Also known as the Seven Colors Mountain of Peru, discovered a few years ago, it is located on the southern side of Cusco, about 3 hours’ drive. Its incredible colors, which can be seen from the view point, are unreal. Nowadays, Rainbow Mountain is one of the most visited places in Peru, and for good reason.
If you’ve ever been on Instagram, you’ve likely seen many photos of Rainbow Mountain and its vibrant colors. However, the hike to reach this iconic mountain is very challenging, and being well prepared is important to enjoy as much as you can.
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OVERVIEW
If you are planning to hike to Rainbow Mountain, it is on the bucket list of everyone who visits Cusco. Here in the following post, you’ll find all the important information that you should consider before going there.
Where is Rainbow Mountain?
Rainbow Mountain is located in the Cordillera Vilcanota (Vilcanota Range) near Ausangate Mountain in the middle of the Andes Mountains. The most popular way to get there is through the day tour from Cusco. It is located 82 km away from Cusco City and takes 3 hours to drive on an asphalt and paved route.
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Nowadays, there are many tours available for $50 USD, which include all the transportation, meals, and guides.
How long is the Rainbow Mountain Trek?
The Rainbow Mountain Trek is about an 8.5-kilometer round trip on a wide path that gradually goes up, ascending along the valley. Along the way, you will pass some shops and restrooms, and you’ll also find places where you can rest.
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The hike begins at 4,620 meters and goes until 5,036 meters, where Rainbow Mountain is located. For many people, it takes 1.20 hours to complete the hike up to the mountain; however, it will depend a lot on your physical condition, how acclimated you are to the altitude, and many other factors.
How difficult is the Rainbow Mountain hike?
Due to the location and altitude, the trek is challenging compared to the classic hike around Cusco. We highly recommend spending a few days in Cusco with the purpose of acclimating to the altitude and being in good shape, which will also help you.
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Are there horses to the Rainbow Mountain?
Yes, once you reach the trailhead, you’ll find many locals, also known as arrieros, who are offering to transport you through their horses to get closer to Rainbow Mountain. It costs around S/70 Soles round trip or S/40 Soles one way.
When is the best time to visit Rainbow Mountain?
The best time to hike to Rainbow Mountain is during the dry season in Cusco, when the view is better. The dry season in Cusco is between May and September; however, it is the season when many people go there, so be prepared for the crowds.
The best time of the day is between 7-9 a.m.; during this time, you can avoid the crowds. Also, going in the afternoon between 2-4 p.m. is a good option, but at this altitude, it is very cold and windy.
Visiting Machu Picchu is almost on everyone’s bucket list when coming to Peru. Considered one of the Seven Wonders in the world, only a few places possess this category due to their incredible beauty and history.
Every year, it attracts millions of people due to its fascinating architecture and location, which surprises all visitors from the first impression. It surely is a most wonderful sight to see, and you feel like you are being swept back in time to the age of the Incas. It is magical and mystical, and it is well worth the trip to visit it.
Nowadays, to visit this Inca archaeological site, you have to take into consideration a few things before heading or taking any tour and have a once-in-a-lifetime, truly unforgettable experience.
In the following post, let’s see all the important FAQs that you need to know to plan your trip to Machu Picchu.
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Machu Picchu location
Where is Machu Picchu? This is the question many travelers ask before planning their trip. Machu Picchu is located at the 112.5-kilometer marker of the railway from Cusco on the northern site of the Inca capital. Settled on the slope of an orogenic ridge that comes from the mountain range of Vilcabamba
The historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu is perched above a small town called Machu Picchu District, also known as Aguas Calientes, which is the stop for all visitors before heading to the Machu Picchu Inca site.
How high is Machu Picchu?
The Machu Picchu archaeological site sits at 2,430 meters (7,972 feet) above sea level. However, if you are planning to hike any of the two mountains around, Machu Picchu Mountain and Huayna Picchu Mountain, those peaks are higher than the Machu Picchu citadel.
