From $99 USD Per Person

Door To Door


  • Trips Managed by Local Experts
  • Easy, Fast, Risk-Free Bookings
  • Personalized Small Group Tours
  • Great Value for Money
  • Unique, Customized Itineraries
  • Best Local Certified Guides.
You need assistance?

Rainbow Mountain Trek 1 Day & Red Valley

Duration: 1 Day
Group Size Up to 8 People
Max Altitude: 5200 m.s.n.m
Type Service: Group
Transportation: Van
Difficulty: Moderate
Duration: 1 Day

View Map

map rainbow mountain

Overview

The stunning Rainbow Mountain is today one of the most visited places in Peru and is something not to be missed. Travel from Cusco and take a short hike through the beautiful Andes. This Rainbow Mountain trek offers opportunities to see a range of wildlife including soaring eagles and caracara falcons.  The colorful sandstone mountains are very different from any other landscape you may visit in Peru. Enjoy the snow capped peaks, herds of alpaca, glaciers and birds of prey, all set within an incredibly colorful mountain range.

  • Pick up from your hotel at 4am in our private van and transfer to trailhead.
  • Enjoy your breakfast.
  • The hike up takes about 1.5 hours along a trail that goes up a desert valley, with full view of glaciers.
  • Enjoy the colorful Rainbow Mountain
  • Then hike for 45m to the Red Valley.
  • The hike back to the trail-head enjoying the amazing views of glaciers and valleys.
  • Highest elevation: 5100mt/16732ft
  • After lunch, we take our van back to Cusco
  • Arrive to your hotel in Cusco around 5pm.

****A horse can be hired for the majority of the trek. However, the last 600m are too steep for horses and you will have to walk this last part. The cost is about 100 soles roundtrip which your guide can negotiate.

 

Rainbow Mountain Full-Day Trek – Trip Details

Rainbow Mountain Trek – Itinerary

Day 1: Cusco – Cusipata – Llacto – Rainbow Mt – Llacto – Cusco

Your amazing Rainbow Mountain Trek Adventure begins with pick up from your hotel at 4am! We set out on our drive for 3 hours through the South Valley, on our way to the trailhead at Llacto (4,638m/15,216 ft).  Along the way, there are amazing views of farming Inca terraces, traditional villages, valleys and high Andean peaks.

The herds of alpacas and llamas near your breakfast spot will entertain you in the early morning. Enjoy a delicious and hearty breakfast, then get back in the van for the last 5 minute drive to the trailhead. We start on our hike following a lovely stream, with views of the Ausangate Mountain and glaciers. This is a great place to interact with the local people, who are still keeping traditional Quechua culture aliveLearn about their traditional clothes and the significance of the different hats worn by the men. Ask your guide to teach you a few words of Quechua!

After hiking up for about 1.5 hours, we finally reach our destination: the Rainbow Mountain! (5,020m/16,466ft). After admiring the unique beauty of this colorful landscape, you will have time to explore the area. You can take pictures or just soak up the view. We will spend approximately 30 minutes at the top. Afterwards, we hike across to the Red Valley for 45m, enjoying the red colorful Valley and Mountains and finally we will walk back to the trail head.

We will embark on the 3-hour drive back to Cusco and drop you off at your Cusco hotelarriving around 5:00pm.

**** There is an option to rent a horse from local people right at the starting point of the trek!

WHAT’S INCLUDED?

Included

  • Pick-up at your hotel the morning of your trek
  • Private transport from Cusco to Llacto trailhead and back to Cusco
  • English speaking, experienced and professional guide
  • Meals as indicated in the itinerary (optional vegetarian food with prior request)
  • First Aid kit including emergency oxygen bottle

Not Included

  • Horses, which can be rented at the trailhead (100 soles roundtrip)
  • Trekking Poles – $15 USD
  • Tips for the driver, guide and cook of SAM TRAVEL PERU

Prices for the 1-Day Rainbow Mountain Trek

Enjoy this 1 day hike with expert team and in a small or private groups!

