Rainbow Mountain and Machu Picchu Tour from Cusco includes a world wonder and a natural wonder. Both attractions are top tourist destinations in Cusco, Peru.
Rainbow Mountain or "Vinicunca" is a majestic place and a gift of nature. It is located near the Ausangate Mountain in the region of Cusco, Peru. Before visitors began exploring the mountain, Rainbow Mountain was known only to the local Andean people. Vinicunca is one of the most spectacular places in the Cordillera Vilcanota because it retains its natural color due to the presence of eroding sedimentary rocks. The rocks are impressive for their colorfulness, as they are made up of seven colors. This is why the mountain is also known as the "7-color mountain".
Machu Picchu is known as a wonder of the world and is the most visited destination by travelers. A Machu Picchu tour from Cusco by train is an exciting way to reach the Inca citadel.
There are two exclusive train services to Machu Picchu: Voyager and Expedition Class (standard) and 360° or Vistadome Class (panoramic). These options are popular, and during the trip you can enjoy the most beautiful scenery as you drive to Ollantaytambo and continue by train to Machu Picchu. Upon arrival, marvel at the splendor of the Inca city.
Sustainable Tourism: At Salkantay Trek Machu, we are happy to promote and practice sustainable tourism and support local communities.
Difficulty Trip: 3 Moderate and Difficulty.
Age Requirements: 8+ / All travelers under age 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
Salkantay Machu Staff: A representative in Cusco and professional guides in the Rainbow Mountain tour and Machu Picchu tour
Meals: 1x Breakfast, 1x Lunch,
Transportation: Van, Train
Early in the morning our driver will pick you up at your hotel and take you to the bus station and then to the train station in Ollantaytambo, which is about 1 hour and 40 minutes from Cusco. From there you will take the train to Aguas Calientes (also known as Machupicchu Pueblo), a journey of approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes. During the journey, you will enjoy spectacular and ever-changing scenery, passing through lush fields and colorful villages nestled in the foothills of the Andes. A highlight of the trip is the breathtaking views of the mountains and the magnificent Urubamba River that flows through the Sacred Valley of the Incas.
Upon arrival in Aguas Calientes, a town just below Machu Picchu, our Salkantay Trek Machu representative will meet you at the train station and escort you to the bus stop. From there, you'll take a shuttle bus to the archaeological complex of Machu Picchu, which takes about 25 minutes on a zigzag road.
Once at Machu Picchu, you will check in at the entrance control point. According to the circuit on your reserved ticket, you will enter the site for a guided tour of Machu Picchu. There are three different circuits, and the most popular is Circuit 2, which allows you to explore the entire Inca citadel. Highlights of this circuit include the Main Plaza, the Temple of the Sun, the Intiwatana (Sun Clock), the Royal Rooms, the Temple of the Three Windows, the Royal Inca Cemetery, and more. Our guide will explain the significance of each of these important sites. The tour takes approximately 2.5 hours.
After your tour of Machu Picchu, you'll have two options:
Hike to Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain - These mountains are located near the citadel. You will hike up on your own, or if you prefer to go with our guide, this is available at an additional cost. Once at the top, enjoy the breathtaking panoramic views and take amazing photos of Machu Picchu. Don't forget your camera to capture the memories of one of the New 7 Wonders of the World!
Return to Aguas Calientes - Take the shuttle bus back to the city, collect your luggage from the hotel and head to the train station for your return to Ollantaytambo. From there you'll be transferred back to Cusco and our driver will drop you off at your hotel.
Be sure to have lunch before boarding the train, or take some time to explore Aguas Calientes before your departure.
Note: Circuits 1 and 3 offer shorter routes to visit Machu Picchu. Guided tours on these circuits usually last about 2 hours. These options also offer unique viewpoints for taking photos and adding to your Machu Picchu memory gallery.
Please note: Due to the new Machu Picchu regulations (2025) it is not possible to return to the starting point of the tour. Tickets are one way only and re-entry is not allowed.
The adventure begins very early, between 4:30 and 5:00 a.m., when we pick you up at your lodging and drive to the town of Chirihuani, located in the Cusipata district, south of Cusco. On the way, we will stop to buy any last-minute supplies (e.g., water, energy drinks, snacks, cereal, etc.).
