
Rainbow Mountain and Red Valley Hike – 2 Days / 1 Night
Traveler rating
5.0/5
Based on 43 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Rainbow Mountain and Red Valley Hike – 2 Days / 1 Night worth booking?
Rainbow Mountain and Red Valley Hike – 2 Days / 1 Night is a 48-hour experience in Cusco, Peru, from $415 per person. It scores 69 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Solid Choice”, based on a 5/5 rating across 43 reviews. This booking is non-refundable, so pick your date carefully. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 69 / 100
- Rating
- 5/5 (43)
- Duration
- 48 hours
- From
- $415 per person
Experience Rainbow Mountain and the Red Valley in a more complete and authentic way. This 2-day trek takes you beyond the classic day trip, through remote Andean landscapes, colorful mountains, turquoise lakes, glacier v
What you get
- High-quality camping tents
- Pre-departure briefing
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Experienced Mountain Guide
- Sleeping bag, Sleeping pillow and Backpack rain cover
- Lunch
About this experience
Experience Rainbow Mountain and the Red Valley in a more complete and authentic way. This 2-day trek takes you beyond the classic day trip, through remote Andean landscapes, colorful mountains, turquoise lakes, glacier views, and peaceful trails with fewer crowds. You’ll hike near the sacred Ausangate Mountain, walk alongside llamas and alpacas, and connect with local Andean communities along the route. It’s the perfect short adventure for travelers who want stunning scenery, culture, and a real high-Andean trekking experience. Highlights - Visit Rainbow Mountain, also known as Vinicunca - Explore the stunning Red Valley - Trek through the Vilcanota Mountain Range - Hike near Ausangate, Cusco’s most sacred mountain - See turquoise lakes, glaciers, red valleys, llamas, and alpacas - Enjoy a less-crowded alternative route - Connect with local Andean communities
What's included
Included
- High-quality camping tents
- Pre-departure briefing
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Experienced Mountain Guide
- Sleeping bag, Sleeping pillow and Backpack rain cover
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Breakfast
- Private transport and transfers during the tour
- Muleteer team and pack animals
- Trekking poles with rubber tips (pair)
- Personal duffel bag (up to 5 kg / 11 lb)
- Ausangate trek, Rainbow mountain and red valley entrance fee
- Personal hygiene items such as soap and a small towel
- Camping Equipment (tents, sleeping pad, sleeping bag, tables, and chairs)
- Morning tea and daily happy hour
- Satellite phone, oxygen supply, and first aid kit available at all times
Not included
- Meals not mentioned (dinner on Day 2)
- Clothing and personal hiking equipment
- Travel Insurance (Recommended)
- Gratuities (Optional)
Where it starts and ends
Hotel pickup
Pickup is included for all travelers. Pickup begins about 30 minutes before departure.
Before you book
- Cancellation
- All sales are final. No refund is available for cancellations.
- Languages
- en, es
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 12 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Salkantay Trekking
Know before you go
- Service animals allowed
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Travelers should have a high level of physical fitness
- It's recommended to arrive in Cusco at least 2 days before the trek to adjust to the altitude.
- Passport name, number, expiry and country is required at time of booking for all participants
- Please ensure your passport is up to date and ready for use on your travel day
- Children aged 12 and over may participate and must be accompanied by a responsible adult at all times.
- Solo travelers are welcome and can join shared groups. No minimum participants required. Most departures are guaranteed.
- Keep in mind this hike is a challenging trek. travellers have to be in good health and physical shape to fully enjoy every moment of this adventure.
- Vegetarian or, vegan options are available, please advise at time of booking if required
Photos






What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 43 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
9 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Photo opportunities
5 mentionsThe views and photo stops come up again and again.
Knowledge and storytelling
4 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Food and drink
3 mentionsThe tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers.
Physical effort
2 mentionsExpect real walking or climbing: reviewers mention the effort involved.
