Rainbow Mountain & Red Valley ATV Vinicunca and the Red Valley on your own quad
Ride across the high Andes to the Red Valley and Vinicunca in one morning. The quads do the long approach; you walk about 2 hours in total instead of the 4.5-hour trek.
Our Rainbow Mountain & Red Valley ATV tour is the most complete way to see both landscapes in a single day. After breakfast in Cusipata and a safety briefing in the community of Laya, you ride your quad across the high plain to the trailhead below the viewpoints.
From there it is 10–15 minutes on foot to the Red Valley and 45–60 minutes on to Vinicunca, at the pace of the slowest person in the group: about two hours on foot in total, far less than the classic hike. Prefer almost no walking? See our Rainbow Mountain ATV Express (5-minute walk, Vinicunca only).
The red hills of the Red Valley and the striped ridge of Vinicunca on the same route.
Your own quad or share one
One rider per quad, or two people sharing a machine for the best price.
Far less walking
About 2 hours on foot in total instead of the 4.5-hour classic trek.
Briefing & practice loop
A 20-minute safety briefing and practice before riding. No licence needed.
Oxygen on every departure
First-aid kit and oxygen on board, with guides used to the altitude.
Breakfast & lunch included
Breakfast and a hot lunch in Cusipata, vegetarian option on request.
Day itinerary
Times refer to the 4:00 AM departure; on the 6:00 AM departure every stop is later, including the return to Cusco.
FULL DAY
Full Day · Rainbow Mountain & Red Valley by ATV
04:00 AMHotel pickup in Cusco. Tourist transport from your hotel in the historic centre (or 6:00 AM on the later departure).
05:20 AMBreakfast in Cusipata. Hot drinks, bread, eggs and fruit before the altitude.
06:30 AMLaya: briefing & practice. 20-minute safety briefing, helmets on and a practice loop on flat ground.
07:30 AMATV ride across the high plain. 30–40 minutes on the quads, with photo stops, to the trailhead.
08:15 AMThe Red Valley. 10–15 minutes on foot to the Red Valley viewpoint.
08:40 AMOn to Vinicunca. 45–60 minutes on foot to the Rainbow Mountain viewpoint at 5,030 m; 30–40 minutes at the top.
10:30 AMBack to the quads. Walk and ride back the same way.
01:30 PMLunch & return. Hot lunch in Cusipata, then the drive to Cusco (around 5:30–6:00 PM).
Good to know: this tour includes about two hours of walking at altitude on a gradual path. If you would rather walk only 5 minutes, choose our ATV Express.
Inclusions & exclusions
Exactly what the price covers, and the one cost to bring in cash.
What's Included
Hotel pickup in central Cusco.
Round-trip tourist transport.
Your quad (one rider or two sharing) with helmet & safety equipment.
20-minute safety briefing and practice loop.
Professional bilingual guide.
Breakfast & lunch in Cusipata.
First-aid kit & oxygen.
Not Included
Entrance fee: S/30 per person, cash in soles, at the community gate (covers Red Valley & Vinicunca).
Travel insurance.
Tips (optional).
Dinner & personal expenses.
Before you go
A few essentials for a great day at 5,030 m.
Acclimatize first
Spend at least 2 nights in Cusco before the tour. Drink water and skip alcohol the night before.
Walking
About 2 hours on foot in total on a gradual path above 4,800 m, at the group's pace. For a 5-minute walk, choose the ATV Express.
Best time to go
Dry season, May to September, has the firmest tracks and clearest skies. The tour runs all year.
Bring soles in cash
The communities charge S/30 per person at the gate, cash only, in Peruvian soles.
Cancellations & weather
Full refund 30+ days before; 50%% between 15 and 29 days. If we cancel for dangerous weather: free reschedule or full refund. See our refund policy.
What to pack
Dress for a cold ride and a walk at altitude.
Essentials
Passport — for the entrance ticket.
S/30 in cash per person for the gate.
Windproof, waterproof jacket.
Warm gloves for the handlebars.
Thermal or fleece layer.
Comfortable trainers or light boots.
Sunglasses & SPF 50+.
Nice to Have
Camera + spare battery — the cold drains it.
Snacks & water.
Hat or buff under the helmet.
Personal medication.
Pricing — per quad
Flat published rates. Quads are priced per machine; private service per person.
Option
Riders
Price
Notes
Quad for one
1 rider
US $65 / quad
Your own machine
Quad for two
2 riders
US $120 / quad
Best value · $60 each
Private service
2 – 6 travelers
US $260 / pp
Your own guide & pace
Entrance not included. Add S/30 per person in cash at the gate. Pay a 20% deposit online and the balance in Cusco.
Payment & refund highlights
Secure online payment
Pay with Visa, MasterCard, American Express via Izipay, SSL-encrypted.
Free cancellation
Full refund 30+ days before. 50% refund 15–29 days before. No refund within 14 days.
US $65 per quad with one rider, US $120 per quad with two riders ($60 each), or US $260 per person for private service. The entrance fee of S/30 per person is paid in cash at the gate.
About two hours on foot in total: 10–15 minutes to the Red Valley viewpoint and 45–60 minutes on to Vinicunca, then back the same way, at the group's pace.
No licence or experience is needed. Everyone does a 20-minute briefing and a practice loop before riding.
Daily departures at 4:00 AM and 6:00 AM with hotel pickup in Cusco. The day lasts about 14 hours.
No. The communities charge S/30 per person in cash at the gate, which covers both the Red Valley and Vinicunca.
Yes: our Rainbow Mountain ATV Express has only a 5-minute walk to the Vinicunca viewpoint (no Red Valley), entrance included, US $90 per person.
