July 12, 2019South America

Machu Picchu, Cusco & Rainbow Mountain Peru: complete itinerary & tips

Rainbow Mountain in Peru, officially Vinicunca, or "Winikunka" in Quechua, is one of the most spectacular natural phenomena in the Andes. Mineral deposits over millions of years have colored the mountain in vibrant bands of red, yellow, green, and purple. What was hidden under ice and snow until 2015 has been revealed by climate change, a surreal natural spectacle at an altitude of over 5,000 meters.

In this travel report you will find everything you need to know for a trip to Peru including Rainbow Mountain, Cusco and Machu Picchu: the best route, the most honest tips on altitude sickness, costs, the best travel gear and an FAQ on the most important questions, all from personal experience.

Peru Overview: The Route at a Glance

Peru is vast, and most travelers underestimate the distances. Those with three weeks can experience it in great depth. Those with two weeks need to prioritize. My recommendation for a classic Peru itinerary focusing on Cusco, Rainbow Mountain, and Machu Picchu:

Cusco: Acclimatization is mandatory

Cusco lies at an altitude of 3,400 meters, and anyone who starts exercising immediately after arrival or rushes to see the sights will regret it. My tip: Take it easy for the first two days. Drink plenty of water, drink little alcohol, and avoid rapid ascents.

The city itself is impressive: Inca stonework forms the foundation of colonial churches, lively markets in San Pedro, and an old town that is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. A visit to Sacsayhuamán, the massive Inca fortress overlooking the city, is a must, despite its name.

Sights in Cusco:

• Sacsayhuamán, gigantic Inca fortress with panoramic views of Cusco (20 min walk or taxi)
• Qorikancha, the Golden Temple of the Inca, now beneath a Dominican church
• San Pedro Market, an authentic food market without tourist prices
• Plaza de Armas, heart of the old town, surrounded by colonial buildings and the cathedral
• Barrio de San Blas, a craft quarter with narrow streets and workshops

Janet has written up her experiences in Cusco with the Boleto Turístico, the Maras and Moray tour and the 18-hour bus ride from Paracas: Janet’s Cusco travel report.

The Sacred Valley of the Incas

The Valle Sagrado, the Sacred Valley of the Urubamba River, lies between Cusco and Machu Picchu and is worth a full day trip in itself. The high plateau is fertile, the ruins breathtaking, and the markets authentic.

Most people visit the valley as a day trip from Cusco, either organized or by collectivo (shared taxi, 2–5 soles per leg). Key stops:

• Inca site above the village, plus one of the most beautiful markets in the valley (Tuesday, Thursday, Sunday)
• Ollantaytambo, a vibrant Inca city with vast terraced gardens, departure point for trains to Aguas Calientes
• Chinchero, a traditional village with textile weaving cooperatives and Inca terraces
• circular terraced amphitheater, possibly Inca experimental fields for agriculture
• Salineras de Maras, salt pans that have been actively cultivated since Inca times.

Machu Picchu: How to get there and what you need to know

Machu Picchu needs no introduction. The Inca citadel at 2,430 meters, shrouded in clouds and surrounded by steep mountain peaks, is one of the most impressive structures in human history, even if you've seen it in 100 photos.

The most convenient way is via Ollantaytambo by train to Aguas Calientes (1.5 hours, from about €25 one way with PeruRail or Inca Rail). From Aguas Calientes, a bus goes up to the citadel (US$12 round trip) or you can walk up (1.5 hours, free). From the train, you can then take another bus or the usual route.

Time slots and routes: The ticket is tied to a specific entry time slot (e.g., 6:00, 7:00, 8:00, etc.). Those wishing to experience the sunrise should take the first train from Aguas Calientes (approx. 5:30). Entry opens at 6:00.

What else is worth considering?

• Machu Picchu Mountain, additional ticket required, ascent 1.5 hours, panoramic view of the entire citadel from the top
• Huayna Picchu, steep, highly sought-after climb (book very early, max. 400 people/day)
• Sun Gate Inti Punku, part of the classic Inca Trail route, no extra ticket required

Rainbow Mountain Peru: Vinicunca at an altitude of 5,200 meters

Rainbow Mountain (Vinicunca) is the visual highlight of any trip to Peru. At an altitude of 5,200 meters, mineral rock strata are exposed in bands of iron oxide (red), chlorite (green), limonite (yellow), and lavasonite (purple). The result is a mountain that looks as if it has been painted.

Until 2015, Vinicunca was unknown, glaciers covered its colors. Climate change has retreated the snow, revealing one of South America's most photographed natural attractions. Today, hundreds of visitors come every day.

Getting to Rainbow Mountain

Almost all visitors make a day trip to Vinicunca from Cusco. The journey takes approximately 3 hours by bus (one way). There are two main options:

• Guided tour: From Cusco approx. USD 25–35 including transport, guide, sometimes lunch. Departure usually at 4:00 am.
• Independent travel: Collectivos from Cusco to Cusipata, then on to Chillca (starting point). Cheaper but more complicated to coordinate.

The ascent: 4,900 m to 5,200 m

From the park entrance at approximately 4,900 m to the viewpoint at 5,200 m, the ascent is about 3 km with an elevation gain of approximately 300 meters. That may not sound like much, but at this altitude it's a real challenge. Well-acclimated hikers can complete it in 1–1.5 hours. Horses are also available for hire for those who prefer not to hike (bookable on-site, approximately USD 15).

