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Private Rainbow Mountain Tour - 08 am departure Skip the Crowds

Recommended by 100% of travelers
Badge of Excellence
Cusco, Peru
Great choice
5+ bookings last month.
  • 10 hours (approx.)
  • Pickup offered
  • Group discounts
  • Mobile ticket
  • Offered in: English

Why travelers loved this

5.0
·
· MaryRobin_E ·
May 2026
What an amazing experience! Not enough words to describe what a wonderful tour this is. John was the best! So patient and helpful with the altitude acclimation. The lunch provided was above and beyond. Highly recommend this tour for anyone wanting the extra attention!
· Taryn_C ·
Mar 2026
Our guide, Elisvan & our driver Yober were so much fun. They were so knowledgeable and made the experience perfect! Elisvan got great photos of us and we shared so many great memories on the trip! The food at the restaurant was great and Yober was an incredible driver and made us feel so safe!

Overview

Arrive at Mt. Vinicunca (Rainbow Mountain) once the crowds have left on a private tour that helps you enjoy the natural wonder in peace. Not only will you enjoy the undivided attention of your guide, but you’ll have a higher chance of snapping crowd-free photos as you explore the mountain at your own pace, rather than one set by a large group.
  • Opt for a crowd-free experience of Mt. Vinicunca (Rainbow Mountain) from Cusco
  • Get one-on-one attention from your private guide
  • Letting someone else drive means you can soak up the scenery
  • Walk around the high-altitude area at your own pace

What's Included

  • Air-conditioned vehicle
  • Exclusive a la Carte Menu Lunch
  • Professional experienced tour guide
  • Hotel pick up and drop off
  • Oxygen to your disposal
  • Horse riding (optional - 80 soles the uphill and/or 120 soles the round trip).
    $30.00 per person
  • Entrance fee - 30 soles per person, to be paid in cash and soles.
    $10.00 per person

Meeting and Pickup

Pickup points

Select a pickup point

Pickup details

we pick up in all the hotels in cusco

Operating hours
.8:00 am

Itinerary

1

Vinicunca

10 hours Admission Ticket Free

Additional Info

  • Confirmation will be received at time of booking
  • Not wheelchair accessible
  • Service animals allowed
  • Infants must sit on laps
  • Not recommended for travelers with back problems
  • Not recommended for pregnant travelers
  • No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
  • Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level
  • This is a private tour/activity. Only your group will participate

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

Traveler Photos

Gallery picture 1 (from a traveler's review)
Gallery picture 2 (from a traveler's review)
Gallery picture 3 (from a traveler's review)
Gallery picture 4 (from a traveler's review)
Gallery picture 5 (from a traveler's review)

Featured review

badih_s
This was an awesome experience, made amazing by our tour guide John. He is knowledgeable, experienced and very caring. He took fantastic pictures and videos. I highly recommend this tour.

Reviews

5.0
based on 274 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

Best Tour of our Trip

MaryRobin_E, May 2026
What an amazing experience! Not enough words to describe what a wonderful tour this is. John was the best! So patient and helpful with the altitude acclimation. The lunch provided was above and beyond. Highly recommend this tour for anyone wanting the extra attention!

Response from Host, May 2026

Thank you so much for your amazing review! 🙏 We’re truly happy to hear that you had such a wonderful experience and that John made your tour so special ⭐ His patience and support with altitude acclimation mean a lot, and he will be very happy to read your kind words. We’re also glad you enjoyed the lunch and the extra attention throughout the tour 🍽️✨ Our team always aims to provide a comfortable and memorable experience. Thank you for your high recommendation, and we hope to welcome you again in Peru for another unforgettable adventure 🇵🇪🏔️ Warm regards,

Great Tour Guide & Experience

Perla_T, May 2026
John, our tour guide, made this experience memorable. He was very knowledgeable and helpful (every step of the way), literally. He also went the extra mile and made a really cool video of us riding up the mountain on horses. I highly recommend doing this tour with this company.

