The Rainbow Mountain is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Cusco. The tour to this destination that most visitors prefer is the classic 1-day route, which includes everything necessary for the adventure: hotel pick-up, tour guide, entrance to the mountain, full round-trip transportation as well as breakfast and lunch at a local tourist restaurant. This tour lasts approximately 12 hours. It starts at 5 in the morning and ends at 5 in the afternoon on average. This is one of the most economical and preferred tours by tourists who come to Cusco.
Tour details
- Duration: 1 day (12 hours).
- Includes: hotel pick-up, full transportation, guide, entrance fees as well as breakfast and lunch in tourist restaurants.
- Not included: horse transportation.
- Payment: 100% secure with any credit or debit card.
- Confirmation: immediate.
- Safety: all the protocols for a safe trip.
- Entrance: entrance to Vinicunca.
- Group: 4 to 16 people maximum.
Summary
| Difficulty |  |
| Walking distance | 4 kilometers (2.4 miles). |
| Maximum altitude | Vinicunca (5,200 meters above sea level). |
| Minimum altitude | Cusipata (3,310 meters above sea level). |
| Maximum temperature during the tour | Cusipata (from 15ºC. to 21ºC.). |
| Minimum temperature during the tour | Vinicunca (from 4ºC to 8ºC). |
| Breakfast | In Cusipata tourist restaurant (buffet style). |
| Lunch | In Cusipata tourist restaurant (buffet style). |
| Itinerary | |
Day 1 Cusco | Vinicunca | Cusco
| |
Itinerary
The tour to the Humantay lagoon lasts 2 days. It begins with the pick-up of the tourist at their hotel in Cusco (at approximately 5 am). Then, they travel by minivan to Mollepata where they have breakfast. There, the hike to Soraypampa begins. That day, they visit Humantay and sleep in a lodge in Soraypampa. Day 2 is the visit to the Salkantay pass and the return to Cusco.
Cusco | Vinicunca | Cusco
From Cusco to Cusipata
- The tour begins with the pick-up of the tourist (around 5 am) at the door of their hotel located in the historic center of Cusco.
- The trip then takes place in a tourist minivan to the town of Cusipata. This first part of the trip takes approximately 2 hours.
Breakfast and drive to Phulawasipata
- In the town of Cusipata, tourists will enjoy a nutritious buffet breakfast at a local restaurant. Breakfast consists of breads, infusions, fried or scrambled eggs, butter, jam, hot infusions (such as coca tea) and more. Tourists will have approximately 1 hour to have breakfast.
- After breakfast, the journey by tourist transport continues for approximately 1 hour. The journey takes only 1 hour on average. The visitor will see how the geography becomes more mountainous. The final destination is the community of Phulawasipata, located more than 4 thousand meters above sea level.
Hike to Vinicunca
- In Phulawasipata begins the arduous 6-kilometer hike (with ascents, descents and flat areas) to Vinicunca, the 7-color mountain. The hike takes 2 hours on average. Although most tourists complete the hike on foot, a few will need to rent a horse (not included in the tour) with a muleteer who will drive them to the top.
- At Vinicunca, tourists will receive details from the tour guide who will accompany them throughout the route. They will also have free time to enjoy this unique landscape. Of course, they will also be able to take the classic postcard photos in the mountains.
Return to Phulawasipata and journey to Cusipata
- At the time indicated by the tour guide, it is time to return on foot to Phulawasipata. Optionally (for an extra fee) tourists can request a horse for the return leg at the same place.
- Then you must board the minivan bound for the town of Cusipata.
Lunch and trip to Cusco
- In the town of Cusipata you will enjoy a delicious buffet lunch (with salads, hot soups, meats, rice, pasta, sauces, hot infusions and more).
- Finally, you will return by minivan to the city of Cusco. The tour ends at approximately 5 p.m.
Prices
Find out the prices for the all-inclusive 1-day Rainbow Mountain tour.
