Vinicunca Rainbow Mountain tour of Cusco
- 10k reviews 13.5 h
The tour of Rainbow Mountain in Cusco is one of a kind, the trendiest activity in the Cusco region and Peru, due to its incomparable natural beauty. The trip to rainbow mountain from Cusco is one of the excursions that you should book yes or yes; you cannot miss the Vinicunca rainbow mountain.
Itineray
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4:30 Meeting point in Cusco: 3,400 m.a.s.l. (11,154 ft)
- We will pick you up from your hotel at about 4:30 – if applicable.
- You should read the Details and Notes tab so there are no misunderstandings at all.
Cusco to Cusipata
Cusco to Cusipata by bus: 3 hours — Cusipata is a small town located at 3,310 m.a.s.l. (10,859 ft).
7:30 Breakfast in Cusipata
Cusipata to Llaqto
Cusipata to Llaqto by vehicle: 45 minutes — Llaqto is a small town located at 4,630 m.a.s.l. (15,190 ft).
9:00 Start your hike in Llaqto: 4,630 m.a.s.l. (15,190 ft)
- The first part of the walk is flat
- The last part of the hike is steep — 25 minutes
11:00 Arrival at Vinicunca: 5,200 m.s.n.m. (17,060 ft)
- Your guide will give a brief and concise explanation about this attraction
- Free time in the mountains: 35 to 40 minutes
Return from Vinicunca to Llaqto
By foot.
Llaqto to Cusipata
By vehicle.
14:00 Lunch in Cusipata
Cusipata to Cusco
18:00 Ending place
This tour ends near the Plaza de Armas at approx 18:00. If you book a private tour, we will drop you off at your hotel.
The Red Valley: Optional attraction
What is it?
- It’s an aditional attraction that you can do it as long as you’re very good at trekking.
- The first viewpoint of the red valley is located at 4 km approx. from the Vinicunca mountain.
- The second viewpoint of the red valley is located at 7km approx.
How do I visit it?
Group tours:
- As soon as you arrive at the Llaqto village, inform your Guide noting that you will go to the red valley.
- Ask your Guide what time you will have to be back on the Vinicunca mountain, don’t forget.
- Walk uphill super fast or take a horse (highly recommended, at least one way).
- Upon reaching the Vinicunca mountain, look for the control booth to access the red valley, pay the entrance fee.
- Walk for about 30 minutes to reach the first viewpoint and another 30 minutes to reach the second viewpoint. (No one enters the red valley, you will only have a panoramic overview of this valley).
- Return to the Vinicunca Mountain at the indicated time by your Guide and meet up with the rest of your group.
What happens if I spend a lot of time in the red valley?
Group tours:
- Consider that your Guide is waiting for you in the Vinicunca mountain.
- Your Guide is along with other tourists who might complain because they don’t want to wait any longer at the top of the mountain.
- If you are not back on the Vinicunca mountain at the indicated time by your Guide, you will be on your own and miss the bus.
- If you can’t make it on time, both the Guide and the Company won’t take any responsibility.
Recommendations:
- You can decide to do the red valley or not, just before you start your hike — no need to make a decision in advance or to book beforehand.
- Never forget to inform your Guide that you will do the red valley, this way your Guide will wait for you at the Vinicunca mountain.
- We recommend you visit only the first viewpoint due to time and distance issues.
- If you also want to visit the second viewpoint, you will have to pay an additional entrance fee.
- Book a private tour if you want your service to be more personalized.
Photos:
Price
The prices shown in the table are:
- Per person in US dollars ($).
- Pple. = people.
- Group backpacker plan = group service (shared), the buffet line is small.
