The Most Beautiful Natural Wonders In South America
A Looming, Colorful Rainbow Mountain Vinicunca
Get ready to go on a trip that will live long in your memory to Rainbow Mountain Vinicunca, a bright jewel hidden among the natural treasures of Peru. This breathtaking location is a display of the natural world’s color pallet, and it is situated next to the spectacular Ausangate Mountain, which is Cusco’s highest peak. It’s just three hours away from Cusco, and our guided trip perfectly mixes ease and excitement, providing a one-of-a-kind experience for each and every guest.
Beginning with a carefully selected variety of trail snacks and offering horse rentals as an optional activity at Llacto, the beginning point of your trip, your adventure will begin with every detail being taken into consideration. Journey through the Andean deserts and take in the spectacular landscape of snow-capped mountains as you travel across the region. If you happen to come across the native animals of the area, such as llamas, alpacas, and the very uncommon vicuñas, your journey will be enhanced with a touch of the allure of the wilderness.
Within the realm of South American exploration, Rainbow Mountain stands out as a standout due to its kaleidoscopic attractiveness. The mountain’s vibrant stripes will unroll before you, providing you with a once-in-a-lifetime chance to take photographs. Witness a visual feast when you see them. We invite you to accompany us on our adventure to discover the reasons why Rainbow Mountain Vinicunca is regarded as a legendary location, serving as a tribute to the breathtaking beauty of the world around us.
Temperature : Minimum -5 °C (23 °F) / max. 14 °C (68 °F)
Physical difficulty : Moderate, but challenging.
At 4:30 a.m. We’ll pick you up from your hotel in our private van, so make sure your bags are packed and ready for the adventure ahead!
Set out on an early morning adventure and enjoy a two-hour drive to reach your delicious breakfast destination by 6:30 a.m.!
Following a nourishing breakfast, set off at 7:00 a.m. on the winding roads to Llacto for an hour of scenic driving.
At 8:10, get off at Llacto, the beginning of the hike.
1.30 hours of adventurous hiking! Get up close and personal with this mesmerizing natural wonder, the rainbow mountain.
By the time 11:00 rolls around, you’ll be heading back to where your journey began. Make sure to relish in all that was seen and discovered during this remarkable trek!
At midday, take a break and refuel with lunch.
After refueling with lunch, hop on the van at 2:00 p.m. for a scenic ride back to Cusco!
Arrive in the city of Cusco at 4:30 pm, and we’ll take you directly to your hotel for a comfortable stay.
Tour Gallery
Trip Itinerary
Cusco - Cusipata - Llacto - Vinicunca
Start your day with a journey to the breathtaking Rainbow Mountain of Vinicunca, or Wininucuna. Set off from your hotel at 4:30am and travel in our secure private van on winding roads for three hours until arriving at Llacto (4,630 mts/15,190 ft above sea level). Fuel up for the trek ahead with an energizing breakfast, we stop in Colca village before we continue onward!
Take a trek up the rainbow-colored mountain as we make our way to an incredible viewpoint! After an hour of leisurely walking, things will get steeper in order to reach the main viewing spot at over 16 thousand feet (5,020 mts). Prepare for one exhilarating hike and breathtaking vistas!
On this unforgettable journey, you will explore the wonders of a valley surrounded by streams and towering mountains. Along your ascent up winding roads, marvel at herds of llamas, alpacas and sheep grazing across meadows as well as traditional villages nestled among them. All leading to an incredible summit view featuring snowcapped Ausangate (20 900 feet) accompanied with beautiful red coloured hills! As if that wasn’t enough; witness the magnificent colours on show in Rainbow Mountain from 16 400 feet above sea level providing plenty for even professional photographers alike. Your guide’s storytelling throughout will capture your imagination as they detail how these vibrant hues have been created through millions of years worth of nature’s magical design process.
After admiring the incredible beauty of Rainbow Mountain, we will descend from its peak and make our way back to a local village for lunch. Then buckle up as it’s time for an exciting 2 hour drive back to Cusco.
