REVIEW · CUSCO
Excursion to Rainbow Mountain in ATV.
Book on GetYourGuide →Operated by Chullos Travel Peru · Bookable on GetYourGuide
Rainbow Mountain looks wilder when you reach it by ATV. This Andes day blends ATV riding with wide-open mountain photo stops, plus chances to spot llamas and alpacas along the way. You also get a bilingual guide who keeps the day moving and helps you make sense of what you’re seeing.
The only real downside is the early pickup from Cusco and the long, full-day schedule (you’re back around 17:00). If you want a slow morning, this trip isn’t it.
In This Review
- Quick hits for your Rainbow Mountain ATV day
- Cusco pickup at dawn: timing, meeting point, and what to pack
- Cusipata breakfast: the calm before the mountain driving
- Kayrahuiri ATV practice: learning the controls and staying safe
- The ride to Rainbow Mountain: what 30 minutes feels like
- Photo time that’s actually usable: mountains, llamas, and big colors
- Descent and the buffet lunch in Cusipata: refuel before Cusco
- Price and value: is $75 a fair deal?
- Who this ATV Rainbow Mountain trip suits (and who should skip it)
- Should you book this Rainbow Mountain ATV excursion?
- FAQ
- FAQ
- What time does the tour pick you up in Cusco?
- Where do we stop for breakfast?
- How long is the drive to Rainbow Mountain by ATV?
- How much time do we get at Rainbow Mountain for photos?
- What is included with the ATV gear?
- Is lunch included, and where do we eat?
- What does the entrance ticket include?
- What should I bring?
- Who should not do this tour?
- Can I cancel and get a refund?
- Do I need to pay immediately?
Quick hits for your Rainbow Mountain ATV day
- ATV practice first (about 20 minutes): You learn the controls before you head toward Rainbow Mountain.
- Bilingual help all day: Spanish/English guide, plus first-aid kit and permanent assistance.
- Helmets, gloves, and oxygen bottle included: Small gear details that matter when you’re riding in mountain conditions.
- A slow, controlled drive up: About 30 minutes to Rainbow Mountain, with no running.
- Real photo time after arrival: You’re not rushed once you get there.
- Breakfast and buffet lunch included: Meals are built into the route so you don’t have to hunt for food.
Cusco pickup at dawn: timing, meeting point, and what to pack
This is a start-early day. Your pickup is from the historic center of Cusco, and the timing is approximately 4:30. The guide contacts you about 15 minutes before pickup, and you should plan to wait in your hotel lobby for around 10 minutes.
Once you’re in the vehicle, you’re set up for a long scenic run south. You’ll want to be ready for real sun and strong light once you’re in the mountains. Bring a passport or ID card, plus sunglasses, a sun hat, sunscreen, and water. Wear comfortable clothes you can ride in—this is an ATV day, so think practical, not fancy.
A small but smart note: this tour requires you to share a WhatsApp number / Skype or an email address so they can reach you ahead of time. Do that early, or you could lose time waiting on messages when you’re trying to be ready to go.
A few more Cusco tours and experiences worth a look
Cusipata breakfast: the calm before the mountain driving
After pickup, you head south on the Panamerican Highway for about 1 hour 30 minutes until you reach the district of Cusipata. That’s where breakfast is included.
This stop matters because it breaks up the day before you ride. You’re not just eating—it’s when you get your energy for the ATV practice, the mountain drive, and the later photo time. If you tend to get hungry while traveling, this is one of the reasons the package feels good value: the tour doesn’t assume you’ll find food on your own.
From there, the route keeps climbing into the surrounding districts, including Checacupe, Pitumarca, and Hanchipacha, before reaching Kayrahuiri around 9:00 a.m. You’ll feel the change in rhythm as the day transitions from highway travel to the ATV portion.
Kayrahuiri ATV practice: learning the controls and staying safe
At Kayrahuiri (around 9:00 a.m.), you leave the vehicle and shift to the ATVs. You’ll get a determined practice time of about 20 minutes. They don’t rush this part, and that’s a big plus if you’ve never ridden before.
You’ll receive helmets and gloves, plus the tour includes an oxygen bottle, a first aid kit, and permanent assistance. That combination tells you the operator is planning for practical safety needs, not just a thrill ride.
You can ride a single or double ATV. If you’re going as a pair and want to share the experience, the double option can make the day feel more social. If you want full control and less coordination, a single ATV is the obvious choice.
One more safety detail that’s worth taking seriously: once you start toward Rainbow Mountain, the driving is slow and there’s no running. That’s not just a rule on paper. It helps the day stay comfortable and controlled, especially on mountain terrain.
The ride to Rainbow Mountain: what 30 minutes feels like
The ATV drive from Kayrahuiri to Rainbow Mountain takes about 30 minutes. Expect it to feel like the main event—this is the part where traveling by wheels changes your whole perspective.
Instead of doing a long walk or depending only on a viewpoint, you’re moving through the Andes with the ability to stop for the kind of framing you like. The route is designed to stay gradual and steady, which helps you focus on what’s around you rather than just holding on.
When you arrive, you’re not immediately rushed back into the next step. You get enough time to appreciate Rainbow Mountain and take the best pictures. You’re also in a setting where llamas and alpacas can show up, which adds life to your photos beyond mountains and sky.
