Rainbow Mountain Hike: Experience Geological Wonders and Remote Andean Villages
5.0
7 Ratings
Embark on a challenging hike through remote Andean villages and witness the geological wonders of Peru's Rainbow Mountains. Discover vibrant colors and breathtaking views of the Ausangate Glacier.
Duration: 1 day, 8 hours
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights
  • Vinicunca - This challenging but spectacular trail winds through remote Andean villages with their beautiful adobe style houses, passes herds of wild Llama grazing on the mountainside, and continually rewards us with views of the magnificent Ausangate Glacier. Standing at over 6,300 m (20,900 ft) this is the highest mountain in the Cusco region and is considered a holy mountain (or mountain spirit) by the local Peruvians. Ausangate is the deity of Cusco and since pre-Inca times has been a place of worship and offerings, a tradition that still continues today.

With uninterrupted beauty and solitude, this is a trip for trekkers who love a true outdoor adventure, but are on a tight schedule. So why not allow us to take you on an inspiring and memorable trip, to one of Mother Nature’s true wonders.

What's Included
  • Private transportation
  • Emergency oxygen bottle and medical kit
  • Lunch
  • All fees and/or taxes
  • Tea and coffee
What's Not Included
  • Trekking poles – you can rent them from us
  • Emergency horse and horseman
  • Tips
Additional Information

Occasionally, the grandeur of Mother Nature’s vibrant and diverse color palette is so breathtaking, it appears improbable that it could naturally exist. However, upon witnessing the splendor of Peru’s Rainbow Mountains, or locally known as Vinicunca, you are essentially looking at a gem of earthly history spanning millions of years, rarely seen anywhere else on the planet.

The Cusipata trail provides the most majestic way to savor the breathtaking scenes of Vinicunca. This picturesque yet grueling path meanders through secluded Andean settlements featuring charming adobe architecture, leads you past flocks of wild Llamas and Alpacas grazing on the slopes, and persistently presents glimpses of the magnificent Ausangate Glacier. Rising over 6,300m (20,900ft), it holds the title of the tallest mountain in the Cusco Region.

  • What to bring
  • Water (recommend at least 2L)
  • Rain jacket/poncho
  • Winter hat and gloves and ain pants
  • Snacks
  • Sun block (factor 35+ recommended, the sun can be strong)
  • Sunglasses and sun hat
  • Camera with spare batteries (no. batteries run down faster at high altitudes)
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
5.0
(7 Ratings)
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Dimpledforlife
Jan 28, 2024
Stunning view, Amazing guide - It was an amazing experience. Action Peru Treks was very flexible and accommodating. We were just wrapping up our two days Inca hike with them, and because the experience was so positive, we decided the last minute that we also wanted to the rainbow hike. APT was so flexible and made it happen. We loved the hike, the guide, and the view. The view was stunning. Please be prepared or the high altitude. that's was the hardest part. I had exploding headache the entire day after. Also be aware in order to beat the crowd, prepare to get up at 3am in order to arrive at the bottom of the hike by 5-6am do that you can get to the top around 7-8am. By the time we left the top, a huge crowd started to arrive there.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Maritzaquispeesp2023
Sep 19, 2023
Good service - This was my second experience in Peru and with this company. Everything was excellent from start to finish. Highly recommended day hike
Review provided by Tripadvisor
99katea
Sep 8, 2023
The first tourists of the day at Rainbow Mountain - We can’t express how happy we are to Action Peru Treks for taking us on this memorable trip today. After lots of research and blog/ review reading we were convinced there was no way to avoid the hoard of visitors and crowds of people on a trip to Rainbow Mountain. Roxner gave us reassurance that there was a way and we can 100% confirm he is right! With a very early start, a smooth journey with an excellent driver and our guide Christian, we arrived from Cusco to the mountain car park just after 5am and enjoyed a hot cup of coffee and picnic breakfast before we set off on the trek. We hired poles (recommend) and Christian took us up at a nice steady pace with plenty of breaks. We were virtually the only people at the summit shortly after sunrise, bar a few alpacas and vendors, giving us plenty of photo opportunities with no one in the background! We spent around 40mins up there and took a leisurely walk back down, watching the upward route fill up with visitors and finding the car park full of mini buses just after 9am. We had a delicious picnic lunch and a stunning drive back to Cusco with Christian - thoroughly recommend, worth every penny - thank you Roxner and Christian 😍
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Vappleton
Sep 8, 2023
Rainbow Mountain - amazing experience - An incredible day, and an incredible hike! And with the best guide, Cristian who was so knowledgeable answering all our questions! We left super early (3am pick up) but totally worth it as we arrived in comfort to an empty car park and basically had the entire hike (AND Rainbow Mountain) to ourselves. Great pick and up and drop off at our hotel and a lovely packed lunch!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
734fabiaa
Aug 8, 2019
Professional and friendly - My husband and I were lucky cause it was just the both of us so they picked us up with a car like it was a private trip. The guide, FREDDY, is very nice, friendly and he knows everything about the mountains and also about the Incas. The driver as well was friendly but unfortunately I don’t remember the name. They came at our hotel at 4 in order to be at the mountains earlier then the most of the tourists, in fact when we arrive there was just few people so we could enjoy it the most. We had great breakfast and great lunch with them. I strongly recommend this travel agency for expeditions and treks in Cusco.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Darleens6
Jun 15, 2019
Worth every penny and so breathe taking litterally - Rainbow mountain is a 5km hike to a beautiful mountain around glaciers with breathe taking views its a very challenging hike due to altitude but so worth it i recommend it to everyone. Action Treks Peru is so organized our guide was amazing and so patient with us we took a private tour and boy did they take amazing care of us. The food at the local restaurant they take you too is wonderful the people are so friendly and greatful. They pick you up by bus and bring blankets for your comfort its a nice smoothe drive throught he mountains and beautiful views all the way. My husband and teenage daughter loved it. It truly was a magical family vacation and action treks peru only made it better there staff is very nice professional and caring i would definetly book with them again and again !
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Candice
Apr 25, 2019
Rainbow mountain - We were 2 and we did a 1 day trip to Winikunka (rainbow mountains) with a guide called Edgar. He was very Nice and we learnt a lot of thing. The hiking is difficult but he didnt rush us. We took our time to enjoy this amazing view. We had breakfast and lunch in a great restaurant and the driver was very safe. The 4x4 was confortable.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
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