GROUP PRICES

# of PersonsPricePer Person
2 persons$150 USD pp
3 persons$125 USD pp
4 persons$99 USD pp
5 persons$80 USD pp
6 or more persons$70 USD pp

***Price per person based on the number of participants in the group.  When group is finalized, each person will pay per person based on the size of the final group.  There is no guarantee of how many may join except the limit is 10 people per group.

***Minimum is 2 participants per group to start a group.

PRIVATE GROUP PRICES (Any date)

# of PersonsPricePer Person
2 persons$170 USD pp
3  persons$150 USD pp
4 persons$130 USD pp
5 persons$110 USD pp
6 or more persons$90 USD pp

***Private group price depends on the number of people, and will be completely private with your own guide, chauffeur and private van.  No others will be added to the group.

***Minimum is 1 person but that person will pay $197 USD for the private group.

ADDITIONAL OPTIONS

  • A horse can be rented for the trip from locals when you arrive for about 100 soles round trip. Your guide will help you negotiate the price.

WHY CHOOSE SAM TRAVEL?

SAM Travel Peru is a family owned travel agency and a local tour operator based in Cusco with personal experience over many years of trekking. SAM Travel Peru is a 100% Cusqueñian Company without any shareholders.

 Our dream as a locally based company is to create small personalized tours & treks strictly and only operated by local professional staff catering in PERSONALIZED and HIGH QUALITY SERVICE.  

We take pride in our reputation as a RESPONSIBLE & SUSTAINABLE tour operator. Our staff are our extended family. We ensure they are supported financially by offering them a fair salary. We are proud of our team without them , we wouldn’t be able to offer the best service and lifetime experiences to our clients.

SAM Travel Peru knows how important it is to trust in a reliable honest operator to create your adventure of a lifetime while in Peru. Check out our reviews and certificates of excellence on, TRIPADVISOR for yourself! Also we are highly recommended on Conde Nast Travelers,  Lonely Planet and by many blogs like:   Trek de Lares 4 hours, “It’s the journey, not the destination…”Lares Pass – Day 3Trekking in the Sacred Valley.

SMALL GROUPS

To ensure a more personalized service for our guests, at SAM Travel Peru we have a policy that our groups will not exceed 8 people. This fact alone sets us apart from other companies that operate departures with bigger groups.

OUR TOP TOUR GUIDES

We are so proud of our guides! They are highly professional and speak fluent English. They are very knowledgeable and passionate for Inca heritage and history.  Our guides are dedicated to continuous personal and professional development. They do research to ensure that you receive accurate and recognized theories in Inca and Andean culture. Our crew is fun lovinggreat sports and well-educated. They all hold degrees in one of the following: Archaeology, Tourism, Botany, History or Anthropology..

OUR CHEF ON THE RAINBOW MOUNTAIN TREK

You will love our fabulous chef! The food on the trek has been highlighted by all our clients. They say that it was better than in the restaurants. Delicious and abundant gourmet style meals, Peruvian and international cuisine are prepared by our professional and dedicated cooks from a mixture of local and exotic produce. If you are vegetarian or have food allergies of any kind, we can cater our meal to adjust to your needs.

SAM Travel Peru can cater to any food restrictions and special diets such gluten free, vegetarian or vegan!

OUR SERVICE PROJECTS

SAM Travel Peru has always believed that we should give back to the communities we pass through when on our treks. Therefore, as part of our commitment to responsible tourism, we always do many service projects and hire locally.

SAM Travel Peru is so proud to be able to support these beautiful people, not only employing them work but also to keep things at grassroots, to share in their homes and with their families. This makes us happy to have this holistic approach with our highland employees and their families!

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

Please read carefully the following information. It will help with your questions about our services and the trek to Rainbow Mountain.

WELCOME TO CUSCO

You will be greeted at Cusco airport and taken to your hotel, please ensure that you inform us of your full flight details at least 14 days prior to arrival. Look for our representative holding an orange SAM Travel Peru board at the exit from the arrival terminal.

THE BRIEFING

The briefing will take place the night before the trek at 6pm in our office, which is located at Calle Garcilaso 210, office 207 (second floor) in the La CASA DEL ABUELO shopping center.

