Duration approx. 12 to 14 hours
Difficulty no prior experience required
Max altitude more than 5,000 m a.s.l.
Pickup time 4:00 a.m. approx.
The ATV Tour to Rainbow Mountain is a new alternative offered by our agency: if walking is not for you but you want to reach Vinicunca mountain, this is the best opportunity to visit it with this ATV tour. The route will take you through high-Andean landscapes of the Vilcanota Range and you will only need to do a light 10-minute hike to the Vinicunca mountain viewpoint, where you will appreciate its majestic scenery, surrounded by snow-capped peaks and mountains of various colors. This is the opportunity to travel to Rainbow Mountain in a faster and more unique way.
We start the ATV Rainbow Mountain tour very early, at 4:00 a.m., for which our minivan will pick you up from your hotel and we head for approximately 2 hours south of the city of Cusco until we reach the town of Cusipata, where we have breakfast. After breakfast we continue the journey about 2 more hours along a narrow road until we reach the parking area where the ATVs are located.
At this place our staff will teach you how to use the ATV to begin the ride on a specially designed trail so you can enjoy beautiful views of the mountains, snow peaks, and high-Andean wildlife. After 30 minutes of riding we arrive at the start of the 10-minute hike to Rainbow Mountain.
On arriving at the mountain summit we will have enough time to take photos and learn a little more about Vinicunca mountain and everything that surrounds it. Then we return by the same route; in the afternoon we have our lunch in the town of Cusipata and continue the return to Cusco, arriving approximately at 4:30 p.m.
Hotel pickup in Cusco usually begins at dawn, between 3:00 a.m. and 4:00 a.m. The total duration of the excursion is approximately 12 to 14 hours, returning to Cusco between 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m., depending on traffic and weather.
No driver’s license is mandatory, since the route is on bridle paths and off-road areas. Before starting, the guide will give you a brief practical induction and teach you the basics of accelerating, braking, and taking curves.
No prior experience is necessary. The machines are automatic or easy to maneuver and you ride in a line behind the guide. If you do not wish to drive alone, you can ride as a passenger on a dual ATV.
The ATV leaves you near the high area, but the final stretch to the viewpoint requires a short hike of between 10 and 20 minutes.
The mountain is at more than 5,000 meters above sea level. For this reason, it is recommended to acclimatize in Cusco for at least 1 or 2 days before doing the tour and not to schedule it for the same day you arrive in the city.
Layered clothing: warm or waterproof jacket, comfortable polo shirt, trekking pants. Warm accessories: gloves, scarf, and hat. Footwear: trekking sneakers or comfortable shoes with good grip. Protection: sunglasses and sunscreen.
Yes they can participate, but with conditions: minors usually do not drive alone and must ride as passengers with an adult. For older adults or people with altitude fatigue, going by ATV makes a large part of the effort easier.
Round-trip transport from Cusco; ATV rental, helmet, and safety equipment; breakfast and buffet lunch; official guide. It generally does not include the entrance ticket to Vinicunca Mountain (around 30 soles).
