While Machu Picchu is undeniably a must-visit destination, there is another hidden gem that you need to add to your itinerary during your trip to Peru: Rainbow Mountain. In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know to prepare for this hike of a lifetime, which includes:
- Essential tips to prepare you for your hike
- The most optimal time to visit and weather conditions to expect
- Tour company recommendations to ensure you have the best experience as we did
Having hiked Rainbow Mountain in October, I would advise anyone traveling to Peru to add this bucket-list hike to their itinerary. Witnessing the colorful mountain striped with hues of red, yellow, orange, and turquoise is an experience that a camera cannot adequately capture.
Not only is the sight of Rainbow Mountain unbelievable, but the surrounding views of the landscape make you feel as if you have landed on Mars.
If you are not fully convinced, I hope this guide gives you the urge to make Rainbow Mountain a part of your Peru itinerary as it is an unforgettable experience and such a unique opportunity.
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History Of Rainbow Mountain
The area surrounding Rainbow Mountain is home to many indigenous communities, mainly the Quechua people. As you make the drive to the trailhead, you will pass through many of these communities where you will witness the locals dressed in traditional clothing and herds of alpacas and llamas grazing in the grassland.
For centuries, the vibrant colors of the mountain were hidden beneath layers of snow until climate change caused the melting of the snow due to rising temperatures. Thus, revealing the colorful stripes underneath. It was around 2015 when tourism to the mountain really took off and it is now one of the most popular tourist attractions in Peru.
Wondering how the mountain got the vibrant stripes in the first place? The beautiful hues of red, orange, yellow, and turquoise are the result of minerals such as copper, iron, and sulfur. The colorful stripes are the result of millions of years of tectonic plate movement and weather erosion.
Preparing For The Hike
While Rainbow Mountain is a much shorter trek than Machu Picchu, the high altitude is what makes this hike so difficult. Located in the Andes mountains, Rainbow Mountain is 5,200 meters (about 17,000 feet) above sea level. Compare this the Machu Picchu’s altitude of about 2,400 meters (roughly 7,900 feet).
The biggest hurdle most people face when completing this hike is altitude sickness. For me, I experienced feeling out of breath much more quickly than normal. At times, the sensation can almost feel like you are breathing through a straw.
The best thing you can do to prepare for the hike is to prepare for the altitude days in advance. First, give yourself a few days to acclimate to the altitude in Cusco.
Next, take Diamox (acetazolamide) to help prevent altitude sickness. I was advised by a nurse at the travel clinic to begin taking this medication two days before the hike and continue taking it 2 days after. You can get a prescription at a travel clinic before your trip, but if you are unable to, pharmacies in Peru carry it and will sell it to you without a prescription.
Although I would strongly urge you to take the medication, if you do not want to, there are some other ways to reduce the effects of altitude sickness. Drink plenty of water the night before and during the hike. Peruvians also believe that drinking Coca tea can help to alleviate the symptoms of altitude sickness. This tea can be found in most grocery or souvenir stores in Peru and is also carried by most hotels.
Here are some of the symptoms you should look out for that can signify altitude sickness
- headache
- dizziness
- fatigue
- shortness of breath
If you begin to feel the onset of symptoms of altitude sickness, it’s important to alert your guide and take a rest. Do not overly exert yourself as this will make the symptoms worse.
Getting To Rainbow Mountain
The drive to Rainbow Mountain takes about 3 hours from Cusco so this excursion will consume the majority of your day.
It is possible to hike Rainbow Mountain on your own without a tour company, but the biggest hurdle would be arranging transportation.
The best time to hike the mountain is early in the morning when you are less likely to compete with the crowds that accumulate later in the morning.
It is important to choose a company that is one of the first to arrive to avoid the crowds. This means being picked up at the early hours of the morning, usually between 3:30-4am.
Here are some things to consider when booking a tour agency to hike Rainbow Mountain:
- Small group size for a more personalized experience
- An early pick up time to be one of the first tour groups to arrive at the mountain
- A local company to support the local Peruvians
Highlights
- One of the first tour companies to arrive at Rainbow Mountain
- Excellent, knowledgeable guides
- Great, low price
The Hike
Hiking Rainbow Mountain is a unique and awe-inspiring experience. The trail is challenging with steep inclines and the high altitude to contend with. This combination makes the hike very physically demanding. Even for strong hikers, this hike can be a struggle.