Response from Host, May 2026

Thank you so much for your kind review 😊 We’re really happy to hear that John made your Rainbow Mountain experience so memorable and supported you every step of the way. It’s great to know you enjoyed his knowledge and attention throughout the tour, and especially that he went the extra mile by creating a special video of your horse ride — those personal touches are what make the experience truly unique. 🌈⛰️ We truly appreciate your recommendation and hope to welcome you again for another adventure in Cusco!

Unique experience!

Danielle_F, Apr 2026
We were a little nervous about the high altitude but we’re mostly excited to try this experience. It’s recommended you spend time in Cusco a few days before to acclimate. John was our tour guide and he was fantastic. He periodically checked how we were feeling throughout the trip. It was nice not having to wake at 4am, so a private tour meant we could customize the time we started. It’s a long drive to rainbow mountain so just be aware of that. We rode the horses up to conserve energy and hiked the remaining portion and back down. At the time we were up there we felt fine, but we were definitely hit with altitude sickness afterwards, mainly a throbbing headache. We got some rest that evening and felt better pretty quickly. All in all this was such an incredible experience. As long as you have some level of fitness, have acclimated to high altitude for a few days and are not afraid of a challenge, you will be in great hands with this tour! It will be a day to remember!

Response from Host, Apr 2026

Thank you so much for sharing your experience! We're really glad you had such an incredible time at Rainbow Mountain. You're absolutely right—acclimating in Cusco beforehand makes a big difference, and altitude can affect everyone differently. We're happy to hear John took great care of you and made the experience enjoyable. It’s definitely a long journey, but totally worth it! Thanks again for your recommendation—we hope to see you again on another adventure!

We had a private full day...

Steven_P, Mar 2026
We had a private full day tour with Ronald to Rainbow Mountain… we could not have gotten a better guide! Very personable which you need for a 3 hour drive .. he helped us and went along with our pace. He even helped my wife when she was short of breath. If you want to go to Rainbow Mountain , Ronald is the guide you want

Response from Host, Apr 2026

Thank you so much for your wonderful review! 😊 We’re truly happy to hear you enjoyed your private full-day tour to Rainbow Mountain with Ronald. It’s great to know he made the long drive enjoyable and adapted to your pace throughout the day. We’re especially glad he was there to support your wife when she needed help — safety, care, and comfort are always our top priorities. We really appreciate your kind recommendation and hope to welcome you again for another unforgettable experience in Peru! 🙌

John made our experience amazing

badih_s, Mar 2026
This was an awesome experience, made amazing by our tour guide John. He is knowledgeable, experienced and very caring. He took fantastic pictures and videos. I highly recommend this tour.

Response from Host, Apr 2026

Thank you so much for your kind review! 😊 We’re really happy to hear that you had an awesome experience and that John made your tour so special. It’s great to know his knowledge, experience, and caring attitude helped make your day even better, and that you enjoyed the photos and videos he took for you 📸✨ We truly appreciate your recommendation and hope to welcome you again on another adventure! 🙌

Elisvan & Yober were amazing!!!

Taryn_C, Mar 2026
Our guide, Elisvan & our driver Yober were so much fun. They were so knowledgeable and made the experience perfect! Elisvan got great photos of us and we shared so many great memories on the trip! The food at the restaurant was great and Yober was an incredible driver and made us feel so safe!

Response from Host, Apr 2026

Thank you so much for your wonderful review! 😊 We’re delighted to hear that you had such a perfect experience with Elisvan and Yober. It’s great to know that their knowledge, fun energy, and care made your trip so memorable, and that Elisvan captured great photos for you 📸✨ We’re also very happy that you enjoyed the restaurant and felt safe and comfortable with Yober’s driving throughout the journey. We truly appreciate your kind words and hope to welcome you again for more unforgettable memories! 🙌

December tour

Irina_G, Dec 2025
Very convenient and well organized tour. John is excellent guide. Please ask him as many questions as you like. Thank you!

