Rainbow Mountain Tour Cusco – Day Trip Rainbow Mountain Cusco Peru

Our Rainbow Mountain Tour Cusco starts early in the morning. The starting point will be your hotel in Cusco. We’ll pick you up from there at 4:00 am. By departing so early, we’ll avoid traffic and we’ll arrive early at the mountain. So we can hike before the midday sun.

The drive will go on for 2 hours. We’ll travel on the South Highway from Cusco. Our aim is to arrive at the Quispicanchis Province. More specifically to the Cusipata District / Town. Breakfast will be there in a local restaurant.

We’ll also have a short resting time before continuing. The drive will resume for another 10 minutes. We’ll arrive at the first control base of Rainbow Mountain Cusco Peru. It is near the Tintinco and Paucarpata communities. 

We’ll drive to the second Control Base for 25 minutes. The second base is near the Chillihuani Community. Finally we’ll arrive at the trailhead to the Rainbow Mountain Tour Cusco.

From this starting point, we’ll hike our way on the Rainbow Mountain Tour Cusco. Our guide will lead the way. We’ll hike for about 2 hours. We aim to reach the summit of the Rainbow Mountain (Cusco Peru).

The native name of the Rainbow Mountain is Vinicunca.  This is the same mountain range where the Ausangate Mountain lies. Next to Vinicunca, you’ll find the Red Valley. The name of this place is very descriptive.

At the top of the mountain you’ll have the best view of the Colorful Mountain. We’ll have some time to explore, take pictures and rest at the summit. The color range on the side of the mountain is incredible. You’ll see shades from green to red.

The experience is impressive. Even for the trail you’ll have views of some snow capped peaks. The trek to Rainbow Mountain Cusco Peru is majestic. And along the way we’ll encounter nature and a glimpse of the native communities around. Llamas and alpacas will keep us company.

After this, we’ll begin the return. Our day trip to Rainbow Mountain (Cusco Peru) is almost over.  The descent from the Mountain will feel easier. 

Our tour starts near sunrise, and will end near midday. We’ll have a traditional lunch in a restaurant in a town nearby. This lunch will have traditional Peruvian food.

The drive to Cusco will take 2 hours. We’ll arrive at Cusco at 4:00 pm. The service for the Rainbow Mountain Tour Cusco includes a last hotel transfer. The Rainbow Mountain Tour Cusco is now over.

Advice Before Your Trip

The Rainbow Mountain Tour Cusco is a High altitude journey. The top of the mountain is at 5,200 m / 17,060 ft. The altitude sickness poses danger. 

Our tour guides are prepared and capable to assist you in case of emergency. But for the best trekking experience, you can take some measures.

Before your Rainbow Mountain Tour Cusco, you should have at least a couple of resting days at Cusco. Cusco is not the only place nearby where you can do this. But Cusco City has the best infrastructure to assist you in case of emergency. 

The mere arrival to the Cusco Region can cause symptoms of altitude sickness. There is available over the counter medication to deal with the symptoms. But as alternatives you can drink coca tea. Drinking plenty of water in general, helps. Also consider to lower the altitude of your current position.

Even a couple of meters could help. To acclimatize to a lower city on the Sacred Valley, or even Machu Picchu is another option you have available. 

If you don’t experience any symptoms of altitude sickness at your arrival, don’t risk it. The summit of the Rainbow Mountain Cusco Peru  is almost 2,000 m / 6,561 ft higher than Cusco.

Your body needs time to adjust to the new atmospheric pressure and oxygen level. For this reason, if you have the possibility of taking more than two days adjusting, that would be optimal.

The high altitude of the Rainbow Mountain Tour Cusco makes this trip a little harder. People with cardiac conditions should look for medical advice before any high altitude trekking. That is a general rule to go by.

As a tour operator we want all our clients to be safe. But we can not provide medical services. So please be careful. 

Recommended Time to Visit (And Some Concerns)

The Rainbow Mountain Cusco Peru has more vibrant colors during the dry season. The dry season in Peru is the usually recommended time for outdoor activities. 

However the main reason tour operators recommend this time of year is for the lack of Rain. In some routes the rain is unavoidable all year around. But for the Rainbow Mountain Tour Cusco, the dry season ensures safer paths. The clearer visibility is a bonus feature.

Even with that, the dry season still has some downfall. This time of year is the most crowded. The high season brings many visitors. Capacity at hotels could be full. And many destinations will be full of people.

You’ll have to book with some anticipation. For Rainbow Mountain Cusco Peru, a month or more in advance would be alright. Also get used to the idea of a lot of people trekking next to you.

The other downfall of the dry season is the cold. The beginning of the dry season coincides with winter in the south hemisphere. Cold season is not as brutal as in less tropical regions. But it can be bothersome.

Most buildings in Cusco don’t have any heating systems. And at night the temperature can drop below 0° C / 32° F. And the cold persists during the first hours of the morning. By 9 or 10 am the temperature ships dramatically.

The midday sun can reach temperatures of 29° C / 84.2 ° F. In the Rainbow Mountain Cusco Peru, the midday heat has a high concentration of UV radiation. UV radiation is naturally higher than at sea level. The risk of sun burns is real.

To prevent any damage in your skin, use sun protection. Do not skip the sunscreen in your Rainbow Mountain Tour Cusco. Also don’t forget other sun protection items.

The drastic temperature changes generate a rise in respiratory diseases. While in open spaces, that is not a problem. Like on the Rainbow Mountain Cusco Peru. But in close spaces try to keep ventilation. Also be prepared for the temperature changes as well.

The rainy season is advised against for the Rainbow Mountain tour Cusco due to safety. The Trek to Rainbow mountain is doable. But the paths become slippery. The rain muddy the colorful layers and dull the color.

Also the Rainbow Mountain Tour Cusco could take significantly more time. Adhering to the itinerary will not be easy. And as tour operators we may not be able to ensure the best experience.

However even the rainy season has its perks. Most significantly, there will be less crowds. And many of the prices will be discounted. 

Vegetation around the Rainbow Mountain Cusco Peru will be greener. The Red Valley takes a new life during this time. This could add to the experience.

Despite these good features, you also have to be ready for any climate eventuality. Heavy rain showers can appear out of nowhere. You also have to gear up for the occasion.

Your trekking shoes have to be able to navigate in wet terrain. You have to take with you a rain poncho. We advise against umbrellas on this trip. You need to have your hands free, and also wind is a concern.

From May to September you’ll have the dry season. With the coldest months being May, June and July. The transition months are April and October with some more tolerable rain. The Rainy season begins in November, and it extends to February, sometimes to March.