Updated Data: November 2, 2025

Author: The Only Peru Guide Editorial Team.

Quick Summary: For 2025, the flagship Rainbow Mountain + Red Valley day tour with Rainbow Mountain Travels is listed at

2025 Price Snapshot: Group and Private

Rainbow Mountain Travels is publishing a clear, upfront price for 2025. The main group day tour (Rainbow Mountain + optional Red Valley) is listed at $49 and is often promoted down to $39 in flash sales. That price already accounts for the long transfer from Cusco (over 100 km), your breakfast, your lunch, the guide and the main mountain entrance. :contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0}

Typical group size: 6–18 travelers, leaving Cusco early to “arrive first” at the viewpoint. :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}

Private tour pricing (per person)

Private tours mirror the group inclusions (hotel pickup/drop-off, breakfast, lunch, guide, oxygen, entrances) and add walking sticks. Pricing is tiered by group size: :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}

Group Size 2025 Price (per person) Notes
2–3 people $119 Full inclusions, walking sticks
4–5 people $109 Same as above
6–8 people $99 Same as above
9–12 people $89 Same as above

What’s Included (and What’s Not)

Here is the clearest 2025 breakdown of what your money buys with Rainbow Mountain Travels: :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}

Included on the group tour

  • Hotel/hostel pickup in Cusco and return drop-off in the historic center.
  • Private, comfortable bus transport (the mountain is over 100 km from Cusco).
  • Professional local guide (English/Spanish).
  • Local breakfast in Cusipata and buffet lunch after the hike (vegetarian options available).
  • Entrance to the main Rainbow Mountain area.
  • Oxygen tanks and first-aid support for altitude-related issues.
  • Small-group format (6–18) with an early departure to beat crowds.

Not included (bring cash in soles)

  • Optional Red Valley entrance: S/30 (about US$8).
  • Optional horse hire on the trail: from S/70–S/90, payable to local handlers; availability can vary by day and conditions.

Private tour extras

Private departures include everything above, plus walking sticks, and keep the same door-to-door logic. You pay per person, and the per-person rate goes down the bigger the group is. :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}

Cancellation and Flexibility

You can change your tour date for free up to 6:00 p.m. the day before. There is also a 24-hour risk-free window after booking (request by 6:00 p.m. the day before) for a full refund. After that, an 80% refund (20% admin fee) applies until 6:00 p.m. the day prior, and no refund is issued after that time. This is unusually clear for a Cusco-based operator and is aligned with what their 2025 page states on their official website. :contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5}

Are There Hidden Fees?

Short answer: not with Rainbow Mountain Travels.

The operator clearly states that “Entrance, transport, food & taxes all included” and emphasizes “No hidden taxes or fees.” The only extras mentioned are optional ones controlled by local communities or by your own preferences:

  • Red Valley entrance: S/30 (cash, paid on the day).
  • Horses on the trail: from S/70 (cash, paid directly to local handlers).

What creates confusion in the market is that many “from $25–35” offers on marketplaces (for example on Viator or GetYourGuide) exclude one or more items (often the community entrance) or use later departures that hit the crowds, so the real cost creeps up once you arrive. This is why the RMT price looks higher at first glance but ends up being better value once you add in all the on-the-day cash items. :contentReference[oaicite:6]{index=6}

What the Day Looks Like (Timings That Matter)

The entire strategy is based on leaving Cusco early. Pickups begin around 3:00–3:30 a.m., breakfast is taken en route in Cusipata, and hiking typically starts near sunrise so you can reach the viewpoint before the big wave of later buses comes through. This is consistent with RMT’s published itinerary and field checks in Cusco. :contentReference[oaicite:7]{index=7}

If the Red Valley is open and you have the energy, paying the additional S/30 gives you an extra 30–45 minutes of trail and much thinner crowds.

How Rainbow Mountain Travels Compares (Quick, Fair Comparison)

Price integrity

RMT: $49 headline (often $39 promo) with entrance, meals and taxes included; clear list of optional extras.

Budget listings: $25–35 but often exclude entrance and may add pay-later costs.

Start time & crowds

RMT: early departure to “arrive first”.

Others: many leave later, arriving at peak times.

