Cusco

Excursion to Rainbow Mountain Full Day.

Badge of ExcellenceCusco, Peru

12 hours
Pickup offered
Mobile ticket
Offered in: English

Explore our promoted experiences

Cusco, Peru

rainbow mountain full day

from $68.00

Cusco, Peru

Half-Day Temples and Cusco City Tour

from $84.00

Cusco, Peru

Humantay Lagoon in 1 Day from Cusco

from $50.00

Viator earns higher commissions on experiences featured here

Overview

Rainbow Mountain may not be close to Cusco, but it's still possible to visit in just one day on this guided tour. This budget-friendly day trip option takes you to the spectacular summit of Rainbow Mountain on a full-day tour—a challenging trek enchanted by commentary from your guide.

Rainbow Mountain tour and trek from Cusco
Great budget option doesn't skimp on sightseeing
Breakfast and lunch included to fuel a full day
Avoid large crowds—tour limited to 17 people or fewer

What's Included

Pick up from the Hotel city center
Air-conditioned vehicle
Professional tour guide (ENG/ESP)
walk sticks
Breakfast
Lunch
oxygen assistance

entrances

Meeting and Pickup

Pickup points

Select a pickup point

Pickup details

Pick up from the hotel in the city center.

What To Expect

Cusco (Pass By)

Vinicunca Mountain

4 hours • Admission Ticket Not Included

Cusco (Pass By)

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Not recommended for pregnant travelers
Not wheelchair accessible
Not recommended for travelers with back problems

No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level
Vegetarian option is available, please advise at time of booking if required
This tour/activity will have a maximum of 18 travelers

Cancellation Policy

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

For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.

Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.

Traveler Photos

Reviews

5.0

1,279 reviews

Total review count and overall rating based on Viator and Tripadvisor reviews

Reviews by Viator travelers.

We perform checks on reviews

Showing 1-10 of 1,279 reviews

rainbow mountain with Wally

kamal_a, Apr 2024

Our guide was Wally and the driver Ed for this trip. They communicated well to organise our pick up. Along the trip Wally kept us well informed while Ed drove us safe and comfortably. It was a long drive some on tarmac and some on gravel. Gravel sections were very twisty and narrow. The place we stopped for bfast and lunch was a bit basic. Wally accompanied all to the top and made sure we were all ok and safe.

An unforgettable day

Ishak_H, Apr 2024

One of the best guide. Edwin was above and beyond. He helped us all the way to top of the mountain. Price was also reasonable.

Awesome experience

Jose_H, Apr 2024

What a great experience! The scenic drive there was out of this world. The mountains were too, unbelievable. It is a tough hike up. The only thing, I wish we had more time to stay there. We could stay only one hour which was not enough after having to wait in line for fotos and not being able to go to the summit which is another 100 meters up. This tour is a great value for the money.

Beautiful Sights on the Drive to the Mountain!

Juan_C, Apr 2024

Such an amazing experience! The sights on the drive to the mountain were beautiful and the driver drove very safely through the narrow passages of the mountain. My only thing was the tour guide’s English; it wasn’t very clear for me. Thankfully, I also speak Spanish and had no trouble. Also, Viator said they have oxygen which was never offered to us neither saw the tank anywhere. Other than that, 100% recommended. We had a blast!

Breath taking experience

Rita_N, Apr 2024

Most memorable part was the motorbike transport that was offered for additional cost on site. It saved us some air so we could enjoy the breath taking view. Thank you to our guide Wally!

Great value for money.

Alicia_R, Mar 2024

Very good value for money. Christian our guide was very patient and kind, perhaps a bit more information about the places we were driving through would have broken things up. Restaurant we stopped at was decent. Not sure a 4.30 start is necessary but I would recommend the trip over all. Thanks Alicia

Tough but fun

Erika_S, Feb 2024

Very affordable and surprisingly detailed. Marcel was our tour guide and made sure to check on me during this tough hike. He checked and kept up with us to make sure the altitude and temperature didn’t get the best of us. He had remedies and oxygen on standby. The food for the price was good. Make sure to have some soles on you though.