- Group standard plan = group service (shared), the buffet line is big.
| Pple. | Group backpacker plan | Group standard plan | Private |
| 1 | $25 | $30 | $220 |
| 2 | $25 | $30 | $110 |
| 3 | $25 | $30 | $75 |
| 4 | $25 | $30 | $65 |
| 5 | $25 | $30 | $60 |
Details
| Details | Group | Private |
| Schedule | 4:30 to 18:00 | 5:00 to 17:30 |
| Days | Every day | Every day |
| Language | es/en simultaneously | es or en |
| Size | 15 to 20 pax. | You and your friends |
| Included | Group | Private |
| Pick up from your hotel | ✅ | ✅ |
| Buffet breakfast and lunch | ✅ | ✅ |
| Professional Guide for Vinicunca | ✅ | ✅ |
| Professional Guide for the Red Valley | ❌ | ❌ |
| Driver | ✅ | ✅ |
| Personalized service | ❌ | ✅ |
| Tourist vehicle | ✅ | ✅ |
| First aid kit | ✅ | ✅ |
| Oxygen | ✅ | ✅ |
| Ticket for the Vinicunca RM: 30 soles pp | ❌ | ❌ |
| Ticket for the Red Valley (optional): 20 soles pp | ❌ | ❌ |
| Horse renting (optional): 50 to 80 soles pp approx. | ❌ | ❌ |
| Drop off at your hotel | ❌ | ✅ |
Restrictions:
- People with reduced mobility.
- People with obesity and heart problems.
- People who are not acclimatized to the altitude.
- Seniors.
- Minors unless you take responsibility.
- People without experience riding horses (applies only if you are going to rent horses)
- * Drones.
What do I bring?
- Sweaters
- Rain ponchos
- Anti-slip shoes
- Caps or hats
- Sunglasses
- Sunscreen
- A bottle of water
- Tablets for high altitude sickness
- Local currency in cash for your entrance tickets
- * Dollars, Euros and cards are not accepted
- * You can buy the entrance tickets the same day of your tour
WhatsApp:
Notes
Pick-ups and timings:
Group tours:
- Pick up times and tour ending times are approximate.
- Bus stop times to visit the attractions, to eat (if applicable) or other activities are always approximate, never exact.
- Arrival times to the attractions on foot are approximate.
- We will pick you up as long as you are in the historic center; otherwise, we will coordinate another meeting place.
- If your hotel doesn’t have a car access, the streets are one-way only or there is a lot of car traffic, then you will walk some blocks to get in the bus.
- We may not pick you up for some tours due to schedules, festivals and strikes.
- When being picked up, we will call for your name, lastname and tour destination; otherwise, don’t get on the bus.
- We will coordinate all pick-up time details one day prior your tour.
Private tours:
- Your pick up time is sharp on time.
- We will do our best to pick you up from your hotel regardless your hotel location.
- We will coordinate all pick-up time details one day prior your tour.
- Your tour ending time is still aproximate; however, we will do our best to end the tour on the scheduled time.
Meal:
- The tourism infrastructure for this tourist destination is basic.
- Both breakfast and lunch are basic, not many options, not many restaurants.
- There are basic vegetarian options.
Vehicle type and seats:
Vehicle types — group tours and private tours:
- We implement vehicles authorized by the Ministry of Transportation of Peru.
- The type and size of vehicle will always depend on the group size.
- We implement modern vehicles with air conditioning: H1, Van, Renault and Sprinter.
Seats — group tours:
- You book a seat in the bus — you don’t necessarily book a specific number of seat.
- If you are picked up first from your hotel, then you can can choose some seats.
- Your pickup time will depend on your hotel location.
- Travel partners or couples seat together to 95%; however, we don’t warranty this will happen to 100%.
Road type:
- Much of the road is paved track.
- The last part of the road is a dirt road (compacted earth) with bumps, therefore:
- Dust comes in through the windows.
- The vehicle ride is sometimes bumpy.
Driver:
Group tours:
- Authorized by the Ministry of Transport and Communications.
- He drives fast due to distance and time issues.
- He sometimes listens to music while driving to stay awake.
Private tours:
- Authorized by the Ministry of Transport and Communications.
- He drives at a normal speed.
Guide:
Group tours:
- Authorized by the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Tourism.
- He goes as a companion, he is always behind the group to make sure that everyone reaches their destination.
- There is not much explanation either on the bus or on the attraction, the route is focused more on a short walk, not on history.
Private tours:
- Authorized by the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Tourism.
- He is always there to help you.
Operability and itinerary:
This tour is subject to variation without any prior notice, due to weather conditions, strikes and any other event that doesn’t allow the normal tour operation.
Cancellations
The cancellation is free as long as you do it 48 hours in advance; otherwise, a fee of 100% of the tour cost will apply.
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