Response from Host, Apr 2026

Thank you so much for your kind review! 😊 We’re delighted to hear that you found the tour convenient and well organized. 🌄✨ It’s wonderful that John made such a positive impression as an excellent guide and encouraged curiosity — asking questions is always a great way to enhance the experience! 🙌 We truly appreciate your feedback and hope to welcome you again for another unforgettable adventure in Peru!

Book this tour! Great experience!

Gail_B, Oct 2025
This was a great experience! I understand that the weather is a little variable in the afternoons, but not having to wait for privacy at the summit AND not having to leave the hotel at 4am made this totally amazing. I would recommend this tour to everyone just for that. But we also had an incredible tour guide who told us all about the different minerals on the mountains giving it the colors and the surrounding mountains and treks. It was amazing. I was really on the fence about doing Rainbow Mountain at all, and the mountain was lovely, but the surrounding area was really the draw for me--it's lovely. The drive was long but scenic, and the lunch exceeded all expectations! This is a great tour and you should book it!

Response from Host, Oct 2025

Thank you for such a fantastic review! We’re thrilled our later departure let you enjoy real privacy at the summit without a 4 am start, and that the weather cooperated enough to take it all in. It’s wonderful to hear how much you enjoyed learning about the minerals and colors from our guide, and that the wider Rainbow Mountain landscape won your heart—the drive is long but those scenic views and a hearty lunch make it special. Your strong recommendation means a lot to us. If you have a favorite photo, we’d love to see it. regards........

Helpful, Cheerful, well prepared

AishwaryaDhirendra_A, Jul 2025
The tour was amazing especially the driver Jover and our tour guide Alex. They came very prepared with oxygen tank and hiking sticks which we used both aa needed. Alex was very patient and made us as female travellers very secured, safe and taken care of . They even got us snacks and water and the lunch was already paid for by the tour company which was great and delicious. Alex also took lovely pictures of me and my friend. Thank you

Response from Host, Jul 2025

"Thank you so much for your kind words! We're happy Jover and Alex took great care of you and made your trip safe and enjoyable. We'll share your compliments with them!"

Excellent tour with Jhon as an excellent guide

Zoe_P, Jul 2025
We were picked up right on time, with a comfortable van and a very safe driver (whose name unfortunately escapes me at the moment). Jhon was our guide and he was very knowledgeable, and more importantly he made sure we were safe and comfortable throughout the day. The driver had cool wipes waiting for us after the hike, along with hot tea. The lunch stop was excellent. Even being physically fit and having been in Cusco a few days before we did the hike, it was still quite physically demanding at that altitude. There are horses if you aren’t quite acclimatized yet — we saw hikers suffering from altitude sickness on our way back down, so don’t hesitate to ride the horses, so that you can safely enjoy the top rather than push yourself too hard. Jhon, thank you for a great day and many memories!

Response from Host, Sep 2025

Thank you so much for your thoughtful and detailed feedback. We are delighted to know that Jhon’s knowledge, care, and attentiveness made your day both safe and memorable, and that our driver’s extra touches like cool wipes and hot tea added comfort after the hike. We truly appreciate your advice about altitude and the horse option—it’s very valuable for future travelers. It’s wonderful that you enjoyed the excellent lunch and the breathtaking views at the top. Your kind words mean a lot to us, and we look forward to welcoming you again for more unforgettable experiences in Peru. Warm regards, Edwin Pimentel

Excellent trip to the Mountain of Seven-Colors and the Red Valley

markwill99, Jun 2025
Overall, an excellent experience, notwithstanding being a very long day. Julio Cesar was a great and very informative and helpful guide and the driver was great as well. The side-trip to the Red Valley was awesome as well and is highly recommended.

Response from Host, Jul 2025

"Thank you for your wonderful feedback! We’re glad Julio Cesar and our driver made your long day enjoyable and informative. Happy to hear you loved the side trip to Red Valley—it’s definitely a highlight! We appreciate your recommendation."

Must do Tour!

Apeksha_R, Apr 2025
Amazing Tour! Our guide Rhonaldo and driver Marco were awesome. they were patient with us and answered our questions and provided helpful insights. The restaurant they take for lunch has great food too. Highly recommend!!

Response from Host, Apr 2025

You had an amazing experience! It seems like Rhonaldo and Marco made the tour really special for you. What was the highlight of the tour? And what dish did you enjoy most at the restaurant? Thank you so much for your feedback

Our Rainbow Mountain trip in Peru

Elise_Z, Sep 2024
Our guide, Jose was wonderful. He was very patient with my friend and I. We took a great deal of time walking slowly to acclimate to the change in altitude. We had a wonderful late lunch and saw many alpacas and sheep along the drive. Jose's English was excellent.

Response from Host, Sep 2024

Dear Elise, Thank you for sharing your experience with us! I’m delighted to hear that you had a wonderful time on your Rainbow Mountain tour and that Jose took such great care of you and your friend. Acclimating to the altitude is so important, and I’m glad that Jose’s patience and guidance helped make your journey comfortable and enjoyable. It’s also great to hear that you enjoyed the late lunch and the beautiful sights of alpacas and sheep along the way. Jose takes pride in his work, and I’m pleased that his excellent English added to your experience. We appreciate you choosing Peru Private Tours, and we hope to welcome you back for more memorable adventures in the future! Warm regards, Edwin Pimentel CEO & Founder Peru Private Tours

Unbelievable trip

Kirstyn_L, Aug 2024
This was an unbelievable trip. Yudi was a great host - knowledge and patient. We opted to take a horse the majority of the way and were very glad we did. Once you get off the horse the climb to the top is challenging. Lunch was lovely and the transport car was comfortable.

Response from Host, Sep 2024

Dear Kirstyn, Thank you for your wonderful review! I’m thrilled to hear that your Luxury Rainbow Mountain Tour was an unbelievable experience. Yudi will be especially pleased to know that her knowledge and patience made your journey even more enjoyable. Taking a horse for the majority of the trek is a great choice, especially given the challenging climb at higher altitudes. I'm glad that option helped make your experience more comfortable while still allowing you to take in the breathtaking views at the top. It’s also great to know that you found the lunch delightful and the transport comfortable—these details are all part of our commitment to providing a luxury experience from start to finish. We hope to have the pleasure of guiding you on another adventure in Peru soon. Warm regards, Edwin Pimentel CEO & Founder Peru Private Tours

Save time and energy with this tour

Larry_H, Jul 2024
The trip is very convenient when you don’t want to wake up at 4am for sights which are hours away by bus. The guide was excellent and assisted with photos when we needed pictures of the two of us. The guide also provided coca tea, candies and sprays to help with any altitude issues you may experience. The lunch was provided at a modern restaurant and you are provided several great choices for your meals. The meals were ideal. The snack bags contained a decent amount of food and a big bottle of water. The driver was careful and the car clean and fresh. But… be aware that the tour operator does not rent the horses, so the prices shown by the tour operator for the horses are not reliable as the vendors can change the prices based upon the time of day or whether they consider you heavy for the horse. Just expect to pay more and make sure you bring enough cash since the vendors are indigenous who don’t take credit cards. I do highly recommend the horses as you only have to travel very short distances to tire extremely fast at these extremely high altitudes… And it will give you more time for taking pictures, instead of catching your breath. You aren’t in control of the horse; you just hold on and ride the horse up with its vendor walking and holding the horse’s reins ahead of you. There is also an option to ride as a passenger on the back of a motorcycle. Pricing is comparable to the horses. Also be aware that the horses and motorcycles don’t take you all the way up the mountain, so there will still be some walking to the picturesque points, but they do take you most of the way up the otherwise very long and tiring walk and that’s what matters the most.

