The Red Valley Hike

The Red Valley hike is the walk on from the top of Rainbow Mountain. From the Vinicunca viewpoint the path runs about 1.1 km to the Red Valley viewpoint, measured on our map, and the listings allow about 30 minutes each way. Before it comes the main climb: about 3.5 km from the trailhead to Vinicunca, which PromPeru describes as a trek of two to three hours depending on your fitness. All of it is far above Cusco, topping out at about 5,000 m, so the distances are short and the effort is not. Most people come back the same way to the car park.

The route

1. The trailhead and car park. The vans stop at the end of the dirt road, and this is where horses are hired.
2. The climb to Vinicunca, about 3.5 km. The path crosses grazing land, with alpacas and llamas, in a mix of gentle and steep stretches up to the ridge. The listings give from about an hour and a half to two hours up.
3. The Vinicunca viewpoint. The striped slopes of Rainbow Mountain, and Ausangate’s snow behind them on a clear day. This is where groups stop for photos.
4. On to the Red Valley viewpoint, about 1.1 km. A narrower path follows the ridge to a lookout over the red hills. About 30 minutes each way in the listings.
5. Back down. Usually the same way, about an hour down to the van. A few days walk down through the valley instead, such as Peru Private Tours' private day, or return by the Red Valley, like Guide One Peru's day.

How hard it is

The hard part is the air. The trail starts well above Cusco, which is itself at 3,399 m, and the top is at about 5,000 m: Peru’s tourism inventory lists Vinicunca at 5,036 m, and other government sources give up to 5,200 m for the upper viewpoint. At that height even the flat walk to the Red Valley is slow going, and the walk back to Vinicunca climbs again. Peru’s tourism inventory also rates the trails as needing maintenance, so expect loose, muddy or frozen patches. Walk slowly, drink water, and turn back if you get a headache, feel sick or are out of breath at rest: see the altitude guide.

On a group day, the Red Valley also depends on time. The guide sets when the group heads down, and on some days the guide stays with the Rainbow Mountain group: PVTravel’s guide shows you the way to the Red Valley and you walk it on your own. If you want it, say so at the start.

Horses

You can hire a horse from local community members for part of the climb; Peru’s tourism inventory lists horse hire in the Pampachiri community on the Pitumarca side. The last stretch to the viewpoint is on foot, and so is the Red Valley walk. The listings read in November 2026 put a horse at 70 to 120 soles, paid in cash to the horse’s owner, not to your tour operator. If you would rather book it ahead, Amaru Explorer's horseback day includes a horse for the climb.

Hiking days that include the Red Valley

Listing prices: GetYourGuide checked November 2026; Viator checked November 2026. Per person, adult fare; the private day per person.

What to carry

Soles in cash for the entrances, toilets that charge a small fee, a horse and snacks; water; a warm layer, a hat and gloves even in the dry season; a rain jacket; sunglasses and sunscreen, because the sun is strong at 5,000 m. Shoes with grip matter more than boots. The best time to visit has the clothing in more detail.

Prices, ratings and review counts from the listings (GetYourGuide checked November 2026; Viator checked November 2026). Operators price by date and season, so treat the figures as the shape of the market, not a quote.