Things To Know Before Hiking Rainbow Mountain

Things To Know Before Hiking Rainbow Mountain | Peru

In recent years, Rainbow Mountain has become one of the main attractions of Cusco. Before 2014, almost nobody visited the mountain. These days the colourful mountain is everywhere on Instagram, creating FOMO and dreams of adventure. We won’t hide that it is a marvellous place. But at this altitude (5,200 masl), it is best to be aware of what it really means to hike there.

In this blog post, we answer the most frequently asked questions about Rainbow Mountain. What is Rainbow Mountain and how can you visit it? Is it really worth the effort? What do you need to bring and how should you prepare? How is tourism affecting the area? We will even share the details of our visit at the end of the article if you are interested in reading about our experience visiting Rainbow Mountain from Cusco.

HIKING THE RAINBOW MOUNTAIN – All you need to know

What’s Rainbow Mountain?

The Rainbow Mountain, also known Las Montanas de Las Siete Colores in Spanish or Vinicunca in local languages, is a stunning geological wonder located in the Andes of Peru. It gained significant popularity in recent years as a must-see destination for travellers and hikers.

The mountain’s distinct and vibrant colours are a result of various mineral deposits shaped by the tectonic movements of the Andes formation. The predominant colours include shades of red, pink, yellow, green, and blue, creating a mesmerizing and picturesque landscape.

Rainbow Mountain is situated at high-altitude, reaching over 5,000 meters (16,400 feet) above sea level, making the journey to the site quite challenging. Most visitors begin their trek from the town of Cusco or the Sacred Valley and take a full-day or multi-day hike to reach the mountain.

The hike can be physically demanding due to the high altitude, so it is essential for visitors to be well-prepared and acclimatized to the elevation. We will cover all of this in more detail below.

How did Rainbow Mountain form?

Rainbow Mountain formation began million years ago with the accumulation of sediments such as iron, copper, or manganese. Due to tectonic plate movements, the Andes mountain range was uplifted, exposing these sedimentary rocks to the surface. During that process, the rocks experienced pressure and folding from tectonic forces, creating the mountain’s distinctive wavy patterns.

With climate change, the ice cap at the top of the mountain started to melt, causing the colourful stripes underneath to be revealed to the naked eye. Believe it or not, but until 2013 the colourful mountains were unknown, even to the locals.

Where is Rainbow Mountain in Peru?

Rainbow Mountain is situated in the Ausangate region, 3.5 hours drive from Cusco, Peru. It stands at more than 5,000 meters above sea level, making the visit quite challenging for those who are not used to high altitudes or who have not acclimatised properly.

How to get to Rainbow Mountain?

At first, Rainbow Mountain used to only be reachable after a challenging 5 to 6-day trek along the famous Ausangate Trek, which takes its name from the Ausangate mountain and glacier overlooking the valley at 6,384 m. 

With the increasing tourism in Peru, locals worked out a quicker way to bring visitors to this landmark. These days, Rainbow Mountain is accessible by car, followed by a 1 to 2-hour uphill walk. This ease of access allowed up to 1,000 visitors per day in 2017. It is now a simple day trip from Cusco, accessible by almost everyone.

To get to Rainbow Mountain, most visitors start their journey from Cusco and travel to the small village of Cusipata or Quesiuno, which is the usual starting point for the hike. The most popular and easier way is to take a day tour from Cusco with a guide but it is not impossible to visit on your own.

Self-guided hike to the Rainbow Mountain

If you prefer to visit Rainbow Mountain without a guide, it is possible. Without access to your own car, it will require a lot of preparation and time as it is not easy to get there by public transport.

1. Take a bus from Cusco to Cusipata. You will need to catch buses heading to Sicuani but get off at Cusipata town. The buses are located at Avenida Manco Capac N ° 802. Make sure to double-check a few days ahead what the departure times are. the Journey should take about 2.5 hours.
2. From Cusipata, you can reach Llaqto by taxi or Colectivo. It usually takes 40 to 45 min. The taxi ride costs about 30 Soles, while the Colectivo should charge just about 5 Soles.
3. Before hiking to Rainbow Moutain, confirm what time the Colectivo leave Llaqto and make sure to be back on time.
4. You will have to pay a community entrance fee of 10 soles upon arriving at the start of the trail. Make sure to also bring food and water with you.

