Vinicunca Rainbow Mountain & Red Valley Full-Day Hike
The iconic mineral rainbow summit at 5,036 meters and the surreal crimson expanse of the Red Valley.
Vinicunca Rainbow Mountain & Red Valley Full-Day Hike
The iconic mineral rainbow summit at 5,036 meters and the surreal crimson expanse of the Red Valley.
For accommodations in Cusco's historic center with vehicle access, our tourist transport arrives as close as legally permitted. Due to Cusco's colonial pedestrian alleys, if your hotel is on a narrow stone walkway, we wait at the nearest corner (usually 1/2 to 1 block away). We coordinate with you via WhatsApp/phone in advance, and our assistant welcomes you at the vehicle.
Lodging outside the center? If your hotel or Airbnb is outside the historic center perimeter, meeting is coordinated at a central landmark (such as Plaza Regocijo).
Need dedicated walking escort right to your door or pickup outside the historic center? Select Boutique Private in the booking card above.
Experience overview
Departing Cusco at 3:30 AM via Cusipata, this route arrives at the Chillihuani trailhead (4,600m) early to avoid the bulk of tourist buses. A 1.5 to 2-hour uphill trek brings you to the main ridge at 5,036m (16,522 ft), revealing 14 distinct mineral sediment layers formed over millions of years. With clear weather, the glaciated peak of Mount Ausangate (6,384m) towers to the east. The hike continues with a 30-minute detour into the Valle Rojo, characterized by deep ferric sandstone soil, before descending to the trailhead for lunch.
High-Altitude Safety Profile
Effective O₂ at 5,060m
Prior rest recommended
+1,476 ft vertical gain
Physiological Altitude Curve & Biomes
Select any day or milestone on the interactive graph to view its atmospheric altitude, effective oxygen pressure, and terrain biome.
Cusco Hotel Pickup
Peak Altitude
3,399 m
Effective O₂ Level
~68% vs sea-level
Crisp alpine air. Requires deliberate pacing and active hydration.· Early morning 3:30 AM departure
Detailed day-by-day itinerary (1D)
- Day 15,060 m(16,601 ft)
Cusco – Cusipata Breakfast – Phulawasipata Hike – Vinicunca Summit & Red Valley – Cusco Return
Pickup from your hotel between 3:30 AM and 4:00 AM. Scenic 2-hour drive through the South Valley to Cusipata for a wholesome hot buffet breakfast. Continue 1 hour along a mountain road to the Phulawasipata trailhead (4,630m). Hike steadily for 1.5 to 2 hours up the gentle but high-altitude valley, surrounded by grazing alpacas and views of snowcapped Mount Ausangate. Reach the iconic Vinicunca viewpoint at 5,036m (16,522 ft) for 360-degree vistas. Continue 30 minutes onto the rim of the surreal Red Valley. Descend to the trailhead, return to Cusipata for a hot buffet lunch, and arrive back in Cusco around 4:30 PM.
Key highlights
Meals: Buffet Breakfast, Buffet Lunch
What's Included & Excluded
What is Included
100% Pre-PaidPre-paid services verified & delivered on route
- Roundtrip tourist transport from your Cusco hotel
- Certified English-speaking professional high-altitude guide
- Hearty buffet breakfast and lunch in Cusipata (vegetarian options available)
- Official community entrance tickets to Vinicunca and Red Valley
- Emergency oxygen tank, pulse oximeter, and comprehensive medical first aid kit
- Trekking poles provided upon request
What is Not Included
Out-of-PocketPersonal expenses & discretionary gratuities
- Horse rental with native handler (available at trailhead from local community for approx. 90-100 PEN / $25 USD)
- Snacks, bottled water, and gratuities
- Travel medical insurance
Field Realities & Pocket Cash
Real ground notes from our team in CuscoIdeal Traveler Fit
Who enjoys this route mostPhysically fit hikers, landscape photographers, and active adventurers seeking the iconic summit ridge of Mt. Vinicunca and the Martian-red canyon.
2 to 2.5 hours of sustained uphill hiking on dirt trails between 4,600m and 5,036m (16,522 ft). Final ridge is steep and exposed.
Radical Honesty: Who This is NOT For
We prefer honesty over unsuitable bookings- ✕Travelers arriving in Cusco less than 48 hours ago (strictly avoid booking Vinicunca on Day 1 or Day 2).
- ✕Individuals with acute unmanaged hypertension, heart conditions, or severe respiratory limitations.
- ✕Travelers looking for a flat casual stroll without wind and cold.
Route Pocket Expenses (Carry Cash Soles in Daypack)
Mandatory checkpoint fees, community tickets & coin-operated restrooms
Community Entry Ticket
Cusipata or Pitumarca communal checkpoint entry in Soles.
Optional Horse Rental
One-way uphill ride; horses stop 800m before the final ridge.
Red Valley Trail Access
Optional Red Valley viewpoint access fee paid to local hamlet.
Highland Trail Restrooms
Mountain toilets; carry coins and personal tissue paper.
Luggage & Transit Rule: Early departure at 04:00 AM. Wear warm layers in the van (fleece, thermal base, windproof shell). Large suitcases remain stored in Cusco hotel.
What to pack for this journey
Tested on the trail by our team in CuscoEssential Terrain & Practical Ground Notes
- •The hike reaches 16,522 ft (5,036m)—higher than any peak in the European Alps or the contiguous United States. You MUST spend at least 48 hours acclimatizing in Cusco before attempting this trek.
- •The physical hike is approximately 7 km (4.3 miles) roundtrip on a gradual slope, taking about 1.5 to 2 hours to ascend and 1 hour to descend.
- •Horses led by indigenous community members are available for hire at the trailhead if you feel exhausted on the trail (approx. 90-100 PEN one way). Note that horses cannot walk the final steep 200-meter stairway to the top viewpoint.
Real Traveler Reviews & Experiences
Independent traveler feedback verified on TripAdvisor and Google Maps.
“Amazing tour operator with incredible coordinators, collegiate guides, and mountain chefs! Did half a dozen treks and day tours around Cusco and loved all of them. Very reliable, highly recommend!”
“Working with Daspe Travel was completely seamless. From our early morning hotel pickup in Cusco to the Vistadome train tickets and citadel entrance, our guide was exceptionally punctual, knowledgeable, and full of positive energy. Zero stress, everything was flawlessly organized.”
“I was looking for a trek along the Choquequirao route and contacted them. From the very start they gave me complete confidence, and I was not wrong. Of all the operators I have used across Peru, they were by far the most professional and attentive. The route is spectacular, perhaps the finest I have done. Standing up there taking in that beauty remains one of the best sensations of my life.”
Frequently asked questions
Have custom requests?
Dietary accommodations, hotel upgrades or a slower photography pace? Speak directly with our local Cusco specialists.