CAN I STORE MY LUGGAGE AT YOUR OFFICE?

Of course! During the Rainbow Mountain Trek your main luggage can be stored at our office or at your hotel, whichever is more convenient for you.

HOW TO BOOK THE RAINBOW MOUNTAIN TREK

FIRST, to book your Rainbow Mountain Trek, we need you to fill out our booking form by clicking on BOOK NOW on our homepage or click here the link BOOK NOW.

Please be ready with the following information (FROM EACH PARTICIPANT in your group).  We cannot complete your booking for the Rainbow Mountain Trek without the following information:

  • Personal information (your full name, exactly as on your passport):
  • Gender
  • Passport number
  • D.OB. (dd / mm / yyyy)
  • Nationality

SECOND, we require a deposit of $53 USD per person in order to purchase a permit for the Rainbow Mountain Trek.  You can make you deposit by clicking on the VISA or PAYPAL symbols on the top of our home page, or you can click on the VISA or PAYPAL symbols on our booking page or click here on the payment of your choice, either VISA .

WHAT ABOUT THE BALANCE?

If you would like to avoid the high credit card fees in Peru, you may pay in cash at our office (US dollars or Peruvian soles) here in Cusco. There are many ATMS within the historical center to withdraw money. You can also pay by VISA or PAYPAL online but you will have to pay a 5.5% service fee, charged by VISA and PAYPAL.  To pay your balance through PAYPAL, you need to log into your PAYPAL account and use our email address samtravelperu@gmail.com. 

MAY I CHANGE THE DEPARTURE DATE AFTER THE TICKETS HAVE BEEN BOUGHT?

With alternative treks like the Rainbow Mountain Trek we may be able to change dates for a fee depending on what has been already purchased.  Please contact the office as soon as possible if you need to change your date.
*** If you cancel your Rainbow Mountain Trek, the deposit is not refundable at all!

WHAT IS THE WEATHER LIKE ON THE RAINBOW MOUNTAIN TREK?

The weather is very unpredictable and it’s difficult to foresee.  With the Rainbow Mountain Trek, we highly recommend you bring some warm clothes and good rain gear in your day backpack especially in rainy season, there can be snow or rain.  It can be very cold at the high altitudes of this trek. Also, at high altitude clouds and even storms blow across quickly and with little warning.

WHAT ABOUT ALTITUDE SICKNESS ON THE RAINBOW MOUNTAIN TREK?

In general, if you exercise regularly and spend 3 days in Cusco, or in the Sacred Valley for acclimatization to the altitude, you may be just fine.

The recommended medicine for altitude sickness is WATER, COCA TEA and OXYGEN if needed; our guides are trained to treat you  for Altitude Sickness. All guides carry oxygen. For more detailed information on Altitude Sickness click this link: Altitude Sickness

We offer the Cusco City Tour and Sacred Valley tours that you can book while you are acclimatizing.  Check out our day tours on our Main Page.

HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE THERE PER GROUP?

The maximum group size is 8 people. Usually our groups are between 2-6 people. Sam Travel Peru specializes in SMALL, PRIVATE groups and provides a personalized service.

IS THE TREK DIFFICULT, DO I NEED TO BE FIT?

Yes, though the distance is not great, it is a difficult trek due to the high altitude and the last section is steep. You reach the altitude of 5100m/16732ft.  You need to be in good physical condition and have had time to adjust to the altitude before going on the trek. It is also important to be well acclimated to the altitude. Try to spend at least 3 days in Cusco (3350m/11,047ft) prior to starting the trek.

If you are doing other treks and tours in the Cusco area, we suggest that you schedule Rainbow Mountain as your last activity.

WHAT HAPPENS IF I AM UNABLE TO FINISH THE RAINBOW MOUNTAIN TREK?