Join a guide tour

I personally chose to take a tour even if I am usually a adepte of DIY hikes! I was slightly worried about the altitude, even after spending a month above 4,000 m, and having a guide carrying oxygen was an important factor for me.

Now, to join a tour you do not need to book anything online. This is valid for everything in South America (except the Inca Trail which you must book 6 months ahead). You will pay 2 to 3 times more than at wht an agency in Cusco town will ask for (if well negociated).

In Cusco, a day tour of Rainbow Mountain with transport (6 hours return by minivan with pick up at your hotel and drop off near the centre of town), breakfast and lunch (buffet) shouldn’t cost more than 70 soles (with the entrance included). Usually the entry fee isn’t included and should be paid directly to the community on-site and costs 10 soles per person.

Note: most of the agencies you buy the tour from are not the ones taking you there. That doesn’t mean it is bad since you will be “sold” to one of the few local companies in charge of this tour. They are well organised and very efficient.

However, if you are visiting Peru for a couple of weeks and are short on time, it is definetaly better to book a tour online. Here is the tour we would recommend! Use the below tool to check the availability and book online:

Alternatively you can also book a ATV (quad) tour to Rainbow Mountain, one that included Red Valley or even a mutli day trip with machu Picchu, Ollantaytambo and the Sacred Valley.

Is Rainbow Mountain a tough hike?

Once at the car park, the easiest part is behind you. From there, you need to get to the viewpoint to see the unravelling of the colours of the mountain. But this is not an easy task.

Despite a relatively easy uphill path that only gets really steep towards the end, the walk can be considered difficult because of the altitude. At the car park, you are already 200 m above Mont Blanc (4,810 m), the highest peak of the Alps, and yet, you have to hike up to 5,200 m, only 189 m below Mt Everest Basecamp!

It gives us vertigo, just thinking about it!

Visiting the Rainbow Mountain is challenging, however, not insurmountable. If you prepare yourself correctly, you should be fine.

How to prepare to go hiking Rainbow Moutain?

Disclaimer: We are not doctors, below is the advice we were given and that worked for us. These tips shouldn’t prevent you from talking about your intent to hike at high altitude with your doctor as it is not advisable for some people. It is a very important subject that cannot be taken lightly.

At 5,000 metre above see level, the atmosphere is so thin the body cannot take in and carry enough oxygen needed by the organs to work properly. It makes you breathless and tired.

We have seen people in our group puking and passing out. This being said, with a bit of preparation and time, you might get away, like us, with no major issues. Here are our tips to prepare for the Rainbow Mountain hike:

• Do NOT hop off the plane in Cusco and join a tour to Rainbow Mountain the very next day. You MUST acclimatize to the altitude first. Cusco is at 3,600 m, which is already high. The start of high altitude is considered to be 2,400 masl. We would recommend acclimatising in steps, visiting the lowest altitude attractions of Cusco such as the Sacred Valley first and the highest ones gradually. You can do the Salkantay or Inca Trail to Machu Picchu and then finish with Rainbow Mountain. Here is a specific blog post about all the best hikes around Cusco.
• Drink a lot of water. Altitude makes your body work harder to create more red blood cells (in order to carry more oxygen) and, therefore gets you dehydrated faster than usual. Headaches are mostly due to dehydration.
• Avoid alcohol. It will only increase dehydration and headaches.
• When you hike, take deep breaths in and deep breaths out. Don’t walk fast and stop to gasp for air. It is better to find a good rhythm, stick to it and take water breaks every now and then.
• Take it easy in Cusco, but try to do some exercise. Don’t run a marathon, but walk around town as soon as you arrive. The efforts made while visiting the city will prepare you for the lack of oxygen and your body will create extra red blood cells faster than if you stay in bed all day. Don’t force it too much and allow yourself to chill in the great parks, restaurants and cafes around town.
• Time is what you need. Allow yourself 2 to 3 days before starting any high-altitude hike in the area. This includes the Salkantay Trek, the Inca Trail and the Rainbow Mountain. You could go for a hike in the Sacred Valley, which is at a lower altitude. It will give you good preparation. Here is a link to our dedicated article on how to hike the Sacred Valley on your own.
• Chew coca leaves. Coca has been used by local people as a natural remedy for altitude sickness and stomach issues for centuries.
• Check your travel insurance policy. Most insurance companies do not provide cover for any activity above 3,000 m. Make sure you are covered to avoid any unnecessary policy charges in case of health issues or injury.

