Excursion to Rainbow Mountain From Cusco | Private Service |

Recommended by 98% of travelers

Badge of Excellence

Cusco, Peru

12 hours (approx.)
Pickup offered
Group discounts
Mobile ticket
Offered in: English

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Overview

An early start is essential to beat the crowds to Vinicunca, or Rainbow Mountain, as it’s better known. Head off early from your Cusco hotel for the town of Cusipata, where your guide will give you a safety briefing. You’ll then begin your 6-hour hike to the 7-color mountain viewpoint. During the trek, you’ll pass through a variety of ecosystems including the Ausangate Valley, home to a number of South American camelids, such as alpacas and vicunas. Take in the stunning views of the valley, dotted with small lakes, and the Ausangate Glacier, before reaching the colorful mountain. Admire the views from the 7-color mountain viewpoint, and take plenty of photographs, before returning to the starting point for a buffet lunch. You’ll then return to your Cusco hotel, arriving back in the early evening.

No need to check out of your Cusco hotel and find accomodation near the hike: this tour gets you there and back in a day
See now-capped peaks, glaciers, herds of llamas and alpacas
Maximum flexibility: this tour runs every day year-round
Don't get slowed down or rushed by other hikers on this private hiking tour

What's Included

Private transportation
Breakfast
Lunch
Private tour guide
oxygen assisting
walk stick

ENTRANCE FREE

Meeting and Pickup

Pickup points

Select a pickup point

Pickup details

Pick up from hotel OR Airbnb.

Itinerary

Cusipata

6 hours • Admission Ticket Free

Vinicunca Mountain

1 hour • Admission Ticket Free

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Not wheelchair accessible
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

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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)

Reviews

4.9

based on 177 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

We perform checks on reviews

Five Star Destination, Go with a Different Tour Group

Neil_H, Jun 2026

Importantly, the low rating is not due to the destination. Definitely go to Rainbow Mountain. It was stunning. Just go with a different company. First, I tried to contact them multiple times to confirm our pickup without any answer. I finally had our Viater to contact them and then did they communicate with me. We left at 3AM and hoped to be one of the first people there. Unfortunately, we stopped for breakfast and waited for a half hour for the restaurant to open. We didn’t even want breakfast, but it became clear that free breakfast was part of the deal for the driver and guide. So, we sat in a restaurant for an hour so they could eat. We left the restaurant, but they left something and we had to return. As result, we arrived with the crowds. We purchased a national park entry fee as we entered the park. When we left to hike up to Rainbow Mountain, I asked if we needed to bring anything. He said water and sun protection. After going Rainbow Mountain, he offered to hike 2km over to see the Red Valley. We did this only to get turned back by a park ranger saying we needed to pay extra soles. I left my wallet in the locked locked vehicle. I brought the park pass, but he said it was a different park. Our guide either didn’t have the money to lend us or just wouldn’t. So we hiked back and didn’t get to see the Red Valley. Then on the way back, he kept asking us to fill out an internet review right in the car in the middle of nowhere.

Response from Host, Jul 2026

Dear Guest, Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback. We are pleased to know that, despite the concerns mentioned, you were able to enjoy the breathtaking beauty of Rainbow Mountain, one of Peru's most spectacular natural destinations. We would like to clarify a few important points to provide context for future travelers. Our tour begins at approximately 3:00 AM, which means that both our driver and guide start their workday very early and, just like our guests, have not yet had breakfast. The breakfast stop is part of our published itinerary and is included for all participants, including our staff. Additionally, once the journey continues toward Rainbow Mountain, there are no places available to have breakfast. According to our guide's report, the stop lasted approximately 15 minutes, after which the tour continued as scheduled. Regarding Red Valley, we would like to clarify that this attraction is not included in the tour that was booked. It is a privately managed attraction operated by the local community and requires a separate entrance fee. One day before the tour, we informed you that it was important to bring cash for personal expenses or optional entrance fees. In an effort to enhance your experience, our guide offered you the opportunity to visit Red Valley as an optional stop, even though it was not included in the contracted itinerary. We are sorry that this situation led to a different perception of the experience. Our commitment is always to provide a transparent, well-organized, and high-quality service while ensuring that every traveler enjoys their visit to the fullest. Thank you once again for your feedback. It helps us continue improving both our service and the information we provide to future travelers. Sincerely, Machu Picchu Journey

Fantastic Private Tour with Alex – Worth the Final Push!

Pat_L, Apr 2026

We had a fantastic experience on this private tour. Our guide, Alex, was great and made the logistics seamless. Our pickup was at 8:00 AM, and the drive was roughly 2.5 hours each way. Because of our timing, we were among the last hikers on the trail, which actually made the experience feel more exclusive. Be prepared for a very steep climb at the very end—it's a challenge, but you will feel incredibly proud of yourself once you reach the top. Highly recommended!

Go with someone else

Scott_F, Oct 2025

They didn't show up as scheduled and waited 2 hours past the time of pick up to tell us they weren't coming. We had to get a taxi to take us. Wouldn't recommend

We had a great visit to...

Ellen_R, May 2025

We had a great visit to Rainbow Mountain with Alberto and Disbon - highly recommend working with them. The drive there was v challenging but Disbon was a great, aggressive and safe driver! Likewise the hike was challenging but the view was sensational from the summit. Alberto our tour guide was very informative and answered all our Qs. He was also v patient w our slow pace of hiking. Great guide and experience!

Incredible Private Tour to Rainbow Mountain – Highly Recommend!

Jolyn_G, May 2025

We booked a private tour to Rainbow Mountain to ensure we’d be back in Cusco in time for our 7pm flight, and the experience exceeded all expectations. The company was incredibly flexible and arranged a 4am hotel pickup to give us plenty of time. We were promptly greeted at our hotel and given cozy blankets for the 3-hour drive, which made the early morning start much more comfortable. Our first stop was a quaint town where we enjoyed a quick and tasty breakfast buffet — a perfect way to fuel up before the hike. Be prepared: the elevation at Rainbow Mountain is intense. Thankfully, horses were available for a reasonable fee (make sure to bring local currency), and we opted to ride them on the way up, then hiked down to really take in the views. One of the highlights of the tour was the unexpected visit to the Red Valley, which was absolutely stunning — I thought it was even more breathtaking than Rainbow Mountain itself. We wrapped up with a delicious lunch back at the same restaurant from breakfast and made it back to Cusco by 2pm — plenty of time to relax before our evening flight. The whole experience was well-organized, thoughtful, and seamless. If you’re looking for a hassle-free and memorable way to visit Rainbow Mountain, this private tour is the way to go!

Stunning landscapes

Sukhi_K, Sep 2024

Our guide, Robinson, was absolutely fantastic and made our trip truly memorable. Our driver Edwardo was also very nice and accommodating. We found that booking a private tour was well worth the extra cost compared to the standard, more affordable options, especially since we highly value time and flexibility. We were able to leave around 4:45 AM after waking up a bit late, and there was no waiting around for anyone. Thanks to this personalised experience, we were back at our hotel by 3 PM, feeling satisfied and fulfilled.

Experiencia inolvidable

Julio_C, Sep 2023

Nuestra guía Katy fue lo máximo. Nos ha encantado todo el viaje, vale completamente la pena. Recomendado.

Response from Host, Sep 2023

Agradecemos mucho tu opinión. Fue un placer para nosotros formar parte de esta aventura. Todo el equipo de Machu Picchu Journey está muy contento con su opinión, nos motiva a seguir trabajando para brindar este tipo de experiencias Hasta la próxima.

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