Tips for visiting Rainbow Mountain

• Start very early: Be at the starting point by 7:00 AM. Clouds roll in around midday, often obscuring the mountain. It's also more crowded then.
• Warm clothing: Even in the dry season, it is bitterly cold at 5,200 m. Windbreakers, hats, and gloves are essential.
• Acclimatize first: Never go directly to Rainbow Mountain after arriving in Cusco. Spend at least 2-3 days in Cusco.
• Entrance to Palccoyo: Those who want fewer crowds choose Palccoyo (Rainbow Mountain Alternative) at 4,900 m, less well-known, also colorful, more easily accessible.

Altitude sickness in Peru: What you really need to know

Altitude sickness (soroche) is the number one concern on any trip to Peru, and yet it is surprisingly underestimated by many. Cusco lies at 3,400 m, Rainbow Mountain at 5,200 m. The human body needs time to adapt to the lack of oxygen.

At altitudes of 2,400 meters and above, Peru poses a high risk of acute altitude sickness, and treatment in Cusco or at Machu Picchu is privately billed. In addition, there is the risk of gastrointestinal illnesses from tap water, which can cost several hundred dollars to treat without insurance.

Recognizing symptoms

Mild AMS (Acute Mountain Sickness): headache, fatigue, dizziness, nausea, sleep problems. Severe AMS: persistent headache despite ibuprofen, vomiting, coordination problems. High-altitude pulmonary edema or high-altitude cerebral edema are medical emergencies, immediate descent and medical attention.

Prevention and acclimatization

• Arrive and rest: First day in Cusco just arrive, rest, drink plenty of fluids
• Ascend slowly: No excursions to higher points in the first 48 hours.
• Coca tea: A local remedy that relieves symptoms, legal in Peru
• No alcohol for the first few days: It significantly worsens dehydration and symptoms.
• Ibuprofen: Effective against altitude headaches (400–600 mg)
• Diamox (acetazolamide): Prescription only, to be taken preventively, consult a doctor.

Costs: What Peru really costs

Peru is a moderately expensive travel destination in Latin America, cheaper than Chile or Brazil, more expensive than Bolivia or Ecuador. Those traveling on a backpacker budget will find it quite manageable. Those seeking comfort will have to pay accordingly.

Peru packing list: What you really need

Peru demands adaptability: coast, highlands, and jungle have completely different requirements. The highlands around Cusco and Rainbow Mountain require special preparation.

Cusco in Peru has local trekking shops, but the quality is often only mediocre and the selection of shoes is limited. For multi-day treks like the Salkantay or the Inca Trail, you should bring your own tried-and-tested equipment.

Essential for the highlands and Rainbow Mountain

• Layering system (Merino base): Temperature changes are extreme, -5°C in the morning at Rainbow Mountain, 20°C at midday in Cusco
• Waterproof jacket: Thunderstorms develop quickly in the highlands.
• Power bank: Trips are long, power outlets on Rainbow Mountain are non-existent
• Water filter: Tap water in Peru is not drinkable, saves on plastic bottles and costs
• Trekking shoes: Absolutely essential for Rainbow Mountain and Machu Picchu
• Sunscreen SPF 50+: UV radiation is massively increased at 5,000 m

Recommended gear with Amazon links

I have personally used these products on highland trips:

• Anker 737 PowerBank (24,000 mAh), sufficient for 2–3 smartphone charges per day, robust and reliable on excursions: → Anker 737 Power Bank on Amazon

• LifeStraw Water Filter, Filters drinking water from streams and springs, ideal for trekking tours in the Andes: → LifeStraw Water Filter on Amazon

• Petzl Tikkina headlamp, for early starts to Rainbow Mountain (4:00–5:00 AM departure in the dark): → Petzl Tikkina on Amazon

• Merino basic set (Icebreaker/Smartwool), indispensable for temperature fluctuations in the Andean highlands, dries quickly, odor-neutral: → Merino Baselayer on Amazon

• Osprey Farpoint 40 Backpack, the carry-on backpack for South America: fits in hand luggage, comfortable to carry even on long hikes: → Osprey Farpoint 40 on Amazon

• Diamox / Soroche tablets, for the prevention and relief of altitude sickness (consult a doctor!): → Altitude sickness tablets on Amazon

• Nobite DEET mosquito repellent, for the lowlands of Peru (Amazon region, Puerto Maldonado): → Nobite DEET on Amazon

Entry requirements and visa: The most important information for travelers to Germany, Austria, and Switzerland (DACH region).

Germans, Austrians, and Swiss citizens can enter Peru visa-free for stays of up to 183 days. The visa is stamped upon arrival at the airport or border crossing, simply present your passport and state the length of your stay.

• Visa: No visa required for citizens of Germany, Austria, and Switzerland (DACH region) for stays of up to 183 days.
• Passport: Must be valid for at least 6 months beyond the date of departure.
• Vaccinations: No mandatory vaccinations; Hepatitis A/B, Typhoid and Yellow Fever (for the Amazon) are recommended.
• Currency: Peruvian Sol (PEN); ATMs readily available in Lima and Cusco
• Sockets: Type A and B (US standard), voltage 220V, EU adapter required

FAQ: Rainbow Mountain Peru & Cusco

About the author

Max Haase

Travel Content Creator · Drone Photographer · Visual Storyteller

For over 10 years I have been a professional travel creator with 4M+ followers; I specialise in high-end tourism board collaborations and visual travel stories.

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