If not correctly acclimatized, the altitude can cause headaches, dizziness, vomiting and fainting. It can also in some cases, be life-threatening. The moment you start having such symptoms, you must go back to lower altitude and see a doctor.

Can you visit Rainbow Mountain from Macchu Picchu?

Not really. You will have to go back to Cusco first and then head to the Rainbow Mountain. Although this is the right attitude, because it is preferrable to hike Rainbow Mountain after Machu Picchu because of the elevation.

When in Peru always plan your trip to go from the lowest altitude to the higest, this is the only way to a good acclimitization.

Most agencies offer packages to visit both (or more) landmark in Peru. They will take care of all the transfers, see below:

• Machu Picchu and 7 Colors Mountain tour 2 Days 1 Night
• 7-Day Inca Tour with Flights from Lima with Sacred Valley, Rainbow Mountain and Macchu Picchu
• From Cusco – 6-Day Andean Jewels Experience

What to pack for a day tour to Rainbow Mountain?

When you decide to do any activity in altitude, you have to pack for all seasons. Weather is unpredictable in such place and it is essential to be well prepared. The main issue when we visited was the wind.

So here is what you will need to avoid the cold and sharp gusts of wind which touch every centimetre of your skin. The list below is common sense, but we seriously have seen it all while travelling in South America. So better to put it out there anyway:

• Hat and gloves. Small things to carry which make a big difference. A buff is a good idea too.
• Hiking shoes if you don’t want to break an ankle on the gravel path or if you want to avoid slipping during the steep walk to the viewpoint.
• Sports leggings and an undershirt. These are a must to keep warm but still let the sweat out. There is nothing worse than sweating in cold temperatures.
• Hiking pants for men. Girls and women, you can stay in leggings, but if you are scared of getting cold, bring hiking pants too.
• Windproof/waterproof jacket. If possible one that does both. It is always good to invest in a warm, light, and functional jacket when travelling.
• Sunglasses, lip balm and sun cream. Get your skin and your eyes protected against the violent UVs. The atmosphere is thin, the UV rays are strong and there is no moisture in altitude.
• Tourist “alpaca” jumper. It doesn’t really matter if it is made of Alpaca or if you look like every other backpacker… Those jumpers are cheap and warm! We bought ours the day before going to Rainbow Mountain and sent them home the very next day. We were more than happy we brought them up with us. Mainly because at one point we were sick of always wearing the same things in our photos! Also, they are striped like the Rainbow Mountain so it looks pretty great in photos.
• Hiking poles. It helps with balance and saves energy when going up and the knees when going down.
• A bit of cash. Our entrance fee was supposed to be included in the tour, but it wasn’t. We had to pay and get a refund from our agency the next day. You also may need to pay to go to the toilets or if you want to take pictures of the locals and their alpacas. Some people also sell drinks and snacks. Finally, you can rent a horse to carry you (see the section below).
• Coca leaves! You can buy a bag at the market in Cusco. You may not like it at first but from our experience, it gets better with time and helps with altitude sickness. It’s good for the stomach too. Jenny who tends to have stomach pain and dizziness has been chewing coca leaves the entire time we spent in the highlands of Bolivia and Peru (about 3 months!).
• Get a small backpack. Carrying stuff in plastic bags or handbags isn’t fashionable when you hike… we recommend the light Lowepro Photo Sport backpack, for its very useful and not noticeable side pocket for DSLR. There is also a secret one at the back for valuables! Perfect for photo lovers and hikers. And don’t forget those hiking shoes. And no, Flip-flops aren’t an option!

Should you rent a horse?

As you hop out of your tour bus, you will have the option to rent a horse, one-way or return.

