20+ Years of Experience
ISO 9001 Certified
Locally Based in the Sacred Valley
Route and Itinerary
One Day, One Colorful Mountain
Follow the standard route from the start of the trek to Rainbow Mountain and back, and see the optional return through the Red Valley.
- Distance (round trip)
- 4.02 km
- Walk up to the mountain
- About 1 hr 20 min
- Start of the trek
- 4,712 m a.s.l.
- Highest point
- 4,964 m a.s.l.
Route map
Standard routeOptional return through the Red Valley
Elevation profile
Altitude comes from the GPS track of the route, so every value is in m a.s.l.
Itinerary
Your day begins at 4:30 a.m., when we pick you up at your hotel in Cusco. We drive via Pitumarca for about two hours, with a hearty breakfast on the way, and then continue to the control point, where the walk begins. In total, the drive takes about four hours, counting both directions. Before we set off, your guide explains how to move at altitude, so you can enjoy every step.
Then the trail leads you for about 1 hour 20 minutes toward Rainbow Mountain (Vinicunca), where the colored stripes of the mountain stand out against the surrounding peaks. We arrive at around 10:30 a.m. and take our time at the viewpoint, because the scenery deserves a long pause. If you feel strong, you can also climb to the Red Valley Viewpoint, an optional extra effort at higher altitude.
After the walk, a buffet lunch with novo-Andean cuisine is waiting for us. Then we drive back and bring you safely to your hotel in Cusco.
Optional return through the Red Valley
If you prefer a longer day, you can return through the Red Valley instead of the same trail. According to our GPS track, this option covers 7.76 km from the start of the trek, reaches 5,013 m a.s.l. and ends in the Red Valley, where our vehicle waits to pick you up. Ask us about it when you book, so we can plan the day around your group.
Pack light
What to bring
The bag you carry yourself while walking.
Sun and cold
- Sunglasses
- Sunscreen
- Warm clothing
Daypack essentials
- Small backpack
- Snacks
Footwear and poles
- Comfortable trekking shoes (no brand-new sneakers)
- Walking poles
Water
- Reusable water bottle (mandatory)
Refill your water bottle at your hotel each morning: Cusco has no recycling system, so this helps reduce plastic waste.
Tripadvisor · 2026 Reviews
What Our Travelers Say
Recent Tripadvisor reviews of Santu trips in Peru, posted in 2026.
This is Santu’s overall rating, not a rating specific to the Rainbow Mountain trek.
“The experience was incredible; we were 3 families and we loved it. The level of food, the tents, the guides. A ten.”
“… Giuliana exceeded our expectations. She did an amazing job listening to our wants/needs, make recommendations and take care of all the steps along the way. We felt fully informed.”
“Giuliana who is an amazing travel agent who planned everything for Us and give us lots of great ideas and she came with an amazing package that it took care of all our needs …”