Is Rainbow Mountain Worth It? Avoid the #1 Mistake Most Travelers Make

When I was planning out my 5 days in Cusco Peru before hiking Machu Picchu, I wasn’t totally sure how I wanted to spend my time—but Rainbow Mountain had been popping up on my Instagram feed for at least a year. The colors looked unreal, the alpacas were adorable, and honestly, the FOMO was setting in hard.

But once I started doing a little research, I realized it might not be all sunshine and saturated filters. Between the brutal altitude, crazy early mornings, and tons of mixed reviews, I wasn’t sure if it would actually live up to the hype. So I set out to answer the big question myself: Is Rainbow Mountain worth it?

After reading a few brutally honest blog posts and lowering my expectations, I booked a tour and decided I’d find out firsthand. And now, after hiking it myself, I’ve got thoughts. If you’re on the fence or wondering what to expect, this post will give you everything you need to know—plus the only tour I’d actually recommend.

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Is Rainbow Mountain Worth It? Avoid the #1 Mistake Most Travelers Make

Why It Might Not Be Worth It to Visit Rainbow Mountain

So if you’re reading this, I’m guessing you’re in the same boat I was, not really sure if that brutal early wake-up call is gonna be worth it for visiting Rainbow Mountain. Before I get into my full experience, let’s talk about all the things you won’t see on that perfectly curated reel you just watched.

The Altitude

Let’s start with the obvious: the altitude. Cusco is already high, and if it’s your first day there, heading even higher into the mountains might not be your best move. But honestly? It wasn’t that bad.

Yes, it’s hard to breathe. Yes, walking five steps feels like you’re training for the Olympics. But the trek itself isn’t super long or steep. Most people go slow, take breaks, and just do their thing. It takes about an hour to get to the main viewpoint, and if you’re feeling good, you can keep going up to the very top.

Either way, the views are epic and the fluffy alpacas are there to cheer you on. So I wouldn’t let the altitude scare you off—it’s doable.

You can also take up a horse or a donkey, but personally, I don’t recommend this.

The Colors

This is probably the biggest “letdown” people talk about, and I get it. The colors in real life aren’t the neon-saturated rainbow stripes you’ve seen on Instagram. But for me, it honestly wasn’t disappointing at all.

I went in knowing not to expect technicolor magic, and I still thought it was incredible. The fact that these natural colors were only uncovered around 2012, when the snow melted due to climate change is wild. So yeah, it might not be the brightest mountain, but it’s still super unique and surprisingly powerful to see in person.

The Crowds + is Rainbow Mountain too Touristy (and Why This Tour Matters)

Okay—now for the real reason people debate if Rainbow Mountain is worth it: the crowds.

I had seen the TikToks and YouTube videos of swarms of people hiking up together, and this was honestly the biggest red flag for me. Even Oliver saw the footage and was like, “Nope, I’m good,” and skipped it entirely.

Hiking a narrow trail with hundreds of other people, waiting in line to take the same photo, just feels like some weird high-altitude version of Disney World. And I really didn’t want that to be my experience.

Which is why I only recommend doing Rainbow Mountain with this early access tour. Seriously, it made all the difference.

I found this tour after reading a few reviews that said they were the first group to arrive, and had the mountain to themselves for nearly an hour before the wave of other buses showed up. And let me tell you, it’s true.

Instead of the usual 4–5 AM pickup (which is already savage), this one leaves at 3 or 3:30 AM. Painful, yes. But 100% worth it.

On our way down the mountain, we passed so many people huffing and puffing their way up, packed into a trail. I remember thinking, “Thank god I booked the early one.” If I had done one of those later tours, I would’ve absolutely hated it, and I’d be writing a very different blog post right now.

The Rainbow Mountain Tour That Made It Worth It

Let’s be real, if I had gone with any other tour operator, I probably wouldn’t be writing this post at all. Rainbow Mountain would’ve landed in my mental folder labeled “Overrated Tourist Traps,” and I’d be telling you to skip it. But this one tour changed everything.

My friend Haimi and I booked this early access Rainbow Mountain and Red Valley tour, and it was honestly the best decision of the trip. It’s one of the only day trips I found that leaves early enough to beat the rush, like, we were literally the first group on the mountain. When we got to the top, there was no line, no one in our photos, and no crowd to squeeze through. Just the view, the fresh air, and a few sleepy alpacas. It was magic.

