Rainbow Mountain Tour & Red Valley 1-Day Hike
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Premium 
Experience our exclusive Private Rainbow Mountain Tour with late departure
Experience the now-famous Rainbow Mountains Tour without the crowds with our Exclusive itinerary. Unlike most tour groups that visit Rainbow Mountain in the morning, we will arrive a bit later when most groups are gone so with an intimate private tour, you can savor amazing views with fewer crowds and learn about the fascinating landscape from a knowledgeable guide. Enjoy the natural and fascinating colors of Rainbow Mountain with your private local guide by your side.
Embark on a thrilling day hike to witness the stunning painted hills of the Rainbow Mountains in the Peruvian Andes. This adventure promises a mesmerizing blend of colorful landscapes, snow-capped peaks, challenging uphills, and sightings of llamas and alpacas. With our exclusive itinerary, you can avoid crowds and enjoy a private experience. If you prefer not to wake up very early in the morning and dislike being in crowded places, this exclusive tour is ideal for you.
The Rainbow Mountain Day Tour is an absolute must-see for all those who love stunning landscapes and gorgeous scenery. If you are planning to Travel to Peru, You should consider including it in your itinerary! It’s now the second-most visited site in Cusco after Machu Picchu! During this hike, you will also experience summiting a peak over 16,000 feet, where you will be amazed at the 360° panoramic views of Rainbow Mountain, and the altitude will literally take your breath away.
If the Vinicunca Rainbow Mountains seem challenging and you are NOT prepared for a hard hike? No problem! Check out our Alternative Rainbow Mountain Tour, this alternative Rainbow Mountain is a perfect option for you as you only hike for 45 min. to the viewpoint and see the colored mountains.
Why you will love this tour
- Avoid the massive crowds with our exclusive itinerary, featuring a late departure on a private tour experience. You will arrive a bit later when most groups are gone so you can enjoy amazing views with fewer crowds
- Unlike the standard bus tours to Rainbow Mountain, we prioritize the safety of our customers by offering an exclusive private tour. This ensures that our knowledgeable guide can provide individual attention and assistance if needed, especially regarding altitude sickness.
- Experience a personal and flexible private guided tour to the Rainbow Mountains. Go at your own pace while enjoying the scenery. You will be able to talk to your guide and ask questions and be involved during the tour.
- Capture Instagram-worthy views of the colorful Rainbow Mountain, we know the best spots for photos.
Trip Details
- Tour Type: Private Tour basis
- Tour duration: Full-day Trip
- Activities: Hiking, culture, and nature
- Meeting location: Your hotel lobby in Cusco city. We can also organize this trip from Hotels in Urubamba
- Pick-up time: At 7:30 am from your hotel in Cusco
- Good For: Those with a sense of adventure and in good hiking shape
- Physical rating: Moderate due to the altitude of the trail
- Consideration: Please make sure you are acclimatized to Cusco’s altitude before you set off on this hike and bring comfortable shoes – lots of walking around.
- Hiking time: 3-4 hours
- Customizable? Yes! Custom, add-ons are all available. You can add this tour to any trek or multi-day tour
ITINERARY
Cusco - Rainbow Mountain - Cusco
The Rainbow Mountain day trip starts in Cusco city where you are picked up from your hotel in the morning. Unlike most tour companies, we offer a later departure time for our Rainbow Mountain adventure by picking you up at your hotel around 7.30 a.m.
We will then proceed to drive for nearly 3 hours in a private car to the start of the trail. The hike itself to the Rainbow Mountain viewpoint will take around 2 hours, along the way, you will enjoy amazing views of the Andes, glacial peaks, red mountains, and many llamas and alpacas grazing along the valley.
As you get closer to the summit of Rainbow Mountain you will begin to see the first signs of the colored minerals that formed the painted hills, and finally, with one last push, you will hike up to a strategic location that gives you a 360-degree view of the beautiful landscape that makes up the sacred land.
Once arriving at the viewpoint of Rainbow Mountain, you will have enough time to absorb the majesty of the Colored mountains that surround this area. The benefit of choosing our Exclusive Rainbow Mountain Tour with late departure is that you will likely have the mountain with fewer crowds. Unlike large groups that set off early, we arrive later in the day after most have already left, giving you a more intimate and exclusive experience.
You will also see amazing views of the valleys and Ausangate Glacier Peak in front of you. After about an hour you will start hiking back to the trailhead (1 hour) and here, we enjoy a deserved Lunch and then we return to Cusco arriving by 6 7 PM.
Note on the Itinerary
While we make every effort to follow the schedule outlined above, please note that this itinerary is subject to change due to various factors beyond our control. These factors may include strikes, political unrest, local festivals, severe weather conditions, and site closures during certain hours due to regulations beyond the control of Cusco Local Friend. Please note that we cannot be held responsible for any changes or amendments resulting from these circumstances.
In some cases, we may need to modify our original schedule to accommodate these conditions. In such cases, we will offer the best alternative options available to ensure you have a memorable experience.
Included
- Personal pick-up and drop-off from/to your hotel
- Bilingual Local Friend Tour Guide
- Private transportation with a separate driver
- Lunch
- Entrance Tickets to the private land of Rainbow Mountain
- First-aid kit + Emergency Oxygen bottle
Not Included
- Gratuities
- Personal riding horse. Additional horses may be rented according to the needs of the individual
- EXTENSION: Red Valley Hike (1-Hour hike) at no extra cost just need to pay the admission ticket to private land which is $5 per person.
