Explore Rainbow Mountain Peru Without Hiking
Search “Peru” on Pinterest and I guarantee your feed will be flooded with the same shot: someone in a colorful poncho, an alpaca photobombing, and those impossible rainbow-striped mountains in the background. You know the one.
Well, I finally made it to Peru’s most Instagrammed landscape…Rainbow Mountain Peru! Here’s everything you need to know about conquering Rainbow Mountain Peru, including the motorcycle shortcut that saved my lungs and my sanity.
*Read: 10 Days In Peru Itinerary
What is Rainbow Mountain Peru?
Rainbow Mountain Peru, known locally as Vinicunca or Montaña de Siete Colores (Mountain of Seven Colors), showcases nature’s artistry through mineral deposits that create gorgeous bands of red, purple, green, yellow, and pink across the mountainside. These colorful stripes formed over millions of years from weathered sedimentary layers containing different minerals.
Located about 3 hours southeast of Cusco, Rainbow Mountain only became accessible to tourists around 2015 when climate change melted the snow that previously covered the colorful slopes year-round. Today, it’s one of Peru’s most visited natural attractions after Machu Picchu.
Getting to Rainbow Mountain Peru
The easiest way to visit Rainbow Mountain Peru, is by booking a tour from Cusco. Most tours follow similar itineraries and include round-trip transportation and breakfast, so choose based on reviews and group size preferences.
Some people say Rainbow Mountain is the hardest hike in Cusco, but after surviving Humantay Lake (which nearly took me out), this felt like a breeze. The best decision I made was taking that motorcycle to the top (20 minutes versus 90 minutes of altitude-induced suffering). No regrets!
Rainbow Mountain Shortcut Options For Non-Hikers
Let me normalize something: taking shortcuts at Rainbow Mountain is SMART, not lazy. Here are your options:
Motorcycle:
Cost: 70 soles one way, 90 soles round trip
Duration: 15-20 minutes
My recommendation: TAKE IT UP. You’ll still get amazing views and actually have energy to enjoy the summit
Horse Riding:
Note: Less comfortable than the motorcycle and takes longer
Cost: not entirely sure as I didn’t take this route
Duration: About 1 hour
What to Expect at Rainbow Mountain Peru’s Summit
Once you reach the top of Rainbow Mountain (however you get there), prepare for sensory overload. The 360-degree views showcase the rainbow-striped mountain and the entire Ausangate mountain range. On clear days, you can even spot the red valley (Valle Rojo) nearby.
Local vendors at the top of Rainbow Mountain sell snacks and hot drinks. Get the alpaca ribs! We also took photos with the resident llamas and alpacas (remember to tip the local women who care for them).
Descending Rainbow Mountain
Unlike my Humantay Lake nightmare, descending Rainbow Mountain, Peru, was enjoyable. The trail down is relatively flat with gentle slopes, taking about 45 minutes. The scenery kept me distracted from any discomfort, with views of glacial peaks and roaming alpacas.
Rainbow Mountain vs Humantay Lake
Having done both Humantay Lake and Rainbow Mountain Peru, here’s my honest comparison:
Rainbow Mountain Peru: Higher altitude but more gradual incline, better summit experience, more shortcut options, overall rating: 10/10
Humantay Lake: Steeper incline, fewer shortcuts, beautiful lake, but limited summit space, overall rating: 1/10 (yes, I’m still bitter)
Is Rainbow Mountain Peru Worth It?
Absolutely, 100%, without question – YES. Just remember: There’s no prize for suffering at altitude. Take the shortcuts available at Rainbow Mountain, enjoy the views, and save your energy for exploring more of Peru’s wonders.
Overall Rating: Rainbow Mountain gets a 10 out of 10 experience. Cusco kicked my butt with all the early mornings and endless stairs, but views like these made every moment worth it.
You May Also Like
