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Heading to Cusco soon and planning to visit Rainbow Mountain? We are here to help!
Rainbow Mountain is one of the most recent attractions in Peru.
It was discovered around 2012 and quickly became one of the most famous landmarks in Peru.
It features several colours including terra cotta, lavender and turquoise.
LOOKING FOR THE BEST TOUR OF RAINBOW MOUNTAIN?
This tour from Cusco is perfect. The guides are great, it’s amazing value for money and available as a shared trip or private.
There are no words that can truly describe how special this place is. It’s not just about the colours of the mountain. It’s about the entire experience of hiking there and the views over the valley.
But while Rainbow Mountain is definitely a day trip from Cusco you shouldn’t be missing, it’s also a challenging one and that’s why there are a few things to know beforehand.
In this article, we share with you our best travel tips to visit Rainbow Mountain and make the best of the experience.
Book a Rainbow Mountain tour
The best way to visit Rainbow Mountain is by booking a tour.
While it is technically possible to do it without a tour, it’s very rare people choose to do so. The mountain is located in a very remote area and requires a challenging hike to reach.
Tours are the most convenient (and safest ways) to visit Rainbow Mountain.
Most of them leave from Cusco and follow (more or less) this itinerary:
- 4AM – 5AM: Departure from Cusco
- 7AM: Breakfast
- 8AM: Hiking to Rainbow Mountain
- 1PM: Driving back
- 2PM: Lunch
- 4PM – 5PM: Back in Cusco
Rainbow Mountains tours from Cusco are very affordable and great value for money. They always include transportation (it takes about 3 hours to get there so it’s definitely quite a trip), breakfast, lunch and the tour guide.
The tour guide will help you navigate the trail and provide important information about the history and culture of the area.
He will also carry a first-aid kit and oxygen in case of emergency.
We particularly recommend two tours for Rainbow Mountains:
- Rainbow Mountain Tour with Meals is available every day from Cusco. It’s excellent value for money and can be booked as a shared tour or private tour. Prices here.
- Premium Rainbow Mountain and Red Valley Tour. While this one is a bit more expensive, it’s well worth it because it includes the Red Valley, one of the most beautiful hidden gems in Peru. Prices here.
Take time to acclimatize in Cusco
Rainbow Mountain is located at an altitude of 5,200 meters (17,000 feet) above sea level, which can be challenging for many visitors.
It is likely going to be the highest altitude you go to during your trip in Peru. If not, it’s still probably going to be the highest hike you do (in Peru or maybe even in your entire life).
For this reason, it’s important to be careful and when it comes to altitude sickness, safe is better than sorry.
It is recommended to spend a few days in Cusco before heading to Rainbow Mountain to acclimatize to the altitude.
Cusco is at an altitude of 3,400 meters which is still much less than Rainbow Mountain but much more than what most people are used to.
By spending a few days in Cusco, you can get used to the altitude gradually and increase your chances of having a successful trip.
Dress appropriately
The weather at Rainbow Mountain can be unpredictable, with temperature changes and strong winds.
It is recommended to dress in layers and wear warm clothing, a windbreaker, a hat, gloves, and comfortable hiking shoes.
The hiking path is pretty rough so it’s important to have good hiking shoes such as these.
The windbreaker is also a must-have. It can be cold on Rainbow Mountain but most of the time it’s not really the temperature that is an issue (especially since you get quite warm with the hike) but the wind.
Once you are at the top, it gets very very windy. There is nothing to shield you anymore so you will really appreciate the windbreaker.
Also, don’t forget your sunscreen and sunglasses. Since it’s windy, you might not realise that you could get sunburnt but the sun’s rays are actually very strong at this altitude so wearing sunscreen is super important.
You will notice that most local guides also wear a lot of sunscreen even though they do this hike several times a week so that’s to say how strong the sun is.
Check the weather
While I usually recommend booking your tours in advance, this is not the case with Rainbow Mountain.
Depending on when you visit (and how lucky you are), you could end up going to Rainbow Mountain just to find it covered in snow.
This is not ideal and actually completely defeats the point.
Since it’s impossible to know what the weather will be like, I suggest checking the forecast a few days before your tour and booking it for the best day.
This way, you will have more chances of enjoying the stunning views from Rainbow Mountain, which are truly worth it!
Do not drink alcohol the day before
It’s preferable if you do not drink alcohol on the day before your visit to Rainbow Mountain.
Alcohol will make it harder for you to cope with the altitude and could result in a very unpleasant experience.
The altitude makes it hard enough as it is so I promise you, you don’t want to make it any harder than it is.
Take your time and go slow
The hike to Rainbow Mountain can be challenging, and it’s important to take your time and go at your own pace.
I’m sure you’ve heard the idiom ‘Steady and slow wins the race’. Well, this couldn’t be more accurate here.
When hiking at high altitudes, you get less oxygen which means that it’s harder to breathe and that you get tired quicker since your muscles are not getting as much oxygen as they are used to.
This can be annoying and frustrating (especially for people who are particularly fit) but don’t let that get to you!
Listen to your body and rest as needed. A lot of guides will tell you to take a break every 10 steps. This may seem exaggerated but it’s not.
It really doesn’t matter how many times you need to stop. Nobody needs to try to be a hero here, just stop as many times as you need.
All the guides make sure you have plenty of time to get to the top and they won’t rush you. They know it’s hard, especially for people who are not used to these altitudes.
Stay hydrated
It’s important to drink plenty of water to prevent altitude sickness. Bring a water bottle and drink water regularly throughout the hike.
It’s also a good idea to bring some snacks like a protein bar or something else that can give you an energy boost when needed.
You don’t want to get to the top and feel sick, so taking care of yourself is key!
Don’t forget that you shouldn’t be drinking tap water in Peru so make sure to think about buying bottled water the day before the hike.
Bring snacks
There are no restaurants on the trail, so it’s a good idea to bring snacks such as energy bars, fruit, and nuts to keep you fueled during the hike.
Snacking is a good way to keep your energy levels up and it will also give you an opportunity to take a break and enjoy the scenery.
If you don’t have anything with you, don’t worry. There are loads of small food vendors along the trail. The stalls are held by people from the local communities and they sell all sorts of snacks.
Of course, it’s more expensive than in a supermarket in Cusco but it’s still reasonable knowing the location and if you need to eat, it’s good to know that they are there.
Buy agua florida and coca leaves
At the beginning of your hike, you will find several local stalls selling various products. You can buy a small bottle of agua florida (flower water) which is a traditional medicinal remedy used by the Peruvian people.
It’s made with flowers like Eucalyptus and other local plants and is used to open up your lungs.
Basically, you put a few drops on your hands and then breathe with your hands against your nose.
It’s quite strong at the beginning and becomes very nice after.
This will open up your lungs and help you to breathe better throughout the hike.
A small bottle usually costs around 6 soles and you will be able to use it for other hikes.
NOTE: Agua Florida can not be put in a hold luggage in the plane so make sure to keep it in your hand luggage when flying back home.
Another local remedy for mountain sickness is the coca leaves.
You can also buy them in the same stalls and they are usually sold in small plastic bags with a few pieces.
Peruvian people swear by these leaves to help them fight altitude sickness. Just ask your guide which quantity to use and how to chew them. Please note that coca leaves have a bitter taste so you might not like the taste.
Finally, you can also opt for coca sweets. These are very good but in all honesty, the coca quantity is too low to make a real difference in terms of altitude sickness. But, they are delicious and it will give you a bit of a sugar rush which always helps.
Get a walking stick
A walking stick can be a great help when hiking in Peru. It will provide extra balance and support for your joints, especially when going up or down the steep slopes of the mountains.
While this is absolutely not mandatory (I’ve hiked Rainbow Mountain without a walking stick), it can be very helpful.
You can buy one in Cusco beforehand or ask your guide. Most Rainbow Mountain tours from Cusco will also provide a stick for you which is particularly handy.