7 Colors Mountain Tour – SHARED SERVICE | Price per person |
|---|---|
| Price | 35 USD |
7 Colors Mountain Tour – PRIVATE SERVICE | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of passengers | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 or more |
| Price | 130 USD | 100 USD | 80 USD | 70 USD | 60 USD | 55 USD | 50 USD |
More information about what is included and what is not included in the tour
Find out what is and isn’t included in the Rainbow Mountain tour. Also find out about the options (not included) in the tour and what you should bring on this adventure.
| What’s included? | What’s not included? | Optional on the tour* | What to bring? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pick up from hotel. | Pick up from the airport. | Horses to reach the mountain. | Comfortable clothing for trekking (in layers). |
| Full transport. | Horses to reach the mountain. | Photos with flames. | Rain poncho. |
| Professional guide (Spanish or English). | Snacks and drinks. | Coca tea on the walk. | Gloves and scarves. |
| Entrance to the mountain. | Dinner. | Alpaca cracklings at Vinicunca. | Durable trekking shoes. |
| Buffet breakfast and lunch. | Phone calls. | Tour guide in another language (private). | Sunscreen/sunglasses. |
| Trekking poles. | Accident insurance. | Non-hot drinks at lunch. | Documents and cash. |
*For an additional cost.
Frequently Asked Questions
These are the questions that tourists interested in the 1-day Rainbow Mountain tour ask themselves. Do you have questions? Send us your questions to info@caminoincamachupicchu.org
1. Can I cancel the tour?
Yes, you can cancel the tour by sending a request to info@caminoincamachupicchu.org. The last deadline is 3 days before. Cancellation has a penalty of 35% of the amount paid (65% of the tour value will be refunded).
2. Can I change the date of the tour?
Yes, you can change the date or name of the tour by sending a request to info@caminoincamachupicchu.org. The last deadline is 3 days before. The change has a penalty of 25% of the amount paid (from 3 to 5 days before). If you make the request before 5 days, there is no penalty.
3. What age group of people can take the tour?
The tour is open to people of any age. However, it is recommended for people over 8 years old and older adults in good physical condition (especially heart condition).
4. Does the tour include trekking poles?
Yes, the tour includes simple walking sticks for the final hike to Rainbow Mountain.
5. Are there bathrooms at Vinicunca?
Yes, along the route to the Mountain of 7 Colors there are simple toilets for the cost of 1 Peruvian sol.
6. When is it recommended to do this tour?
The tour can be done any day of the year. It is recommended to visit during the dry season (from April to October).
7. Is the Rainbow Mountain open all year round?
Yes, Vinicunca is open every day of the year except in cases of protests (route closure) or natural disasters (unlikely).
8. Is visiting the Rainbow Mountain dangerous?
No, the route is safe. However, due to the 5,000-meter altitude, it is recommended that visitors be in good heart health.
9. How much does the tour cost?
You can review the prices in our reservation form at the top of this page.
10. What are the tourist restaurants like on the tour?
The tour includes a buffet lunch and breakfast at a local restaurant in the village of Cusipata. Breakfast consists of breads, infusions, fried or scrambled eggs, butter, jam, hot infusions (such as coca tea) and more. Lunch consists of salads, hot soups, meats, rice, pasta, sauces, hot infusions and more.
11. What language is the tour guide service in?
The tour guide service is carried out in a shared service (with a group of tourists) in Spanish or English. For a service in another language, a private service must be requested.
12. How to get a horse on the Rainbow Mountain tour?
The tour does not include the transfer service to Vinicunca on horseback. This must be requested on the mountain itself with the local residents for an approximate cost of 90 soles (round trip) and 60 soles (one way).
We are part of MACHUPICCHU TERRA, Travel agency and tour operator authorized to operate the Inca Trail and other hiking routes in Cusco. Our authorization code is "CI1578".
We have the certificate CALTUR, which recognizes the application of good management practices for the service of travel and tourism agencies. We offer a proven quality service!
Machupicchu Terra received the ‘Safe Travels’ seal for its compliance with all the control and prevention protocols against Covid 19. Travel in complete safety!