One of the newest and most popular hikes in Cusco is the Rainbow Mountain hike. I will have to say I’m not sure if I’ve seen another mountain quite like this anywhere else, which makes it a great place to explore and visit as a day or longer hike in the mountains near Cusco. Additionally, the Red Valley (which is far less trafficked but seriously just as or more beautiful) is a way to expand seeing some unique and incredible places in the Andes.
About Rainbow Mountain
Rainbow Mountain goes by many names. Rainbow Mountain, Vinicunca, Montaña de Siete Colores, and Montaña de Colores. The mountain peaks out about 5,200 meters (about 17,000 feet), which is pretty incredible and quite high.
One of the most odd things is, that this mountain was virtually unknown several years ago. Yes, all of a sudden everyone is going to Rainbow Mountain but yet a decade ago few knew of it.
Sadly, that’s because this tourist site is a product of global warming. Yes, I know I’m personally conflicted by that, but years ago, the mountain was covered in snow, so it was not even really known what sort of place it was. And certainly, people didn’t come to see the rainbow colored rocks.
The colors of the mountain are due to the various mineral composition, from clay, mud, sand, quartoze, sandstone, calcium carbonate, claystone. It does feel like a rainbow of various colors. Just so you know the colors are very distinct but often not as pronounced as most of the photos. Those tend to be oversaturated (you can often tell by the sky color).
The weather at Rainbow Mountain can be unpredictable and often overcast and cloudy. Sadly on those days you won’t be treated to the beautiful colors of the mountain.
Best Time to Visit Rainbow Mountain and Red Valley
Since visiting of this place is very weather dependent. The months of May – September tend to be the best in terms of weather since it’s the dry season in Peru. However, since early and late in the season can still see some really bad weather, July/August tend to be the best months in terms of having clear skies and good weather to visit the mountain.
Temperatures even during the winter tend to be cool in the mornings and generally warm during the day. I found I needed to put on and take off layers regularly based on the temperatures and of course hiking will affect how warm you feel as well.
How to Visit
Group Tour
The easiest and least stressful way to go is via a tour group. There are many options for visiting Rainbow Mountain and if you prefer the Red Valley as well.
There is no shortage of tour companies within Cusco that will sell you a tour. You can almost certainly find many options, especially cheaper than if you book it ahead of time.
If you don’t want to go through the hassle of finding and negotiating in person there are options for booking ahead of time online. It will also remove the stress of knowing you have a trip booked prior to arriving in Cusco.
You can find many options within Viator and Get Your Guide. Most of them are pretty much the same. I would validate if they cover just Rainbow Mountain or if they have Red Valley as well (email them, as some say both and really only cover one).
Most of the tours will also include breakfast and lunch. You’ll likely be responsible though for the cost of entry to the various sites.
- Rainbow Mountain: 30 Soles
- Red Mountain: 10 Soles
- Red Valley: 10 Soles
For some reason you get charged twice when going to the Red Valley, once for the Red Mountain and then again for the red valley which is just a few feet past the first checkpoint.
Going on your Own
It is certainly possible to do on your own, and to be honest if you have a couple people it likely is even cheaper than doing it as one of the group options.
It does require a bit more work though. You’ll need to get a taxi to take you to Rainbow Mountain, wait for you, and then take you back. Your hotel likely should be able to help you set it up. Or you can try to find a taxi as well (it’s extra good if you have a taxi you liked from another trip).
Prices for Entrance Fees
- Rainbow Mountain: 30 Soles
- Red Mountain: 10 Soles
- Red Valley: 10 Soles
If you go on your own be sure to plan either for a lunch stop or better yet to bring food for your trip as well. I think you can certainly pack food for lunch, snacks, and drinks for the hike. Overall the hike is pretty short. However, the trip to/from Rainbow Mountain is about 2 hrs. so you’ll need to factor that in as well.
Rainbow Mountain Hike
The hike to the top of Rainbow Mountain is actually pretty gradual for the majority of the hike. I would say the hardest part is the last bit of the hike that is a bit more steep and rocky. It’s actually even too rocky/steep for horses so even those folks will need to hike up the last bit themselves.
It took me a bit over an hour 20mins to get up to the top of the mountain. Well to the first viewpoint actually.
There’s a popular photography point here when you get up to this part of the hike. I would recommend trying to get a photo if you happen to get there when its not too busy. After my friends arrived the line was massively long. I don’t know if its worth doing if its super long. You can get better photos if you go higher.
From this first viewpoint, you’ll actually see another peak behind you. This will give you a bit better view of Rainbow Mountain and only requires another 15-20 minutes of hiking to get to the top. At the top there is even a nice sign that shows your elevation (5036 meters | 16522 feet).
