Rainbow mountain Vinicunca and Red Valley – Private service

We will pick you up early from your hotel in Cusco, with our private vehicle, driver, and tour guide, and from Cusco we will drive south to the village of Cusipata on the main road to Puno, where our journey up to the Red Valley and Rainbow Mountain will truly begin.

We will continue along an unpaved road for 25 kilometers / 15.6 miles, with dramatic rock formations towering above us and deep canyons far below, until the end of the road at 4,500 meters/ 14,760 feet above sea level.

Before starting the trek, we will pause to enjoy a nourishing hot breakfast. We will set off on a firm trail that cuts through high altitude grasslands, passing small settlements and herds of alpacas. Our experienced tour guide will accompany us, as we walk through this spectacular scenery dominated by Mount Ausangate and other snowcapped peaks.

During the hike, we will have plenty of time to take photos and marvel at the extraordinary landscape of the Red Valley, situated at around 5,100 meters (16,728 feet) above sea level. As the lesser-known counterpart to Vinicunca (Rainbow Mountain), the Red Valley receives far fewer visitors, and it is therefore possible to find one’s self almost alone, with just the other members of the group to share the spectacle. At the end of the Red Valley, we will arrive at Rainbow Mountain, where we will make the climb to its summit to marvel at its multicolored surface.

Nothing can prepare visitors for the spectacular sight of Vinicunca, with its beautiful colors dominating the horizon. At 5,100 meters (16,732 feet) above sea level, we will have a 360-degree view, with Mount Ausangate to one side and multicolored Vinicunca on the other side –it is pure magic!

After spending time taking photos and enjoying the view, we will descend to the parking lot near Rainbow Mountain, where we can enjoy our box lunch before the drive back to Cusco where we will arrive at around 5:30 pm, and you will be transferred to your hotel.

Traveling time:

Cusco – Cusipata: 81 kilometers / 52 miles; 1.5 hours.

Cusipata– to the end of the road: 25 kilometers / 15.6 miles 1.5 hours

End of the road – Cusco: 106 kilometers / 65.9 miles; 3 hours.

Hiking distance:

End of the road – Rainbow Mountain 5 kilometers / 3.1 mi (uphill) 2 hours

Rainbow Mountain – End of the road 5 kilometers / 3.1 miles (downhill) 1.5 hours

Main altitudes:

• Cusco 3,400 meters/ 11,159 feet.
• Cusipata: 3,330 meters/ 10,925 feet.
• end of the road 4,630 meters/ 15,190 feet
• Vinicunca: 5,100 meters /16,732 feet

Meals: hot breakfast, box lunch.

For trekking and hiking routes other than the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, you should make your booking at least five days in advance, so we can make the necessary preparations, although we recommend that you make your booking up to 90 days in advance. Full refunds (minus administration costs) can be offered 45 days before your scheduled departure date. After 45 days, only partial refunds will be given.

Yes, for trekking and hiking routes other than the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, you can add other travelers to your group before departure. Write to us for more information on the treks, hikes and tours we have available.

The maximum group size is 16 persons. For more than 16 persons, a second group must be organized. A single guide travels with 8 participants. For larger groups, an assistant guide will also accompany the participants.

Use of plastic bottles on the network of Inca Trails to Machu Picchu is not permitted. Other treks and hikes do not have this restriction, but we always recommend and encourage our travelers to use reusable canteens or second use plastic water bottles. Our cook will provide you with boiled water to refill your bottle at all the campsites.

Our full time logistics staff continuously maintain and/or replace all our equipment. To ensure proper use of our equipment, all gear is handled by our trained field crew during treks and hikes.