Duration: 2 days/1 night
Rainbow Mountain Tour Elevation: Approximately 5,023 m/16,478 ft
Departure Dates: Any day you would like!
Vinicunca Mountain Vinicunca Trek Pricing: From $340 USD per person, for groups of 4 or more trekkers. Please contact us for pricing for smaller group treks.
We also offer a longer 4D/3N Rainbow Mountain Ausangate Trek, which includes two additional days to explore beautiful Ausangate!
Trek through some of Peru’s most beautiful scenery to visit the world-famous Rainbow Mountain! On this 2 day/1 night trek, you will hike through sloping meadows surrounded by sky-scraping mountains before camping at the base of Rainbow Mountain. By opting for the 2-day trek, you will be able to ascend Rainbow Mountain and visit the peak in complete solitude- before any other trekkers arrive. In addition, we follow a unique route that allows for a more remote experience and avoids the environmental damage associated with standard Rainbow Mountain day tours.
This is an adventurous overnight trip, with comfort camping under the starry skies of the southern hemisphere. We’ll visit remote villages and share the trail with curious alpacas along the way!
As with all Ayni Peru travel, this itinerary can be customized or combined with tours in Cusco and beyond. Please contact us for custom itineraries, quotes and questions.
Early morning departure for the province of Quispicanchis, home to magnificent Ausangate, the Rainbow Mountain of Peru, and countless other natural wonders. Along the way we`ll stop at two beautifully restored colonial churches and scenic lookouts. We’ll arrive at our trek departure point midday, and break for a tasty picnic lunch before setting out for our campsite for the night, Illapampa.
Trek Duration: 4 km
Meals: Lunch, Dinner
After a hearty breakfast set out on for Peru’s Mountian! Ascend through dark red mountains, with views of snowy peaks in the close distance. After 1.5-2 hours we’ll arrive at Vinicunca pass, directly facing the colorful mountain. Enjoy time to explore on your own, take photos and enjoy incredible views of the Vinicunca Mountain, Ausangate, and multiple other peaks that dominate the area. After a break for lunch, we’ll begin the return hike, arriving at your Cusco hotel in the early evening.
Trek Duration: 6 km
Meals: Lunch, Dinner
Vinicunca Mountain Tour and Ausangate treks do not include a final day at Machu Picchu. However, Ayni offers several Machu Picchu extensions that can be added either before or after your trek.
Before 2015, the breathtaking Rainbow Mountains of Peru, also known as Vinicunca Mountain, were relatively unknown among tourists.
However, due to its unique segmented stripes of bright colors, the mountain has recently gained increasing popularity and has become one of Peru’s must-see destinations.
Only three hours from Cusco but still relatively unmarred by the traveler, Vinicunca Mountain Peru is truly a unique sight to behold: colorful washes of yellow, blue, and maroon cascade down the sides of the mountain like waterfalls, while the vibrant sky and soft white clouds graze the peaks.
Your trek will begin bright and early as you depart Cusco for the Quispicanchis province (about a 3-3.5 hour drive). Quispicanchis is known for its incredible landscapes- including the breathtaking Ausangate rainbow mountain range. You will arrive at the departure point mid-day.
The hike will begin with a moderate ascent, and you will hike through sloping meadows surrounded by sky-scraping mountains. Along the way, you will likely see fields of grazing alpacas and llamas, and if you’re lucky, a fox or chinchilla.
An approximately two-hour hike will take you to Illapampa, your campsite for the night. You will camp near the home of a traditional alpaca farming family and will have the opportunity to speak to them about their lifestyle and culture.
After a delicious dinner prepared at the campsite, you will settle into your tent for the night. Don’t forget to take a moment to appreciate the beautifully clear and starry sky!
On the second day, you will begin the ascent to Vinicunca Mountain. As you climb, you will notice the mountains becoming darker and more colorful, and you will have a view of stunning Ausangate Rainbow Mountain in the distance.
After an approximately 2 hour hike through Vinicunca Pass, you will arrive at your destination: the incredible Colorful Mountain! Here, you will have time to explore, take photos, and enjoy not just Mountain, but also breathtaking panoramic views of the entire valley. You will then hike back to your starting point (approximately 3-4 hours), where you will enjoy a hearty lunch before returning back to Cusco.
No trip to Peru is complete without a visit to these incredible mountains- book today!
“The 2 day / 1 night rainbow mountain trek was great, combining “luxury” camping, tasty food, beautiful landscapes and expert photo tips. I strongly advise to take at least a two-day tour of the rainbow mountain and Ausangate area, as the surrounding valleys are just as beautiful as the Rainbow mountain itself.”
“My girlfriend and myself did the 2 day rainbow mountain trek and the 4 day Lares/MP trek. As for RM, we had our own camp site on night one, the food cooked for us blew my expectations, and the valley we were in was beautiful, peaceful . . .I recommend the 2 day rainbow mountain hike 100%!”
“The trip to Machu Picchu and hiking in Rainbow Mountain was beautiful and again, every detail was taken care of. Thank you for your attention to detail and having great staff – guides, drivers, horsemen, and cooks!”