Rainbow Mountain for the win.

Marko_D, Feb 2024

Trip from the restaurant to the starting walking point is a nightmare. Way back is even worse. But the sight and the mountain are worth the hustle. Great guide guy - Marcial. Definitely suggest you take the extra effort to climb the 5036m summit. Sights are even prettier then the ones on Machu Picchu

Colorful, magical, and take it slow it is a very high altitude

Neil_F, Feb 2024

Hiking up to 17000 ft even though it's tough it's very memorable. Jose was an amazing guide and you can rent a horse or a motorbike for 90 Soles if you don't want to do the walk. Horse is 45 mins, Motorbike is 10 mins, walk is an hour and half. Beautiful at the top have cash on hand for the entrance to the park which is 25 soles and some extra if you want to get something to drink or snack on while on top.

Breaking the 5,000 mark

Nikita_C, Feb 2024

I liked pretty much everything about this trip. You are driven on mountain serpentines, fed, told about everything and answered all your questions. What else do you need for happiness :) The only downside, probably, is that the trip takes almost the whole day. But it is 100% worth it. When else will you have a chance to get the experience of climbing to the height of 5000 meters! P.S. Make sure to bring a raincoat with wind protection. The weather is just unpredictable - while we were climbing it changed from hot baking sun, to fine drizzle, to natural storm with hail on the very top of the mountain.

Herber firever, best guide

David_E, Feb 2024

Our guide Herber forever was excellent. He encouraged us as we climbed the mountain. He really made the tour fun

Great tour

bogdan_m, Jan 2024

Very well organised, we got breakfast and lunch as well. Had good weather and got to the top. Not an easy climb but worth the effort.

Rory_G, Jan 2024

Our guide Wally was awesome, the whole day was great and the local farm restaurant we stopped at for breakfast and lunch which was included in the price was a great touch

Good experience!

Gina_K, Dec 2023

Very happy we did the tour! Good value for money. I read reviews about the pick up time not being reliable and the van being very cold, but I received messages on whatsapp letting me know what to expect as well, and was picked up at the promised time, and was given blankets in the van! The guide was very friendly and nice too. Highly recommend!

Beautiful!

Zainab_O, Dec 2023

The tour started promptly and the tour guide was enthusiastic, friendly and helpful. The rainbow mountain and surroundings were stunning.

Tough but well worth it

JonMacleod, Nov 2023

We were picked up earlier than the time quoted the previous day and drove for a couple of hours to a restaurant close to Rainbow Mountain, there we had coffee and a light breakfast before heading to the beginning of the climb. I made as far as the first stop point and I was really struggling to breathe, my guide Marcial stayed close the entire time always encouraging, I actually wanted to give up and he arranged a horse to the final assent. I felt bad until I discovered a fair few others had to do the same. Bit by bit I slowly made it to the top with my guide Marcials encouragement, we all made that day thanks to him because I was almost beaten at the first checkpoint, altitude is not something to joke about. After the descent we hopped in the bus and went back to where we had breakfast for an absolutely delicious lunch before travelling back to Cusco. Would I do it again? Probably not, do I recommend a friend? Absolutely it’s an experience worth doing and one never to be forgotten, my advice, ask for Marcial, a wonderful person and guide with much experience

Best Birthday Celebation Ever!