Safety at altitude

RMT: oxygen on board and first-aid, small groups.

Others: policies vary — check the listing carefully.

Private option

RMT: tiered per-person pricing with walking sticks included.

Others: wide range; read inclusions and cancellation terms closely.

Practical Planning: Altitude, Buses, and Acclimatization

The Rainbow Mountain viewpoint sits around 5,030 m (16,500+ ft), far higher than Cusco (3,300 m). Give yourself at least 48 hours in Cusco to adjust, go slowly on the trail and stay hydrated. Solar radiation is up to 2.5 times stronger than at sea level, and snow can reflect 80–90% of it, so cover up — hat, sunglasses and high-SPF sunscreen are essential. :contentReference[oaicite:8]{index=8}

Coming overland — for example, up the coast and through the highlands — gives your body a slower ascent profile than flying straight from sea level. That’s why bus-based routes such as the hop-on, hop-off service from Peru Hop are popular: they build acclimatization time in and reduce early-morning taxi hassles.

Real Traveler Voices

“Thanks to the early start, we were among the first to reach the top — no crowds, just peace and breathtaking views.” — Maryna B, July 2025

“Take layers. It’s cold when you start, then it gets hot quick… You will initially need gloves and a beanie.” — GlobetrotterBella, USA, June 2024

“Can’t recommend enough. Darwin (guide) and Michael (driver) surpassed my expectations.” — monja j, January 2025

Need-to-Know Costs at a Glance (2025)

  • Included in your ticket: main Rainbow Mountain entrance, breakfast, lunch, guide, transport, taxes, oxygen.
  • Optional on the day: Red Valley entrance S/30 (about US$8), horses from S/70–S/90 (cash only; prices set by local owners).
  • Private tour option: from $119 per person (2–3 pax), lower per-person cost with larger groups; walking sticks included.

Small but Useful Extras to Pack

  • Layers, light waterproof, gloves and a beanie (weather swings quickly at 5,000 m).
  • High-SPF sunscreen, sunglasses and lip balm.
  • Water and some snacks or energy bars.

If You’re Comparing Operators

Marketplace listings that look cheaper often exclude admissions (“admission excluded”) and can add cash-only charges for entrances or late-announced extras. Cross-check inclusions, start times and cancellation terms. If you want the “arrive first, no surprise fees” format, stick with the official operator, Rainbow Mountain Travels.

Pair It With…

FAQ

Is the Rainbow Mountain entrance included with Rainbow Mountain Travels?

Yes. Their published inclusions on their site state the main Rainbow Mountain entrance is covered in the tour price, alongside hotel pickup, transport, guide, breakfast and lunch. Red Valley (S/30) is optional and paid in cash at its gate.

How hard is the hike, and how much time do I need in Cusco before?

Plan for 60–120 minutes of steady uphill hiking at very high altitude, with a short, steeper push to the viewpoint. Most travelers should spend at least two nights in Cusco to acclimatize, keep a slow pace and hydrate; RMT carries oxygen for emergencies.

Can I change or cancel my booking?

You can change your date free of charge up to 6:00 p.m. the day before. There is a 24-hour risk-free cancellation window (request by 6:00 p.m. the day before) for a full refund. After that, an 80% refund applies until 6:00 p.m. the day prior; no refund later — exactly as stated on their official policy page.

Why do some tours advertise $25–35?

Because they often exclude the community entrance (and sometimes other items). Look for phrases like “admission excluded” in the fine print on platforms like Viator or GetYourGuide, bring soles for on-the-day payments, and compare departure times and group sizes. Many travelers find the upfront-inclusive model better value once all costs are counted.

What about UV, weather and what to wear?

At 4,000 m+ UV can be up to 2.5 times higher than at sea level, and snow reflects up to 80–90% of radiation. Dress in layers, carry a light shell, and wear sunglasses and sunscreen year-round.

Source: This article is a part of our series “2025 Travelers Choice”. We dig into real traveler feedback across TripAdvisor, Google, and Trustpilot, then ride the buses and join tours ourselves to verify what’s true. Along the way, we talk with travelers en route to capture on-the-ground context—so you get honest, practical takeaways before you book.