5 Best Day Trips to Rainbow Mountain from Cusco

Among the best things to do when visiting Cusco, excursions to Rainbow Mountain definitely stand out. These trips can be a bit challenging and even exhausting. However, they are entertaining and offer an incredible experience that will stay with you for a long time.

Some excursions offer a half-day trip, while others even plan a camping trip. Others include different modes of transport such as quad bikes or even horse riding for part of the journey. This makes each excursion different and varied. You can choose the one you like best.

Travelling to Rainbow Mountain from Cusco is one of the favourite activities for tourists visiting Peru. It is usually a day of hiking that lasts approximately 12 hours and costs around £60. This is undoubtedly one of the best activities you can do in Cusco.

On this type of excursion, you will always have a professional guide who knows the Peruvian countryside like the back of their hand and will take you to Rainbow Mountain. Before starting the tour, your guide will pick you up from your hotel in private transport. You will then arrive at the starting point of the tour.

The first stop will be in the village of Quessiuno, where you can enjoy a hearty breakfast. With your energy recharged, you can continue the approximately five-hour journey to Rainbow Mountain. From there, you can see beautiful landscapes and take all the photos you want of this beautiful place.

After spending some time observing the landscape at the last stop, it will be time to return to Cusco. On the way, you will pass through the village of Quessiuno again. There, you will enjoy a delicious lunch. Finally, you will arrive at the last stop, Plaza Regocijo (Kusipata).

Details of interest

• Price: around £65.
• Duration: around 12 hours.
• Means of transport: walking tour.
• Advantages of this option: these types of excursions include breakfast and lunch, as well as a first aid kit to help anyone who needs it along the way.
• Disadvantages of this option: it is advisable to be physically fit to withstand the 12-hour tour without any problems.

Don't feel like walking for hours, but still want to see Rainbow Mountain? Then I recommend an excursion from Cusco on a quad bike. You can experience this incredible adventure for an average cost of £70. Keep in mind that the approximate duration of this excursion is 10 hours, sometimes less.

This is undoubtedly one of the most entertaining ways to take an excursion from Cusco. First, your guide will pick you up at your hotel and take you to the meeting point. There you will receive all the necessary instructions for driving an ATV safely. Remember that your guide will lead the group at all times, so you must follow them as you make your way up the mountain.

As you enter this beautiful landscape, you will be able to take incredible photographs. While you admire the sky and the rest of the site, your guide will tell you everything you need to know about this corner of Peru. Feel free to ask any questions you may have about this famous tourist attraction.

At the end of the tour, you will take the road back to Cusco. On the way, you will stop to enjoy a typical regional lunch. Finally, you will arrive at the starting point, where a guide will be waiting to take you back to your hotel in a private vehicle.

Details of interest

• Price: around £70.
• Duration: around 10 hours.
• Means of transport: quad bike.
• Advantages of this option: you can drive an adventurous vehicle so you don't get too tired on the way. Plus, you'll get to your destination quickly.
• Disadvantages of this option: you need to know how to drive to enjoy this experience.

Did you know that camping has multiple health benefits? If you camp in a place like Rainbow Mountain, I'm sure those benefits will increase. Getting fresh air and being in touch with nature is the best natural remedy for the body. Enjoy a camping experience of approximately two days for an average cost of £350.

As is typical for these excursions, your guide will pick you up at your hotel very early in the morning in private transport. When the whole group is gathered at the starting point, it will be time for an informative talk about the tour. The best thing about this plan is that the organisers have tents and other equipment ready, so you don't have to bring your own.

You will start the tour on foot, making convenient stops to appreciate the landscape and to eat. Upon arrival at the designated campsite, the team will set up the tents, and you can also help in the process! Afterwards, you can settle in and enjoy the sunset, sharing with the other tourists and the organising team.

Please note that these experiences always include food and drink for both days. You won't have to worry about these details, you just need to bring your camping gear and a bag with the items indicated. In addition, there will be a portable toilet for the whole group and a first aid kit in case of any problems.

Important details

• Price: around £350.
• Duration: around 2 days.
• Means of transport: walking tour.
• Advantages of this option: you can spend a night on Rainbow Mountain and admire the beauty of this natural landscape.
• Disadvantages of this option: to go on a camping trip, you need much more time in Cusco, so it may not be convenient if you only have a few days' holiday.

Rainbow Mountain is not the only destination you can visit on a trip from Cusco. You can take advantage of the hike to explore the Red Valley and marvel at its colours. This experience costs an average of £170 and lasts approximately 15 hours.

For this day of adventure, you must wait for your guide to take you by vehicle to the starting point. From there, you will begin walking towards the villages of Quechan, where you can enjoy a hearty breakfast. Please note that this hike can be very challenging for some people, so it is best to only sign up if you are physically fit.

Your guide will take you to the most outstanding sites along the way. They will also explain the reason for the colours of the Rainbow Mountain of Vinicunca and the Red Valley. You will also hear about the mysteries and legends of these sites. You will be able to make convenient stops to recharge your energy, eat a snack and drink water.

A gourmet Peruvian lunch is also included in this excursion. If you like this type of food, I recommend taking Peruvian cooking classes in Cusco after this tour. At the end of the tour, you will return to the starting point. You can ask the organisers to take you to your hotel for your convenience.

Details of interest

• Price: around £170.
• Duration: around 15 hours.
• Means of transport: walking tour.
• Advantages of this option: you can visit two destinations in one trip.
• Disadvantages of this option: the tour can be somewhat long and tedious.

If you plan to stay in Cusco for more than three days, I recommend taking a horseback tour to Rainbow Mountain. The average cost of these tours is €100 and they last approximately 15 hours. You can ride a horse to make the journey less tiring and more entertaining.

To begin this experience, your guide will pick you up in a private vehicle and take you to the meeting point. There you will receive a lesson on how to ride a horse, as well as general instructions for the experience. I recommend asking any questions you may have before setting off.

The group of tourists will follow the guide at all times. This professional will tell you all the details and interesting facts about the different sites. You will pass through picturesque villages. There you will see herds of alpacas and llamas. Take a photo with these adorable animals!

When you return, you can enjoy a delicious dinner, as it is recommended to take this tour at sunset. This way, you can decide to do some night-time activities in Cusco to continue enjoying these beautiful natural landscapes.

Details of interest

• Price: around £85.
• Duration: around 15 hours.
• Means of transport: on horseback.
• Advantages of this option: you will be able to interact much more with nature.
• Disadvantages of this option: people who do not know how to ride a horse may have a less enjoyable experience. However, they are advised to request a short lesson a few days in advance to ensure that the tour is safe and fun.

Traveller tip
When interacting with the horse, try not to appear frightened, but rather confident and affectionate. This will make for a more peaceful ride.

Duration of an excursion to Rainbow Mountain from Cusco

The time it takes to travel from Cusco to Rainbow Mountain can vary. Keep in mind that the number of activities included in your experience, as well as the pace of the tour, can make it take more or less time.

On average, a round trip takes 12 hours. However, some excursions that include transport last at least 10 hours. If you decide to camp, the trip usually lasts two days. Each of these options is a different plan that can be adapted to the tastes of each tourist.

On the other hand, on all excursions, the guides constantly talk about the history of the landscape and interesting facts. During these talks, you will have the opportunity to ask any questions you may have. Sometimes these conversations make the tour a little longer or take longer to finish.

If you are interested in learning more about Rainbow Mountain or the entire city of Cusco and its surroundings, I recommend visiting the best museums in this city. You can learn about its culture, traditions and the reason behind the colours of this mountain.

To visit Rainbow Mountain from Cusco, you need to consider the best time to go to Cusco. It is generally recommended to take this trip between June and August, as rainfall is infrequent. This will allow you to walk more comfortably and at your own pace.

On the other hand, it is important to keep in mind some tips for hiking. For example, you should wear comfortable clothing, bring walking sticks and water, among other things. Tour organisers usually offer a safety briefing so that you are prepared for this adventure.

Footwear is also important, as you will be on your feet the entire way. Your shoes should be suitable for this type of activity so that you don't tire out too quickly. On the other hand, wearing sunscreen is a necessary step for your trip. There will be no way to protect yourself from the sun along the way, so you should apply it to your skin before leaving.

If you plan to visit Rainbow Mountain without booking a full tour, you will need to purchase your ticket yourself at the trail entrance. The price is very affordable: around 25 soles (approximately £6) for foreign tourists. Keep in mind that you will need to pay in cash, as cards are not accepted in the area.

Some excursions from Cusco include only transport, a guide or food, but do not always cover the entrance fee, so be sure to check the details carefully before booking. In many cases, you will have to pay for the entrance ticket directly upon arrival.

If you prefer to forget about transport and have the assistance of a guide, you can book an organised excursion to Rainbow Mountain here. Although this option does not include the cost of the entrance ticket, it will allow you to enjoy the tour in greater comfort and without worrying about logistics.

Peru's Rainbow Mountain has seven beautiful colours that will surprise you. Also known as Vinicunca, this mountain owes its variety of colours to the different minerals found there. These include clay, limestone, silicates, copper oxide and many more.

On an excursion to this beautiful natural landscape, you can admire its beauty up close, learn all about its interesting facts and much more. The route, although it can be a little difficult, is rewarding, as you will constantly see beautiful natural images.

If you go camping, you will have the opportunity to observe the starry sky in the middle of one of the most popular destinations in Peru. Enjoying nature is always a good plan for having a great time with friends.