Rose_F, Nov 2023

This trip has been in my bucket list for more than 10 years, then within the last 3 years, after the Pandemia March 19th 2020. Peru closed it's doors among other International Countries. However it remain in my 1st travel bucket list!. Now almost 4 years later on my Birthday November 8th 2023 my dream come true!. Thanks to Jonathan and Viator made my dream come true!. I do believe that times are perfect but the Rainbow Mountain experience was beyond our expectstions!. A one time life travel. Thanks to Viator Agency that made it possible all the way , until the very last day of our excursion!. Great team and very knowledgeble tour guide!. Very patience and he was very considerate with all of us. He suggested to ride the 1st part of the Rainbow Mountain by Horse. Then the other half walking. He was very attentive with our whole group. He give us advices and help us made important decisions!. I was very impresive with the service which was beyiond my expectations!. He walked side by side but never tge less left anyone behind. Breakfast and lunch both were so delicious, had time to ear, shop and take wonderful pictures while having lunch. Toilets avsilable for only $2 soles si be prepare to bring change also to buy suoveniers along the side of the hiking.

#EVERFOREVER - good experience!

Christine_C, Nov 2023

although the group was larger than we would have liked, Heber and Mr Edwin (driver) made our journey to the rainbow mountain a wonderful experience! Heber was able to cater to both the people who spoke Spanish and to those in English. He was also a great cheerleader encouraging us as we were about to give up our ascent to the summit, always making sure that we felt comfortable. He also knew where to get the best shots, skipping the crowds and long queues. I would recommend travelling with Chullos and hopefully you get someone as capable and sincere as Heber. #EVERFOREVER (our team’s name)

Awesome mountain

Katrina_S, Oct 2023

Great tour. Edwar picked me up from the hotel bright and early we then proceeded to a restaurant for breakfast and on the rainbow mountain. Its an awesome experience which you can take at your own pace. I really enjoyed it. You stop on the way back to have lunch too. Great experience beautiful mountain definitely recommend.

Great for the price.

M_H, Aug 2023

This was a good experience, but it lacked the touches to be great. But, overall, we paid $25 per person. It included breakfast, lunch and transportation. So, for the price, it was a very good bargain. Here are examples of where it lacked the fine touches. 1. Communications with this company are lacking. I sent a few messages via WhatsApp and on Viator to make sure we were still booked. We didn’t hear anything until the day before. We were told the van would arrive at our hotel at 4:30, but didn’t arrive until 5:00. We tried getting in touch with the handlers, but there were no communications. Other people started meeting at the JW Marriott at 5 a.m. It tells me that there are multiple people communicating with the guests, but they aren’t talking to each other. The right hand doesn’t know what the left is doing. 2. Before leaving Cusco, the van made several stops. They kept slamming the back door which was pretty annoying. 3. At the restaurant, they left the doors open, so we were all very cold. 4. You’re going to be packed like cattle in the van. Well, at $25 bucks a ticket, they are making their money off volume. So, this is just something to be aware of. The food isn’t great. But, it’s light, and that’s what you need for the trip. For breakfast, there were eggs, cereals, fruit, bread, coffee and tea. Lunch was decent, but the price of drinks wasn’t included. Still we got two Inka Colas for 10 Soles, so not expensive at all. There were some restrooms and alpacas at the restaurant/base camp. The alpacas are friendly, so if you want to get some photos, here’s a free opportunity. They give you about 3 and a half hours to get to Rainbow Mountain. It’s exhausting, and left us all fatigued for several days after. The altitude is no joke. Getting there and back to the van in 3.5 hours is doable. You get there, take your pictures, buy souvenirs and head back. For us, we were the second ones back to the van. I had thought to get horses for all of us. But, on the way up, I could only get a horse for my daughter. The guide was a short Peruvian woman who was nursing a child. She ran up the hill. She didn’t slow down. I couldn’t keep up due to my knee injury, so my wife went running after them. The cost for the horse ranges between 60 to 90 soles (one way). They charged us 60 because my daughter is small. It’s supply and demand. If they have the horses available, I’d recommend just paying the fee. This is a difficult hike. The path isn’t so bad, but it’s the altitude. All in all, we had a good time. It was a memorable experience. If I had to do it over again, I would probably try to rent the horses up and down the mountain. If we would’ve done so, I think we wouldn’t be nearly as fatigued.