The 15 Best Rainbow Mountain Tours from Cusco

1.Vinicunca Rainbow Mountain ATV Tour with Meals

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 1,060 reviews · 12 - 14 hours · from $76Our pick

Ride an automatic ATV from Kayrawiri toward Vinicunca, then walk to the famous striped summit at about 5,000 meters. Guides such as Cesar, Jose, Abel, and Angie handle safety, altitude checks, photos, and bilingual explanations. Breakfast and lunch are included, but bring warm layers and budget 25 soles for entry.

“Great trip, fantastic experience on the ATVs and felt safe the entire time. Breakfast and lunch were also good, good selection of food and the transport was good. The walk up to rainbow mountain after the atv can be quite tough with altitude but if you take your time more than doable for those with average fitness. Overall experience was great, was back in Cusco around 5pm after 4am start. Would recommend for a unique experience to rainbow mountain, the guide was excellent”

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2.Rainbow Mountain Tour and Red Valley Hike (Optional)

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 149 reviews · from $29Best value

Travel from Cusco to Vinicunca with a bilingual guide, breakfast, lunch, transport, and an optional Red Valley hike. Guides such as David, Fredy, Joel, and Gorky are praised for patient support. The 5,020-meter hike is demanding, and the usual access route may be limited, so check current conditions before booking.

“Had the most amazing time! I can totally recommend this company because they really value your feedback. Our guide, Joel, was translating all the information into English just for me, considering I was the only non-Spanish speaker on the bus. Everything was perfect, from the smooth transport to the delicious food (with plenty of vegetarian choices) and the super enjoyable hike up the mountain. Highly recommend. P.S. Note for Joel: Aconcagua - 6,961 m, Everest - 8,849 m, Ausangate - 6,384 m”

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3.Private Rainbow Mountain Full Day Tour from Cusco

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 129 reviews · 12 hours (approx.) · from $119Top rated

Leave Cusco around 3:00 a.m. for a private hike to Vinicunca, with breakfast and buffet lunch in Cusipata. Your English or Spanish-speaking guide, such as David, Darwin, Luis, or Carlos, stays with your group, explains local life, and helps you manage the steep high-altitude walk. Red Valley costs an extra 30 soles.

“This was a very exciting and well planed out trip! I would highly recommend using their service for rainbow mountain. Thank you so much”

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4.Full-Day Rainbow Mountain & Red Valley Trekking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 121 reviews · 1 day · from $145

Travel from Cusco to Phulawasipata, then hike about 1.5 hours to Rainbow Mountain at 5,036 meters. Continue toward Red Valley, with views of Ausangate and Andes wildlife. A bilingual guide, transport, breakfast, lunch, oxygen, and a first aid kit are included. The group can reach 15 people, though some departures are smaller.

“Escursione? Sostanzialmente è stato un servizio di transfer. Nessuna spiegazione dalla guida che non ci ha seguiti durante il tragitto. Inoltre, si è persa un turista causando un ora di ritardo a tutto il gruppo. Infine, non è stato dato il tempo per visitare la red valley.”

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5.Rainbow Mountain ATV Tour with meals

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 121 reviews · 10 - 12 hours · from $65

Leave Cusco before dawn for a small-group ATV trip to Rainbow Mountain. After breakfast in Cusipata, ride about 25 minutes through red mountains and alpaca country to the viewpoint, with a bilingual guide such as Edgar or Angie. Lunch, transport, fuel, and equipment are included. Bring warm layers and 25 soles for the community entrance fee.

“Today we visited the Rainbow Mountains and it was a truly amazing experience, made even more special thanks to our guide, Angie. She was always attentive to each one of us, present every step of the way with care and discretion, and guided us with both professionalism and warmth. Angie shared the history and curiosities of the place with passion, encouraged us during the tougher parts of the hike, and made sure everyone was feeling well – always with a smile on her face. An excellent guide in every sense: knowledgeable, empathetic, and genuinely passionate. Thank you, Angie – you were a key part of a day we’ll never forget!”

