HIKE RAINBOW MOUNTAIN & RED VALLEY BY ATV FROM CUSCO
About this tour
HIKE RAINBOW MOUNTAIN & RED VALLEY BY ATV FROM CUSCO
Want the full Rainbow Mountain experience without the 2-hour hike? This is the most booked option from Cusco for a reason. On this ATV + Rainbow Mountain + Red Valley tour, you'll ride a quad bike through the Andean highlands, hike the last hour up to Vinicunca at 5,200 m, and add a second viewpoint — the surreal, rust-colored Red Valley — that most single-viewpoint tours never reach. Adventure, altitude, and two of Peru's most stunning landscapes in one epic day.
Wake Up Early — Hotel Pickup at 4:00 AM
The day starts before dawn. We pick you up at your hotel in Cusco at 4:00 AM, hop in the van, and let you keep sleeping while we drive about 3 hours toward the highlands. No meeting points, no stress — we come to you.
Breakfast Stop in Cusipata
Around 7:00 AM, we stop in the mountain town of Cusipata for a hearty 45-minute Andean breakfast: coca tea, coffee, eggs, bread, and fruit. Real fuel before the altitude. Vegetarian? Let us know at booking.
Meet Your ATV at Pachaschaka
By 8:30 AM, we reach the Pachaschaka ATV station. Your instructor walks you through the controls, brakes, and safe riding techniques. No prior experience needed — the machines are user-friendly and the terrain is manageable. Choose between:
- 🏍️ Single ATV — you drive solo
- 👥 Double ATV — one drives, one rides passenger (perfect for couples or friends)
Helmets are provided. Fuel is included. You're set.
Ride Through the Andean Highlands
For about 30 minutes, you'll cruise through open Andean altiplano — passing herds of alpacas, tiny stone houses, and the massive glaciated peak of Ausangate growing in front of you. It's part joyride, part unforgettable scenery. This is the fun stretch of the day.
The 1-Hour Hike to Vinicunca
Around 10:00 AM, you'll park the ATV and begin the last stretch on foot — a 1-hour steep hike up to the Vinicunca viewpoint at 5,200 meters. It's not technical, but the altitude makes every step count: at over 5,000 m, each breath delivers roughly half the oxygen you're used to. Your guide sets a slow pace, and horses are available on the trail if you want a break (~70–90 soles per leg, paid directly to the horse owner).
Then the last curve opens up, and there it is: the striped rainbow ridge, right in front of you. Iron reds, sulfur yellows, copper greens, clay whites — millions of years of mineral history, only exposed since 2015 when the glaciers melted back.
Bonus: The Red Valley Viewpoint
Here's where this tour goes bigger. Around 11:00 AM, after Vinicunca, we ride further to the Red Valley — a jaw-dropping second landscape most travelers never see. Rust-red ridges rolling into a wide, empty valley, framed by distant snowcapped peaks. It's other-worldly. Bring your camera charged and ready.
Ride Back and Buffet Lunch
By 12:00 PM, we cruise back on the ATVs to the base station, then head to Cusipata for a hot 45-minute buffet lunch of traditional Peruvian dishes. You'll want seconds. Trust us.
Return to Cusco
We roll back into Cusco around 4:00 PM — a full 13-hour day, two unforgettable viewpoints, and the story of a lifetime.
Why Book This ATV Tour With Us
The differences show up at 5,000 meters:
- 🩺 Oxygen and first aid kit on every departure
- 🧑🌾 Bilingual Andean guides certified in altitude first aid
- 🍳 Both meals included — hot breakfast and buffet lunch
- 🚐 Licensed tourist minibus with a professional driver
- 🏍️ Single or double ATVs — you choose
- 👥 Small groups of 15–20 travelers
Reserve now, pay later — flexible booking, no cost today. Two Andean landscapes in one epic day.
What's included
- ✓Hotel Pickup
- ✓ATV with fuel
- ✓Bilingual Andean guide
- ✓Guide certified
- ✓Round-trip licensed
- ✓Andean breakfast
- ✓Buffet lunch
- ✓Portable oxygen
- ✓Helmet
What's not included
- ✗Rainbow Mountain
- ✗Red Valley entrance fee
- ✗Horse rental on the
- ✗Gratuities for guide
- ✗Personal trekking gear
- ✗Travel insurance
- ✗Extra drinks, snacks,
Itinerary
- Day TOUR DAY
Frequently asked questions
- Do I need ATV experience to join?
No! Instructors give you a full briefing before you ride — controls, brakes, and safe driving. The machines are user-friendly and the terrain is manageable. Most travelers have never driven an ATV before and feel confident within minutes.
- What's the difference between this tour and the Classic Hike?
The classic hike is a 3.5 km trek on foot — no ATVs, no Red Valley. This tour trades most of that hike for a fun 30-minute ATV ride, keeps a 1-hour steep hike to earn the Vinicunca viewpoint, and adds the Red Valley as a bonus second landscape. More adventure and two viewpoints for a higher price ($64 vs $29).
- Is the 1-hour hike difficult?
Yes — moderately so. It's not the terrain, it's the altitude. You'll be walking above 5,000 m on a steep section for about an hour. Your guide sets a slow pace, and horses are available (~70–90 soles per leg) if you'd like a break. If a steep 1-hour hike at altitude sounds tough, consider our "Less Walking" ATV option instead.
- Do I need to acclimatize before this tour?
Yes — essential. Cusco sits at 3,399 m and Vinicunca peaks at 5,200 m. Spend at least 1–2 days in Cusco before this tour. Drink lots of water, avoid alcohol the night before, and consider coca tea or altitude pills if you're sensitive.
- Is the Red Valley entrance included?
No — the Red Valley entrance fee (when applicable) is paid in cash on-site at the community station. Same for the Rainbow Mountain entrance. We'll confirm the exact amounts at booking so there are no surprises.
- Can I ride the ATV with a partner?
Yes! You can choose a double ATV where one person drives and one rides passenger. It's a popular option for couples, friends, or anyone who prefers not to drive. Just select the double option when you book.