Have some coins with you
This one may sound funny at first but it’s actually very important. Rainbow Mountain may be in the middle of nowhere but there are still a few places where you may need money (coins specifically).
The first one is the toilet. You will find several toilet blocks along the way (something we are all very thankful about since the area is very open and you can’t really go in the nature) but they all charge between 1 and 3 soles.
You will need some coins to pay for these.
Another thing you may need money for is to buy snacks, sweets or drinks.
Finally, you will find a couple of places where you can get passport stamps. They usually cost 1 or 2 soles so also plan for that.
Rather than that, you shouldn’t really need much money unless you think you’ll want extra drink at the restaurant (like Coca Cola or other).
Go to the Red Valley
The Red Valley is located on the other side of Rainbow Mountain and is an add-on hike to the existing Rainbow Mountain one.
Here is what I mean by that. When you go to Vinicunca (Rainbow Mountain), you can then head back to your vehicle through the same route.
You might notice that there is a path on the left hand side that goes to a red mountain.
This is the path that leads you to the Red Valley, one of the most beautiful hidden gems in Peru!
The Valley has a unique landscape of red sand, hills and streams. The best part is that you will hardly see any other tourists on the way!
It’s a very peaceful hike that allows you to appreciate nature in its purest form. You’ll be able to take lots of beautiful pictures and spend some time enjoying the surroundings.
One could even argue that it’s more beautiful than Rainbow Mountain itself!
The hike is much easier since it’s mainly flat and it will only add 1 to 2 hours to get there (though you will need to pay an extra 15 soles to the local communities to enter).
If that’s something you are interested in, make sure you book a tour that includes the Red Valley since most of them don’t!
Consider booking a private tour
If you want to make the most of your experience in Rainbow Mountain, you should consider booking a private tour. Here is why.
Most shared tours leave Cusco at 4AM but you will then spend up to 1 hour picking up other people which means you won’t actually leave Cusco before 5AM.
Rainbow Mountain (especially the viewpoints) is not that big considering the number of people that visit it every day.
If you book a private tour, you will get to Rainbow Mountain before the crowds meaning that you can enjoy the viewpoints without having people everywhere.
Needless to say that your photos will also be much better!
You will also have a guide for yourself so you can ask a lot of questions and learn more about the local culture.
Finally, you can also customise the itinerary meaning that you can include the Red Valley if you so wish.
Click here to book a private tour.
Be respectful
Rainbow Mountain is located on the grounds of local communities and it’s important to take this in consideration when visiting.
Unfortunately, it is one of these spots that has been seeing the effects of mass tourism and in a short amount of time so it’s important to look after it.
When you are on the trail, be respectful and don’t litter. This also applies to food waste and any other garbage that you may have with you.
Be mindful of your surroundings and try to stay on the designated paths whenever possible as other parts of the mountain are very fragile and can be easily damaged if stepped on.
This also goes for the use of horses. More and more people go to Rainbow Mountain and use horses to go to the top.
While we always say that nobody should make themselves sick trying to be a hero, it’s also important to be mindful when using horses.
The horses are provided by the local communities and cost between 60 and 80 soles.
They are led by a member of the community to the top. If you choose to take a horse, please be mindful of their welfare. Make sure it can carry your weight and don’t ask the person to run!
Consider going to Palccoyo Mountain instead
After reading this article, you may decide that Rainbow Mountain is a bit too busy and not for you after all. If that’s the case, we want to give you an alternative here.
If you want to enjoy a nice hike without the big crowds, consider going to Palccoyo Mountain instead!
Palccoyo is very close to Vinicunca (Rainbow Mountain) and features the same colours than Rainbow Mountain.
This mountain has become more popular over the past years due to its lower elevation and easier access but it’s still very much of a hidden gem.
If that’s something you are interested in, check out this tour from Cusco.
Rainbow Mountain is an incredible place to visit in Peru and you will have an amazing time there. There truly is nothing like it in the world.
We hope this article has helped you understand how to visit Rainbow Mountain and will come in handy for your day of exploration! Have fun!
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