Rainbow Mountain is one of Peru’s most popular tourist attractions, and most visitors to the Cusco area will have this destination on their itinerary. You’ll undoubtedly have seen photos of Rainbow Mountain plastered all over social media in recent years, but does it live up to the hype?
I was torn about visiting Rainbow Mountain and initially planned to skip it. I knew it would be touristy and very much an ‘Instagram vs reality’ moment (plus the 2:30 am wake-up call was hardly appealing). Other travellers also seemed to have mixed thoughts about whether it was worth it, with many saying they were slightly disappointed.
In the end, I decided to visit and see what all the social media fuss was about, and here I am to share my thoughts on whether visiting Rainbow Mountain is worth it. I’ve also shared all you need to know about how to visit the popular spot.
About the mountain
Rainbow Mountain, known as ‘Vinicunca’ in Quechua (the native language), is a colourful mountain in the heart of the Andes. In Spanish, it’s also referred to as ‘La Montaña de Siete Colores’, or the Mountain of Seven Colours.
As the name suggests, the mountain has several stripey layers of reds, yellows, oranges and browns, giving it a unique rainbow-like appearance.
Despite only being discovered around ten years ago, the mountain has become one of Peru’s most visited places. You’ve no doubt seen it plastered all over Instagram and TikTok, and social media has only helped its rise to fame.
Social media and influencers are very good at promoting Rainbow Mountain as a great photo spot, but in reality, it’s a very sad story. The mountain has always been there, but the vibrant stripes have only become visible in the last decade or so.
Thanks to climate change and global warming, the snow and ice that used to cover the mountain have melted away in very recent years, revealing the natural wonder. This is great for tourism but bad for the planet.
The colourful layers themselves are due to various minerals in the rock, which have been exposed to different environmental conditions over millions of years, as well as oxidization. The colours can even look different depending on the weather and time of year.
While the mountain is an excellent display of the beauty of this planet, I hope the local people and government will educate tourists more about why the mountain is visible. Right now, they only seem to be maximising on its popularity, without making any effort to educate anyone or make the tourism there more sustainable.
How to visit (and avoid the crowds)
The easiest way to visit Rainbow Mountain is to join an organised tour. One of the things I disliked about the Cusco area of Peru was the need to join group tours to see almost anything. There are sometimes ways to explore independently, but it’s never overly straightforward or affordable, especially as a solo female traveller. For those keen to visit without a tour, check out this guide.
If there are four of you or more, you might also find it easier and cheaper to hire a taxi for the day and split the cost. I didn’t look into this as I was travelling solo in Peru, but I met a couple who had done just that (they didn’t tell me the price but said it was a lot).
For most people, joining a group tour is the easiest and best option. Most tours to Rainbow Mountain can be done as a day trip from Cusco, but narrowing down your options can be a bit overwhelming. Almost every other shop in Cusco seems to be selling tours here, and it’s hard to know which to choose.
The first thing to be aware of is the pick-up time. Ultimately, whatever tour you choose will be an early start, but some start earlier than others. I was keen to avoid the worst of the crowds, so I opted to join a tour that guarantees you’ll be first on the mountain. This meant being collected from my hostel at 3 am… Ouch!
If you want to avoid the horrendous crowds at Rainbow Mountain, I highly recommend this tour, which is the exact tour I did. They’re the first operator on the mountain, so there are fewer people. It was still busy when I was there, but I couldn’t believe how many more people arrived in the hour after us.
The tour includes breakfast, lunch, English-speaking guides, and the option to visit the incredible Red Valley (more information below). You won’t have time to hike through it, but you can walk up to a viewpoint. The tour is affordable, but it doesn’t include entry fees (30 Soles / $8 USD for Rainbow Mountain and Red Valley is 20 Soles / $5 USD).
If you don’t like the idea of waking up before 3 am, this tour is a great option (although it’s still an early pick-up).
It’s worth noting it’s a long drive to Rainbow Mountain. We drove about 90 minutes before stopping for a quick breakfast. It was then almost another 90 minutes from there.
The other thing to consider when choosing your Rainbow Mountain tour is the inclusions. Some tours are noticeably cheaper than others, but they don’t always include things like the mandatory entry fee, breakfast, or an English-speaking guide. It’s a good idea to research the operator before choosing your tour.
