Mary S
October 11, 2026
A day of excitement
A very exciting day filled with adventure. Max was an amazing guide and managed to take care of everyone’s needs and always had time to answer questions.
Rainbow Mountain and Red Valley ATV Tour from Cusco — Minimal Walking
Tripadvisor rating4.9
Google rating4.8
- 2 viewpoints: Vinicunca + Red Valley
- About 90 minutes total on the ATV
- Minimal walking, no trek
- 12-13 hour day from Cusco
100% secure transactions
100% refund guaranteed when you cancel 48 hours before the tour
What's Included on This Vinicunca Rainbow Mountain ATV Tour
This Tour in Short
Both lookouts without a hike: the ATV takes you up to Vinicunca and on to the Red Valley, with only a few minutes on foot at each. It's the tour for travelers who want the most views for the least walking.
What's Included
- ATV to Rainbow MountainAbout 25 minutes from the base up to the Vinicunca viewpoint
- ATV from Rainbow Mountain to the Red ValleyAbout 40 minutes across to the Red Valley, and 25 minutes back to base
- ATV with fuelSingle or double, with a briefing before you set off
- Helmet
- Hotel pick-up in Cusco
- Round-trip tourist transportVan to the ATV base and back, stopping in Cusipata for both meals
- Live guide, Spanish and English
- Andean breakfast and buffet lunch in CusipataAbout 45 minutes for breakfast on the way out, an hour for lunch on the way back
What's Not Included
- Entrance fees for Rainbow Mountain and the Red Valley — S/ 40 per person (about USD 13), paid in cash on site
- Extra drinks, snacks and souvenirs
- Personal clothing for the ride — warm layers, gloves, sunglasses
- Gratuities
- Travel insurance
What to Bring
- Gloves — the one thing people regret leaving behind on this tour
- Warm layers — jacket, thermal top and a wool hat
- A buff or neck gaiter — recommended for the wind and dust
- Shoes with good grip
- Sunscreen, UV sunglasses, sun hat and lip balm
- A charged phone or camera — there is no power and no signal at either lookout
- Cash in soles for the entrance and extras — in small notes and coins, as nobody up there has change for a S/ 100 note
- Passport or ID
- At least 1 liter of water and some energy snacks
The viewpoint is 5,036 m and Cusco sits at 3,399 m, so give yourself two full days in the city first — you barely walk on this tour, but the jump in altitude is large either way. Entrances come to S/ 40 per person, paid in cash on the day and not included in the tour price.
Things to Know
What to know before riding to Vinicunca and the Red Valley
- Difficulty: EasyThe ATV reaches both lookouts, so there is no trek and no climb. Walking is minimal — a few minutes on foot at the top, at your own pace.
- Altitude: The viewpoint is 5,036 m — the official MINCETUR figure, and the one on the sign at the top. Cusco is 3,399 m. Riding instead of walking saves you the effort, not the altitude.
- Acclimatization: Spend two full days in Cusco first, and use at least one of them walking — the ruins just above the city are ideal. You barely walk here, but the altitude still affects you.
- Duration: 12 to 13 hours. Pick-up at 3:30 AM, back in Cusco between 3:30 and 4:00 PM.
- Best season: May to September is the driest and clearest. From November to April expect afternoon rain, and snow that can hide the colors.
- Weather: Changeable, and nobody can guarantee it. It can be sunny at breakfast and sleeting at the viewpoint. Come prepared for cold, wind and rain.
- Group size: Around 10 travelers in normal season, up to 20 at the busiest times of year.
- Gloves: Essential. You ride with your hands in near-freezing wind and it genuinely hurts without them. Buy a pair in Cusco rather than at the base.
- Drop-off: Everyone is dropped near the Plaza de Armas, not at individual hotels.
About the Rainbow Mountain and Red Valley ATV Tour in Peru
WhatsApp Us!Rainbow Mountain and the Red Valley in One Morning
Most people come to Cusco for one photograph — the striped ridge of Vinicunca. This day gives you that one, and then keeps going, over to a valley of deep red hills that looks like it belongs on a different planet.
Two landscapes that have nothing in common, in the same morning. The ATV is the reason both of them fit.
- 3:30 AM pick-up at your hotel, with breakfast in Cusipata on the way
- About 25 minutes riding up to Vinicunca, then a full hour at the viewpoint
- 40 minutes riding across to the Red Valley, then half an hour there
- Buffet lunch on the way back, and you are in Cusco by 3:30 to 4:00 PM
The Red Valley: Peru's Other Colored Landscape, Reached by ATV
It is easy to assume the Red Valley is just a different angle on Vinicunca. It is not, and that surprises almost everybody who rides over the last rise and sees it open up.