In the unlikely scenario that you are unable to finish the trek due to a health issue, Sam Travel Peru will assist you to the nearest town for help with transportation. If you are unable to finish due to fatigue you can rent a horse. We always carry oxygen on the trek for any respiratory problems. In extreme cases, a helicopter pick up can be arranged at your own expense. (Travel insurance required). There are no refunds in the unlikely situation that you are unable to finish the trek.

ARE WE GOING TO BE DROPPED AT OUR HOTEL AFTER THE TREK?

Absolutely!! Included in the package we will drop you at your hotel in Cusco! If you have booked your hotel in the Sacred Valley like Ollantaytambo or Urubamba, we will drop you off there too!

TIPPING

If you’re happy with the services provided, a tip – though not compulsory – is appreciated. While it may not be customary in your country, it’s of great significance for the people who will take care of you during the trek. Tipping is a part of the culture here in Peru. It inspires them to give excellent service and is an entrenched feature of the tourism industry across many SAM Travel Peru destinations. Of course, you are free to tip as much as you feel appropriate, depending on your perception of the quality and the length of your trip. Remember, a tip is not compulsory and should only be given when you receive excellent service.

ARE WE SUSTAINABLE? 

Yes, we are a local, sustainable & responsible tourism operator. We incorporate the universal principles of sustainable tourism: protect the environment and benefit the local communities by respecting their culture and religion. With this in mind, we have trained all our local staff to know and understand, respect the places and the local people.

PACKING LIST

WHAT TO BRING FOR A DAY HIKE

  • A lightweight, waterproof day pack
  •  Sturdy hiking boots
  •  Warm clothes and hiking pants, not jeans
  •  Layers of clothes for variable temperatures
  •  Camera with charged batteries
  •  Sun protection: sunscreen, sunhat, sunglasses
  •  Thermals, wool socks, gloves, scarf, wool hat
  •  Insect repellent
  •  Water proof clothing and or a rain poncho
  •  Water bottles (reusable, not disposable)
  •  Personal medical kit
  •  Extra money for souvenirs, drinks, tips
  •  Walking sticks (rentable)
  •  Favorite snacks
  • Hand sanitizer
  •  Toilet paper
  •  Copy of passport and student ID card if applicable

Rainbow Mountain Trek 1 Day & Red Valley
machu picchu tours

Join SAM Travel Peru for an Unforgettable Travel Experience In Peru

  • 100% Locally Owned and Operated
  • Years of Experience in all Areas of Peru
  • Knowledgeable Staff ready to Help You
  • Individually Curated Tours and Treks
  • Especially Designed Tours and Treks
  • The Highest Quality Personal Service
  • Fantastic Value for Money with Many Added Extras
Your adventure. Our expertise.

Why Travel with SAM travel Peru?

  • Superior Service
  • Inca Trail Specialists
  • 100% value for money
  • Small Groups with a maximum of 8 people
  • Delicious and nutritious meals
  • Sustainable Travel
  • Years of Professional Inca Trail Experience
9.6
K+

Happy Traveler

5.5
K+

Tours Success

99
.5%

Positives Review

24
+

Travel Guide

Excellent!

5.0 Rating out of 5.0 based on 5.107 reviews

Join the Thousands of Satisfied Customers who Rate us #1 on TripAdvisor

Anna R Mar 2026 • Friends

Fantastic 4 Day Salkantay Trek

I did the 4 day Salkantay trek with Joaquin (Guide), Matias (Chef) and Zenobio (Assistant Chef) and had the best time! The crew were so friendly and caring. It was well organised and they let us know what we would be doing each day. I struggled with the altitude and got a headache on day 2 so the crew gave me some oxygen to help. I felt very cared for. Joaquin was so knowledgable and gave us lots of information on the history of Machu Picchu. Matias and Zenobio’s cooking was incredible and much needed after long days of hiking. We had such a great time and I would highly recommend Sam Travels to anyone who is planning a trip to Peru!

Georgia Hayes Mar 2026 • Friends

Great experience with Sam Travel Peru!

