Rainbow Mountain by ATV or on foot: which option is right for you?
There are now three ways to reach the 5,030 m viewpoint of Rainbow Mountain (Vinicunca): the classic hike, an ATV ride that includes the Red Valley, and an ATV Express that leaves you just five minutes from the top. All three finish at the same breathtaking ridge. The difference is how much you walk, how much you pay and how much of the landscape you see. Here is an honest comparison.
The three options side by side
| Classic hike | ATV + Red Valley | ATV Express | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Walking | ≈3 h up + 1.5 h down | About 2 h in total | 5 min each way |
| Red Valley | Optional detour | Included | Not included |
| Departure | 4:00 AM | 4:00 or 6:00 AM | 6:00 AM |
| Entrance fee | Included | S/30 in cash, not included | Included |
| Price | US $40 per person | US $65 per quad (1 rider) · US $120 per quad (2 riders) | US $90 per person |
| Best for | Fit, well-acclimatized hikers on a budget | Adventure lovers who want both landscapes | Anyone who wants the view with minimal effort |
The classic hike: earn the view
The traditional route starts at about 4,400 m and climbs gradually through a valley of alpacas and stone houses, getting steeper over the last 30–40 minutes. Most people need about three hours up and 1.5 hours down. It is not technical, but at this altitude every step counts, so it suits travellers who have spent at least two days in Cusco and feel fit.
The reward is the full experience: the slow reveal of the colours as you climb and the satisfaction of reaching 5,030 m on your own feet. It is also the cheapest option — our Rainbow Mountain hike costs US $40 with the entrance included. Horses can be rented at the trailhead (about US $20) if you get tired.
Ride to Rainbow Mountain
Compare our ATV tours: with the Red Valley or Express with a 5-minute walk.
ATV + Red Valley: two landscapes, half the walking
On our Rainbow Mountain & Red Valley ATV tour, you ride a quad for 30–40 minutes across the high plain after a 20-minute safety briefing — no licence or experience needed. From the quad parking you walk 10–15 minutes to the Red Valley viewpoint and 45–60 minutes on to Vinicunca: about two hours on foot in total instead of four and a half.
You can ride alone (US $65 per quad) or share a machine with a partner (US $120 per quad, US $60 each). The community entrance fee of S/30 per person is paid in cash at the gate. There are two departures, at 4:00 and 6:00 AM, and you are back in Cusco in the early evening.
ATV Express: the famous view with a five-minute walk
The Rainbow Mountain ATV Express is the easiest way to stand in front of the striped ridge. You ride your own quad to a parking area just below the viewpoint, walk five minutes up, enjoy about 20 minutes of photos at 5,030 m and walk back down. The price of US $90 per person includes the entrance, breakfast, lunch and the quad. It visits Vinicunca only — no Red Valley — and leaves daily at 6:00 AM in a shared group.
Which option should you choose?
- Choose the hike if you are fit, have acclimatized for two or three days, want the classic experience and the lowest price.
- Choose ATV + Red Valley if you want adventure, the two best landscapes of the area and much less walking, and you are comfortable walking for about two hours.
- Choose the ATV Express if you have little time to acclimatize, knee or mobility issues, are travelling with older relatives, or simply want the view without the effort.
Short on time in Cusco? The less you walk at 5,000 m, the less the altitude will bother you — another reason the ATV options are popular in the first days of a trip.
Is the ATV safe?
Yes, with sensible rules. Every rider gets a helmet and a 20-minute briefing, and does a practice loop on flat ground before setting off — no licence or previous experience is needed. The route crosses open high plain at a moderate pace, led by a guide, with stops for photos, and oxygen and a first-aid kit travel with the group. If you are pregnant, have back problems or are travelling with children, message us before booking and we will tell you which option suits you best.
Tips for any option
- Acclimatize first: even with a five-minute walk, the viewpoint is at 5,030 m. Read our altitude sickness guide.
- Dress warmly: the quad ride is cold and windy; bring gloves, a hat or buff and a windproof jacket.
- Protect your eyes: sunglasses help against dust on the quads and the strong UV at the top.
- Carry some soles for toilets, a hot drink and, on the Red Valley tour, the S/30 entrance.
For everything else about the mountain, see our complete Rainbow Mountain guide.
Frequently asked questions
Almost. With our ATV Express the quads park just below the viewpoint and you walk only about five minutes each way.
No. Everyone receives a 20-minute safety briefing and practises on flat ground before riding.
The ATV Express costs US $90 per person with the entrance included. The ATV tour with the Red Valley costs US $65 per quad with one rider or US $120 with two riders, plus the S/30 entrance in cash.
It depends on you. Hiking is cheaper and more immersive; the ATV saves energy at altitude and, on the Red Valley tour, lets you see two landscapes in one morning.
The Rainbow Mountain & Red Valley ATV tour does; the ATV Express visits Vinicunca only.
About 30–40 minutes each way across the high plain, with photo stops, after a 20-minute briefing and practice loop.