We then continue our journey, enjoying views of colorful landscapes and diverse crops that blend into the dramatic scenery of mysterious mountains, snow-capped peaks, and deep valleys. Along the way, you may see charming Andean animals such as llamas, alpacas, sheep, and vicuñas. We arrive in the picturesque town of Chirihuani around 8:30 a.m., where we enjoy a delicious breakfast.
Then we return to our minibus and drive to the starting point of the trek. From there, we begin our ascent, which takes about 1 hour and 30 minutes, up the slopes of Rainbow Mountain—the gateway to the mystical site of Vinicunca.
As we follow the trail, the surrounding mountains gradually reveal their vivid, layered colors. Along the way, small streams of glacial water nourish the valley and bring it to life. Eventually, we reach the awe-inspiring altitude of 5,200 meters above sea level—the summit of the mysterious Rainbow Mountain (Vinicunca). This is the perfect time to take photos and videos, enjoy the panoramic views, and relax with some refreshments while surrounded by snow-capped peaks and clouds rolling over the mountains.
Once we've soaked in the magic of the landscape, we begin our descent back to Chirihuani, where we’ll enjoy a well-deserved buffet lunch.
After lunch, we board our minibus for the return trip to Cusco, arriving around 5:00 p.m. We'll drop you off near the main square, where you can walk to your hotel or stop for dinner at any nearby restaurant if you wish. Then, you can spend the evening appreciating your beautiful photos from Rainbow Mountain.
Meals not specified.
Entrance fee to Huayna Picchu Mountain (US$80).
Emergency horse at Rainbow Mountain.
ATV or motorcycle rental at Rainbow Mountain.
Tips and souvenirs.
Meals budget: Please allow USD 20 - 30 for meals not included.
Local flights: No local flight is included in the cost of the tours.
All Rainbow Mountain to Machu Picchu tours from Cusco are accompanied by a local guide and a representative of Salkantay Trek Machu. Our guides are specialists in culture, history, traditions and more, with extensive experience leading tours. They are well prepared to share their knowledge, show you the most important sites, and make helpful recommendations about your trip and what to bring.
Your Salkantay Trek Machu representative plays a key role in making sure your trip runs smoothly. This team member is responsible for overseeing all parts of your trip to Rainbow Mountain and Machu Picchu, making sure everything matches your booking. They will monitor your itinerary, ensure that guides and transfers are on time, and help minimize any wait times.
On the day of your pre-trip briefing, our guide or Salkantay Trek Machu representative will visit your hotel to provide you with all the necessary information about your upcoming adventure. We will also ask for your WhatsApp contact number so that we can stay in touch during your trip and respond quickly in case of emergencies.
A kind of luggage you need to take with depends on a kind of tour you plan to undertake, a part of the country you like to visit, a year season and a length of your trip. In general, you should pack as lightly as possible because you carry your own luggage during most of our tours (however, there are not long walking distances – up to 30 minutes). We recommend you to keep weight of your luggage under 7 kg (20 lb.).
Most of travelers use a suitcase. However, a big backpack would be more suitable. In any case, please do not forget a small rucksack that you will need for daily travels (to carry your bottled water, camera, snacks, etc.). It is better to avoid a wheeled luggage and use luggage with shoulder straps.
Clothing to take with you depends on a year season in Peru and a part of country you plan to visit.
If you plan to visit Cusco and Machu Picchu (Andean mountain range or Altiplano), then we recommend you to take some trousers suitable for hiking, shorts, T-shirts and trekking shoes for the days; and sweaters, fleeces, hats, scarves and warm jackets for the nights. You also should take a sun protection cream, sun glasses and in some cases, mosquito repellent (depending on a route chosen). It is very convenient to have a light rain-gear available in a daypack (e.g. a waterproof poncho or jacket and/or waterproof trousers) as weather changes quickly and rains can suddenly occur. For more details, please check the below link of What to Bring on the “Rainbow mountain to Machu Picchu”.
Many people include Peru in their “Things to do” list before they depart the planet, the main reason may be to Trek the Classic Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, although what most people don’t know is that there are various Inca Trails Trips to Machu Picchu to pick from in the Cusco region. The difference lies in what kind of an experience you want, hiking the Inca trail and how challenging you like your treks.
If you want to say that you’ve hiked the famous Inca Trail, usually you will need to book in advance, in case it is fully booked, we recommend the Inca Trail alternatives:
