Description
The first route is what we are calling the "Front Entrance" which takes about 4.5 hours to reach the scenic view of Rainbow Mountain. The turn-off for this route is at Checacupe.
The second route is what we are calling the "Back Entrance" which was opened up later because it cuts the hike down to 1.5 hours. The turn-off for this route is at Cusipata.
We have also included the route for the Red Valley to extend the route.
As you will learn in the "History" section, the Rainbow Mountain is a fairly recent discovery due to global warming melting the glaciers that once covered them. It is comprised of different layers of minerals. The white is calcium carbonates, such as quartz. The pink is the red clay found in the now famous "Red Valley" and "The Red River". That leaves us with bands of yellow limestone, magnesium rich browns and a whole hue of greens, blues and turquoise from iron magnesium.
This is why it has so many names, all referring to its colorfulness. Vinicunca (Mountain of Colors), or sometimes written as Winicunca is the Quechua name. Another Quechua name for the mountain is Hatun Rit'iyoq (Great Snowman). Spanish speakers call it Montaña de Siete Colores (Mountain of 7 colors), Montaña Colorado (Colorful Mountain), or Montaña de Arco Iris (Rainbow Mountain).
Author
Cody De Witt
My name is Cody De Witt and I am a husband, father, farmer, builder of greenhouses, founder of Hike Club Cusco, writer, philanthropist, an avid hiker and map maker. I live in Cusco with my lovely wife, Danitza, who is from Cusco. Together, we help to provide the independent hiking community with reliable information on all things hiking. I have often said that hiking is my church, my gym and my therapy.
Technical Information
Moderate
(50-100)
Out-and-Back
2.5
3.5
11043
17,060
Note about weather and temperature
When planning to hike in the Cusco region it is important to consider the weather. We essentially have two seasons throughout the year, rainy and dry. The dry season is from May thru October, and the rainy season is from November thru April. The months of January & February are usually the months with the heaviest rainfall.
Temperatures are pretty consistent throughout the year and range from 32°F - 66°F (0°C - 19°C), and rarely dip below 28°F (-2°C), and seldom rise above 71°F (21°C).
Hike Features
Tags
Trash Cans, Security Check-Points, Guarded Entrance, Bathrooms
Archaeological Features
Tags
No archaeology on this hike
Get Involved with Hike Club’s Community Projects
How to get there and back
If you decide to not booko a tour, to get to Rainbow Mountain you need to travel by transport from Cusco. You can rent a car, hire a taxi or use public transport. i.e Bus. If you choose the public transport route, you can find buses on Avenida Tomasa Tito. (Indicated on the map) The station is called Paradero Ocongate, but the bus you want is to Checacupe. You can also get off before at Cusipata depending on which route you choose. The last time we checked it was around 10 soles for the bus from Cusco to Checacupe.
After the 2 hour bus ride you will need to bargain with taxis drivers in Checacupe or Cusipata to take you to the final destination of the trailhead to Rainbow Mountain. If you choose the Front Entrance you will need a taxi from Checacupe to the trailhead. If you chose the shorter route we call the Back Entrance, you will need a taxi from Cusipata to the trailhead. These taxis can be as much as 100 sole for a round-trip. From Checacupe, or Cusipata to the trailhead is another 2 hours by taxi. As a day trip the whole day would be 12 to 14 hours, and requiring that you are on the road by 5am.
Detailed Daily Summary
Front Entrance Route (Longer hike)
Leave Cusco at 5am by private car or by bus at the Paradero Ocongate
Arrive at Checacupe a little after 7am by car, 9am by bus
Eat breakfast in Checacupe and negotiate a taxi to trailhead
Arrive at trailhead at 9am by taxi
Arrive at scenic overlook of Rainbow Mountain at 2pm
Spend one hour resting, taking lunch and pictures
Arrive back at the parking lot for the taxis at 7pm
Arrive by taxi to Checacupe at 9pm
Arrive back in Cusco at 11pm by car and 1am by bus
Back Entrance Route (Shorter hike)
Leave Cusco at 5am by private car or by bus at the Paradero Ocongate
Arrive at Cusipata at little before 7am by car, 9am by bus
Eat breakfast in Cusipata and negotiate a taxi to the trailhead
Arrive at trailhead at 9am by taxi
Arrive at scenic overlook of Rainbow Mountain before 11am
Spend one hour resting, taking lunch and pictures
Arrive back at the parking lot for the taxis at 2pm
Arrive by taxi to Checacupe at 4pm
Arrive back in Cusco at 6pm by car and 8pm by bus
The main difference between the two routes is that the Back Entrance route goes right by the scenic overlook for the Red Valley while the Front Enrance route doesn't. From the scenic overlook of Rainbow Mountain to the scenic overlook of the Red Valley is about 45 minutes, one-way.
Total Cost Breakdown
To book at tour consult a licensed travel agency for economical budgets starting at 100-150 Soles for a day trip. Including transport, breakfast and box lunch.
If wanting to go independently and economically:
Bus from Cusco to Checacupe - 10 Soles.
Taxi from Checacupe or Cusipata to either trailhead could be 100 Soles round trip.
Entrance into the park - 10 - 20 Soles.