– END OF RAINBOW MOUNTAIN TOUR –
Tour Map
Rainbow Mountain Vinicunca Full Day
Tour inclusion
Included
Private transportation to/from your Cusco hotel
Professional bilingual tour guide
Breakfast
Lunch
Entry ticket to the area
Walking stick
Oxygen tank
Not Included
Personal horse to ride
Tips
Packing List
Essential Gear for Rainbow Mountain Full Day
Additional water: we recommend bringing 1 liter per person (if in case you require more, local people sell water bottled along the way)
Warm cloths
Rain jacket and poncho· Outerwear like a jacket, scarf, gloves and a woolly cap
Winter gloves
Rain pants
Appetizers
Sunscreen
Sun hat
Sunglasses
Phone or Camera with spare batteries (batteries discharge faster at high altitude)
Extra money
Tour Price
Daily Departure tour – at least two people
Private Service
02 people: $ 120.00 USD per person
03 people: $ 110.00 USD per person
04 people: $ 100.00 USD per person
05 people: $ 90.00 USD per person
06 people+: $ 80.00 USD per person
Group Service
$ 60.00 USD per person
Important Note:
Group size: Up to 20 people.
Guiding service: Available in several languages.
Extras
Horseback riding: $ 45.00 USD
FAQ
The difference between Rainbow Mountain Vinicunca and Palcoyo lies primarily in their accessibility, popularity, and physical demands. Vinicunca, the more famous of the two, is known for its challenging hike. The trek spans approximately 5 miles round trip, with an elevation gain of 1,200 feet, taking you to an altitude of 16,400 feet. This high-altitude journey can be physically demanding, but horseback riding is available to ease the climb.
On the other hand, Palccoyo offers a more relaxed experience. This site is less crowded, providing a more peaceful alternative. The hike here is shorter and easier, covering just 1.49 miles round trip with an elevation gain of 270 feet, and it sits at a lower altitude of 16,030 feet. This makes Palcoyo a great option for those seeking a more moderate and accessible experience. For additional information, visit Palcoyo Tour.
Whether you’re up for a challenge or looking for a more leisurely visit, both locations offer stunning views of Peru’s vibrant, multicolored mountains.
Traveler Reviews
brooke w
2024-11-20
Verified
Incredible!
We booked the day trip to rainbow mountain and Elistan took care of everything. The trip was well planned, the sites were beautiful and the lunch was amazing. Some of the best food we had the entire trip. We also booked the Inca trail 4 days and 3 nights. The entire trip was amazing. It was the most incredible adventure I have ever been on. Elistan and his crew are the best on the entire trail. We had the best service, best camp sites and best food. The crew always had our campsite ready for us when we arrived. If you are looking to book this trip you have to go through Allyn Pacha. They will help you from the moment you land in Cusco! Message them with any questions and they are very responsive.
Abby O
2024-11-15
Verified
Incredible tour and experience!
My friend and I had the best time on the 2-day Inca trail tour! Eli was an incredible guide and was so friendly and knowledgeable. We would definitely recommend booking a tour with Allyn pacha!
Romina P
2024-10-03
Verified
Inca trail + Machu Picchu
With ALLYN PACHA you’re given what you were promised (which is not always obvious with other companies). Elistan knows everything about the Inka culture and the Inka trail. There’s no question he couldn’t answer and would be sincere if something wasn’t dating back to XV century (e.g fountain inside Machu Picchu). Very professional and funny at the same time. He knew the best spots for pictures, and rest. He also advised the best time to take the bus in order to avoid the immense queue. I had a lot of fun and discovered a lot about Machu Picchu history. Thanks Elistan!
Preston B
2024-09-25
Verified
Best 4 day Inca Trail Experience!
We completed the (4) day Inca trail Machu Picchu expedition with Allyn Pacha in September 2024. Allyn Pacha, Elistan, & the entire crews attention to detail, help, knowledge, rides, food, and planning were perfectly setup, making our experience one to remember forever. If anyone is thinking about using a company to complete this trek, please contact Allyn Pacha. I promise, it will be worth it!!
Jaime J
2024-09-24
Verified
Rainbow mountain Extravaganza!🌈
We used Allyn Pacha for our Rainbow mountain tour adventure, was a great and private experience. Had an amazing breakfast and lunch spot as well.
Jaime J
2024-09-23
Verified
ClassIc Inca trail 4 day. Our best trip adventure ever!
Allyn Pacha went above and beyond expectations. The moment we were picked up at the airport we were put at ease that everything was being taken care of. Allyn Pacha took great care of us and we will use them again for other trips and tours to do in Peru.
Dan P
2024-09-23
Verified
Fantastic once in a lifetime adventure
The tour was amazing though the hike was very challenging. Allyn our guide explained the history in detail and was very patient during our hike. He made sure we were well prepared. Allyn also came with us to Puerto Maldonado.
