Embarking on an early-morning adventure, adventurers can enjoy the stunning landscapes of Cusco’s Rainbow Mountain. This 12-hour tour whisks participants away from historic Cusco for a scenic drive to Qollasuyo, followed by a guided hike to the breathtaking Rainbow Mountain. Renowned for its vibrant multicolored striations, this natural wonder offers a captivating experience for those acclimatized to high altitudes. With a delicious buffet lunch, safety equipment, and bilingual guides, the tour promises to deliver a rich cultural and natural experience. But the true allure lies in what awaits beyond the hike, as the tour also includes a visit to the equally remarkable Red Valley.
Key Points
- This 12-hour tour offers early access to the vibrant Rainbow Mountain, allowing visitors to explore the natural wonder before the crowds arrive.
- The tour includes hotel pickup from Cusco, breakfast, and a buffet lunch featuring authentic Peruvian cuisine.
- Experienced bilingual guides lead the hike, providing insights into the region’s natural and cultural attractions.
- The tour is not suitable for pregnant women, individuals with mobility issues, heart problems, travelers over 65, or children under 10.
- Participants are advised to acclimatize in Cusco for at least two days prior to the tour to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience.
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Contents
- Key Points
- Tour Overview
- Itinerary
- Highlights
- Inclusions and Costs
- Preparation and Recommendations
- Customer Feedback
- Transportation and Pickup
- Activity Suitability
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Can I Bring My Own Food and Snacks on the Tour?
- Is There an Option to Rent Hiking Poles for the Trek?
- What Is the Group Size for This Tour?
- Can I Join the Tour if I Have a Physical Disability?
- Is There a Discount for Children or Seniors on This Tour?
- Recap
- Our Top Picks in Cusco
- More Tours in Cusco
- More Tour Reviews in Cusco
- Not for you? Here's more things to do in Cusco we have recnetly reviewed
Tour Overview
The tour is named "Cusco: Rainbow Mountain Early-Access Tour with Red Valley", and it offers a price range of $18.00 to $36.00 per person, depending on any discounts or promotions.
It lasts 12 hours and includes hotel pickup from the historic center of Cusco, with a meeting point provided for private residences or outside the pickup route.
The tour is available in English and Spanish, and it offers free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.
Highlights include walking at the foot of the Ausangate mountain range, trekking to the famous Rainbow Mountain, and enjoying a local buffet lunch.
You can also read our reviews of more tours and experiences in Cusco.
Itinerary
The tour begins with an early pickup from hotels in the historic center of Cusco, between 3:00 AM and 3:30 AM.
After the 1.5-hour drive to Qollasuyo, the group stops for a 30-minute breakfast in Cusipata.
They then travel for 1 hour to Fulawasipata, where a briefing is provided before the 1-hour 45-minute hike up to the famous Rainbow Mountain.
At the top, there’s time to take photos and enjoy the stunning scenery.
The descent back to the starting point takes 1 hour.
After the hike, the group enjoys a buffet lunch in Cusipata before returning to Plaza Regocijo around 4:30 PM.
Highlights
Visitors frequently walk at the foot of the impressive Ausangate mountain range, a highlight of this tour.
Trekkers will also discover the districts of Fulawasipata and Cusipata, providing a glimpse into the local culture.
One of the main draws is the famous Rainbow Mountain, known for its vibrant, multicolored striations. Travelers can enjoy a break, take photos, and soak in the stunning scenery.
The tour also includes a delicious local buffet lunch, allowing visitors to savor authentic Peruvian cuisine.
With the expert guidance of bilingual staff, this comprehensive experience showcases the natural wonders and cultural treasures of the Cusco region.
Inclusions and Costs
This Rainbow Mountain tour includes a range of amenities and services to ensure a seamless experience for participants.
The tour includes hotel pickup, drop-off at Regocijo Square, private transportation, and a bilingual guide.
Breakfast and a buffet lunch are provided, along with first aid equipment, oxygen masks, and blankets.
Entrance fees to Rainbow Mountain and the optional Red Valley are covered.
However, the tour isn’t suitable for pregnant women, individuals with mobility issues, heart problems, those over 65, or children under 10.
