Rainbow Mountain is located in Cusco, just 3 hours away from the main city. The best way is to get a tour or trek that includes transportation from and to Cusco city.

If you are looking for information on the best buses to take to Cusco, visit our passes page. Simply choose your departure city, the locations you would like to visit, and amount of time you have to travel. Then browse our many passes to see which of them include your desired stop in Cusco.

Learn More About Rainbow Mountain

Bolivia Hop does not operate any tours to Rainbow Mountain. To see Bolivia Hop’s recommended operators for this tour read below.

Rainbow Mountain Tour with Rainbow Mountain Travels
Price: $49 USD
Time: 04:00am
Duration: Approximately 12 hours
Pick-ups: Hotels and hostels in Cusco city

IMPORTANT NOTE: December, January and early February are prone to varying weather which can effect visibility on the mountain. However, the tour does continue as normal during this period.

Itinerary

04:00am – 04:40am

Pick-ups from hotels and hostels

06:00am – 07:00am

Arrive to Cusipata and have breakfast

08:15am – 10:00am

Trek to the peak of Rainbow Mountain walking through stunning and colorful scenery.

10:00am – 10:30am

Reach the peak of the mountain. Once at the top, enjoy the view of the majestic mountains surrounding the area.

11:30am – 12:30pm

Return to the starting point where the transportation awaits

1:30pm – 2:30pm

Lunch before heading back to Cusco

4:30pm

Arrive back at Cusco

Included

• Pick-up from your hotel/hostel in the center of Cusco
• Tourist bus transportation during the tour
• Professional bilingual guide (Engish & Spanish)
• 1 simple breakfast / 1 buffet lunch
• Entrance to the park
• First aid kit
• Oxygen tanks for emergencies

Not included:

• Entrance to Red Valley – 20 soles (optional)

Book A Rainbow Mountain Tour

• The incredible site stands 16,000 feet above sea level, that’s higher than 12 empire state buildings.
• The local Ausangate community is one of the only shepherding (raising llamas and alpacas) communities left in the world.
• It was only recently discovered due to the ice melting on top of the mountains.

• Small backpack
• Extra water
• Sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat
• Personal medication
• Warm layers
• Comfortable sneakers or trekking shoes
• Rain jacket or poncho

Are there chances of suffering altitude sickness during the trek?

Altitude sickness can catch many travellers a little bit off guard. Not everyone gets sick at high altitudes, and it is difficult to predict who is likely to be badly affected by it. For most people, it is nothing more than a headache and a dizzy sensation that diminishes over a short period of time (1-2 days).

We strongly recommend acclimatizing to the altitude before partaking in the trek. If short on time, consult your doctor on taking altitude sickness (acetazolamide/Diamox) or go for the natural remedy of locals, chewing coca leaves.

Rainbow Mountain Travels counts with a first-aid kit and oxygen tank as well as trained and professional guides prepared for any type of emergency that can occur during the trek.

What do I do if I get tired/exhausted during the trek?

There are horses available throughout the whole trek which you can ride for however long you want. NOTE no tour operator offers this, it’s run the by locals that live in the surrounding communities.

Like mentioned in the previous Q&A, Rainbow Mountain Travels counts with a first-aid kit and oxygen tank as well as trained and professional guides prepared for any type of emergency that can occur during the trek.

Does it actually look like the pictures?

Yes! And it’s definitely what makes the trek much more gratifying. There are unlucky days where the weather does ruin a little bit of the beauty but it adds a mystical effect.