And yes, you should prepare for the fact that the day is built around photos: plan to bring your best energy for the arrival window and make sure your phone/camera battery is topped up before you start riding.
Photo time that’s actually usable: mountains, llamas, and big colors
Rainbow Mountain lives up to its reputation, but the real value here is how the day gives you time to work with the scenery. You arrive, then you’re set up to take photos and enjoy the views—this isn’t a “five-minute stop and go” situation.
You can aim your shots like you would at a classic viewpoint, but with the added advantage of being on ATV access routes. That makes a difference when you want your photos to feel personal—closer framing, different angles, and the ability to adjust as the light shifts.
The highlights you can expect include snow-capped mountain views, plus llamas and alpacas. When those appear in the same frame as the mountain, your photos look more grounded and less like a distant postcard.
If you’re picky about photos, consider using your first minutes to get a quick overview shot, then return to the composition you like after you’ve walked around a little. That simple rhythm tends to lead to better results than trying to capture everything at once.
Descent and the buffet lunch in Cusipata: refuel before Cusco
After the Rainbow Mountain visit, the day turns back toward Cusipata. You’ll have a 30-minute ATV descent down to the parking area, then you head toward Cusipata for lunch.
Lunch is a buffet included in the price. This part is practical: you ride, you photograph, and you burn energy, so you need a real meal before the trip back. It also gives your group time to slow down after the adrenaline and photo focus of the morning.
Then it’s back toward Cusco. The tour returns around 17:00, and it ends about half a block from Regocijo Square (a handy location if you want to grab dinner afterward or take a quick break).
Price and value: is $75 a fair deal?
At $75 per person for a full-day excursion, the value comes from what’s included, not just the ATV. You’re getting:
- Hotel pickup in Cusco’s historic center
- Tourist transportation for the drive between districts
- A bilingual guide (Spanish/English)
- Breakfast in Cusipata
- ATV gear: helmet, gloves, plus an oxygen bottle
- First aid kit and permanent assistance
- Buffet lunch
The main extra cost you should plan for is the entrance ticket to Rainbow Mountain, since that’s not included. It’s the kind of item that can make or break “cheap vs. good value,” depending on the price at the time you go. Still, even with that extra, you’re not paying for separate transport and meals on top of the ATV ride.
One more value angle: the 20-minute practice time is included. That’s not guaranteed with every ATV tour. It’s one of the reasons this package feels beginner-friendly without being careless.
So for most people—especially those who want the ATV experience plus meals and guiding—the $75 base price is a solid setup.
Who this ATV Rainbow Mountain trip suits (and who should skip it)
This is best for people who want the ride to feel like part of the adventure. If you enjoy photos, don’t mind an early start, and like moving around under your own momentum (instead of just hiking), you’ll probably get a lot out of this day.
It’s also a good match if you want limited walking. The tour doesn’t involve a lot of walking, and the big stretches are handled by vehicle and ATV.
On the flip side, skip it if any of these apply:
- Pregnant women
- People with vertigo
- Visually impaired people
- People with recent surgeries
- People with motion sickness
- People over 70
That’s not the tour being picky—it’s basic risk management for an ATV day in mountain terrain.
Should you book this Rainbow Mountain ATV excursion?
I’d book it if your priority is the combination of ATV riding plus meaningful photo time at Rainbow Mountain, without having to plan your own transport or meals. The included breakfast, buffet lunch, and bilingual guiding make it feel organized, and the practice period is a big quality factor.
If you’re sensitive to motion, dislike early starts, or have medical limitations from the list above, it’s better to choose a different Rainbow Mountain format. This day is built around riding, not gentle strolling.
FAQ
FAQ
What time does the tour pick you up in Cusco?
Pickup is from your hotel in the historic center of Cusco at approximately 4:30. The guide will contact you about 15 minutes before pickup, and you should wait about 10 minutes in the hotel lobby.
Where do we stop for breakfast?
You travel about 1 hour 30 minutes south to the district of Cusipata, where breakfast is included.
How long is the drive to Rainbow Mountain by ATV?
After reaching Kayrahuiri around 9:00 a.m., you practice for about 20 minutes, then the ATV drive to Rainbow Mountain takes about 30 minutes.
How much time do we get at Rainbow Mountain for photos?
After arriving, you have enough time to appreciate Rainbow Mountain and take the best pictures before starting the descent.
What is included with the ATV gear?
The tour includes helmets and gloves, along with an oxygen bottle. A first aid kit and permanent assistance are also included.
Is lunch included, and where do we eat?
Yes. After the ATV descent, you head back toward Cusipata, where a buffet lunch is included.
What does the entrance ticket include?
The entrance ticket to Rainbow Mountain is not included in the tour price, so you should expect to pay it separately.
What should I bring?
Bring your passport or ID card, sunglasses, sun hat, sunscreen, water, and comfortable clothes.
Who should not do this tour?
It is not suitable for pregnant women, people with vertigo, people who are visually impaired, people with recent surgeries, people with motion sickness, and people over 70.
Can I cancel and get a refund?
Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.
Do I need to pay immediately?
No. You can reserve your spot and pay later.