Response from Host, Aug 2024

Dear Larry, Thank you for taking the time to share your detailed feedback about your trip! I’m delighted to hear that you found the tour convenient and appreciated the care provided by our guide and driver. It’s great to know that the coca tea, candies, and altitude sprays were helpful, and that the lunch and snack provisions met your expectations. I also appreciate your insights regarding the horse rental and vendor pricing. I understand that the variability in horse rental prices and the need for cash can be a concern. Your advice about the horses and alternative transportation options is very valuable and will help future travelers make informed decisions. Thank you for your high recommendation and for highlighting the aspects of the tour that made it enjoyable. We are always looking to improve, and your feedback helps us in that process. If you have any more suggestions or need further assistance, please feel free to reach out. Best regards, Edwin Pimentel CEO and Founder Peru Private Tours

Frank is the BEST tour guide

Len_P, Sep 2022
Frank gave us the best private tour we have ever had. He was wonderful and we loved his excellent explanations and details. He planned a super tour and made every moment a fantastic memory. We highly recommend Frank as a tour guide and Viator as a tour company.

Response from Host, Oct 2022

Hello dear Len, Thank you very much for taking time to write a review, we are happy to know you enyoued our service. we will keep working hard to provide unique experiences

Gran experiencia con muchas sorpresas

Isai_G, Nov 2022
Excelente experiencia en la montaña, aunque pudimos ver pocos colores ya que había hielo por la temporada. El guía fantástico siempre pendiente de nosotros y muy profesional. La comida fue la mayor sorpresa, estuvo excelente y con un escenario magnífico porque no sabíamos era así, la atención del dueño del restaurante Vinicunca fue increíble. Lo volveríamos a hacer. Recomendamos dar más detalles del tour, explicar la dificultad en la caminata porque si exige una condición física para subir.

Response from Host, May 2023

Estimado Isai, ¡Gracias por compartir tu excelente experiencia en la montaña y por otorgarnos 5 estrellas! Aunque encontramos hielo en la temporada, nos complace saber que tuviste una experiencia fantástica. Apreciamos tus comentarios positivos sobre nuestro guía, quien estuvo pendiente de ustedes en todo momento y demostró gran profesionalismo. Nuestro equipo se esfuerza por brindar un servicio de calidad y asegurarse de que nuestros huéspedes se sientan atendidos y seguros. Nos alegra que la comida haya sido una grata sorpresa para ti. Nos esforzamos por ofrecer una experiencia culinaria de primera calidad y en un entorno magnífico. Nos complace saber que el dueño del restaurante Vinicunca brindó una atención increíble durante tu visita. Es maravilloso escuchar que volverías a realizar el tour. Estaremos encantados de recibirte nuevamente y ofrecerte otra experiencia inolvidable. Agradecemos tus recomendaciones sobre brindar más detalles del tour y explicar la dificultad de la caminata. Tomaremos en cuenta tus comentarios para mejorar nuestra comunicación y asegurarnos de que nuestros clientes estén informados sobre los requerimientos físicos y desafíos que implica la subida. ¡Esperamos tener la oportunidad de servirte nuevamente en el futuro! Saludos cordiales, Edwin Pimentel Gerente, Agencia de Viajes Peru Private Tours

La Mejor Excursion

Victor_Y, Oct 2022
Excelente servicio la mejor atención posible , el lugar impresionante, sin dudar alguno la mejor excursion de Peru q pude haber tomado, sumamente puntuales y amables

Response from Host, Oct 2022

Estimado Victor, Muchas gracias por su recomendación, estamos felices de saber que le encanto nuestros servicio y la opción de ir a la montaña en la tarde + el almuerzo picnic. seguimos trabajando para experiencias unicas

From $139.00

per person

up to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)

Book ahead!
On average, this is booked 49 days in advance.

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