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6.Rainbow Mountain & Red Valley Premium Tour with picnic

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 102 reviews · 12 hours (approx.) · from $190

Leave Cusco before dawn for Vinicunca, Peru’s famous Rainbow Mountain. This 12-hour small-group tour includes hotel transport, breakfast, snacks, buffet lunch, a local guide, and a 30-minute walk into Red Valley. Guides such as Jose have helped make the day memorable, while the chef-prepared meals add real comfort to a demanding outing.

“Our guide, Jose, our meals and the staff who helped prep everything — our entire experience was AMAZING. This was the best time we had during our trip. It could not have been better.”

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7.Rainbow Mountain Trek

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 98 reviews · 16 hours · from $61

Leave Cusco around 4:00 AM for a demanding high-altitude trek to Rainbow Mountain. Walk past alpacas, llamas, red hills, local homes, and Ausangate views before reaching 5,020 meters. Your small group includes an English or Spanish-speaking guide, breakfast, lunch, poles, first aid, and oxygen.

“Es war ein guter Ausflug, allerdings habe ich die Beschreibung missverstanden, ich dachten wandert ca.3 h hin un 2 h zurück, es waren aber nur 3h insgesamt zum Wandern. Außerdem hat mir die Information gefehlt, dass man zum red valley auch noch gehen kann für 30 Soles zusätzlich. Hätte gerne mehr Zeit gehabt am Vinicunca und Red Valley. Ansonsten hat aber alles gepasst.”

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8.Private Palccoyo Rainbow Hike Without the Crowds

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 86 reviews · 12 hours (approx.) · from $199

Leave Cusco before dawn for Palccoyo, a quieter alternative to Vinicunca. A local guide leads you toward three rainbow mountains, with an optional stone forest walk and valley views. Breakfast, lunch, transport, hiking poles, oxygen, and a possible alpaca companion are included. The hike reaches about 4,900 meters, so acclimatization matters.

“We had a fantastic time exploring Palcoyo, thanks to our experienced guide, Jesús Carrion. The tour started promptly, and Jesús took great care of us throughout the day. Although the walk to Palcoyo, also known as the alternative Rainbow Mountain, was relatively easy and moderate, the high altitude of 4900m caused my husband to feel short of breath. Jesús made a concerted effort to ensure his well-being while also keeping an eye on the rest of the group. Compared to Vinicunca, Palcoyo was noticeably less crowded, and it offered breathtaking views of three rainbow mountains, the red valley, and the stone forest. Unfortunately, we had to skip the stone forest…”

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9.Full Day Rainbow Mountain & Red Valley View Point Tour from Cusco

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 75 reviews · 14 hours (approx.) · from $98

Start with early hotel pickup in Cusco, then ride by air-conditioned minivan to Rainbow Mountain. Hike toward Vinicunca, add the Red Valley route, and look for alpacas, glaciers, native plants, and Quechua communities. Guides have included Alfredo, Stephen, Julian, and Romario. Breakfast and lunch are included, but entrance fees are extra.

“Our guide was Alfredo and it was just me and my wife for the hike as others had cancelled the trip at the last moment. We had a very good experience hiking up the rainbow mountain. We learnt a lot of things on the way about different plantations and animals around the area. About the glaciers and lots more.”

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10.Rainbow Mountain Full-Day Tour from Cusco + Small Group!

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 73 reviews · 13 hours (approx.) · from $116

Leave Cusco at 4 a.m. for Vinicunca, with breakfast in Cusipata, transport to Phulawasipata, and a guided 3.5-kilometer uphill walk. You’ll see Hatun Ritti Glacier, alpacas, llamas, and high mountain lakes before returning for lunch. The group is capped at 18 people, with English and Spanish guiding, oxygen, and first aid available.

“We opted to visit Palccoyo , the lesser known Rainbow Mountain. The hike is a bit shorter and easier, but you still reach 5000 m. I recommend this hike, his particular mountain, if you are unsure if you can do the longer hike in this altitude. It is a very beautiful hike and a must-do.”