Book this Experience
Prices are based on a private service, you decide the size of your group.
What to Expect
* Impressive views, mild to moderate temperatures although kind of glacier wind at the viewpoint of Rainbow Mountain; mostly sunny days during the months of May, June, July, and August; Stops at scenic spots en route; Friendly English-speaking tour guide; Your journey your way!* The Rainbow Mountain tours are subject to weather conditions; the view as in the pictures will depend on the weather and time of year of the visit. Normally the rainy season (December to March) can be foggy and snowy.
* The hike to the top is no joke. Constantly changing weather conditions, combined with high altitude, can be a challenge for experienced hikers. But if done right it’s manageable even for those who don’t hike much.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Should I Pack for this Day Trip?
PACKING LIST
- Daypack to carry your belongings
- Good hiking Shoes: hiking or Running shoes
- Waterproof jacket/rain poncho and a windbreaker (if it is light much better)
- Hat and gloves (it will be cold at the viewpoint)
- Warm clothes, warm fleece, Layers, socks gloves
- Comfortable trousers
- Sun hat and Sunscreen (The radiation in the mountains is stronger)
- Reusable plastic/metal water containers, or camel bags
- Water
- Personal medication
- Camera(s)
Are the Altitude Sickness will affect me ?
Altitude sickness, also known as acute mountain sickness (AMS), is a condition that can occur when a person ascends to high altitudes too quickly without proper acclimatization. It typically occurs at altitudes above 8,000 feet (2,400 meters) and is caused by a decrease in air pressure and a lower concentration of oxygen in the air.
Symptoms of altitude sickness may include headache, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, fatigue, difficulty breathing, and sleep disturbance. In severe cases, it can lead to high-altitude cerebral edema (HACE) or high-altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE), which are life-threatening conditions.
As Rainbow Mountain in Peru is located at an altitude of over 16,000 feet (5,000 meters), it is likely to experience altitude sickness while hiking there. However, the risk can be minimized by taking the necessary precautions if you follow our recommendations below:
- Make sure you are acclimatized to Cusco’s altitude before you set off on your hike to Rainbow Mountain. This is important to ensure a smooth and enjoyable trip to Rainbow Mountain. We highly recommend spending at least 2 days in Cusco prior to the day trip.
- Also, don’t forget to bring plenty of water to stay hydrated and alleviate altitude sickness. We advise carrying at least 1.5 liters per person and leaving an extra bottle in the van for after the hike.
- Getting enough sleep the night before the hike is crucial, as this is a physically demanding hike. It’s recommended to avoid drinking or partying the night before to ensure you feel your best and enjoy the trip.
- If you experience any symptoms of altitude sickness, it’s important to descend as quickly as possible.
- Lastly, if you plan to visit Machu Picchu the day before your Rainbow Mountain tour, make sure to book an early return train ticket through your travel company.
How about the Weather on this trip ?
Weather is unpredictable, Some days could be sunny with blue sky, while other days foggy, rainy, or snowy. Be prepared for 4 seasons!
* The Rainbow Mountain tours are subject to weather conditions; the view as in the pictures will depend on the weather and time of year of the visit. Normally the rainy season (December to March) can be foggy and snowy.
No matter which month you plan to hike to Rainbow Mountain, make you have adequate clothing including a waterproof jacket, pants, poncho, and waterproof gloves. Furthermore, higher elevation also means colder so be prepared for a chilly day during the Rainbow Mountain tour as it gets considerably colder and windier at the top.
What is the terrain like ?
The hike itself will take about 3 – 4 hours round-trip. Hiking is over rolling countryside and steep trails. The terrain is a gradual climb and you are walking in a wide valley most of the trek
How about the Physical Rating ?
Demanding – high altitude hike – accessible to the most traveler – depending on your fitness level. This is a challenging day of hiking. Hikers should be reasonably fit, and spend some time in Cusco to acclimate (we recommend 2- 3 days in Cusco or a similar elevation) The hike takes place over 4500m (15,000ft) and is about 8km/ 5miles length, with an elevation gain of 685m (2250ft). The main reason this trek is difficult is because of the elevation.
Why Travel with us
Local Knowledge & Expertise
It's great to travel with professional experts from the same destination you are going, that's how you get first-hand information. With deep in-country knowledge, We know the ins and outs of all the logistics, we will ensure you can make the most of your time away.
Personalized Experiences
Your time is precious - we know that. Your experience is our top priority. No big bus groups, No flags to follow! Traveling with a private guide and driver you’ll do what you want, when you want with the freedom to change your plans on the fly.
Friendly Local Guides
Great sights don’t make an amazing tour. Great guides do! Our guides don’t read from a script, we give them the freedom to make each tour their own, and your experience unique. We love what we do and it shows. From the moment you arrive, you'll feel the buzz and excitement that Cusco Local Friend to offer.
Exclusive Itineraries
It’s not all about the destination, it’s also about the journey. We offer only the best itineraries and tours. As local experts, we know first-hand what tours or experiences are the ones that most travelers enjoy and request. Escape the crowds! Never waste any minute, never miss any highlight!
Trip Reviews
Cusco Local Friend has been awarded the TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence due to the most consistent 5-star reviews in Cusco, the Sacred Valley & Machu Picchu for exceptional levels of service and care.
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