Rainbow Mountain and Red Valley are two stunning natural wonders located in the Peruvian Andes, near Cusco. They are famous for their vibrant, multi-colored landscapes created by mineral deposits and unique geological formations.
Many tours combine visits to both Rainbow Mountain Red Valley 1 day, giving travelers the opportunity to experience both unique landscapes in one trip. The Red Valley offers a quieter, scenic contrast to the colorful, but often crowded, Rainbow Mountain.
See one of Peru’s most spectacular natural landmarks on a full-day tour of Rainbow Mountain (Vinicunca) and be amazed by the incredible of the Red Valley. Designed to delight lovers of the great outdoors, this excursion includes a hike to the summit of Rainbow Mountain (Vinicunca), renowned for its kaleidoscopic colors and 16,564-ft / 5,050m height and hike on the Red Valley with stunning views that seems you are in another planet.
Itinerary
Our adventure to the Rainbow Mountain Red Valley 1 day tour begins at 3:30 am. We will pick you up from your hotel door to head for 2 hours towards Cusipata in our private transport to the restaurant to enjoy our energetic breakfast. After, we’ll continue our journey until we reach the starting point. Remember that the starting point of our walk is at 4,638 masl / 15,216 fasl. Along the way, we’ll observe picturesque Andean towns, agricultural platforms from the Inca period, fertile valleys, and beautiful rolling mountains.
There we’ll head down a meandering path in the middle of the Andean mountains, following a beautiful stream. As you ascend, you’ll be rewarded with the impressive view of the Ausangate Mountain (6,384 masl / 20,945 fasl). Take a few minutes to understand why this mountain is a living deity for the Andean people. This whole area is home to many people, and you’ll have the opportunity to see them working the land. You’ll surely also be surprised to see the traditional clothing they use to make themselves, thanks to the practice of textile art that they have inherited from their ancestors. In this way, ancient culture is preserved and refuses to be submitted to the Western world’s rules.
Your guide will teach you about the meaning of some clothes, and, if you want, you can ask him to teach you some words in Quechua. After 1.5 hours of walking, we will arrive at the amazing Vinicunca Mountain (5,036 masl / 16,522 fasl). Take time to admire the unique beauty of this impressive natural formation and feel the thrill of witnessing a unique natural spectacle. You will explore the surroundings a little while your guide explains the theories that exist regarding the origin of this mountain that seems to be taken from a colorful dream of the gods. Take photographs or immerse yourself in the landscape that also shows you the splendor of the high mountain Ausangate in the distance.
After we are done with the exploration of the Rainbow Mountain, we will continue our hike to the Red Valley, don’t miss this valley of completely red mountains! We’ll take 1 hour walking down towards the bus station, where we’ll board the bus and drive to get our lunch. Once we have filled our stomachs, we’ll embark on our private transport back to the city of Cusco. At approximately 4:00 pm we’ll leave you close to your hotel.
Hiking distance: 8 km / 4.9 miles
Minimum altitude: 4,400 meters / 14,432 feet
Maximum altitude: 5,036 meters / 16,522 feet
Walking time: 2 to 3 hours
Inclusions
Ausangate Tours is very transparent, providing the specific details of what is included and excluded in our Rainbow Mountain Tour. We know this is very important so that you know exactly what to bring and you don’t miss anything.
We provide this information to ensure that you have an incredible experience during your Rainbow Mountain tour.
Packing List
In our company we focus on making your trip an unforgettable experience, and we want to provide all the details that you need to know before you leave your country and start your life experience in Peru.
Daypacks can be any size for hiking, but we always say the smaller, the better. If it is larger try to bring it as lighter as possible.
important info
Don’t forget water! Drinking lots of water will help with the elevation. We advise bringing at least 2 liters per person on the hike with you. Also, you will have a chance to buy water at the beginning of the trail.
We skip the crowds! Everybody else goes to Rainbow Mountain at the same time. That means they’re all up at the top at the same time. There is only one spot to take the classical picture of the Rainbow Mountain, and it wouldn’t be pleased with a huge crowd of people. Since we leave from Cusco at 03:30 am. You will get to the Rainbow Mountain before the crowd.
Our guide always brings oxygen tanks, which are important as you get over 5,036 meters/16,522 feet above sea level! Not all travel agencies offer this, so this is definitely something to look out for when choosing the best Rainbow Mountain tour operator.
The best time to visit the Rainbow Mountain is going to be in the morning or evening hours, either right after sunrise or right before sunset.
Make sure that you have been a few days in Cusco to acclimatize to the elevation before you set off on your hike to the Rainbow Mountain. This is by far the best insurance for a smooth and enjoyable trip.
Go to sleep early and try to avoid drinking or partying the night before, because we will pick you up at 03:30 am, and the physically challenging trek will be much more bearable without a hangover.
Try to go all the way to the viewpoint. You get a 360° view not just of Rainbow Mountain but also of the nearby glacier and a gorgeous valley in the other direction. We think most people didn’t realize what they were missing by not going all the way up.
If you are going to Machu Picchu the day before your trip to the Rainbow Mountain, tell your travel company to book your return train ticket early.
Higher elevation also means colder, nearly freezing temperatures, so be prepared. Whether you decide to take a one-day tour, make sure to wear very warm clothes. Also bring coca leaves to fight off altitude sickness.
Prices
To book any tour/trek through Ausangate Tours, we do require a 50% deposit per person. PayPal does charge us a fee of 8%, which we ask the client to cover. This tax is just for deposits; for the remaining, you will pay in cash (briefing day) without taxes.
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