How to visit the Red Valley
The Red Valley is next door to Rainbow Mountain and is an absolute must-visit. It made the entire trip to the mountain worthwhile for me.
*Most* tours include the option to hike to the viewpoint after Rainbow Mountain. This is roughly a 30-minute walk up a steep incline to an incredible spot overlooking the valley. It’s an additional entry fee (20 Soles), but I really think it’s worth it.
The valley is a mix of bright reds, greens, and oranges. It truly is a unique experience, and it was the highlight of my day. If you’re keen to visit, ensure the tour you choose includes the option to do this hike.
Initially, I hoped to hike through the Red Valley itself rather than just visit the viewpoint. There is a hiking trail that takes you right through the valley, and it’s said to be beautiful. However, I couldn’t find a tour operator who included this on a regular day trip. I found one who could in principle, but they needed a minimum of six people. Some operators offer multi-day tours through the area, but sadly, I didn’t have the time.
If you’re keen to trek the Red Valley in-depth, your best bet is to visit tour agencies in Cusco and get the latest availability. It’s very common to book last-minute tours in Peru (Inca Trail and Machu Picchu aside), so don’t worry about leaving it last minute.
About the hike
The Rainbow Mountain hike is not a walk in the park, and you should only attempt it if you’re fit and have acclimatised to the high altitude.
The challenging hike is just over 2 miles each way (3.2km), but it takes you up to 5,200 metres (17,000 feet), making it extremely difficult. I saw people sitting down with an oxygen tank, struggling to catch their breath, and several people in my group didn’t manage the full hike. Our tour guides told us it would take about an hour to reach the first viewpoint, but it took some people longer.
At this point, I had been at high elevation for over a month. I’d just completed the Salkantay and Inca Trail and had previously hiked up to 5,400m when completing Pico Austria in Bolivia. Because of this, I didn’t find it overly challenging and reached the first viewpoint within 40 minutes. But it will likely be tough if you’re not used to the altitude or a fan of hiking. I have no doubt in my mind that I would have found this hike a lot more difficult if I hadn’t already been at high altitude for a long period of time.
Altitude aside, the first part of the hike is relatively easy. There’s a gradual incline, and it’s pretty manageable. The climb to the first viewpoint is very steep (but short). This is the famous shot you’ve undoubtedly seen all over social media. It’s where you can get THAT iconic photo (but be prepared to queue).
You can also hike up to the second viewpoint, giving you a panoramic view of the area, including an incredible glacier. The hike adds an extra 15 minutes, but it’s absolutely worth it if you have the energy.
All in all, expect to spend around 30 minutes admiring the mountain. It can get very cold, and with all the crowds, I don’t think you need much longer (unless you’re happy to queue for the viewpoint).
Most tours also include the option to visit the Red Valley. My tour only offered the option to visit a viewpoint, and it looks like this is true for most operators. The hike is an extra 20 to 30 minutes up a steep path and costs an additional 20 Soles. I’m really glad I chose to visit the Red Valley. It’s much less crowded and, honestly, more impressive than the mountain.
Once you’ve finished at Red Valley (or Rainbow Mountain), the walk back to the parking lot takes around an hour (and it’s all downhill).
You can also ride a horse or hire a quad bike if you struggle to finish the hike. You’ll still need to hike the final part, but both options get you closer. You can arrange this when you arrive at Rainbow Mountain and don’t need to book in advance. For those who like to be organised, there is the option to book an ATV / Quad Bike tour.
Altitude sickness
Vinicunca is 5,200 metres above sea level (17,000 feet). For those who don’t know much about altitude, that’s high, almost as high as Everest Base Camp. Hiking at high altitude is not for the faint of heart. Even the easiest hikes become a challenge. It’s normal to feel breathless, and each step can be a struggle.
Altitude sickness can be very dangerous. I saw people using oxygen, struggling to catch their breath and even giving up on the hike.
As Rainbow Mountain is very touristy, many people visit there without considering the effects. If your body hasn’t acclimatised and you’re not used to hiking, you will find this hike very difficult (and it could even be dangerous).