And it’s not just about timing. The tour itself was super well-organized. They picked us up from our hotel in Cusco around 3:15 AM, gave us a hot breakfast in a small mountain village after about a 1.5 hour drive, and made sure everyone had enough water and coca leaves for the hike. We drove another 75 minutes before arriving a the base and starting the hike.

Our tour guide was friendly, funny, and really helped pace the group so no one felt rushed or left behind. Again, the hike really isn’t that strenuous, it’s just the altitude that really affects you. The time on the mountain in total is about 2 hours.

Plus, lunch was included, and it was actually good (rare for a tour, I know).

The tour also gives you the option to hike the Red Valley on the way back down, which I highly recommend if you have the energy. It’s quieter, less touristy, and honestly even more stunning than Rainbow Mountain itself in my opinion.

If you’re going to do it, this is the way to do it. No stress, no planning, no tickets to figure out, and, most importantly, no crowd ruining your once-in-a-lifetime view.

Click here to book the exact tour I did that made sure I was first on the mountain!

Trust me, you don’t want to be the group hiking up while everyone else is already on their way down.

Final Verdict: Is Rainbow Mountain Worth It?

For me, Rainbow Mountain was definitely worth it. The views were unreal, I felt so accomplished after the hike, and it’s something I’ll always remember. That said, if I had gone with a different tour, I don’t think I’d be saying the same thing.

As with most places that blow up on social media, the more popular Rainbow Mountain gets, the more touristy (and chaotic) the experience becomes. And honestly, in recent years this has really ruined the magic of the mountain.

So if you’re going to do it, do it right. I can only speak from experience, and my experience with this tour was incredible. It made all the difference.

Check availability and book the tour here

FAQ About Visiting Rainbow Mountain Peru

What’s the altitude of Rainbow Mountain?

Rainbow Mountain sits at about 5,200 meters above sea level, which makes it one of the highest points you’ll likely travel to in Peru. If you’re coming from Cusco (which is already around 3,400 meters), you’ll definitely feel the altitude difference. It’s totally normal to get out of breath even after a few steps.

How do I avoid altitude sickness in Peru?

Altitude sickness can hit hard if you’re not prepared, especially when you travel quickly from low to high elevations. The best thing you can do is give yourself a couple of days in Cusco to acclimate before attempting any high-altitude hikes like Rainbow Mountain. Drink lots of water, avoid alcohol the night before, and take your time on the trail. Coca tea or coca candy is also a classic local remedy and easy to find pretty much everywhere in Cusco. For more information check out my 5 tips to survive altitude sickness in Peru!

What’s the difficulty of the Rainbow Mountain hike?

The hike itself isn’t super long or technical, but the altitude makes it feel a lot harder than it is. It takes about an hour to reach the main viewpoint, and it’s a steady uphill climb the whole way. Most people take it slow, stop for breaks, and eventually make it to the top. If you’re in decent shape and take your time, it’s manageable. And if you really need help, there are horses available for part of the way.

Which is better: Rainbow Mountain or Sacred Valley?

Rainbow Mountain and the Sacred Valley are two totally different experiences, so it really depends on your travel style. The Sacred Valley is more about Inca ruins, small villages, and cultural history, while Rainbow Mountain is all about wild landscapes and that bucket list “I did it” moment. If you’re into slower travel with history and charm, Sacred Valley might be more your thing. If you’re chasing a big nature payoff, Rainbow Mountain wins. Also if you plan on doing the Inca Trail, you will visit the sacred valley so you won’t need to plan both day trips.

Which is better, Rainbow Mountain or Humantay Lake?

This is one of the most common Peru travel questions and honestly, there’s no wrong answer. Rainbow Mountain is higher, more famous, and gets more hype online. Humantay Lake is slightly lower in altitude, equally gorgeous, and usually a bit less crowded. If you’re short on time or worried about the altitude, a Humantay Lake tour is probably the easier and more peaceful hike. But if you’re after a dramatic landscape that feels totally otherworldly, Rainbow Mountain is a fantastic option.