Erin
2024-09-13
Verified
Bucket List Classic Inca Trail Hike
Wow! If you want an unforgettable bucket list trip then book a trip with Allyn Pacha Peru Tours. I promise you won’t regret it. We did the Classic Inca Trail 4 day hike. The hike was challenging, but Elistan does such a phenomenal job of balancing hiking and break time. Now, let me tell you about the food. I was blown away with the gourmet meals they were able to prepare for us atop a mountain! Breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks in between were all SUCH a treat! I’m a shower loving girl and I was worried how I was going to make it 3 nights without a shower. The warm water and washcloths made me feel refreshed each day. That was a nice surprise! The views and beauty you experience at every turn on this hike cannot be captured by a photo! You truly must come to experience with your own eyes. Also, you MUST book with the best guide out there… Elistan at Allyn Pacha. We have made a lifelong friend in him. He and his family are world class. Book the trip! You won’t regret it!
Jonathan C B
2024-08-17
Verified
Adventure of a Lifetime
If you’re planning to go to Peru then stop looking for a tour guide and book your trip with Elistan at Allyn Pacha. My wife and I have traveled quite a bit throughout the US and several other countries. I don’t think we’ve ever come across anyone as kind and hospitable as Elistan. From the moment we met him it was very clear that his main goal was to make our trip as enjoyable as possible. We booked the four day Incan Trail with Elistan. The day before we departed for our hike on the Incan Trail we visited Rainbow Mountain, which was beautiful. It was a fairly long and bumpy drive to and from Rainbow Mountain but we thought it was worth it. Hiking the trail was pretty demanding physically for our group (3 couples in our late 30s to early 40s). Make sure you are in decent shape before you come. Elistan did a wonderful job of making sure we pushed ourselves, but kept us from pushing ourselves to the point of exhaustion. Each day of the hike was a bit different and the views we were rewarded with were amazing. Finishing the 4 day journey at Machu Pichu was the perfect way to end a once in a lifetime adventure. Elistan and his team of porters did a wonderful job keeping us comfortable at our campsites and kept our bellies full with delicious meals every day—it was really amazing the meals that they were able to prepare for us considering they had to haul all of our food and the camp kitchen on their backs every night. Elistan was already doing an amazing job of taking care of us but went even further above and beyond when my wife and I learned on the last night that our son, who was staying with grandparents back home in the USA, had developed appendicitis and needed emergency surgery. Elistan worked tirelessly that evening to help us find a way to get home faster and held our hands as we prayed for our son that night while he was in surgery thousands of miles away. Thankfully, our son did very well with surgery. With 4 wonderful grandparents and a team of friends back home watching over him we decided to go ahead and finish the hike. We spent our last day enjoying Machu Pichu, a wonderful lunch in Aguas Calientes and then a train and bus ride back to the beautiful city of Cuscos to rest and enjoy a hot shower (feels amazing after 4 days hiking on the trail) before heading home to the states. I would definitely rate Elistan and his team a 10/10 and would strongly encourage you to book your trip with him today before someone else does. It’s an experience few will be fortunate enough to have and one you will never forget.
Taylor M
2024-07-01
Verified
An experience of a lifetime!
We had the absolute pleasure of meeting Eli from Allyn Pacha tours for our 9 day trip in Cusco Peru. Eli is extremely knowledgeable and so accommodating! He truly goes above and beyond for his travelers and assures you have a wonderful experience! He is excited to show you around and share his knowledge and secretes in order to miss the crowds and see incredible views. I cannot say enough how impressed I was with his hospitality. Our decision to book our tours with Eli through Allyn Pacha was the best choice we have ever made while traveling. This decision made our entire experience in Peru absolutely unforgettable. From the beginning research phase, Eli was extremely responsive, answering any and all questions and offering suggestions to make the most of our itinerary and time in Peru. During our trip my fiancé came down with altitude sickness and with no hesitation, Eli rushed over and nursed my fiancé back to health with his natural herb remedies. From start to finish Eli went above and beyond to continue to amaze us. Whether it be him nursing us back to health, surprising us with pillows and blankets for the car rides, making sure we were ok every step of our journey, and or being a phenomenal photographer, the list could go on and on. We are so thankful to have met Eli and to be in such great hands. Eli is extremely knowledgable, funny, kind-hearted, and genuinely cares about offering amazing experiences. He has worked 20+ years in the industry and knows the ins and outs of not just history and site-seeing’s, but how to make experiences the most enjoyable for his guests. I would 1000% recommend booking your Peru trip with Eli from Allyn Pacha. It’s never a goodbye, it’s see you later. Thank you Eli, until next time!
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