Departure times
- Departure: 5:00 AM
- Back around 5:00 PM
Essentials at a glance
- Duration
- 12 h
- Type
- Private
- Departures
- 05:00
- Pickup
- Hotels in Cusco’s historic center
- Languages
- English & Spanish
- Cancellation
- Free up to 24 hours before
The experience
Why you’ll love this
Leave Cusco before dawn for the high Andes, with breakfast in the countryside before the trailhead at Phulawasipata. With your private guide, hike at your own pace to the Vinicunca viewpoint at 5,036 m, where bands of minerals paint the mountain in color and the snow-capped Ausangate range fills the horizon.
Tip: spend at least two days acclimatizing in Cusco first, and bring warm layers.
- Hike to Vinicunca, the Rainbow Mountain
- Views of the snow-capped Ausangate range
- Breakfast and buffet lunch included
- Private guide and transport
Step by step
Your route
Private hotel pickup
Your private guide and driver pick you up at your hotel at 5:00 AM.
Scenic drive
A drive through the southern highlands, past traditional villages, farmland and mountain scenery.
Breakfast
A hearty breakfast at a local restaurant in the Cusco countryside.
Phulawasipata trailhead
The starting point of the hike toward Rainbow Mountain.
Vinicunca viewpoint
At about 5,036 m (16,522 ft), the striped mountain and views of the Ausangate range. Time for photos.
Lunch
Back at the trailhead, a buffet lunch at a local restaurant before the return to Cusco.
Hotel drop-off
Back at your hotel around 5:00 PM.
Everything taken care of
What’s included
- Private transport
- Private bilingual guide
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Rainbow Mountain (Vinicunca) entrance fee
- Breakfast and buffet lunch
Not included
- Tips
- Personal expenses
- Horse rental on the trail (optional, paid directly to the local horsemen)
Good to know before you go
Plan your day with confidence
Pickup and return
- Hotels in Cusco’s historic center
- Be in your lobby 5–10 minutes early.
- Staying outside Cusco’s historic centre? Check with us before you book: departure is at 5:00 AM.
What to bring
- Hiking shoes with good grip
- Warm layers and a rain jacket
- Sunglasses and sunscreen
- A charged phone or camera
Important information
- Minimum age 8. Challenging hike: the viewpoint is at 5,036 m. Good fitness required.
- Acclimatize in Cusco for at least two days first.
- With children or health conditions, check with your doctor first.
- Mountain weather changes fast; views aren’t guaranteed.
- 50% surcharge on Peruvian national holidays.
- Dietary or mobility needs? Tell us in advance.
- Card declined? Ask your bank to enable international online purchases. If it still fails, write to us and we will give you another payment method.
Clear before you confirm
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the tour. This is a private experience for your group only. You’ll receive your confirmation email within 15 minutes.
Frequently asked questions
How hard is the hike?
Challenging, mainly because of the altitude. Your guide sets the pace with you, with time to rest.
How should I prepare for the altitude?
Vinicunca passes 5,000 metres, higher than any point in the Sacred Valley or at Machu Picchu. Arrive in Cusco two or three days ahead and do this tour once you are acclimatised, never on your arrival day. Bring layers, a hat, gloves and sunscreen: it starts below freezing and by midday the sun burns. If you have a heart or respiratory condition, check with your doctor before booking.
Are there horses if I cannot make the climb?
Yes. At the trailhead there are horsemen from the local community who rent horses for the climb; you pay them directly and it is not included in the rate. It is the usual way out when the altitude hits harder than expected, and you do not need to decide in advance.
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Ready for this experience?
Book your date online, or message our local team on WhatsApp for help planning your day in Lima.