Is Rainbow Mountain Worth It? Our Honest Early Access Tour Review
TL;DR
Yes – Rainbow Mountain is worth it if you manage to beat the crowds, come properly acclimatised, and know the hike is tough but incredibly rewarding.
Most travellers excited about the colourful Instagram-famous mountain quickly discover mixed reviews, horror stories about overcrowding, and warnings about the altitude.
We’ve been there too, wondering whether it’s truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience or just another overhyped tourist trap. After completing the hike, we’re here to give you the honest, experience-based insights we wish we had when planning.
This post is for travellers who appreciate practical, no-BS tips – from acclimatisation to avoiding the crowds to choosing the right tour. And because we’ve done the exact tour ourselves, struggled through the altitude, and still came back smiling, consider us your friendly travel companions who’ll tell you everything you need to know.
Let’s dive into our honest review of the Rainbow Mountain & Red Valley Early Access Tour – and ultimately answer the big question: Is Rainbow Mountain worth it?
Honest Rainbow Mountain & Red Valley Early Access Tour Review
We opted for this Rainbow Mountain & Red Valley Early Access with Meals from Cusco:
We shopped around local travel agencies in Cusco for a bit, but surprisingly found the online offer to be cheaper…
Itinerary of the Rainbow Mountain & Red Valley Tour
This is the itinerary of the exact Rainbow Mountain & Red Valley tour we went on:
1. Early Pick Up & Breakfast
Before the tour, we exchanged WhatsApp numbers to coordinate the exact pickup time and place. Therefore, our super-early pickup (shortly after 3 am) went super smoothly on the day of our tour.
Upon entering the van, we were handed a blanket and quickly fell back asleep. We drove for around 1.5 hours to Qollasuyo, where we had a quick breakfast stop. We completely forgot to take a picture because it was not quite our time for breakfast yet, but we still managed to eat a few bites.
2. The Hike Up
Somewhat rested, we began our slow ascent to the rainbow mountain. The hike is only 3.2 km (~ 2 mi), but don’t let yourself be fooled – the high altitude makes it very challenging. The guides encouraged everybody to walk at their own pace and were present with support and oxygen masks when needed. It took us roughly an hour to reach the first viewpoint. On the way, there are 3 campamentos where you can rest, buy snacks and drinks, and use the “restroom”.
The beginning of the hike is mostly flat, but it’s getting gradually steeper from rest stop to rest stop.
The views all around are absolutely stunning. You can spot llamas and alpacas as well as snow-capped mountains.
3. Rainbow Mountain or Vinicunca Mountain
Once you reach the lower viewpoint of Rainbow Mountain, you can rest, take photos, and buy snacks and drinks as well as souvenirs (we’re not quite sure who would opt to carry more stuff on the way back…).
Afterwards, you can make your way to the very top of Vinicunca Mountain at 5,036 meters (16,522 feet) if you feel up to it. The walk is very short but also very scrambly. The 360° views are truly spectacular, though.
4. Red Valley
After some free time at Rainbow Mountain, you can start the short optional hike to the Red Valley. Alternatively, you can hike straight back down to the van.
You have to pay another entrance fee to get to the Mirador Valle Rojo viewpoint. There’s not much walking around here, but you can buy snacks and drinks or use the very basic (but scenic) toilet.
We took some pictures and got some explanations from our guide, but overall, this is not a long stop. We still think it was worthwhile going.
5. Buffet Lunch & Drop Off
By the time we made it to our lunch spot, we felt like we were close to starvation after all the high-altitude hiking.
The buffet came with many warm and cold options, including vegetarian, western, and traditional dishes.
We were dropped off in the centre of Cusco in the late afternoon, made it back to our accommodation with our last energy reserve, and quickly fell asleep.
Rainbow Mountain Day Trip – Our Honest Opinion
First and foremost, there is absolutely nothing to complain about the organisation of this tour (which is the highest form of praise from a German). The communication was great, the pickup was on time, the guides were lovely, and so was the driver.
Before our tour, we had read a lot of horror stories about the Rainbow Mountain being too touristy and crowded. This is where the early access makes all the difference. Yes, the pickup at around 3 am is ridiculously early, but this is what you need to do to beat the crowds.
Last but not least – you probably guessed it – a word of warning about the altitude. While the hike to the Rainbow Mountain is only 3.2 km (~ 2 mi) long, you’ll have to conquer it at an altitude of 5,036 meters (16,522 feet). Don’t underestimate this – especially if you don’t have a lot of experience with high altitudes. We were well acclimatised by the time we booked this tour, and the guides were super attentive and frequently made sure that we were ok, but it was still a tough day.
Would we do it again, though? Absolutely!
What Other Travellers Say About the Rainbow Mountain Tour
⭐ Rating: 4.8 / 5 (2066 reviews)
After checking out a few other options from other tour companies I’m so happy I ended up booking this one! We left earlier than other tours so when we hiked up the Rainbow mountain there was barely any people there. We had plenty of time for pictures and exploring so the tour didn’t feel rushed. They also took us to the Red valley (optional) and also gave us plenty of time there. A lot of other companies make you choose one or give very little time for both. The restaurant where we stopped for breakfast and lunch had really good food. Thank you, our guide Jackie!
What Does the Rainbow Mountain Tour Include?
The tour we did includes:
- Hotel pickup in Cusco (with pịckup option)
- Transportation
- Drop-off at Avenida El Sol, in front of the Qorikancha temple (Cusco Central Point)
- Bilingual professional guide
- Local breakfast
- Buffet lunch
- First aid kit and oxygen mask available
- Blanket
The tour does not include:
- Rainbow Mountain entrance fee (30 Soles, cash)
- Red Valley reserve entrance fee (optional, 30 Soles, cash)
Conclusion: Is Rainbow Mountain Worth It?
If you ask us, yes, Rainbow Mountain is absolutely worth it – as long as you go with the right expectations.
The landscapes are nothing short of spectacular. From the colourful stripes of Vinicunca Mountain to the Martian hues of the Red Valley, the views truly feel otherworldly. Add to that a well-organised tour, attentive guides, and barely-there crowds, and the experience becomes even more memorable.
That said, this day trip is not a walk in the park. The altitude is real, the wake-up call is brutal, and the hike – though short – is physically demanding. But if you’re well acclimatised and take it slow, the challenge pays off with some of the most incredible scenery in Peru.
If you want to see Rainbow Mountain at its best, we can genuinely recommend the early access Rainbow Mountain & Red Valley tour. For us, it turned what could have been a stressful, overcrowded excursion into one of the highlights of our time in Cusco.
So yes – it’s worth it. Just come prepared, acclimatised, and ready for an early alarm.
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