Bus from Checacupe back to Cusco 10 Soles
Round-Trip Total: 130-140 Soles ($34-37 USD)
Check out our recommended travel agencies and guides in the Hike Club Marketplace. Much like FaceBook Marketplace, users can post their gear and services there. We have local guides and travel agencies for all budgets that we work with in an effort to stimulate the economy organically, sustainably and ethically.
What to pack
Since this trek is a day trip, here is what you may want to consider bringing:
• Medication (Anti-soroche , altitude sickness)
• Products like MoleSkin or Second Skin to deal with blisters
• Solar charging panels or battery packs as there is nowhere to charge your camera or cellphone during the trek
• Sunscreen, hat and gloves
• Wet wipes and toilet paper
• Hiking poles
• Emergency whistle
• Luxuries like coffee, coca leaves and yiptha, chocolate, etc.
Be sure to download Hike Club’s map while you have Wi-Fi. Our maps work offline with your cellphone’s emergency signal.
Getting Help
For those that prefer a helping hand, we offer VIP trip planning services. CONTACT US
We encourage hiking independently in the Cusco region by providing maps and information to hike safely.
Our private Facebook group is free community full of helpful, knowledgeable, and friendly local hikers!
This is a great place to host a hike, join a hike, plan a hike, or find a hiking partner.
Join our private Hike Club Community on Facebook
Pro Tips
If you chooe the Front Entrance route then a stop in Checacupe is a treat. It is known for its three bridges that represent three periods in Peruvian history: Inca, Colonial, and Republic. All three side by side over the Pitumarca river.
A note about taxis:
Keep in mind that taxi drivers from Checacupe or Cusipata usually charge to wait for you to hike and return. If you are thru-hiking down through the Red Valley or even connecting to the Ausagate trail, you will need to be clear with the taxi driver that you are only paying for one way.
Taxis are more economical when full. A normal taxi can carry 4 passengers and gear, max. Pro tip, organize your group size to share the taxi expenses. Many taxis will pick up other passengers along the way to fill the car unless you pay for all the seats to have private transport.
Health and Safety
Hike Club cares about hikers and hiking safety. We have created this form for hikers who wish to be accountable to our hiking community for their own safety. All information entered is kept in privacy by the Hike Club administration and is ONLY used in case of an emergency. If you use this Check-Out form, please also take the time to use the CHECK-IN FORM to let us know that you returned safely, so we don't think that you are hurt or missing and start mountain rescue efforts.
Because this hike includes high altitudes, measures should be taken to acclimatize before tackling this challenging hike.
The following are ways to combat altitude sickness:
· Spending a few days in Cusco is advisable to see how your body adjusts to the altitude.
· Stay hydrated. Remember that water is 2 parts oxygen and it is a great way to counteract altitude sickness.
· At local pharmacies in Cusco and the Sacred Valley there are a variety of medications to combat altitude sickness, which is called “Soroche” in Spanish.
· Coca leaves have been used for time immemorial in the Andes. The benefits of coca include combating altitude sickness. Coca is a brachial dilator and a mild stimulant. It can be drunk as tea or chewed with an activator called “Yiptha.”
· A diet of light soups and vegetables can help to keep your digestive system free from heavy proteins and carbohydrates.
· Avoid smoking and drinking alcohol. At higher altitudes, both can affect the body differently and it is best to wait, if possible, before indulging.
· Get plenty of sleep and rest before and try to go for shorter hikes to see how your body responds.
The Andes are filled with humble, respectful, and honest people. This is one of the safest places that we have ever traveled to. Andean culture is very conservative and crime is very low. Nevertheless, normal traveling precautions should be taken which include not flashing large sums of money in public, securing all valuables to avoid pickpocketing and basic awareness of your surroundings.
Other medical ailments such as diarrhea can be treated at local pharmacies without a prescription.
It is important to make sure that you are physically fit and have all medications that you need with you. Do not overestimate your abilities when tackling this challenging hike.
If you are in need of Travel Insurance - we cannot recommend Safety Wing Nomad Insurance enough!
Hike Club will earn a small commission from Safety Wing if you choose to use.
Final Thoughts
This natural phenomenon is worth the visit. As Rainbow Mountain has gained popularity as a tourist destination, conflict among the communities has also grown. The Front Entrance route is controlled by one community and the Back Entrance by another, with the actual being the overlap. If you choose to extend the hike by taking the Red Valley route, you will encounter yet another community that will ask for money to pass when they see you.
We support rural communities with our whole heart and prefer to see the money go directly to the communities rather than a government bureaucracy. However, these conflicts among the communities have turned violent in recent years and often result in Rainbow Mountain being "closed".
A common trick of travel agencies is to sell the Rainbow Mountain tour package and then when they hit the roadblock of the communities that are not allowing visitors due to protests, the travel agency says, "Oh, surprise. We didn't know. Well since we are already here we can take you to Palcoyo, the "alternative Rainbow Mountain." This is a classic bait and switch which leaves a lot of tourists disappointed. Palcoyo is a beautiful site that deserves visiting, however if you pay to see Rainbow Mountain, then that is what you expect to receive.
We encourage all that are wanting to visit Rainbow Mountain to check for updates about the current situation with the ongoing conflicts in the area to ensure that you trip will go according to plan.