Rainbow Mountain is a popular photo subject on Instagram. If you are already in Cusco, the unmistakable red, yellow and orange seams will be common sights throughout the city’s hostels, tour agencies, and hotels.
This site, also known as Vinicunca or Winikunka, Montana de Siete Colores or Montana de Colores, has seen a lot of popularity over the years. It is now on the way to being the second most popular attraction in Peru, after Machu Picchu.
However, we were reluctant to go to the site for several reasons. We decided at the very last moment that we owed it all to you, our readers to give an honest review and guideline on what to expect.
If you’re curious about what a Rainbow Mountain day tour from Cusco is like (and whether or not it’s worth it), this post will help you understand why it has become so crowded and how to prepare for the crazy Vinicunca altitude. It also explains some of the new realities associated with day tours to Rainbow Mountain 2021.
IT DID NOT EXIST UNTIL 2015.
In 2015, people were stunned to see images of the multi-colored mountain popping up everywhere only months later when we returned home from South America. It is amazing that people didn’t know about it during their trip to South America.
Although the mountain was known for its iconic feature, it was obscured by thick layers of Andean ice and snow for many centuries. Then, probably due to climate change it slowly melted away.
Cusco discovered that instead of being a wake up call about worrying environmental shifts it had another famous tourist attraction: the first guided tours of Rainbow Mountain began in January 2016.
Its famed striped colours are due in large part to weathering, and mineral deposits.
IT DID NOT EXIST UNTIL 2015.
In 2015, we first visited Peru. We were stunned to see images of the multi-colored mountain popping up everywhere only months later when we returned home from South America. It is amazing that we didn’t know about it during our trip to South America. We even forgot to add it to our list! What is it?
We discovered that we weren’t completely unaware.
Although the mountain was known for its iconic feature, it was obscured by thick layers of Andean ice and snow for many centuries. Then, probably due to climate change it slowly melted away.
Cusco discovered that instead of being a wake up call about worrying environmental shifts it had another famous tourist attraction: the first guided tours of Rainbow Mountain began in January 2016.
Its famed striped colours are due in large part to weathering, and mineral deposits.
CUSCO IS A MUST-VISIT PLACE
The standard route to Rainbow Mountain used to involve a 15-km round trip trek and a lengthy bus ride from Cusco.
The actual hike is now only 7km long, thanks to a new road that was carved into the hillside. This road was made specifically for tour buses. Unfortunately, this means that the bus ride to work in the morning is still possible.
While some tours leave earlier than others, the Full Day Vinicunca Peru Tour will include the following:
| Hostel pick-up between 4 a.m. – 5 a.m.
Drive for two hours
Breakfast stop for 30-45 mins
Drive for 1.5 hours to Rainbow Mountain car park
Walk along trail to the mirador / viewpoint (1.5 – 2 hours)
Stay at viewpoint for 10-20 minutes
Walk trail back to tour bus (1 hour)
Drive for 1.5 hours and have a lunch stop
Drive back to Cusco.
It’s a long, exhausting day. The majority of the time is spent driving up and down the mountain. However, you will see some beautiful scenes in the Peruvian countryside. Although tours departing at 2.30 – 2.30 am are not as common, they will give you the best chance to avoid the huge crowds later in your day.
You can also experience Rainbow Mountain ATV Tour
Rainbow Mountain is best done with your own transport.
BUT, CHECK THE WEATHER FORECAST FIRST!
Rainbows are most often visible after rain has stopped. However, it is not the best weather to see Rainbow Mountain at its best.
Although we were blessed with beautiful weather during our Peru trip (which is from November to April), others on the route through South America and at our hostel in Cusco confirmed that walking in the rain and clouds can be miserable and nearly a waste of time. Why? Unsurprisingly, the mountain doesn’t look so good when everyone (and everything) is grey, miserable, and wet.
This shouldn’t surprise anyone. There is no way to control the weather on hikes in South America. Trekkers seen four seasons in one day while hiking up in Huaraz in northern Peru. If you are visiting Cusco with limited time, and the region has experienced a lot rain or is expected to rain, it’s best to not waste six hours driving to disappointment.
You can book a tour online now
Sometimes we recommend to our readers that they book certain tours or experiences in advance online. However, this was not the best strategy in 2018 + 2019 Rainbow Mountain tours.
The situation has improved since publication and you can now book your Rainbow Mountain tour online at a much lower price and with better ratings. Although they are slightly more expensive than the tours you will find in Cusco, convenience, better standards and dependability all make up for that difference.
We recommend this full day tour for $31.50 based on reviews from travelers.
You also have , which is slightly more expensive, and which is a full-day tour with great reviews.
You can look around Cusco and book the cheapest tours starting at S/. 65 $18/PS15
It’s a good idea to book a tour in Peru before you arrive.
PREPARE FOR THE ALTITUDE
Overestimating the altitude and its effects is the biggest mistake that anyone can make on Rainbow Mountain. This goes beyond paying $100. You’re likely to hear someone else complain about how difficult the walk was or how bad they felt. This is almost certain because they didn’t prepare properly for altitude sickness.
The walk to Rainbow Mountain’s summit viewpoint is at high altitude. It starts at 4,600m and reaches its summit at 5,200m above sea level. This altitude is much higher than that in Lares Trek to Machu Picchu or in Inca Trail to Machu Picchu . That is why you can only stay at the summit for between 10 and 20 minutes. Your body won’t adapt to the conditions, namely the lack of oxygen and thin air at this elevation.