Vinicunca is a ridge. Bands of color across one slope, seen from one spot, with a line of people waiting for the same frame.
The Red Valley is a whole valley. Rust-red hills, rounded and bare, rolling away below you in every direction — far closer to a desert than to a striped mountain. It is a completely different photograph, and plenty of travelers end up showing that one first when they get home.
The ATV reaches it about forty minutes on from Vinicunca, on a track that carries much less traffic than the main route.
Why Both Mountains Are Colored
Same story, two endings.
Millions of years ago, layers of sediment rich in iron, copper, sulfur and clay settled flat, one on top of the next. Then the Andes rose and tipped the whole stack on its side.
At Vinicunca that tilt left the layers facing you edge-on. That is why you see stripes.
In the Red Valley the iron-rich rock won out, and it did what iron does — it rusted. That deep red is oxidation, on the scale of a landscape.
Glacial ice hid all of it until recent warming melted the cover back. Vinicunca only reached the guidebooks around 2015, which means your grandparents could not have taken this photograph.
What the ATV Changes, and What It Doesn't
Worth being straight with you about this part.
What it changes: the walking route to Vinicunca is 3.5 km of steady uphill, and most people need an hour and a half to two hours to get up it. This tour takes that away completely. You ride to both lookouts and spend only a few minutes on your feet at each one.
What it does not change: the altitude. Peru's tourism ministry puts the viewpoint at 5,036 m, which is also what the sign at the top says. Cusco is 3,399 m.
The ATV saves your legs. It does not hand you more oxygen. Give Cusco two full days before you come up here, whichever tour you end up choosing.
Who This Tour Is For
This is your day if you:
- Want to see two beautiful viewpoints in one day, without having to choose between them
- Want the classic Vinicunca photo, but not the two-hour climb it usually costs
- Like your adventure with an engine in it
- Cannot walk far — because of an injury, your knees, your weight or your fitness
- Simply do not want to spend a day of your vacation exhausted
- Have only a few days in Cusco and cannot afford to lose one recovering
- Are traveling with people at different fitness levels and need a day that works for everyone
Choose a different tour if you:
- Came for the walk itself — the Classic Rainbow Mountain Hike reaches the same viewpoint on foot, and costs a good deal less
- Would rather not drive anything — on the motorcycle departure, a local driver takes you up
- Have not acclimatized yet. No tour on this page solves that one for you
Highlights
- Ride the ATV the whole way up to Vinicunca — no trek to reach it
- Ride on from Vinicunca to the Red Valley, on a quieter route than the main track
- Two lookouts in one morning, with time at each rather than a rushed stop
- Andean breakfast and buffet lunch in Cusipata included
More Options
The same mountains, reached a different way
ATV Ride to Red Valley + Hike to Rainbow Mountain
Classic Rainbow Mountain Hike
Rainbow Mountain Only, ATV Tour with Minimal Walking
Rainbow Mountain by Motorcycle, No Hiking
Pallay Punchu Tour100% secure transactions
100% refund guaranteed when you cancel 48 hours before the tour
Full-Day Rainbow Mountain Adventure with ATV, Hour by Hour
Full-Day Tour · ATV Ride to Red Valley + Rainbow Mountain, Minimal Walking
03:30 AM
Hotel pick-up in Cusco
05:00 AM
Andean breakfast in Cusipata (about 45 minutes)
05:45 AM
Continue by van toward the mountain (about 1 hour 45)
07:30 AM
Arrive at the ATV base — helmet, gear and a briefing on the controls
07:45 AM
Ride up to Rainbow Mountain (about 25 minutes)
08:15 AM
Vinicunca viewpoint — about an hour at the top
09:15 AM
Ride on to the Red Valley (about 40 minutes)
10:00 AM
Red Valley — at least 30 minutes for photographs and the view
10:30 AM
Ride back to the ATV base (about 25 minutes)
11:00 AM
Van back down to Cusipata (about 1 hour 30)
12:30 PM
Buffet lunch in Cusipata (about 1 hour)
01:30 PM
Van back to Cusco (about 2 hours)
03:30 PM
Drop-off near the Plaza de Armas
Rainbow Mountain ATV Tour from Cusco: Questions and Answers
Spend two full days in Cusco first, pack for a freezing start and strong sun, bring cash in soles for the entrance fees, and sleep early: hotel pick-up is at 3:30 a.m.
