Rainbow Mountain and Red Valley ATV Tour – Full Day
Ride an ATV through the Cusco highlands and visit two of its most famous natural attractions: the Red Valley and Rainbow Mountain (Vinicunca). This full-day tour combines an ATV ride, Andean landscapes, and time to explore the viewpoints on foot.
The tour begins early in Cusco and continues to the start point of the ATV route. After a safety briefing and a brief practice session, you will ride along high-altitude paths before visiting the Red Valley, located at approximately 4,900 m (16,076 ft), and Rainbow Mountain, at around 5,200 m (17,060 ft).
The experience also includes breakfast, a buffet lunch, tourist transportation, ATV, safety equipment, and assistance from a bilingual guide.
1 Day
Trekking
Moderate
Cusco
4:30 am
12 people
Detailed Itinerary
Early Morning | Pick-up from your Hotel
Your ATV tour to Rainbow Mountain and Red Valley begins early in the morning. We will pick you up from your hotel in Cusco between 4:00 and 4:30 AM to start the journey in tourist transportation toward the ATV start point.
During the drive, you will be able to observe the rural landscape of the Andes, with mountains, valleys, and local communities.
Approximately 8:00 AM | Breakfast
Before starting the ATV ride, we will stop at a local restaurant for breakfast.
This time will allow you to eat and prepare for the high-altitude section of the tour.
9:30 AM | Start of the ATV Adventure
After breakfast, we will continue to the starting point of the ATV ride.
Before getting started, the guide will provide a safety talk and a short practice session so you can get familiar with the vehicle and its basic controls.
Once everyone is ready, we will begin the ride along high-altitude paths. The route crosses mountain landscapes and local communities before reaching the first destination.
Red Valley | 4,900 m / 16,076 ft
Our first stop will be the Red Valley, located at approximately 4,900 m (16,076 ft) above sea level.
The valley stands out for its reddish and brown slopes, caused by the mineral composition of the ground.
You will have time to walk around the viewpoint, take photos, and admire the Andean landscape before continuing toward Vinicunca.
Rainbow Mountain | 5,200 m / 17,060 ft
We will continue to Rainbow Mountain (Vinicunca), one of the most famous attractions in the Cusco region.
Located at approximately 5,200 m (17,060 ft), the mountain stands out for its different layers of colors that form a characteristic landscape.
From the viewpoint, you can observe the colorful slopes of Vinicunca and the surrounding high-altitude mountains. You will have time to explore the area, take photos, and enjoy the scenery before starting the return trip.
12:30 – 1:30 PM | Buffet Lunch
After visiting Rainbow Mountain, we will return to the local restaurant to enjoy a buffet lunch.
This will be a time to rest and eat before continuing the trip back to Cusco.
2:00 PM | Return to Cusco
After lunch, we will begin the return journey in tourist transportation.
During the ride, you can once again admire the landscapes of the rural Andes as we head back to Cusco.
Approximately 5:00 – 6:00 PM | Arrival in Cusco
We will arrive in Cusco at approximately 5:00 to 6:00 PM.
The tour will end with drop-off near your hotel or at the designated drop-off point.
Inclusions
What's included
- Tourist transportation from Cusco to the ATV start point and back
- Pick-up from your hotel in Cusco
- Professional bilingual guide
- ATV
- Safety equipment
- Safety briefing and practice session
- Breakfast
- Buffet lunch
- Trekking poles
- First aid kit
- Emergency assistance
What's not included
- Entrance fees to Red Valley and Rainbow Mountain, depending on the selected route
- Personal expenses
- Drinks
- Tips
- Horse rental, if needed
- Travel insurance
- Additional services not mentioned in the itinerary
Packing List
Altitude and Difficulty
This Rainbow Mountain ATV tour reaches high-altitude areas, so it is recommended to be acclimatized in Cusco before undertaking the activity.
Cusco: 3,400 m / 11,155 ft
Red Valley: Approx. 4,900 m / 16,076 ft
Rainbow Mountain: Approx. 5,200 m / 17,060 ft
Difficulty: Moderate to challenging
The ATV ride does not require advanced technical knowledge, but the high altitude and walks above 4,900 meters can make the experience physically demanding.
- Warm clothing
- Waterproof jacket
- Comfortable walking shoes
- Hat
- Gloves
- Sunglasses
- Sunscreen
- Water
- Snacks
- Small backpack
- ID document / Passport
- Rain poncho, especially during the rainy season
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the ATV tour to Rainbow Mountain difficult?
The tour has a moderate to challenging difficulty. The ATV ride is accessible to travelers with basic driving experience, but the high altitude and walking at the viewpoints can make the day physically demanding.
What is the maximum altitude reached during the tour?
The highest point is Rainbow Mountain (Vinicunca), located at approximately 5,200 m (17,060 ft) above sea level.
Do I need prior experience to drive an ATV?
No prior experience is necessary. Before starting the ride, the guide will give a safety briefing and a brief practice session to explain how to operate the ATV.
Is the Red Valley included in the ATV tour?
Yes. The itinerary includes a visit to the Red Valley before continuing to Rainbow Mountain. Entrance fees depend on the selected route and are not included unless specifically noted.
What clothing should I wear for the Rainbow Mountain ATV tour?
It is recommended to wear warm layered clothing, comfortable walking shoes, gloves, a hat, and sunglasses. Bringing a waterproof jacket or rain poncho is also advised, as weather conditions in the mountains can change quickly.
How long does the Rainbow Mountain ATV tour from Cusco take?
The tour lasts approximately 12 to 14 hours, depending on road conditions, time spent at attractions, and the drive back to Cusco.
Can I rent a horse at Rainbow Mountain?
Horse rental may be available at the destination, depending on local availability and the route taken. This service is not included in the tour price.
Are breakfast and lunch included?
Yes. The tour includes breakfast and a buffet lunch at local restaurants along the route.
Feel free to call us. We’re a team of experts and would be happy to speak with you.
- +51 970 409 091
- [email protected]
Customer Experience
Posted on Tripadvisor Rachel CVerified Thanks Richard Did this four day Salkantay Trek with them as the Inca Trail was sold out. It was very pleasant experience and Richard, our guide took great effort inmaking this trip a memorable one. The camping sites were located in quiet parts of the trek, giving us opportunity to get good rest after a day full of hike. The food were all freshly cooked and authentic. Highly recommendPosted on Tripadvisor Jeniffer PVerified Immervie, cultural and traditional I booked this four day Choquequirao trek after not being able to hike the Inca Trail due to lack of availability. The trip was very well organised, the tour company took care of everything from transport and food to accomodation and entrance tickets. The guide was very nice and spoke good English. The site itself was very less crowded and scenic. Higly recommend visiting Choquequirao if you want to know more about the Incas history.Posted on Tripadvisor Erick WVerified Thanks Richard! Did this two day trek with Richard, our guide. He was very friendly, informative and passionate to share his knowledge about the local traditions and customs. The trek included all meals and were all freshly cooked. The camping sites were located overlooking the valley. The red valley trip was the highlight and i truly enjoyed it more than the rainbow mountain.Posted on Tripadvisor Valery HVerified Viaje mágico ✨️ I took the 4-day, 3-night tour to Choquequirao, and it was definitely an amazing experience. The organization was excellent, the service was outstanding throughout, and the team was always attentive and professional. Plus, the atmosphere was super fun, which made the whole trip even more special. I highly recommend this tour company if you're looking for a well-planned adventure full of great moments 😉Posted on Tripadvisor Miguel Ángel MVerified Choquequirao Hi everyone, I highly recommend the Choquequirao tour (the one I did) with this agency because of all my options, it offered the best guaranteed service. There were no problems, so I'm very satisfied.Posted on Tripadvisor Navigate03655434048Verified Recommended I did the Machu Picchu-Inca Trail tour with this agency, 100% recommended guys, the service was excellent and seeing all these places was simply beautifulPosted on Tripadvisor Navigator25956226682Verified A really wonderfull experience Visiting Manu National Park with this agency was truly the best choice! 👌 The Peruvian rainforest is truly magnificent and wonderful, and the agency really gives you the opportunity to experience the best of it.Posted on Tripadvisor LuisVerified A Remarkable Journey to Choquequirao An unforgettable 5-star adventure to Choquequirao, with breathtaking views, incredible Inca ruins, and a true sense of untouched beauty throughout the trek. The experience was made even better by our tour guide, Richard, who was knowledgeable, funny, and kind—he kept us motivated, shared fascinating insights, and made every moment along the journey even more enjoyable.Posted on Tripadvisor Nancy MVerified The trip of my dreams!!! I'm Nancy and I loved the experience we had with the tour. We had a wonderful experience to remember. The service was excellent, punctual, and professional from everyone who accompanied us. We'll definitely be back, thank you so much! 🤗Posted on Tripadvisor rocio cVerified beautiful experience We had an unforgettable experience with this company visiting Manu National Park for two days. My family and I are very happy to have enjoyed such a well-organized tour. We saw monkeys, birds, snakes, capybaras, caimans, and much more. Thank you for this great experience, Trails to Machu Picchu.
Posted on Google FedeTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I did the Machu Picchu-Inca Trail tour with this agency, 100% recommended guys, the service was excellent and seeing all these places was simply beautifulPosted on Google sofi_soTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Visiting Manu National Park with this agency was truly the best choice! 👌 The Peruvian rainforest is truly magnificent and wonderful, and the agency really gives you the opportunity to experience the best of it.Posted on Google Luis Fernando Chullo OchoaTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Tuvimos un viaje inolvidable al parque manu de 2 dias 1 noche. Fue un tour inolvidable para nosotro y lo disfrutamod al maximo. Esta agencia de viajes es muy recomendable, desde el transporte, aalimentacion, guiado profecional y toda la logistica muy bien organizada gracias por todo señores de traisl to machupicchuPosted on Google David Soncco C. (D.v.D)Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Fue uno bonita experiencia realizar el tour al Parque Nacional del Manu por 3 días, los guías super buenísimos que nos ayudaron a llevarnos una bonita experiencia, muy atentos y super divertidos!!!Posted on Google AhsanTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. They made my day 😊⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐Posted on Google Ahsan Visa servicesTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I had a great experience with them, recommendedPosted on Google DivCodeTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Very good tour that I have done, highly recommended to know the Inca Trail🙂😌Posted on Google Nelly Montalvo PaccoTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Tuvimos la oportunidad de ir con mi familia a conocer Cusco y la experiancia fue única, lo pasamos muy bien desde el transporte, nuestro guía fue muy profesional, la alimentación excelente. Hizo que mi estancia fuera realmente memorable. Estamos muy agradecidos y recomendamos la Agencia de viajes.Posted on Google david abraham soto lopezTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Buen servicio... me encanto el Guiado de la agencia ... siempre atentos y aclarando cada duda y pregunta con mucho conocimiento.