Visiting: Cusco · Cusipata · Rainbow Mountain (Vinicunca) · Red Valley
Overview
Rainbow Mountain, known locally as Vinicunca, is one of the most spectacular landscapes in the Peruvian Andes — a mountainside striped in mineral reds, golds, greens and turquoise that looks almost painted. On this full-day tour from Cusco you drive south through the high Andes, hike up to the famous viewpoint at around 5,100 m, and add the surreal, crimson-coloured Red Valley right beside it — Peru's most photographed day hike.
We run this trip as a direct local operator, so you travel with an expert bilingual guide (English & Spanish), comfortable round-trip transport, a hearty Andean breakfast and a buffet lunch — all included. Groups are kept small, and we carry oxygen and a first-aid kit for the altitude. The optional walk into the Red Valley is a short, breathtaking extension you can decide on the day.
🏔️ Altitude matters here. The viewpoint sits higher than any point on the classic Inca Trail, so we strongly recommend spending at least 2 nights in Cusco to acclimatise before this tour. Go at a steady pace, drink plenty of water, and the reward is one of the most unforgettable views in the Andes.
Your Day — Step by Step
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1
Pre-dawn pick-up · Cusco → Cusipata
We pick you up from your Cusco hotel between 4:15 and 4:45 am, or, if you prefer, you can meet us directly at our office at 4:45 am. Once everyone in the group has gathered, we set off from Cusco around 5:00 am.
From there it's a scenic two-hour drive south through the high Andes to the Andean village of Cusipata, where the day's adventure really begins.
Good to know: If you'd rather skip the hotel pick-up loop, you can meet us straight at our office at 4:45 am.
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2
Breakfast in Cusipata → trailhead
On arrival in Cusipata you sit down to a hearty breakfast at a local restaurant, with a moment to relax and let your body acclimatise before the hike ahead.
After breakfast we drive about another hour to the entry point for Rainbow Mountain. Note: a local entrance fee of 30 soles in cash is paid here, on site, to access the mountain.
Good to know: Bring cash in soles for the 30-sol mountain entrance — it's paid at the checkpoint, not online.
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3
Hike to the Rainbow Mountain viewpoint
The hike begins at about 4,700 m and ascends gradually to the summit viewpoint at around 5,100 m, taking roughly 1–1.5 hours at a steady pace and rewarding you with panoramic views of the striped mountain.
At the top you'll have around an hour to take photos, soak up the colours, learn from your guide and connect with the local families and their alpacas before heading back down.
Good to know: Go at a slow, steady pace — at this altitude the climb is short but the thin air makes it feel harder.
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4
Optional Red Valley → buffet lunch → Cusco
After Rainbow Mountain you may add the optional hike into the Red Valley, a breathtaking crimson landscape right beside it (a separate small entrance fee, about 1 hour down) — or simply return to the vehicle by the same path. We then reunite and drive back to Cusipata for a well-earned buffet lunch around 1:30 pm.
From Cusipata it's a ~2-hour drive back to Cusco. On the way we pass the airport and the main bus terminal around 4:00 pm — we can drop you there if you wish — and finish at Plaza Regocijo in the historic centre between 4:30 and 5:00 pm.
Good to know: Heading to the airport or bus terminal afterwards? Tell your guide in advance and we can drop you off on the way back around 4:00 pm.
Tour at a Glance
| Duration | Full day (no overnight) |
| Highest point | Rainbow Mountain viewpoint — ~5,100 m |
| Total distance | ~6–8 km round trip on foot |
| Difficulty | Demanding — short but high-altitude |
| Also visiting | Red Valley (optional extension) |
| Meals | 1 breakfast · 1 buffet lunch |
| Group size | Small group · max 18 |
| Departures | Daily · book up to 1 day ahead |
What's Included
Tap any item to see the full details.
Included
Not included
Prices — 2026 Season
This is a small-group day tour to Rainbow Mountain & the Red Valley. We offer a standard rate, plus a special promotional rate for travelers who have already booked another tour with us (such as the Salkantay Trek). Entrance fees are paid locally in soles and are not included.
| Rate | Price per person | Who it's for |
|---|---|---|
| Standard | $27 | Booking this tour on its own |
| Promotional | $23 | Already booked another tour with us (or 85 soles) |
Prices per person, group service. You can book online (a small card fee applies) or reserve at our Cusco office up to one day before the tour. Vegetarian, vegan and special diets are accommodated free on request.
Optional Extras (paid locally, in soles)
- Red Valley entrance (optional extension)~20–30 soles
- Horse to the viewpoint (uphill)~90–100 soles
- Horse — descent (extra)~40–60 soles
- Photo with llamas / alpacas (tip)~5 soles
Horse prices are set by local families and vary with season and demand; bring cash in soles, as cards are not accepted at the mountain.
What to Pack
It's cold and windy at the top and the sun is strong at altitude, so dress in layers and carry only a light daypack — there are no vendors on the trail.
- Always with you: cash in soles (entrances + extras), 1.5–2 L of water, high-energy snacks, sunscreen and sunglasses.
- Clothing: warm layers you can add or remove, a windproof/rain jacket, hat or beanie, gloves and a neck buff for the cold morning, and sturdy hiking shoes (no sandals).
- Extras: hiking poles if you like, a hat for the sun, camera/phone and any personal medication (including altitude tablets if you use them).
How to Book
Book online or in person at our Cusco office (Portal Nuevo 270, Plaza Regocijo). There are daily departures and you can reserve up to one day before (until 9:00 pm). Pay safely by debit or credit card online (a small processing fee applies), or in cash (USD, EUR or soles) at the office.
- Choose your date — daily departures available.
- Enter your details (name, nationality, hotel in Cusco, WhatsApp number for pick-up).
- Pay securely by card online, or reserve and pay at our office.
- Confirm — you'll get an instant confirmation email with pick-up details, and our team follows up by WhatsApp.
Free rescheduling: you can reschedule or switch to a similar tour (Palcoyo, Humantay Lake, Sacred Valley or Ausangate 7 Lakes) at no extra cost until 7:00 pm the day before your tour, subject to availability.
Full refund: cancel at least 24 hours before the tour for 100% back.
Partial refund (50%): cancel within 24 hours but before 7:00 pm the day before.
No refund: cancellations after 7:00 pm the day before are non-refundable.
Agency cancellations: if we must cancel for weather or other unforeseen reasons, you receive a 100% refund. To make changes, email info@machupicchuteam.com.
Frequently Asked Questions
The walk itself is fairly short (about 4 km each way, 1–1.5 hours up), but it's demanding because of the altitude — the viewpoint reaches around 5,100 m. No technical skills are needed, just a steady pace. We strongly recommend spending at least 2 nights in Cusco to acclimatise first; horses are also available near the trail if you'd prefer to ride up.
The Red Valley is a stunning crimson-coloured landscape right beside Rainbow Mountain, like a deep-red desert of hills. It's an optional extension you can decide on the day — about an extra hour of walking and a separate small entrance fee (around 20–30 soles), paid on site in cash. Many travellers say it's the highlight of the trip.
Yes. Local families rent horses near the trail for the climb to the viewpoint, usually around 90–100 soles for the ascent (a handler leads the horse), plus about 40–60 soles more if you also want to ride down. Prices vary with season and demand, are paid in cash in soles, and the last stretch to the very top is always on foot.
The dry season (April to November) is best — clearer skies and the most vivid colours. The rainy season (December to March) can bring cloud, mud and occasional snow on the mountain, though tours still run year-round. Whatever the month, mornings are very cold and the high-altitude sun is strong, so bring both warm layers and sun protection.
We pick you up from your hotel or Airbnb in Cusco between 4:15 and 4:45 am (or you can meet us at our office at 4:45 am). The tour usually ends back at Plaza Regocijo, near the Plaza de Armas, between 4:30 and 5:00 pm. If you need it, we can drop you at the Cusco airport or bus terminal on the way back — just let your guide know in advance.
Groups are usually 14–16 travellers, with a maximum of 18, accompanied by a professional bilingual guide. The tour includes a hearty Andean breakfast and a buffet lunch, with vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options available at no extra cost if you ask in advance. We also offer free luggage storage at our Cusco office.