The ATV removes the climb, not the altitude. Cusco is 3,399 m and the Vinicunca viewpoint is 5,036 m, so the nights you spend acclimatizing matter more than anything you pack — the NHS names a fast rise in altitude as the main risk factor. The day runs 12 to 13 hours: breakfast in Cusipata around 5:00 a.m., briefing at the ATV base around 7:30 a.m., and back in Cusco between 3:30 and 4:00 p.m. The CDC advises avoiding alcohol for your first 48 hours at altitude.
Warm layers, gloves, a buff, shoes with good grip, sunscreen, UV sunglasses, a rain layer, your passport, cash in soles and at least a liter of water. The helmet comes with the tour.
Gloves are the item riders mention most. You ride in the open in the first hours of the morning, when temperatures at the site fall to around −5 °C, and cold hands on the handlebars stop being uncomfortable and start to hurt. Buy a pair in Cusco rather than at the base. Sun protection matters for a measurable reason: UV rises about 10% for every 1,000 m of altitude (WHO). Pack the rain layer in any month — the rainy season is November to April, but snow falls in the dry season too. Clothing, boots and rain gear are not provided.
Follow the briefing, keep your helmet fastened, ride single file behind the guide at the pace the guide sets, and leave room to the ATV ahead. Tell the guide at once if you feel unsteady or breathless at rest.
The briefing happens at the base before anyone sets off; if you have never ridden, say so and practice the throttle and brakes first. Helmets stay fastened for the whole ride, driver and passenger alike, and nobody overtakes. Do not ride on with altitude symptoms: a headache with nausea, dizziness or unusual fatigue is acute mountain sickness (CDC), while confusion, loss of coordination or breathlessness at rest are emergencies and mean descending at once (NHS). If the guide shortens the ride for snow or rain, that call is final.
Yes, for most people. First-time riders consistently report feeling safe after the instructions, and the riding is short. For beginners the real test is the altitude, not the driving. The minimum age is 16.
Each traveler drives their own ATV, or rides as a passenger on a double. The briefing covers the controls and the brakes before anyone sets off, and the group rides together behind a guide. What the ATV cannot do is remove the altitude: walking is minimal here, but the last minutes on foot above 5,000 m still leave people short of breath. If you would rather not handle a vehicle at all, on our motorcycle departure a local driver takes you up instead.
Acclimatize for two full days in Cusco, drink enough water, skip alcohol, and do not go higher if a headache comes with nausea, dizziness or fatigue. The ATV saves effort, but your body still reaches 5,036 m.
The NHS names rapid ascent as the main risk factor, and riding up is still a fast ascent. Know the signs: a headache plus loss of appetite, dizziness, fatigue or nausea (CDC). If they appear, stop going higher — symptoms usually ease after descending 300 m or more. Confusion, loss of coordination or breathlessness at rest mean descend immediately and get help (NHS). Coca tea is offered everywhere in Cusco, but its preventive value has not been properly studied (Wilderness Medical Society). Preventive medication is prescribed by a doctor, and anyone with a heart or lung condition should speak to one before booking.
It is worth it if you want Vinicunca without the climb: the ATV reaches both lookouts and leaves only minimal walking. It is not worth it if the hike is the point, or if you have not acclimatized.
Riders describe it as far less demanding than walking, and many enjoy the ride for its own sake. Two things it does not change. The day is just as long — 12 to 13 hours from Cusco, with a 3:30 a.m. pick-up. And the altitude is identical: people who arrive by ATV still report being short of breath on the final stretch. It also costs roughly three times the walking tour, which starts at US$ 29. A simple test: if a long climb above 4,600 m would decide whether you reach the top at all, the ATV is worth the difference.
No independent ranking of Rainbow Mountain ATV companies exists. Judge operators on what you can verify: registration in Peru's MINCETUR directory, recent reviews about the ATV itself, a briefing and helmet included, and every fee stated before you pay.
On the big booking platforms the same local operator often sells the same tour under two or three names, so look for the operator rather than the listing title. The most repeated complaint across platforms is a charge that was not in the price — entrance fees above all — so read the exclusions before you pay. We sell these tours, so read this with that in mind: our ATV departures include a helmet, a briefing, a bilingual guide, breakfast and lunch, and a full refund if you cancel 48 hours ahead, with the entrance fees paid in cash on site and listed before you book. On GetYourGuide, our local team's Red Valley and Rainbow Mountain ATV tour holds 4.4 out of 5 from 25 reviews.