Guests are advised to bring appropriate gear and allow for acclimatization in Cusco prior to the tour.
More Great Tours NearbyPreparation and Recommendations
Prospective participants are advised to stay in Cusco for at least two days prior to the tour to allow for proper acclimatization to the high altitude. This will help mitigate the effects of the thin air and ensure a more comfortable experience during the hike.
Visitors should bring essential items like passport/ID, sunglasses, hat, sunscreen, water, rain gear, and trekking shoes. Keeping hydrated and dressing in layers is crucial given the changing weather conditions.
The tour isn’t suitable for pregnant women, individuals with mobility impairments, heart problems, those over 65, or children under 10. Following these recommendations will help ensure a safe and enjoyable Rainbow Mountain adventure.
Customer Feedback
Based on the 305 reviews, the Rainbow Mountain tour has an overall rating of 4.7 out of 5.
Highlights from customer feedback include:
- Excellent, knowledgeable guides who provide a great experience.
- Early access to Rainbow Mountain, allowing travelers to avoid large crowds.
- Quality meals, including a delicious buffet lunch, that satisfy customers.
Customers praise the tour’s organization, efficient transportation, and the opportunity to visit the stunning Rainbow Mountain and surrounding landscapes.
The tour’s inclusions, such as hotel pickup and entrance fees, also contribute to its high customer satisfaction.
Transportation and Pickup
The tour provides convenient hotel pickup from locations in the historic center of Cusco. Meeting points are also available for those staying at private residences or outside the pickup route. The pickup time is scheduled between 3:00 AM and 3:30 AM, ensuring an early start to the day’s activities.
| Pickup | Start Time |
|---|---|
| Hotels in Historic Center | 3:00 AM – 3:30 AM |
| Private Residences | Meeting point provided |
| Outside Pickup Route | Meeting point provided |
After pickup, the tour travels approximately 1.5 hours to the town of Qollasuyo, where a 30-minute breakfast stop is made in Cusipata before continuing to the trailhead.
Activity Suitability
This tour may not be suitable for all travelers. Certain individuals are advised against participating due to the physical demands and high-altitude environment.
The tour isn’t recommended for pregnant women, those with mobility impairments, heart problems, or travelers over the age of 65. Plus, children under 10 may find the hike challenging.
To ensure a safe and enjoyable experience, the tour operator has set these reasonable limitations:
- Pregnant women
- Individuals with mobility impairments
- Travelers with heart problems or over the age of 65
- Children under 10
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I Bring My Own Food and Snacks on the Tour?
Yes, guests are welcome to bring their own food and snacks on the tour. However, a full buffet lunch is provided, so additional sustenance may not be necessary. It’s recommended to check with the tour operator about any restrictions on outside food.
Is There an Option to Rent Hiking Poles for the Trek?
The tour operator does offer hiking poles for rent, which can be helpful for the challenging terrain of the Rainbow Mountain hike. Renting poles is an additional cost not included in the tour price.
What Is the Group Size for This Tour?
The tour group size is not specified in the provided information. However, it is a private tour with hotel pickup, suggesting a small group size for a personalized experience. The exact number is not clearly stated.
Can I Join the Tour if I Have a Physical Disability?
The tour may not be suitable for individuals with mobility impairments or other physical disabilities. The itinerary involves a strenuous hike and is not recommended for pregnant women, those with heart problems, or children under 10.
Is There a Discount for Children or Seniors on This Tour?
The tour company does not offer discounts for children or seniors. It specifically states that the tour is not suitable for pregnant women, those with mobility impairments, heart problems, over 65, or children under 10.
Cusco: Rainbow Mountain Early-Access Tour With Red Valley
“Our guide Roxana was great! Very attentive and considerate of the participants in the trip. Roxana did a wonderful job! Thanks Roxana!!”
Recap
The Cusco: Rainbow Mountain Early-Access Tour with Red Valley offers an unforgettable 12-hour adventure. Participants can expect a scenic drive, a guided hike to the breathtaking Rainbow Mountain, and a delicious buffet lunch. With safety equipment and bilingual guides, this tour promises stunning views and a rich cultural and natural experience, making it ideal for those acclimatized to high altitudes.
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