Traveler reviews
43 verified traveler reviews for Rainbow Mountain and Red Valley Hike – 2 Days / 1 Night. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Amazing experience
We were fortunate enough to see Rainbow Mountain in all its glory — one side blanketed in snow, the other ablaze with its full spectrum of colors. What a privilege! Our guide and the entire adventure were flawless from start to finish. We'd also like to highlight the excellent behind-the-scenes support from the agency — the experience exceeded our expectations thanks to their flexibility and remarkable patience. A special mention goes to Lidia, who was exceptionally professional and warm throughout the coordination of the two or three tours we booked with the agency. Many thanks to her and to the entire Salkantay Trekking team. We recommend them without any reservation — 500%! Yorik and Marie
via Tripadvisor
Rainbow mountain is awesome
The rainbow mountain trip was a fabulous day out with absolutely stunning scenery. Carlos was a really friendly and happy guide which created a great atmosphere in the group. Had a brilliant day out:)
via Tripadvisor
One of a kind
Me and my aunt signed up for the 2 day Rainbow Mountain and Red Valley trek. It was a difficult.hike due to the elevation, but our guide Ruben, was very supportive and helpful. The food, cooked by Alex, was delicious and plentiful. Grigorio helped us out when we were tired, by taking us up some of the steeper parts of the trail via horseback. We saw alpaca, llamas, chinchillas, ducks, and the landscape was stunning.
via Tripadvisor
What a ride!
Overall, Salkantay offers carefully-planned treks with top-notch equipment and staff. We foolishly picked an extremely challenging itinerary for our first attempt at Andes hiking. We reached altitudes close to 16,000 feet and nighttime temperature was about 32F. Our guide Ruben was very patient with our frequent rest stops and provided coca and oxygen as well as lots of encouragement. Horseman Giulito (sp?) gave us a few rides on our friend Juanito at some of the steepest places at the highest altitude. Alex cooked delicious and abundant food. To reach the top and see the Rainbow Mountain and know that we made it was exhilarating. What a ride!
via Tripadvisor
Salkantay Trekking
Salkantay Trekking was an incredible company to use for our trek! We explored the peaks surrounding Ausangate Glacier and camped close to the base of Rainbow Mountain, which made us one of the first to arrive to Rainbow Mountain the 2nd morning! Ruben, our guide, was phenomenal, set an appropriate pace and was stopping often to let us catch our breath (hello altitude) and check in on how we were doing! The food served was incredible and the entire team greeted us with smiles at every step! I would highly recommend Salkantay and Ruben!
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 48 hours
- Free cancellation
- Non-refundable
- Minimum age to book
- 15+
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Hotel pickup
- Included for all travelers
- Booked in 30 days
- 15
- Verdict
- Solid Choice
Why this scores 69
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Rainbow Mountain and Red Valley Hike – 2 Days / 1 Night: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Cusco.
How much does Rainbow Mountain and Red Valley Hike – 2 Days / 1 Night cost?
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Prices start at $415 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Cusco usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Rainbow Mountain and Red Valley Hike – 2 Days / 1 Night take?
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Plan for about 48 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Cusco is not rushed.
Is Rainbow Mountain and Red Valley Hike – 2 Days / 1 Night worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 69 out of 100, which we label "Solid Choice". That score blends traveler sentiment (5/5 across 43 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable outdoors in Cusco, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Rainbow Mountain and Red Valley Hike – 2 Days / 1 Night?
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No. This experience is sold on a non-refundable basis, so only book a date you are confident about. Similar experiences in the city do offer free cancellation if flexibility matters more than price.
Is Rainbow Mountain and Red Valley Hike – 2 Days / 1 Night suitable for kids and families?
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The operator sets a minimum age of 15. Older children generally do well here, and families should factor in the 48-hour running time when deciding.
How far in advance should I book Rainbow Mountain and Red Valley Hike – 2 Days / 1 Night?
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Around 15 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Cusco can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Cusco and add a light layer if any part of the 48-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Rainbow Mountain and Red Valley Hike – 2 Days / 1 Night start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Cusco within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Cusco?
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On Outty we rank every Cusco experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Sacred Valley Full Day Tour, Peruvian Cooking Class Cocktails and Market Tour in Cusco, Cusco: Rainbow Mountain & Red Valley Premium Day Trip with Meals. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Cusco?
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Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Cusco?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
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