ATV Rainbow Mountain Reviews
Excellent
4.9142 reviews
Cosmopolitan711025
October 9, 2026
Muy recomendable para cuzco
Muy buena experiencia, repetiría sin dudar, vistas impresionantes, nuestro guia y conductor espectacular, un 10
Mark Witchell A
October 8, 2026
Rainbow Mountain Tour
A very fun filled and exciting day, very prompt pick up and drop offs. Rogelio was an awesome guide, very knowledgeable and helpful. Friendly staff, overall an awesome experience. Will 10/10 recommend :)
Harsh G
October 8, 2026
Best 1 day spent
We have the best guide lavora! Great experience and lots of information.
Yamila M
October 8, 2026
Buena
Muy cansadora, Rogelio atento y responsable.
Arno G
October 7, 2026
Impressive scenery!
Rojel was a great guide! Fun, safe, and we were early are mountain without all the tourists!
Aoife M
October 3, 2026
Stone forrest & rainbow mountain
Rafael was a very kind and enthusiastic guide. He was so helpful. The scenery was absolutely beautiful and the food for breakfast and lunch was lovely. definietly recommend to anyone staying in cusco and looking for a more peaceful rainbow mountain experience
Kathleen Bradshaw
September 28, 2026
Best day!
Our guide was amazing and the trip was one to remember for the rest of my life! I enjoyed our trip immensely!
Dani C
September 24, 2026
Montaña de 7 colores
Excelente tour, Rogelio muy buen guía y atento. Súper divertida experiencia, y el buffet muy completo.
Sthéfanie P
September 23, 2026
Excelente tour
Nos encantó visitar la montaña de 7 colores y el valle rojo! Muchas gracias a nuestro guía Rogelio, un genio total, súper atento y a disposición de todo el grupo. El desayuno y el almuerzo estuvo excelente, súper completo y rico. Alquilamos los cuatriciclos y tuvieron mucha paciencia para explicarnos cómo manejar. Los volvería a elegir y recomiendo totalmente. Muchas gracias nuevamente a Rogelio 🙌🏼
Crystal W
September 22, 2026
Exceeded my expectations
We had a wonderful trip up Rainbow mountain! The wheather was great and the Red Valley was stunning. Views of snowcapped Andes in the back, very beautiful. I loved taking the ATV to have a shorter hike. Rogelio was the best guid we have had the whole trip! He is very funny. The only downside is getting up so dang early. There are no less tourists, I wish there was an option to go later in the day
May H
September 19, 2026
Amazing Experience well worth the early wake up
We had an amazing experience on The Ultimate: Red Valley + Rainbow Mountain by ATV — no hiking, and a huge part of that was thanks to our wonderful guide, Rojher. From the very beginning, Rojher was incredibly patient, kind, and helpful. I accidentally left my phone in the taxi that picked us up from our hotel, and Rojher went above and beyond to help me get it back. He made multiple phone calls and sent messages to the taxi driver, patiently waited with me until the driver returned, and made sure I was able to check the car and recover my phone. Since the group had already left for breakfast, Rojher even arranged a taxi for my partner and me so we could catch up with the rest of the group. His kindness and willingness to help turned what could have been a very stressful situation into something much easier to handle. Once we arrived for the ATV ride, Rojher continued to be attentive every step of the way. Our group was small, and he made sure everyone was safe, comfortable, and enjoying the experience. He led us to both Rainbow Mountain and Red Valley and was always there to guide and assist us along the way. The scenery was incredible, and riding the ATVs made the experience even more memorable. But honestly, what made the day truly special was having a guide like Rojher. His patience, kindness, and genuine care for his guests really stood out. Thank you, Rojher, for making our experience so wonderful! We highly recommend this tour, and especially Rojher as a guide.
MACARENA P
September 17, 2026
Valle Rojo y Montaña 7 colores en cuatrimotos
Fue una hermosa experiencia, desde el principio, nos recogió en la puerta del hotel, desayuno y almuerzo maravilloso, acompañando en todo momento, Rogelio además hace unas fotos hermosas, el mejor guía. Recomiendo 100%
Nicola D
September 17, 2026
Beautiful views and great trip.
We really enjoyed the trip. The food was excellent - fresh and lots of choice. The trip was fab but we underestimated how cold it would be! Our guide Rogelio was also helpful, answering any of our questions.
Paola L
September 17, 2026
Gran experiencia desafiante
Excelente experiencia. Una gran aventura. Y el guía espectacular Rogelio
Patricia M
September 16, 2026
Experiência fantástica!
O guia Rogelio foi super atencioso, o passeio maravilhoso, o café da manhã e almoço muito bons. Foi tudo ótimo
MONICA_CORSINO
September 16, 2026
Uma experiência surreal
Experiência incrível, passeio de quadriculo surreal. Montanha ARCO Iris é um espetáculo à parte! Rogelio um guia super simpático, competente! Café da manhã e almoço oferecidos deliciosos!