There are also often some alpacas around for photo opportunities as well. Expect to have to tip if you plan to take photos of or with the alpacas.
After visiting the peaks you can take a break, wait for the rest of your group/friends, buy snacks/drinks, or use the toilet.
Should You Hire a Horse
As you start heading up the Rainbow Mountain, You’ll see an option to hire a horse for the trail up.
Three of my friends hired horses, myself and another friend did not. Overall the hike is not difficult other than the last bit of the hike. The end is more rocky and steep.
Horse rentals we found for one way ranged from about 60 – 100 Soles. It seemed to depend a lot on the size/weight of the person riding.
If you rent a horse, you’ll still need to do the last part of the hike on your own. This is still probably the most difficult part of the hike.
You can consider the horse if you think the altitude and exertion are too much. The more exertion the more you’ll feel the effects of altitude sickness. Just be careful that if you hire a horse, you’ll still be required to do the hardest bit. However, my friends who experienced altitude sickness, were at least able to summit because they took a horse.
Red Valley
If your tour also covers it (or if you are solo) you can also do the Red Valley on your way down.
Note: the Red Valley I think was even more incredible than Rainbow Mountain. The stunning red colors of the soil and mountains really do pop and stand out for its bright red colors. You can see in the photos included on the Red Valley
Also note, the trail is far less trafficked. I was the only person I saw on the trail for HOURS. This was a problem which I’ll detail more in a bit.
If you plan to go solo, do make sure you have a good sense of where you are expecting to go. I ended up a bit off the red valley trail, although the actual trail did not seem to be going back to where my original bus was.
For the trail. At least what I did. I have to say. Unfortunately my tour group was not helpful. We booked a rainbow mountain and red valley tour. However, I was told to go on ahead (I finished Rainbow Mountain over an hour before my final friend and faster than my friends on horseback), and was expecting people to join (or at least the tour guide).
But no one came. I’ll detail more about the ordeal in another post however. But it was scary at times.
So where I did go.
I followed the red valley hike down through the red valley. You end up passing through 2 different check points.
The first Check Point is for Red Mountain, which is close by. And then a few feet later you can pay and enter into the red Valley
- Red Mountain: 10 Soles
- Red Valley: 10 Soles
It’s a bit annoying that there are 2 checkpoints, I’m not sure why its set up that way. I think different family/tribes may profit off the land differently which is why there are different people to pay.
The first half of the trail is pretty straightforward you end up going down through the valley and get to just view the stunning viewpoints and deep red color of the valley.
You’ll see a sign that is a viewpoint over the red valley. After continuing further I saw a cairn (rocks that signify a trail) and then the trail split into three. After checking all the trail, I took the right-most trail that led up to the mountain.
At the mountain (which required me to try to scramble up a bit) I was able to go over the edge and see another well marked trail. Unfortunately this was “not” the red valley trail I learned (later). However, following the trial that was well marked I saw a pond and a small bathroom structure. Continuing down the hill you eventually get to a small settlement. From here you are basically on the other end of the mountain from where the Rainbow Mountain buses park and the trail-head. You can make your way around the mountain via smaller paths to see the road and the Rainbow Mountain parking area.
Things to Consider
- The Altitude is no joke. It is probably the highest altitude you’ll reach in Peru for a day trip. Be prepared, and be acclimated in Cuzco for several days before going. One of my friends got really sick during the time visiting Rainbow Mountain.
- The hike is in my opinion easier than the Humantay Lake hike, however, the additional altitude may make it more difficult for you.
- There are also horses available as an option. Expect to pay between 60-100 Soles.
- Be sure to pack:
- Water (lots of water)
- Snacks
- Dress in Layers (bring a raincoat/poncho if you have it)
- Sunscreen
- Hiking boots / Hiking poles
- Ibuprofen and/or Diamox
- Toilet Paper / Biodegradable Wipes
- Check the weather before going. Rainbow Mountain is often overcast/covered in clouds. So if you want those Instagram photos everyone talks about you’ll need to make sure the weather is good.
- If you are traveling solo, you can maybe get there a bit later. Or Earlier if that’s your thing. I got up before most of the groups so was able to get great photos. But going a bit later will help you avoid as well. Not too late, as it can get dark/cold pretty quick and you don’t want to be stuck out there completely alone either.
- If you plan to do Red Valley. I recommend going with a guide. It is actually fairly easy to get lost and even earlier in the day you’ll likely see few people. Some reason very few people actually do Red Valley.
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