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11.Rainbow Mountain Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 72 reviews · 1 day (approx.) · from $90

Leave Cusco at 3:40 a.m. for Vinicunca, hiking from Llactoc village to the 5,036-meter summit. A guide explains the colored rock bands, Ausangate, and local life. Breakfast, lunch, transport, and the main entrance are included. Red Valley costs an extra $7, and the shared group has up to 10 people.

“Lovely tour - arrived early in the morning to beat some of the crowds. Our guide and driver were awesome! Must do activity when in Cusco, it’s the most beautiful place.”

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12.Colorful Mountain In The Cusco Region

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 71 reviews · 12 hours (approx.) · from $45

Leave Cusco at 4:30 am for Vinicunca, the famous Mountain of Colors. A bilingual guide leads the 1.5-hour uphill walk from 4,600 meters to 5,036 meters, with breakfast, buffet lunch, transport, walking sticks, first aid, and oxygen included. The 18-person tour returns around 4:30 pm.

“Great experience we liked Jefferson our tour guide!! But we had no idea how long of a walk up a steep mountain it was; no joke!!!! Many people had headaches 17,100 feet high is serious. Prepárate bien y trae bloqueador y pastillas para dolor de cabeza y una grande botella de agua o dos botellas.”

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13.Mountain of colors and red valley on ATVs

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 66 reviews · 11 hours · from $68

Leave Cusco at 3:30 AM for an ATV ride through the Red Valley, followed by a walk to Rainbow Mountain. Breakfast and lunch are included, with guides speaking English, Spanish, or Portuguese. Oxygen and first aid are provided. You can also pay local villagers for a motorcycle ride closer to the summit.

“What a day! I won’t lie, we were absolutely dreading the 3:30am start, but it was so worth it. The drive to the ATV centre is quite long, however it is a good chance to have a nap if you can. The ATV driving was really fun and we saw some great scenery. The rainbow mountain is amazing and the guides are right to get you there so early, as there is a lot less people there before 9am! Be careful with the altitude, but the guide does bring oxygen if needed! The optional red valley trek is challenging, however the views at the top were amazing. Food was okay,…”

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14.Vinicunca Rainbow Mountain Full-Day Tour from Cusco

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 66 reviews · 16 hours (approx.) · from $99

You’ll leave Cusco at 4:00 a.m. for Vinicunca, hiking 4 kilometers from 4,800 to 5,000 meters with a local guide. The $99 price includes hotel pickup, transport, admission, breakfast in Cusipata, and lunch. Expect dramatic views of Ausangate, cold weather, thin air, and a demanding return trip.

“This was an incredible experience! The hike is challenging, but totally doable, you just have to take your time - our guide was extremely patient with us, and allowed each person in the group to move at their own pace. She even walked my wife down to the basecamp when she was not feeling well, and then made her way back up to meet us as we were making our descent. Totally worth the trip!”

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15.PRIVATE Palccoyo Rainbow Mountain tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 65 reviews · 11 hours (approx.) · from $225

Travel privately from Cusco to Palccoyo for three colorful peaks, views of Ausangate, free-roaming alpacas, and a colonial bridge at Checacupe. The tour includes hotel pickup, private transport, a guide, and a local buffet lunch. Jenny and Luis have been praised for their friendly service, though rough roads and the $225 price deserve thought.

“This mountain area is spectacular. It perhaps should be known as Rainbow Mountain 2 as it is not the one of instagram fame but I believe this experience far surpasses that one from what I’ve heard. This is a an amazing area with terraced mountains, free Alpaca roaming and painted mountains. It surpasses my expectation. I would recommend this trip to anyone if nature is what you’re after and not a tourist nightmare;) Be aware that It is remote and gravel road for a large part of it. A shout out to Jenny our guide and Luis our driver. They were both charming, easygoing and excellent.”

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