For this, you will need to talk to one of the dozens of locals surrounded by alpacas and horses. Renting a horse is actually very good for the local economy and the local villages. In fact, for the past few years, many young locals have quit dangerous jobs in the gold mines in order to make a living out of tourism at Rainbow Mountain.

We have read an article saying that a local can make up to $7,000 a year by carrying tourists on horses. That is a great thing for the nearby villages which do not get much of the money you paid to your agency. However, from what we have seen, we are not entirely sure you really “need” a horse to go to the viewpoint of Rainbow Mountain.

Firstly, if you are unfit for the walk or not acclimatized well enough, you should probably wait and visit when you are ready. Secondly, you need to know that you will mostly spend your time riding the horse on the flat path. As soon as it gets a bit steep you will need to walk beside your horse because it is too steep for the horse to carry you.

As far as we are concerned, this defies the entire purpose of renting a horse, doesn’t it? We are not super hikers but well prepared, we were walking much faster than the horses. So if you don’t do it for the economy, give it a miss.

Note: if you don’t take a horse at the start of the walk, you will still be able to get one later on. Horsemen and women walk back and forth and will let you hop on for a lower fee if you are too tired to continue on foot. The price should be around 75 soles one way from the start and about 35/40 soles half-way there. For a return horse, the price is 100 soles.

Next Read: 8 reasons you should hike the Salkantay Trek

Are there any facilities?

I am sorry to say, but don’t expect anything like Aguas Caliented. Rainbow Mountain is very remote and except a car park you won’t find much facilities. If you need to go to the loo though, ask a local they will orient you to a small shed at the start of the trek (with a great view! – see photo below).

Afterwards, there is no facilities and definetely nowhere to hide.

What is the best time to hike Rainbow Mountain?

The wet season in Cusco goes from November to March. The days are warm but the rain is abundant. These months are the low season in Peru. The dry season, which is usually preferable, lasts from April to October. The days are still warm but the nights can get very cold. It usually doesn’t rain much.

Note: There are a few important festivities in Peru, mainly around Cusco, that attracts a lot of tourists. The prices during these periods are usually much higher and the accommodation is booked up quickly. Make sure to look into these dates before planning your trip:

• Semana Santa: Easter is crowded wherever you go in South America as it is the main holiday season.
• Summer Solstice: At the end of June, Peru celebrates Inti Raymi, the festival of the Sun. Each year during the week of the 21st-24th of June, nearly 25,000 people gather in Cusco to take part in the celebrations. It is the tourist peak of the year!
• Star Snow Festival (Qoyllur Rit’i): Every year, a week before the Christian Feast of Corpus Christi, thousands of Quechua pilgrims hike to the Rainbow Mountain.

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: A beautiful photo gallery of Machu Picchu

Alternatives to Rainbow Mountain

The Red Valley

You can couple the visit of Rainbow Mountain with the Red Valley that is situated just behind it. You can actually see it from the viewpoint, but the tour takes you hiking into the valley.

It is a 3-hour walk downhill that makes you do a loop instead of going back down the same way you hiked up. We would recommend taking this add-on for an even more astonishing experience.

The Ausangate Trail

Another possibility to get to Rainbow Mountain is to trek the Ausangate trail. It is a 5 to 6-day hike, covering approximately 70 to 75 kilometers, which you can do with or without a tour.

This multi-day expedition takes hikers on a journey to witness the stunning beauty of both Ausangate Mountain, one of the highest peaks in Peru. It is a challenging yet rewarding trek through the breathtaking Andean landscapes.

Palcoyo Rainbow Mountain

Palcoyo Rainbow Mountain, also known as Palccoyo or the “Alternative Rainbow Mountain,” is a stunning natural attraction located in the Cusco region of Peru. It is a less crowded and more accessible alternative to the famous Vinicunca Rainbow Mountain.

Palcoyo Rainbow Mountain is characterized by its unique and vibrant colors, similar to Vinicunca, which are the result of different mineral deposits present in the mountainside. The distinct layers of red, green, yellow, and other hues create a mesmerizing striped effect.

To reach Palcoyo, most visitors start their journey from the city of Cusco where you can arrange a tour with a local agency or hire a private guide. Unlike the challenging and demanding hike to Vinicunca Rainbow Mountain, the trek to Palcoyo is relatively easier and suitable for a wider range of fitness levels. The hike typically covers a distance of around 4 to 5 kilometers (2.5 to 3 miles) round trip, and the elevation gain is more gradual, easing the effects of altitude.

The hike to Palcoyo takes approximately 1 to 1.5 hours, depending on your pace. Along the trail, hikers are rewarded with breathtaking views of the surrounding Andean landscape, with its snow-capped peaks, picturesque valleys, and local wildlife.

NEXT: The Best Hike near Cusco

Do I need a specific travel insurance to hike Rainbow Mountain?

Yes, it is highly recommended to have a travel insurance that covers high-altitude when hiking Rainbow Mountain or engaging in any outdoor adventure activity in Peru and South America.

When considering travel insurance for your trip in Peru, ensure your insurance provides adequate coverage for medical expenses, including emergency medical treatment, evacuation, and repatriation in case of accidents or health issues.

Confirm that your insurance covers adventure activities like hiking at high altitudes, as some standard travel insurance policies may not include such activities by default. You ay have to pay extra for a premium coverage. Because hiking at high altitudes carries certain risks, if you encounter a severe medical situation that requires emergency evacuation to a medical facility, having this coverage is critical.

Is Rainbow Mountain worth visiting? 

Based on my experience, the Rainbow Mountain are worth visiting when in Peru. It is an exciting and unique experience to witess such stunning natural beauty. The unique colors of the mountain and the breathtaking views are unforgettable and the hike highly rewarding. However, I don’t think I would ever go back.

When visiting in 2017, I thought it was busy, but after seen footage from friends who went in 2023, I think the place is over-crowded. I belive that at this stage the Peruvian govenment and communities should put in place regulation to avoid impact on the landscape.

Now, whether the Rainbow Mountain is worth visiting for you personally depends on your interests and preferences. If you enjoy challenging hikes, unique geological formations, and captivating landscapes, Rainbow Mountain might be an excellent addition to your travel itinerary in Peru.

A One-Day Hike To The Rainbow Mountain – our experience

The Rainbow Mountain is a place we both had on our list before heading to South America. As we arrived in Cusco, Peru, we made sure to book a tour an acclimatize well enough before our big day. After a few hikes around the area such as the Sacred Valley and Salkantay, we woke up as early as 2:30 in the morning with the unique aim of going hiking to the highest we have ever been, 5200 masl.

With our clothes and bags already packed the night before, we only need to get a pre-breakfast of porridge, bananas and orange juice before heading out the door. Our minivan is supposed to collect us between 3.00 and 3:30 am but it is a taxi that we see arriving. After a few detours around the empty streets of Cusco looking for a 3rd passenger, the taxi arrives just on time as the 20-seater minivan we are supposed to join is about to leave without us. We hop in the van just on time and drive a couple of hours out of Cusco until we reach a little house on the side of the road. We are in Molletapa.

This will be our first stop, a real breakfast. The air is moist, and the breeze fresh. We immediately rush inside to warm ourselves with hot chocolate and instant coffee while our guides explain to us the plan for the day. A good 45 minutes later, with our bellies filled with bread butter and jam, and a quick stop to the toilets, we are back in the minivan for another hour drive.

From here, the road gets pretty scenic but quite scary for anyone with vertigo. The road narrows and the route to the car park of the Rainbow Mountain is a series of switchbacks climbing up the mountain with a 200 to 300 m deep cliff on the side. It would be a shame to sleep, the views are incredibly gorgeous. Even if we have seen the dry highlands many times before, we never get tired of it.

As we arrive at the carpark, the levels of excitement rise. Our guides once again tell us we will need to hike at our own pace and that they will walk along with oxygen bottles and local remedies for anyone feeling ill. For what we know, the walk should take 2 hours to get to the viewpoint for the slowest and 1 hour for the fastest.

But first, names are called out and one by one entrance tickets are given. Well, everyone but us. As it seems, our agency hasn’t provided the ticket, which of course, they told us was included in the price. The guide who takes care of us does so politely, it is like it has happened before.