I had a fantastic experience with Sam Travel Peru on the Salkantay Trek. Our guide Joaquin was great. He took great care of us throughout the journey, ensuring all our needs were met while also sharing fascinating historical insights that really added the experience. Chef Matias exceeded all expectations with his food. It was really delicious with generous portions. His assistant, Zenobio, was equally fantastic. The whole team had a great sense of humour, which made the experience even more enjoyable. When I started feeling unwell due to the altitude, they were incredibly attentive, making sure I was comfortable and providing any medicine I needed. I felt well looked after from start to finish. Would definitely recommend!

Danielle Nikka ... T Mar 2026

2 day Inca Trail with Sam Travel

Sam Travel has made our trip to Machu Picchu seamless. Joel Apaza was our guide and he has been extremely helpful throughout! I had stomach problems during our hike, not sure if it was food poisoning or altitude sickness, but I was extremely nauseated up to Winay Wayna which was the most strenuous part of the hike. He was very patient with us and even helped carry out daypacks with our heavy water bottles. We were stopping every 5 minutes because of my condition, but he was very gracious and still encouraging me that we can do it! We were able to reach the citadel after almost 9 hours and wouldn’t be able to do it if it wasn’t for Joel’s kindness. Definitely recommend!

dave d Mar 2026 • Couples

Two day tour of sacred valley and machu picchu

Carlos estrada was our guide for the 2 day sacred Valley and machu picchu tour .He was very knowledgeable and really courteous. As I am a man in his sixties and was in a group of twenty year old he paced the trip brilliantly .Great guy and guide

Reviews by Trip Advisor

5.0 8,155 opiniones
See More
Matt Ward 2026/01/29

We had a wonderful few days with Liz as our guide and Jair as our driver. We did a city tour of Cusco and then the Sacred Valley, culminating with an early start and Machupicchu on our final day. Liz was very patient and had incredible knowledgeable of all sites as well as telling us about all the history and importance of each site. She knew some ways to avoid packed areas and made each day special. Jair was a very skilled driver, courteous and made sure we were comfortable in the very clean car. Liz checked on us to make sure we arrived on time, smoothed the path for transport on the train and hotel stays, as well as entry to each site. Wilfredo was a good driver to take us back to Cusco and more than willing to stop so I could take photos of dairy cows. I’d highly recommend SAM tours as they had everything sorted for each amazing site, removed the stress and hassle of entry and logistics and made you feel like one of the family.

Tess Edwards 2026/01/29

We did the 3-day Cusco, Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu tour with Sam Travel, and it was an outstanding experience from start to finish. This was a real bucket-list trip for us, and with somewhere as iconic as Machu Picchu, expectations can sometimes be unrealistically high. In this case, the experience far exceeded them and was the highlight of our four weeks travelling in South America. Sam Travel is locally owned and operated, and our guide Liz Montesinos is also local. Liz has a university degree in tourism and a deep love for her history, culture and people — and that really shows. Her enthusiasm and knowledge made the three days feel meaningful rather than rushed or superficial.

Nina Shen 2025/10/29

We had an amazing experience visiting Machu Picchu with our guide, Liz Montesinos from SAM Travel Peru. She was so knowledgeable and passionate about the history and culture. Liz was also incredibly kind and patient, making sure everyone in our group was comfortable and enjoying the day. Plus, she took some of the best photos of our trip. She knows all the best spots and took truly great photos and didn’t try to make us do cheesy poses like some other guides try to. We couldn’t have asked for a better guide and would absolutely recommend her to anyone visiting Machu Picchu. She really made our 2-day trip to Sacred Valley and Machu Pichu very special!

Marcelle James 2026/02/29

We just completed our 3 day Sacred Valley and Machu tour with Sam Travel Peru (our guide was Jose). Firstly they were very easy to deal with, and able to add in airport transfers etc as needed. Jose was an excellent guide for the whole 3 days from airport pick up to the end of the tour. Jose was able to amend the itinerary as we went to suit the weather conditions and our ability to walk through all of the sites, ensuring we still got to see all of the most picturesque and important parts of each site. Jose is exceptionally knowledgeable and passionate about Peru as well as being very adaptable and positive - would absolutely recommend him.