Ashley Anderson
September 2026
Rent ATVs to go to rainbow mtn. Great experience.
Alex M
September 15, 2026
RAIMBOW MOUNTAIN Experience
Puntual, helpful and great actitude.
ILIE S
September 14, 2026
Rainbow tour
Very good experience and Rogelio was an amazing guide We enjoyed the tour very much
suzannegeraldine
September 14, 2026
Excellent Experience
We had an amazing experience on the Rainbow Mountain and Red Valley tour! The views were absolutely breathtaking, and our tour guide, Rogelio, was incredibly kind, attentive, and helpful throughout the entire trip. He made sure we were comfortable and even took so many great pictures for us! We truly enjoyed the experience and would definitely recommend this tour, especially with Rogelio as your guide!
Ramil T
September 14, 2026
10/10
Rainbow Mountain + Red Valley with Rogelio — 10/10, would do again. The climb is no joke (altitude hits different up there 😅) but Rogelio kept everyone laughing and moving at a good pace. He clearly knows and loves this place — shared so many cool stories about the mountains and local culture along the way. Rainbow Mountain is unreal in person, colors you just can't fully capture in photos. Red Valley was an awesome bonus stop too, way less crowded and just as gorgeous. Rogelio even grabbed some great summit pics for us. If you're heading to Rainbow Mountain, book with Rogelio. Total legend, made the whole trip 🙌
Eva D
September 13, 2026
Excellent
Très belle expérience. La vue est magnifique, il y a peu de monde, c'est un très bon moyen de profiter des montagnes arc en ciel loin de la foule et à notre rythme. Notre guide, Rafael, s'est montré présent lorsqu'il le fallait mais nous a aussi laissé monter à notre rythme.
tarajoeob
September 13, 2026
Wonderful tour - highly recommend
We had an amazing day with our guide Rogelio. Fun ATV ride and stunning scenery. Thanks again Rogelio :)
Bejul Shah
August 2026
We did the Rainbow Valley day tour with MC Peru Expeditions, and it was superbly organised and our guide Rogelio was amazing and knowledgeable. Had an early start at 3.45pm, however the advantage being that you are on of the first to get toVinicunca Mountain (avoiding traffic, also on the return). Also lucked out as it was a beautiful sunny day. Breakfast and lunch at same place, had vegetarian options. Were a group of 12, and Rogelio made sure wartime was included and speaking in both Spanish and English. He made the journey enjoyable and big kudos to the driver too. Highly recommend using these guys, and ask for Rogelio!
Carmen Herrera
August 2026
Excellent personalized service; they're always available to answer your questions. Very professional and attentive. 100% recommended. I congratulate and thank them for the service provided in Cusco. They were a huge help and support to my aunt, an elderly woman over 80 years old.
Matthew Torio
July 2026
Amazing experience! The ATV's were very user friendly. It was so gorgeous for travel through the Andean country side. I took a tour to Ausangate glacier, where I was able to hike part of the mountain and I personally took a quick swim in one of the 7 glacial lakes. Jorge was an amazing guide who was very friendly and welcoming. He spoke good English and made sure I was comfortable throughout the trip and made sure to take amazing photos. Aside from a few caretakers, Jorge and I seemed to be the only people in the entire national park. This was truly one of the best things I did while I was in Peru. I highly recommend it to anyone who wants a more unique experience while in Peru!
Robert Wilson
March 2026
Our trip to Pallay Poncho was amazing and our tour guide was excellent! The stops for breakfast and lunch during the drive were great and the weather was beautiful.
cinnia yang
March 2026
A fantastic tour guide，a fantastic experience. A Very considerate tour leader. Although the journey was long,We were lucky enough to see Rainbow Mountain under the sunlight. Encouraged by the guide, we also climbed to the top and saw the most beautiful scenery.Riding an ATV on the winding mountain road was a new ecperience and felt very exciting. Breakfast amd Lunch on this trip were both excellent 。
Travelloef Ibrahim & Laura
October 2025
We did the Red Valley and Rainbow Mountain tour. We did it by ATV and it was amazing. The guide was great! Explained everything and made sure we were very safe. The lunch and breakfast were incredibly delicious. You could eat as much as you wanted. It was also super healthy. Truly a top-notch tour, especially if you have already done a lot of hikes in Peru; this is a wonderfully different way to do things!
Beyond the Six Tours
Private Days and Other Rainbow Mountains
Want the day for your group alone, or a mountain we don't list online? Message us on WhatsApp and we'll put it together.