The hike to the top is about 2.5 miles. On average this hike takes about an hour and a half to complete, but this can vary from person to person. Frequent hikers with strong endurance can get to the top in closer to an hour while some who is not as fit may take closer to two hours.
If you feel the hike is too difficult, you always have the option of paying a local to ride a horse the majority of the way, but more on that to come!
The day I went on my hike, the large group that was supposed to hike that day had cancelled and I was the only person on the tour. This means I could completely set my own pace. As someone who hikes a few times a year and considers of average fitness level, I finished the hike in just under an hour and a half.
It’s important to take pace yourself and take breaks when needed. If you do not already have it, I would recommend buying a backpack with a water pack inside it so you can hydrate as you walk.
I purchased this backpack from Amazon. It is also the backpack I used for my Machu Picchu trek. It comes with a hydration pack. It also features so many small pockets so there is plenty of room for storage
Riding A Horse To Rainbow Mountain
Whether you’re struggling with altitude sickness or too fatigued from previous hikes, luckily, you have an alternative way to make it up the mountain: by horse.
At the base of the trail, you’ll find many locals with horses eager to give you a ride to the top. The fee for this is about 90 soles so make sure you bring cash if you think you may need this option.
If you don’t have previous experience riding a horse, that’s not a problem. A guide will walk along side the horse.
While the horse will take you the majority of the way to the top, for the last 200 meters you will have to hike yourself. This is considered one of the most challenging parts of the hike due to the steeper incline.
Do not be embarrassed if you feel the need to take a horse to the top, it is very common and you will encounter many other people on horseback.
On the other hand, while I was very tempted at times to finish the rest of the way on horseback, I was happy I stuck it out and completed the hike. The sense of accomplishment once you make it to the top is unmatched!
Weather Conditions Hiking Rainbow Mountain
Like most of Peru, the dry season is considered the best time to hike Rainbow Mountain which falls between May and October. During this period, the weather is generally warm and dry with little rainfall. However, this is also generally the busy season in Peru, especially through the months of June to August.
Regardless of the season, the high altitude results in cooler temperatures than other areas of Peru, so it’s important to plan ahead of time and pack appropriately.
When I visited Peru in October, I was wearing pants and a light shirt during the day in Cusco. During my hike to Rainbow Mountain, I wore a windbreaker, a sweatshirt with a long-sleeve shirt underneath, leggings, and thick socks. I did not pack a hat or gloves, but it was very cold on the hike and many others including my guide wore a hat and gloves.
Rainbow Mountain Packing List
While the items you pack can vary based on the weather conditions at the time of your hike, the following are some items we recommend packing for your trip:
- Small backpack
- Plenty of water and a snack
- Waterproof Jacket
- Comfortable hiking boots and hiking socks
- Athletic shirt and pants
- Altitude sickness medication or remedies (Diamox/ Advil / Coca tea or candies)
- Cash: Enough to tip your guides and to rent a horse if needed
- Toilet paper: the bathrooms do not have toilet paper
Q and A about hiking Rainbow Mountain
Should You Hike Rainbow Mountain Before Or After Machu Picchu?
I would recommend hiking Rainbow Mountain after your Machu Picchu trek. This is for a number of reasons, but firstly, Rainbow Mountain has locals with horses that you can pay to take you to the top if your legs are too fatigued after completing Machu Picchu. Also, Rainbow Mountain is a higher elevation than even Machu Picchu so you’ll have more time to adjust. Leave at least one full day to recover between hikes, but if time permits, allow multiple days in between.
Is Rainbow Mountain Worth It?
While Rainbow Mountain is a tough and physically demanding hike, it is such a unique hike and one that we definitely recommend!
How much does it cost to ride a horse to the top?
The fee to ride a horse to the top of Rainbow Mountain is generally 90 soles which comes out to about 25 USD or 23 Euros. If you think you may need this option, you must bring cash as no other forms of payment are accepted.
What is the best time of year to hike Rainbow Mountain?
The best months to hike Rainbow Mountain is during the dry season which runs from May through November. June, July, and August are some of the busiest months so you will see more crowds. I hiked in October and had an amazing experience with clear skies and not as many crowds.
We’d love to hear from you!
We hope this guide convinced you to make Rainbow Mountain a part of your itinerary as it was a highlight of my trip to Peru!
Have you hiked Rainbow Mountain and how was your experience?
