent a pair from us)
- Good sneakers or light hiking boots
- Camera
- Rain jacket and plastic poncho (especially if traveling in the wet season, from October to March)
- Comfortable hiking clothes
- Sunscreen and sunglasses
- Cap for the sun
- Warm clothes including a fleece, warm hat, and gloves
- Toilet paper
- Water
Price
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Discounts:
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Additional Options
Horses: When we arrive to the start of the hike, there is the possibility to hire a horseman with a horse that you can ride. You pay the horseman directly at the end of the service.
Trekking Poles: If you would like to rent a pair for the whole hike, the price is $10 USD per person.
Additional Information: To see information on cancellations and other policies, please see our Cancellations page here.
How to Book
We only require a minimum of 2 people to organize this trek, so if there are at least 2 people total in your group we can organize this trek for the date that you choose. If you are traveling by yourself, please email us to check the availability and let us know the treks that you are interested in and the dates when you are available to start.
To reserve your trek, please email us at info@cusitravel.com with the package you want to do, the date, and how many people are in your group. You will also need to email us copies of your passports, and let us know if anyone has any food restrictions or allergies. The next step is to make a deposit of $50 USD per person to reserve your trek. To make your deposit, please pay by selecting the correct amount below or by visiting our Book Now page. The remaining balance is due in Cusco and can be paid in cash (either in US dollars or Peruvian soles).
Select the amount to deposit:
