Rainbow Mountains 1 Day Hike
Full Day Tour Starting From: $ 0.00 per person
Rainbow Mountain Tour - Rainbow Mountain Trek Full Day
Hike to the Astounding Multi-colored Mountain
Rainbow Mountain Trek 1 day – Embark on our full day Rainbow Mountain day trip from Cusco, and immerse yourself in a remote region of the Andes Mountains to explore one of the most incredible natural wonder on the planet in the middle of the Andes of Peru, with the best local tour operator of Peru. This unique one-day hike to Rainbow Mountain, or Vinicunca Mountain, also called Mountain of Seven-Colors in Peru, offers travelers an entire day of unforgettable adventures amid a surreal landscape and local culture contact; and is perfect for those travelers short on time but looking to enjoy stunning landscapes and gorgeous scenery in their lifetime!
This stunning Rainbow Mountain Trek in One Day, or Seven Colors Mountain Tour in Cusco, will take you through a beautiful Andean valley, in which you may interact with the local people who are still keeping traditional Quechua culture alive! Besides, on this trek you’ll able to see isolated communities, snow capped glaciated peaks, herds of alpaca and llamas in their natural habitat, and pristine beauty; hiking through remote high-altitude desert paths to the breathtaking Vinicunca mountain one of the new natural attractions of Cusco, found in the Vilcanota mountain range. In addition, you will able to witness the impressive view of Ausangate mountain (6,300 masl / 20,900 fasl) towering in the distance (the highest peak in the region) considered “Apu” (holy mountain or mountain spirit) by local Peruvians and is the deity of Cusco.
Get ready to uncover the Rainbow Mountain of Peru and the most scenic and overpowering landscapes by taking the Rainbow Mountains 1 Day Hike Tour, and enjoy the natural amazing colors of the Vinicunca Mountain, with the best team, in small group with a local guide by your side, and private transport. In this hike, you will also experience summiting a mountain over 16,000ft., where you will be amazed by a breathtaking 360° panoramic view of Rainbow Mountain, and the “Red Valley” in the distance, the altitude can also quite literally take your breath away. At this point of the hike, you will begin to feel so much more connected to Mother Nature.
Trip Details for Rainbow Mountain 1 Day Trek
- Tour Location: Rainbow Mountain, known locally as Vinicunca, is located on the road to the Ausangate mountain, in the Andes of Peru, about a three-hour drive southeast of Cusco city, in the opposite direction of Machu Picchu, Inca Trail, and the famous Humantay Lake.
- Tour Type: Hiking, trekking, and off the beaten path adventure through the rugged mountain countryside of Peru to reach the aptly named Rainbow Mountain or Vinicunca Mountain.
- Physical Grading: ★★★★☆ Moderate to difficult, depending on level of physical fitness. This demanding – high altitude trek to the 7-Color Rainbow Mountain in 1 Day, is designed for travelers with little time and good physical resistance. We highly recommended leaving this tour towards the end of your stay in Cusco because your body will have fully adapted to the altitude.
- Group Size: We offer everyday departures with a minimum of 2 people (8 max). We organize our Rainbow Mountain or 7 Colors Mountain 1-Day Tour; only in a small groups & private trips, with private van transfers and professional driver, to enhance the experience giving you the full attention of our guides and staff.
- Departures: Every day in the dry season from mid-April to October, we still operate in November, hikers should expect some rains and snow in this month. We do not operate our trips in December, January, February, and March as the rainfall is very strong, which makes very difficult the access, and it’s not possible to see the Rainbow Mountain
- Walking Time: Exact walking times depend on the relative fitness and speed of everyone in your group. On average, the hike to Vinicunca Pass (the Rainbow Mountain viewpoint) takes 1.5 to 2 hours. Total round-trip walking time (up and back down) is approximately 2.5 to 3 hours.
- Best Time to Visit: The best time of the year to do a Rainbow Mountain day trip is during the dry season, from May to August. These months are actually winter in the Andes so it can feel quite cold, but it usually means there is little to no rain. Clear sunny days and dry trail conditions are perfect for hiking! December through March is the rainy season in the Andes and hiking to the Rainbow Mountain is not recommended. Sustained, heavy rains can make the trail unsafe.
What's it like
Go on the short 1-day Tour to the 7-Color Mountain, or Vinicunca Rainbow Mountain on a Private Tour and have a day full of adventure enjoying the great view of the famous Rainbow Mountain (Vinicunca), striped with colorful mineral deposits and located far off the beaten path.
The Rainbow Mountain Day Trip is an absolute must for all those who love stunning landscapes and gorgeous scenery. If you are planning to Travel in Peru! You have to do it! It’s now the second-most visited site in Cusco after Machu Picchu! We have all arranged for you, you just need your hiking shoes and the desire to have the best trip ever.
Spend a full day hike to Vinicunca Rainbow Mountains and immerse yourself in the lifestyle of the inhabitants of the area, contemplate the walk of numerous herds of llamas and alpacas, and be first-hand witness of millions of years of geological history. The imposing mountain landscape is sure to be the protagonist of your photographs.
This trip is officially operated by Peru Spirit Adventure Tours, a 100% local tour operator based in Cusco.
Rainbow Mountain Day Trip Highlights
- Trek to the summit of Rainbow Mountain with a private guide
- Witness the magnificent view of snow-capped Ausangate
- Instagram-worthy views of the colorful Rainbow Mountain
- Enjoy a day away from the hustle and bustle of the city
- Drive through the countryside of Peru, far from the beaten path
- Enjoy one of the most scenic strolls in your lifetime
- Even though Rainbow Mountain is usually full of tourists, we start our adventure very early to be the first to arrive.
Itinerary At a Glance
- DAY1
Cusco – Cusipata – Chillihuani – Rainbow Mountain – Cusco
In this Rainbow Mountain 1 Day Hike Tour program, the tour starts early in the morning, we will pick you up from your hotel in Cusco at 4:00 am. We will travel by car around two hours to the south until arriving to the village of Cusipata, where we’ll enjoy a delicious breakfast.
After the breakfast we will travel by car 1 hour to the trailhead, known as Phulawasipata, where we will start the trek. The trek will last approximately 1.5 hours to 2 hours to Vinicunca Pass, the classic viewpoint for Rainbow Mountain. Along the way, we will appreciate the typical landscape and flora and fauna of the Andes, among which Llamas and Alpacas stand out.
Upon reaching the viewpoint of Vinicunca or Montaña de Colores (5020 m / 16,466 ft.), our guide will give us a description about the orography, ecosystem and color of the mountain; we can also take a moment to take photos to remember and admire the beautiful landscape.
Then we will return by the same route to the point where we started the trek (Phulawasipata), where our transport will be waiting to take us back to Cusipata; here we will enjoy the buffet lunch. After lunch we will start the return trip to the city of Cusco, arriving between 4 and 5 in the afternoon. Then, we will drop you off at your hotel.
See the famous Rainbow Mountains in one day without camping!
Full Itinerary of the Rainbow Mountain 1 Day Trek
Pre-trek briefing: For our Rainbow Mountain 1 Day Hike, we’ll provide you a thorough briefing at your accommodation in Cusco at 5:00 pm, the night before your trek, and you can take this opportunity to ask final questions and make any final preparations
Day 1: Cusco – Cusipata – Chillihuani – Rainbow Mountain Peru, Vinicunca – Cusco
To make the most of our time on the trail and at the Wonderful Mountain of Seven-Colors or the Vinicunca Rainbow Mountain in Peru! Our amazing Full Day Rainbow Mountain / Vinicunca Trek will begin early in the morning at 4:00 am with pick up from your hotel’s door in Cusco and then, we set out in our private transport to drive by paved road for 2 hours towards the Southern Valley passing picturesque Andean towns to the village of Cusipata. Upon reaching the Cusipata village (3,300 masl /10,826 fasl), we provide a full continental breakfast, perfect fuel for the hiking ahead.
After a delicious breakfast, we’ll head back to the van to continue traveling for about 45-1 hours on the dirt road to the trailhead, known as Phulawasipata. Throughout journey in the middle of the Andean mountains with magnificent views of the rolling mountains, we’ll pass quaint Andean towns such as Paucarpata district (3310 masl) and the community of Chillihuani, until the control point (Llaqto). In addition, while traveling we’ll observe the herds of llamas and alpacas and the occasional shepherd or local people moving about their daily activities.
Upon reaching to the starting point of the walk, known as Phulawasipat, located at an elevation of 4,650 m /15,255 ft. We start our trek along a meandering path in the foothills of the magnificent Andes. As we ascend, we’ll enjoy the rewarded views of the Andes and appreciate the typical landscape of the Andes, its flora and fauna, among which Llamas and Alpacas stand out. If we are very lucky we may see some chinchillas and vicuñas. Vicuñas are the only non-domesticated animal of the llama family in Peru and are very skittish.
This whole area is home to many people, and you’ll have the opportunity to see them working the land. You’ll surely also be surprised to see the traditional clothing they use and that they make themselves thanks to the practice of textile art they have inherited from their ancestors. They preserve their ancient culture and refuse to be submitted by the rules of the western world. Your guide will teach you about the meaning of some clothes and, if you want, you can ask him to teach you some words in Quechua.
After climbing for about 1.5-2 hours, we’ll arrive at the impressive Rainbow Mountain of Cusco, or Vinicunca, also called Mountain of Seven-Colors, which is located at 5020 masl / 16,466 fasl. Upon reaching the viewpoint of Vinicunca or Montaña de Colores, we’ll take our time to admire this natural formation’s unique beauty and feel the thrill of witnessing an unforgettable spectacle. This is your reward for the strenuous climb: Glorious layer of turquoise, orange, brown, and red rock sediment. Explore the surroundings while your guide explains the theories regarding this mountain’s origin that seems to be taken from the gods’ colorful dream.
Take photographs and immerse yourself and enjoy spectacular views of the unique colored rock formations that gives Rainbow Mountain its name. When the day is clear, we’ll be also rewarded with an impressive view of the Ausangate Mountain (6,300 masl / 20,900 fasl) in a distance, which is the most important Apu, or mountain deity, in Andean cosmology; and the highest in the region. There we will take a break between 30 minutes and 1 hour, depending on your steps’ speed and the weather condition. If you want to stay longer, inform your guide.
Later, there’s the possibility of walking through the Red Valley, if the climate and weather allow it. Don’t miss this valley of completely red mountains! After some time to rest and take those classic shots for your Instagram feed, we’ll return down the same way we came for around 45 minutes or 1 hour. Our private transport will be waiting for us when we arriving back at the trailhead. We will then drive for 45 minutes to a local restaurant at Cusipata village where a delicious lunch will be waiting for us. Following lunch, we’ll return on our transport to the city of Cusco and drop you off at your hotel around 5:00 pm or 5:30 pm. End of the Rainbow Mountain Tour with incredible memories of a very unique day.
- Meals: Breakfast / Lunch
- Total Walking Distance: 8 km / 4.97 miles
- Approximate Walking Time: 2.5-3 hours
- Lowest Elevation: 4,650 m / 15,255 ft
- Highest Elevation: 5,020 m / 16,466 ft
- Level of Difficulty: Moderate to difficult, depending on level of physical fitness
What’s Included For Rainbow Mountains Trek 1 Day?
- Pre-departure briefing: We’ll meet you at your hotel in Cusco the night before the Rainbow Mountain trek to go over the itinerary, and you can take this opportunity to ask final questions and make any final preparations. The meeting will be at 5:00 PM the evening before your day trip begins.
- Professional & Experienced Guide: Our expert guides are graduates of the professional career of Tourism of the National University San Antonio Abad of Cusco. Our region’s local best guides are chosen for their professionalism, experience, responsibility, seriousness, unbridled passion for exploring, and a desire to share in the experience. Some of them with more than 10 years of experience leading people in the mountains of Machu Picchu are here to take you to explore spectacular Peru’s Rainbow Mountain or Mountain of Seven Colors. They’ll make sure you are safe and happy.
- Transportation: All your transportation is included in this stunning Rainbow Mountain Trek. We’ll pick you up from your hotel in Cusco to travel by van around three hours to the Southern Valley passing picturesque Andean towns until arriving to the trailhead. Once you finish visiting one of the most beautiful sceneries in the world, nestled in a remote region of the Andes Mountains, including Rainbow Mountain of Peru. We’ll take you back to the door of your hotel.
- Meals: On our full day Rainbow Mountain day trip, we provide one continental breakfast, and one selection of fresh dishes of lunch, served buffet-style in the small village of Cusipata. We respect all diets (vegetarian or vegan are available), so let us know on your reservation form and remind your guide during the briefing.
- Permit & Entrance Tickets: All the entrance fee to Rainbow Mountain or Painted Hill is included.
- Medical Kit & Oxygen bottle: Your trekking guide will carry a first-aid kit, including an emergency oxygen bottle to face basic emergencies. If something does happen, which is rare
What Is Not Included?
- Flight
- Hotel before/after the tour
- Dinner is not included on this hike
- Horse to ride – you can add a horse to ride if you prefer
- Walking poles (poles must have intact rubber bottoms)
- Water for the hike – please fill your bottles/bladder before you depart
- Items of a personal nature and souvenirs
- Travel interruption and travel medical/evacuation insurance (required)
- Tip for your guide is optional but sometimes extra is always welcome, especially considering their work
Important Note:
- Flights: Flying to Cusco can be tricky. Delays occur often and it is not uncommon for flights to be canceled. Please be sure to arrive in the city at least two days before your tour start date. LATAM is the most reliable of the airlines. Avianca and Peruvian Airlines are acceptable companies, as well.
What to Bring on the Rainbow Mountains 1 Day Hike Tour
- Original passport
- Comfortable hiking pants
- Down jacket, or a warm jacket
- Trekking shoes with protector’s ankle, or similar
- Hiking long sleeve T-shirts
- Rain jacket/poncho
- Winter hat and gloves
- Rain pants
- Sunblock (factor 35+ recommended, the sun can be strong)
- Water for the trek (recommend at least 2L)
- Sunglasses and sun hat
- Camera and films with spare batteries (note: batteries run down faster at high altitudes)
- Trekking poles (recommended especially for the steep descents, can be rented from us)
- Toilet paper, and face tissue paper
- Extra money (American dollars and Peruvian soles in cash – little coins for toilet) and also for souvenirs, drinks and tips.
Price of the Rainbow Mountain Hike – 1 Day
PRICE
Price of the Rainbow Mountain Hike – 1 Day
We offer everyday departures. A minimum of 2 hikers required for this trek – Maximum of 8 trekkers in a group / Average 4 hikers, and you can leave any day is suit for you. The itinerary is described and based on personalized service and departure is 100% Guaranteed once booked, THE PRICE IS PER PERSON
- From US $ 00 per person
Request a Quote: We can customize this private trek just for you and your party, and offer the possibility to choose the departure date, the group size and the duration of the trek. We guarantee the perfect experience by arranging this Rainbow Mountain Tour – Private treks, single trekker, custom treks, large groups, and packages welcome! If you have questions about the Tour. Please email us to customize or please call the phone:
Móvil – WhatsApp: +51 957 326 998
Móvil – WhatsApp: +51 965 730 786
INQUIRE
Rainbow Mountain Trek 1 Day is operated as a Private Tour ONLY – the Minimum number of the trekkers required for departure is 02 Hiker to confirm departure ANY DATE SUIT FOR YOU! You decide the size of your group. Rainbow Mountain Tour 1 Day Highly recommended. If you have any questions, please contact us.
How to book the Rainbow Mountain Trek 1 Day?
To reserve the Rainbow Mountains 1 Day Hike Tour, the customer must submit his or her personal information and a deposit. The personal information we require is the following:
- Full Name (as appears on passport)
- Passport Number
- Nationality
- Date of birth
- Gender
- For Rainbow Mountain Tour 1 Day, we need a photo of their passport bio page. A camera phone picture or similar is acceptable
To confirm reservations of the Rainbow Mountain Hike 1 Day is required a deposit of $ 50 USD per person in advance
Deposit for the Rainbow Mountain Hike 1 Day:
We use PayPal for sending deposits, that way you can use your credit card. There is a 6% fee for deposits using PayPal (for the international transfer). We also use Western Union for sending deposits, Deposits through Western Union have variable fees.
- All banking fees will be covered by the client
- Deposits for tours are non-refundable and non-transferable to another individual
- Deposit through PayPal (no need to have an account, you can pay with your credit card)
Final Payments:
We accept cash and PayPal for final payments. A client may not depart for the tour or trek until payment in full is received, either in cash or by PayPal.
- Cash payments are due the day before tour or trek departure and can be paid at the pre-tour or trek briefing. We accept US dollars and Peruvian soles for cash payments. If you will pay in US dollars. Take note. The Peruvian banks are extremely strict about the “quality” of dollars they will accept. Therefore, we have to request that your bills are what they call “unbroken”. Broken bills will not be accepted. Broken means — any tear (even as small as 3 mm) or excessive wrinkling
- PayPal payments are due one week before the tour or trek departure. a) There is an 8% fee on balance due payments using PayPal. b) If the balance via PayPal is not paid by 3 days prior to trek departure, the PayPal fee will be 10%. Our PayPal email is: info@peruspiritadventure.com
- All banking fees will be covered by the client
CANCELLATIONS POLICY:
- In the case of cancellation, the customer will not receive a refund of their deposit
- If the customer cancels between 30 and 10 days before their tour, they must pay 50% of the total trip cost.
- If the customer cancels between 10 and 3 days before their tour, they must pay 80% of the total cost.
- If the customer cancels 2 days or less before their tour, they must pay 100% of the total cost.
If you are ready to make the deposit for private Rainbow Mountain Hike – 1 Day. Click on our PAYPAL PAYMENTS to make your deposit. As we explained above, we use PayPal for sending deposits, that way you can use your credit card. PayPal charges a 6% service fee (for the international transfer), so the total deposit per person ends up being $50 + 6% = $ 53 and should be sent to info@peruspiritadventure.com / Enter the amount of money you will pay and then you will see that you automatically add a bank fee of 6%. Then continue the checkout process using your PayPal account or credit card.
- Once you make their deposit through PAYPAL, please, send us: A picture of their passport page (of the people who will participate on the Rainbow Mountain Tour 1 Day) to confirm the tour. A camera phone picture or similar is acceptable. You can attach to this e-mail / or send via WhatsApp to this # +51 957326998
The departure of the Rainbow Mountain Trek 1 Day is 100% guaranteed once booked. We can customize this one-day private tour to Rainbow Mountain just for you. We guarantee the perfect experience by arranging this tour as a private service. Booking tours in advance offer a safe and well-organized travel experience tour.
Important Note:
Travel Medical Insurance: is required to depart on any trek (including emergency evacuation coverage and high altitude hiking). We also suggest travel interruption insurance in the event of inclement weather or other unforeseen circumstances that may arise. Peru Spirit Adventure is not responsible for losses incurred due to any travel interruption (ex: weather/natural phenomena, missed/delayed/canceled flight, acts of war/terrorism, strikes, etc.), passport, visa, family emergency, or illness/medical issues.
Once you have chosen your tour, please read the Booking Terms & Conditions, as your booking is subject to these terms://www.peruspiritadventure.com/terms-conditions/
Thank You for Your Inquiry!
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Why Peru Spirit Adventures!
Peru Spirit Adventure is a family owned travel agency and a local tour operator based in Cusco, Peru, in the Ancient Capital of the Inca Empire! Peru Spirit Adventure was founded by a Peruvian with over many years of guiding experience, and is a 100% Cusqueñian Company without any shareholders.
We are an agency with a great spirit of adventure and passionate about travel, dedicated to offer the best tourist services, to take you to discover the vast riches, natural and archaeological of each corner of the country.
We provide high quality service as well as focusing on having small groups to enhance the travel experience and customize any tour or trek to suit your travel, fitness, budget, and time preferences. This is what makes us stand out from other tour operators.
We create small personalized tours & treks strictly and only operated by local professional staff catering in PERSONALIZED and HIGH QUALITY SERVICE. Our guides in Peru are hand selected by the owners of Peru Spirit Adventure. All guides for our tours and treks are native to Peru and speak fluent English to ensure excellent communication and a positive experience overall.
We pride ourselves on providing 5 star service before, during, and after your trip. Peru Spirit Adventure is dedicated to excellent customer service and adventure experiences. We have been awarded from Trip Advisor the Certificate of Excellence for the last three years. Please check out our reviews and certificates of excellence on, TRIPADVISOR for yourself!
We are direct operators of all the tours and treks we offer, from family trips, honeymoon trips and luxury travel, including adventure tours to Peruvian Andes. Please email us to customize your trip in Peru.
Our tours & treks are operated in private service with a mínimum of 2 people to confirm the departure – Max 8 / Average 4 guests, ensuring a small group feel and specialized attention.
We are a responsible and sustainable tour operator – Our mission is to provide exceptional tours, treks, and adventure trips. During our trips, we make every effort to minimize negative impacts and maximize the benefits to the local people and natural environments we visit. We pay fair, livable wages, ensuring we hire and maintain the absolute best guides and support staff. We are proud of our team without them, we wouldn’t be able to offer the best service and lifetime experiences to our clie
Travel Guide
A HIKE TO VINICUNCA RAINBOW MOUNTAIN PERU
Vinicunca (Rainbow Mountain) is a mountain pass nestled in the greater Andes Mountains, about 3 hours away in the south east of Cusco, in the opposite direction of Machu Picchu and the Sacred Valley. Known more commonly by travelers as the Rainbow Mountain Peru and by locals as La Montaña de Siete Colores (mountain of seven colors) or Cerro Colorado (colored hill), the geographical wonder is famous for its rainbow tonality- a surreal natural phenomena of mineral deposits streaked across sandstone rock.
In an area claimed to have one of the most impressive mountain sceneries in the Andes, Vinicunca is in close proximity to the snow capped Ausangate, the highest and most sacred mountain in the Cusco region.
Rainbow Mountain Peru can be accomplished as either a part of longer trekking routes such as:
- Rainbow Mountain Trip by Horse 1 Day
- Ausangate Trek + Rainbow Mountain 2 Days
- Ausangate Trek + Rainbow Mountain 3 Days
- Ausangate Trek + Rainbow Mountain 4 Days
- Ausangate Trek + Rainbow Mountain 5 Days
- Ausangate Trek + Rainbow Mountain 6 Days
- Ausangate Trek + Rainbow Mountain + Machu Picchu 7 Days
Or a shorter trip focused on Vinicunca. According to your outdoor interests and personal time constraints, trips range from two to seven days and are available with private camping accommodations.
One day tours are widely offered from Cusco and Peru Spirit Adventure offers several ways for you to experience the Rainbow Mountain hike. The mountain pass is at high altitude, and on a multi day trip you have more time to acclimatize which is essential to factor in. Furthermore day trippers take the same route up and down, usually visiting at the same time jostling for the view, while longer routes can better avoid the group tours. Equally as important, multiple days give you more time to explore one of the most pristine mountain ecosystems in the world – Rainbow mountain is definitely not the only highlight of this area!
Why Take the Rainbow Mountains 1 Day Hike Tour?
- The Rainbow Mountain, also known as Vinicunca, is in the midst of a land full of wild desert landscapes, snow-capped glaciated peaks, herds of alpaca, and pristine beauty.
- One-day hike to Rainbow Mountain or Painted Hill hid in the Peruvian Andes let you witness at millions of years of geological history and natural wonder seen almost nowhere else on Earth.
- Rainbow Mountain is close to the highest sacred mountain in the Cusco region, Ausangate.
- You will trek through one of the most pristine mountain ecosystems in the world and take in beautiful mountain views and wildlife in its natural habitat in one single day.
- One-day hike to Vinicunca Mountain or Rainbow Mountain has been shortened to accommodate hikers who love a true adventure outdoor and willing to find and check off their bucket list.
Frequently Asked Questions
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