Reviews by Google

5.0 1,890 opinions
See More
Cheri Buccino April 21, 2024
truspilot icons

Powerful! This journey tests your humanity and leaves you in awe of yourself and the beauty that Pachamama provides. April 2024 We conquered the Inca trail and it was only made possible with the help and guidance from our expert guides Jean Pierre (JP) and Jimmy. The knowledge these gentlemen shared was admired by all of our group and the envy of other trail hikers who stopped to listen. The hike has many layers of challenges including language barriers, altitude sensitivities and food specifications. The team at Sam travel exceeded the needs and went above to ensure our comforts were met. A special mention must be made to Mario, the Chef who somehow performed magic with nutritious flavourful meals to satisfy even the pickiest consumers and Francesco who was our lead porter who orchestrated the harmony that happened behind the scenes to get everything done. Nothing less than marvellous from this team. Thank you to each of the group who made our trek a remarkable experience.

BL
Bhavana Lalwani April 18, 2024
truspilot icons

Jose and Henry were great guides for our first time exploring machu pichu! They were very attentive and kept everything on a smooth schedule. Highly recommend!

RY
Ryan April 9, 2024
truspilot icons

The whole experience was amazing. Ray, our guide answered all of our questions and definitely had our best interest in mind the whole time. Timothy the cook made fantastic food and somehow found a way to prepare a birthday cake with no notice! Boni our head porter and his whole crew were kind, accommodating, and had such upbeat attitudes which really made the experience great!

Isabel Batteria April 17, 2024
truspilot icons

I spent two days with Sam Travel’s guide Raymier, who guided us through the one-day 12-km stretch of the Inca trail and then took us to Machu Picchu the next day. In my group, I was always the last one on the trail because I come from the coast and I’m not used to altitudes, and honestly I could also have prepared physically a little better. Raymier respected my pace, never rushed me, and supported me throughout the ardous trail. He had much knowledge to share. I speak Spanish, but ended up in an English tour, and Ray’s English was very good. He was funny, respectful, and versatile. He knew where to take all the best photos and patiently took photos of all of us. I would trust Sam Travel again especially if I was lucky enough to have Ray as a guide again.

Reviews by Trustpilot

5.0 105+ opinions
See More

Sam Travel stands out

Sam Travel is a renowned local travel agency based in Cusco -Peru, recognized for its commitment to customer satisfaction, expert travel advice and personalized itineraries that meet the needs and preferences of each traveler.

food on the inca trail to machu picchu - sam travel Peru
Best food on the Machu Picchu hike
best campsite on the inca trail
Best Camping Equipment
Inca trail porters
Our Porters
Empowering Women on the Inca Trail
Empowering Women
Safety on the Trail
Safety on the Trail
Our Christmas Party In The Andes
Tree-Planting-Social-Environmental-
Tree Planting Project
Dreams Come True For Student

Recommended For You

Here you have other options that will suit your needs from the Ausangate & Rainbow Mt

1 Day

Pallay Punchu Tour 1 day

Activity Level: Moderate
Type Service: Group
Starting From $US 150 per Person
2 Days / 1 Nights
Apacas- Rainbow Mt + 7 lakes in Ausangate Trek

Rainbow Mt + 7 lakes in Ausangate Trek

Activity Level: Challenging
Type Service: Group
Starting From $US 297 per Person
1 Day
Palcoyo Rainbow Mountain Tour

Palcoyo Rainbow Mountain Tour

Activity Level: Moderate
Type Service: Group
Starting From $US 107 per Person
2 Days / 1 Nights
rainbow mountain red valley

Rainbow Mountain Trek 2 Days

Activity Level: Moderate
Type Service: Group
Starting From $US 297 per Person
6 Days / 5 Nights
trekking ausangate

Ausangate Trek 6 Days + Rainbow Mountain

Activity Level: Challenging
Type Service: Group/Private
Starting From $US 757 per Person
4 Days / 3 Nights

Ausangate Trek + Rainbow Mountain Trek 4 Days

Activity Level: Challenging
Type Service: Group/Private
Starting From $US 577 per Person


What Defines Us !