Machu Picchu town, also known as Aguas Calientes, is at 2,010 meters (6,594 feet), where you can find many hotels, restaurants, ATMs, and shops.
How to get Machu Picchu
In the last few years, there have been several options from Cusco to reach this iconic Inca site, and you can opt for the best way that suits your budget, fitness level, time, and season.
Train
If you are limited of time, then the one-day tour or the two-day tour by train to Machu Picchu is for you, sneaking through the valleys and offering breathtaking scenery during couple hours of trip. Nowadays, there are only two companies running the train to Machu Picchu, Peru Rail and Inca Rail, with several train tickets, from the cheapest one at $60 USD to the fanciest train (Belmont Hiram Bingham). We highly recommend booking in advance due to the capacity of the train.
Bus
This is one of the cheapest ways to reach Machu Picchu; all buses leave from Cusco early in the morning and drive for about 6 hours to reach Hydroelectrica. From Hydroelectrica, you must hike for 3 hours to get to Aguas Calientes town. You also have the option to take a train, which will be cheaper than from Ollantaytambo.
Hiking
Without a doubt, this is one of the best ways to explore more about the Incas. Nowadays, there are several hiking routes that can take you through the stunning landscapes of this famous lost city of the Incas. But there is only one route that will lead you directly to Machu Picchu; this is the Classic Inca Trail. However, you have also heard about the Salkantay Trek, Lares Trek, Inca Jungle Trail, and Huchuy Qosqo Trek, which offer great experiences as well on the way to Machu Picchu.
Inca Trail
The Inca Trail has been recognized for many years as one of the best trails in the world. Due to the new regulations to preserve this iconic Inca path, the government created many regulations and limited access; only 220 tourists can hike every day, so you need to book months in advance.
If you like to discover the culture, beautiful landscape, history, and traditions, this is the right adventure tour for you. Read more about this Inca Trail Trek to Machu Picchu.
Salkantay Trek
This trek became popular in the last few years due to the fully-booked Inca Trail. The Salkantay Trek is one of the best alternative treks to Machu Picchu and offers breathtaking vistas of the Andes mountains, alpine lakes, and lush rain forests. This trek reaches Aguas Calientes, then you visit Machu Picchu on the last day.
Rainbow Mountain Tour Complete Itinerary
Your tour guide will collect you from your hotel in Cusco between 3:50 and 4:00 a.m. and drive for 2 hours in our tourist van towards Cusipata. You’ll stop for breakfast and enjoy the delicious buffet with a variety of local products.
Then we continued driving for another hour to reach the trailhead located at 4620 meters in the community of Llantoc. Your guide will provide you with all the safety information and begin the hike. You will be amazed by the incredible landscapes that surround you.
The hike takes around 1.20 hours, ascending a picturesque path that crosses different shops and offers incredible views. After a few hours of hiking, you will finally arrive at the viewpoint of the iconic mountain located at 5,036 meters above sea level. The colors are incredible, formed by the sediment of different minerals for many years. Your guide will explain all the colors and minerals that exist in the area.
After exploring Rainbow Mountain, we’ll continue the hike towards the Red Valley. This place seems like you’re on another planet. You’ll hike through this fantastic valley and its breathtaking views.
Finally, we will head back to our van by hiking down the same path we took earlier.
We board the bus and return to Cusipata, where we’ll enjoy our nutritious lunch. In the afternoon, we boarded the van and drove back to Cusco.
We Included:
- Pickup from your hotel
- Transportation
- Tour guide
- Breakfast and Lunch
- Entrance fees
- Trekking poles
- Oxygen Tank
- First Aid Kit
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What should I pack for this day tour?
- A small backpack
- Water bottle
- Windbreaker jacket
- Hat
- Beanie
- Gloves
- Sunglasses
- Sunblock
- Rain coat
- Some snacks
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