My group had a medical emergency after a young girl decided it would be sensible to visit Rainbow Mountain the day after arriving in Cusco from sea level. She had given her body no time to acclimatise and ultimately couldn’t breathe. She had to be given oxygen and couldn’t complete the hike.
The general advice is to spend a few days in Cusco acclimatising before going to higher altitudes. Cusco is around 3,400 metres in altitude, so it’s a good place to acclimatise. I’d also advise leaving Rainbow Mountain until the end of your Cusco itinerary. There are plenty of other things to do including visiting the famous Machu Picchu, the Sacred Valley and exploring Cusco itself. This will give your body even longer to get used to the high altitude.
If you’re worried about altitude sickness, it’s worth speaking to your doctor, who can potentially prescribe medication. But there are some other things you can do to help your body and reduce the risk of becoming sick:
- Drink plenty of water
- Get plenty of rest
- Drink Coca tea (a local remedy)
On the hike itself, don’t push yourself. It’s not a race. Take your time and go at a pace you can manage. My guides were excellent at making sure everyone in the group was okay. They also offered Coca leaves to anyone who was struggling.
Note: If you do experience symptoms of altitude sickness, tell your guide straight away. They’re well-trained in what to do. It’s also important to check your travel insurance to ensure it covers you for going up this high in altitude. Many stop at around 3,000 metres, meaning you won’t be covered if something goes wrong.
Is visiting Rainbow Mountain worth it?
Pros of a trip to Rainbow Mountain
- It’s beautiful. Vinicunca is certainly beautiful. It’s not every day that you get to see a mountain with so many colours and layers. It makes for a great photo.
- The Red Valley. The Red Valley stole the show for me, and made my trip worthwhile. The viewpoint of the valley is absolutely breathtaking.
- A great day trip from Cusco. Most people choose to base themselves in Cusco while in Peru, this allows them to do easy day trips to the likes of Rainbow Mountain. Despite the long journey, it’s a good day trip from Cusco.
- It’s an easy trip to organise. Visiting Rainbow Mountain is relatively simple. Just find the tour you want to book and turn up. Everything else is organsied for you.
- You might see a Condor. The famous Condor bird can sometimes be spotted flying above the mountain. I was lucky to see one, but it’s never guaranteed.
Cons of a trip to Rainbow Mountain
- A lot of crowds. It’s one of the most popular places in Peru, and the crowds can be huge, especially in the high season. This also means queuing for photos at the famous viewpoints. When I left, the queue to get a photo of the mountain was over thirty minutes long. No, thank you.
- Social media trend. Rainbow Mountain is famous thanks to social media, and I couldn’t help but feel a lot of people were there just for the photo. I saw girls getting changed, doing their makeup and having entire photoshoots. Each to their own, but it’s not my vibe.
- It’s expensive. While the tour was a fair price, I felt the entry fee to the mountain (30 Soles / $8 USD) was very steep. I’m all for ensuring local communities have the money to maintain a natural wonder and get something for themselves, but this seemed very overpriced. Ultimately, it’s just a dirt path. You must also pay an extra cost for the toilets and another 20 Soles for the Red Valley. Considering the thousands of people who visit daily, I’m not sure where this money goes. The price has almost tripled in the past year.
- It’s a long drive. It’s about a 3-hour drive to reach Rainbow Mountain, and with the traffic, it’s even longer to get back to Cusco. Be prepared to spend at least 6 or 7 hours in a shuttle van.
- Similar scenery elsewhere. While the mountain is beautiful, I think you can see similar elsewhere. Granted, it might not be exactly the same, but the Atacama Desert completely blew me away. I also saw similar scenery on the multi-day Salt Flats tour in Bolivia.
- Hard to explore independently. Unless you have your own car, you’ll likely need to join a tour to explore the mountain. Yes, you can take a bus and a taxi, but this cost isn’t much different from the tour (especially if you’re solo).
- Altitude sickness. The mountain is significantly higher than other attractions in the area, and some people will find it hard to manage.
Rainbow Mountain FAQ
Is there an entrance fee?