He calls up the agency and informs them we will get there at the end of the day to get our refund. For sure we will, some people don’t bother and this is how agencies make more money. We know the tricks, which is why we made sure they wrote down everything they promised us. With this proof, they gave us back both entrance fees immediately.

Finally, we are ready to hike. The path is small at first but widens up a few hundred metres in. We are walking into a valley. To the left, we start to see the different colours of the soil emerging, while on the right, the grassland quickly rises up to reach the snow-capped peaks. The path isn’t well maintained and in times of rain, we wouldn’t be surprised if torrents of water flush down damaging the path even more.

Hopefully, the entrance fee paid by each visitor will one day be used to protect the area and the wildlife that is clearly impacted. The landscape we are crossing is a beautiful treasure, and it would really be a shame if tourism comes to destroy the environment. With the number of visitors, strong tourism management is needed and some of the same limitations used for the Inca Trail should probably be introduced.

As we walk further uphill, people around us start gasping for air, while others jump from their horses in city shoes. The horses are unable to carry them up the steep parts of the trail. We both take large breaths in and out, focusing on our rhythm, helped by our hiking poles.

One final push and we have reached the viewpoint. The wind is blowing hard, the freezing gusts trying to penetrate through our layers. Our guide told us to stay only 5 to 10 minutes at the top otherwise we may start to feel bad. Lucky us. We have spent a lot of time in altitude already and seem to handle it pretty well.

We pull out our camera, we pose and we just sit. It’s gorgeous. Not as bright as the over-photoshopped Instagram pictures in our feeds, but as beautiful as we had hoped for. As the clouds pass overhead, the colours fade away but seem to come back stronger when the sun manages to shine through again.

From the viewpoint, we can see the Red Valley beyond. We thought we would be able to walk through, but our guide told us it wasn’t included in our tour.  We had confirmed with them the Red Valley was included when we booked our package of the Salkantay and the Rainbow Mountain. Of course, as they always do in these circumstances, they smile and nod.

We just forgot to ask the person at the desk to write it down. This is what you get when you don’t do things on your own or look for budget options. Since we hiked up to the viewpoint in 1 hour we had enough time to walk on further and see on the other side, but we made the choice to stay and soak up the view of the Rainbow Mountain.

As the last person from our minivan makes it to the summit, our guides call us to start the walk back down. Almost 40 minutes we were at the top. It is time to head back as our stomach starts to ache. The walk down is easy. Without the struggle to breathe, we start noticing all the local men and women travelling back and forth with their horses, llamas and alpacas. They have brought strings of wool to attach to the ears of their animals which accentuates their cuteness even more.

We stop to the right to take pictures of the local’s outfits, the women’s mainly. Like the Cholitas in Bolivia, they wear woolly tights covered by puffy skirts made of many layers. On their heads, no bowler hats, but something that looks like Vietnamese hats with the purpose of protecting them from the sun. Hidden between the hat and the colourful Aguayo they wear on their shoulders, the local women also have their hair platted and attached together at the ends, like Aymara women.

Finally, we make it back to the car park and head to one of the cafes to find a place to sit and wait for the stragglers. First, we are welcomed by a puppy who quickly leaves us to go say hello to the next tourists but then we spot a young and fluffy white alpaca. There isn’t in this world enough words to describe its cuteness.

With our smiles from ear to the ear, we say goodbye to the alpaca and leave behind the incredible scenery we had the chance to witness. An unforgettable experience of being able to hike above the 5,000 m line and see one of the places that made us choose South America as our main destination on this long backpacking trip.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Jen – Owner, writer & photographer – has lived for the past 10 years across Oceania and Ireland while also travelling long-term in Latin America, North America and Europe. She has visited more than 60 countries and set foot on every continent in the world!

>> Favourite countries: New Zealand, Bolivia, Iceland.
>> Wishlist: Svalbard, Japan, Botswana, Alaska.
>> Philosophy: “We travel not to escape life, but for life not to escape us.

Jen is a coffee nerd, passionate about photography, wildlife and outdoor activities. Her organisation and curiosity make her a great travel companion always looking for DIY and off-the-grid adventures. For more info, check out the About page.

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