Cusco to Rainbow Mountain is a customized and fully flexible private round-trip car transfer from your hotel in Cusco to the start of the trail without a guide or group tour.
If you’re reading this post it’s because you’re looking for a scenic, safe, flexible and on time private transfer from Cusco to Vinicunca to Cusco without departing too early and hiking the Rainbow Mountain with plenty of time.
Look no further! At Andean Ways, you’ll get the best quality transport options and friendly drivers.
Your Transfer Features
Transport Private
Trip Duration 12 Hours
Pick-up time from 6:00 AM
Drop-off time up to 6:00 PM
Pick-up at Cusco hotel
Drop-off at Cusco hotel
Driver Spanish speaker
Your Trip Itinerary
6:00 AM – CUSCO TO TRAILHEAD
FOTO: Cusco hotel
After an early breakfast that you should have it at your hotel in Cusco, perfect fuel for the hiking ahead, your friendly and accommodating driver will show up at your place for the pick-up and set out in your private transport to drive by paved road for 2 hours towards the South Valley.
Then after, you’ll continue driving for about 50 minutes on the dirt road to the Phulawasipata trailhead. You’ll pass quaint Andean towns such as Paucarpata district and the community of Chillihuani, until the control point of Llaqto.
Throughout your journey in the middle of the Andean Mountains, you’ll observe the herds of Llamas and Alpacas and the occasional shepherd or local people moving about their daily activities.
9:00 AM – RAINBOW MOUNTAIN HIKE
On your arrival at Phulawasipata trailhead, the starting point of the trek, located at an elevation of 4,650 m /15,255 ft. You start your hike along a meandering path in the foothills of the magnificent Andes.
Cusco’s weather is usually quite cold, and the trailhead is even colder, so early in the morning. Be sure to bring a warm jacket, scarf, hat, and gloves.
To reach the famous Rainbow Mountain, you will need to hike for approximately 1 hour 30 minutes up to 2 hours one way and another 1 hour 30 minute back. However, the time may vary depending on your physical condition. The hike up includes some short breaks.
As you ascend, when the day is clear, you will have views of the Ausangate Mountain and glaciers. You’ll enjoy the rewarded views of the Andes and appreciate its flora and fauna among more Llamas and Alpacas. If you are very lucky you may see some Chinchillas and Vicuñas. Vicuñas are the only non-domesticated animal of the Llama family in Peru and are very skittish.
By the other hand, as an alternative, you can rent a horse or motor cycle (if you go through the Pitumarqa route), which are excellent options to reduce hike time. Locals will offer horses that you may want to hire for a fast ascension.
The trail itself is quite wide and helpful for those with vertigo. But it includes steep paths and a final ascent (550 meters) to the summit of Rainbow Mountain, which can be a bit challenging.
The trek is best during the dry season (April – November) as the trails are not paved. The trail can be a bit dusty, and in the rainy season (December – March), it can be slippery since it may be wet. However, with good waterproof hiking shoes and trekking poles, it will be just fine. This will be your opportunity to see why Rainbow Mountain has become a delight. The effort will be well worth it for the breathtaking view the Mountain offers.
11:00 AM – VINICUNCA SUMMIT
After a total hike of almost 2 hours, you finally will reach your destination: the Rainbow Mountain (5,035m /16,515ft).
The spectacular Rainbow Mountain, also known as Vinicunca or just called Mountain of Seven-Colors, has captured global attention with over 2,000 daily visitors. Its impressive colors, resembling a rainbow, are the result of mineral layers formed over millions of years and exposed by erosion from wind, rain, and sun. This will be your reward for the strenuous climb: Glorious layer of turquoise, orange, brown, and red rock sediment.
11:00 AM – PICTURES OF THE MOUNTAIN OF SEVEN COLORS
On the peak, the stunning landscape of the surroundings will make you wow. You will have plenty of time for exploring the surroundings, take photographs or just soak up the view.
Take your time to admire this natural formation’s unique beauty and feel the thrill of witnessing an unforgettable spectacle that seems to be taken from the gods’ colorful dream.
You’ll be also rewarded with an impressive view of the Ausangate Mountain (6,384 m.a.s.l.) in a distance, which is the most important Apu, or Mountain deity, in Andean cosmology; and the highest in the region.
There, on the top, you’ll take a break between 30 minutes up to 60 minutes, depending on your steps’ speed and the weather condition.
12:00 PM – DESCENT TO TRAILHEAD
Afterwards, there is an optional hike across to the top of the Red Valley (if time and weather permitting). This walk takes about 45 minutes longer (extra) to get back to the trailhead. If you want to stay longer, inform your driver.
You do this a little differently than other groups. Instead of hiking the same route as they do, we hike to a lookout point to see the Red Valley and continue with our hike.
This valley is the icing on the cake, and many of our hikers say that it is even nicer than Rainbow Mountain! It is about 2½ hours mostly downhill from Rainbow Mountain, to the end of the trail, which is near where we started the hike. Here you will enjoy a boxed lunch with fresh food, fruits and drinks.
A few last photos of this spectacular Mountain and you will begin your descent. At this point, you hike back down the way you came. You’ll return down the same way you came for around 45 minutes or 1 hour.
1:50 PM – OPTIONAL LUNCH AT CUSIPATA RESTAURANT
Your private transport will be waiting for you when you arrive back at the trailhead. You will then drive for 50 minutes to a local restaurant at Cusipata village where a delicious and well-deserved lunch will be waiting for you (optional) on the way to Puno.
5:30 pm ARRIVAL IN CUSCO
Following lunch, you’ll embark on the 2-hour drive back to Cusco. You’ll keep driving for more than 2 hours through the traffic jam before reaching your hotel.
Finally, on arrival in Cusco city, your driver will drop you off at your hotel or airbnb around 6:00 pm. End of the Cusco to Rainbow Mountain to Cusco with incredible memories of a very unique day.
Best Time to Take This Tour
The best time to visit Rainbow Mountain and Puno is from May to August, as the weather tends to be clear and pleasant during these months. However, it is important to be aware that, especially at Rainbow Mountain, located at 5,200 meters (17,060 feet) above sea level, the weather can be unpredictable. Even during these months, sudden rains or snowfalls can occur. It’s crucial to be prepared for unexpected weather changes and bring appropriate clothing for cold climates and sun protection.
Additionally, for a more comfortable and safer experience, it is recommended to avoid the intense rainy months, which typically are from December to March, as the conditions can become more challenging for hiking and enjoying the landscapes.
The PRO of Booking a Private Transfer
– Andean Ways offers you the best door-to-door car private transfers between places so you can easily plan and book a trip from Cusco to Rainbow Mountain to Cusco.
– We are the most reliable company operating this trip, highly recommended on Tripadvisor. We make sure you have a hassle-free booking with a quick communication before and after the transfer is confirmed.
– You’ll get the most flexible time to depart from Cusco towards Vinicunca (up to 2:00 pm)
– All type of vehicles, we provide, are safe, clean, comfortable and spacious with enough room for your luggage.
– From an auto Sedan to larger buses traveling from Cusco to Rainbow Mountain, we offer a wide type of private vehicles to best suit your needs depending on how many participants you are. – All our vehicles have National Wide Circulation permit, Mandatory Traffic Accident Third-Party Liability Insurance SOAT, GPS monitoring unit, oxygen tank, first aid kit, panoramic windows, reclining, confortable seats and friendly drivers exclusive for our demanding customers.
Included:
- Pick-up at your Cusco hotel
- Private Spanish speaking driver
- Cusco to Rainbow Mountain private transport
- Rainbow Mountain to Cusco private transport
- Drop-off at your Cusco hotel
Excluded:
- English speaking driver (available under extra cost)
- English speaking tour guide (available under extra cost)
- Snacks, bottled water
- Extra expenses
- Entry tickets (S/30 + soles per person)
- Lunches (available from S/55 soles)
- Gratuities
What to bring:
- Local cash currency
- Sunscreen
- Sunglasses
- Snacks, bottled water
Get more. Do more.
Hey! I’m Fredy, one of the support team members, responsible of answering your emails and inquiries at headquarter.
If you have questions about Cusco to Rainbow Mountain or need help making your booking, feel free to text me the number below and reference the name of the tour (or send the link). I’d be happy to help.
Just email us at:
Or WhatsApp us:
+51 965154772
Pricing:
| No PAX | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 |
| PRICE | USD 199 | USD 199 | USD 199 | USD 199 | USD 199 | USD 199 |