As of 2024, the entry cost is 30 Soles to the mountain ($8 USD) and an additional 20 Soles ($5.30 USD) to see the Red Valley. Most tours have these as an additional cost but check with your operator.
Note: I do my best to keep information like entry costs up to date, but it’s not always possible. If any of this information is incorrect, please email me, and I will update the article to help future travellers.
How difficult is the hike?
Hiking to Rainbow Mountain is very difficult, mainly due to the altitude. The hike itself isn’t technical by any means, but you’ll be contending with over 5,000 metres of altitude. Many people struggled on the hike, and some chose to turn around or hire a horse. Make sure to spend some time in Cusco beforehand; this will help your body adjust to the high altitude.
If you’re reasonably fit and have given your body time to get used to the altitude, you should be fine on the hike.
What do you need to pack?
Take plenty of layers. The area’s altitude means it can get very, very cold. Despite walking uphill, I was still freezing. It’s also sensible to take a waterproof just in case it rains or there is bad weather.
Check with your tour operator to see if you need to bring any food. (And don’t forget SPF – the sun is strong.)
Do you need hiking poles?
The hike isn’t technically difficult or long, so most people should be fine without trekking poles. However, there are some steeper areas with loose rocks, so if you normally take trekking poles, you may benefit from them on this hike.
What happens if I get altitude sickness?
When choosing your tour operator, choose a reputable one with an oxygen tank for emergencies. It’s normal to feel out of breath at high altitude, but if you have any extreme symptoms, talk to your tour guide.
The good news is you’ll only be at Rainbow Mountain for a few hours before returning to a lower altitude.
Can I buy food and drinks there?
Yes, there are many local vendors selling food, hot and cold drinks, and souvenirs, both in the car park and on the mountain.
What should I wear?
While the terrain isn’t challenging, make sure you’re wearing comfortable shoes with a good grip. I wore my trusty Merrell hiking boots, but many people wore regular sneakers.
As mentioned above, it can get very cold, so wear plenty of layers.
Can you ride a horse?
Yes, if you’re struggling on the hike, hiring a horse to reach Rainbow Mountain is possible. When I did it, many people took horse rides, and there were lots of locals with horses on standby. You’ll still need to walk the final part, as it’s too steep for the horses. You can also ride an ATV. Both of these options come at an additional cost.
When is the best time to visit Rainbow Mountain?
You can visit the mountain all year round, but the dry season (April to October) is the best time. The dry season is also Peru’s winter, so expect colder temperatures. However, it also boasts minimal rainfall and clear skies, making the experience much more enjoyable.
You can visit Rainbow Mountain during the rainy season (November to March), but the trails can become very muddy, making hiking more challenging. The good news is there will be fewer crowds at this time of year.
Summary: Is visiting Rainbow Mountain worth it?
It depends (helpful, I know). If you’re visiting Peru as part of a bigger South America backpacking trip and plan to visit the Atacama Desert and Salar de Uyuni, I don’t think Rainbow Mountain is worth the cost and journey time. While the mountain is beautiful, you’ll see relatively similar scenery on the other tours.
In addition to spending a long time in a van and paying high entry fees, you’ll also have to contend with huge crowds, long queues, and a very touristy day tour. Even once you’ve paid the entry fee, you need to pay to use the toilet, and there is no end of local vendors trying to sell you things (even at the viewpoints).
For a less touristy experience, you could consider visiting Palccoyo Mountain. It’s a great alternative to Vinicunca Rainbow Mountain and much less crowded (although I’ve heard it’s not quite as colourful).
In my experience, Rainbow Mountain was very much an ‘Instagram vs reality’ moment. A lot of influencers clearly edit the hell out of their images, and don’t show the reality of what it’s like to visit.
I also hope that one day, the local community that manages the area and the government will implement rules to manage the overtourism issue. Rainbow Mountain is only there because of climate change and global warming, and it doesn’t feel like any steps are being taken to educate visitors or protect the area from further damage.
At the end of the day, only you can decide whether to visit the mountain. However, if I could do my trip to Peru again, Rainbow Mountain wouldn’t be at the top of my list.
Note: I do my best to keep information current, but it’s not always possible. If any of this information is incorrect, please email me, and I will update the article to help future travellers.
