Cusco: Rainbow Mountain Horseback Riding Tour + lunch

Rainbow Mountain is the prize at the end of an early start and a roughly 90-minute horseback climb. This full-day trip from Cusco pairs the high-country views with a practical bonus: breakfast and lunch in Cusipata, plus a horse for the uphill ride.

I like two things here: the horse makes the ascent more manageable, and the buffet meals spare you the task of finding food before dawn or after the ride. The guides have earned praise for friendly service and good organization, with Alex, Wilfred, and EberForever named on past trips.

The main caution is that the horse is included for one way only, and the entrance fee is extra. The mountain can also be cold at the top, so bring warm, weather-ready clothing and clarify the horse payment arrangement before setting out.

• Hotel pickup starts between 4:00 and 5:00 am for travelers staying near or inside Cusco’s historic center.
• Breakfast and lunch are served in Cusipata, before and after the mountain visit.
• The horseback ascent takes about 1 hour and 30 minutes, with camelids sometimes visible along the way.
• You get time at the top for views and photos, then return along the same route.
• The $75 price includes transport, guide, meals, oxygen, and a horse one way, but not the attraction entrance fee.
• Past guide names include Alex, Wilfred, and EberForever; the tour operates in English and Spanish.

A dawn departure from central Cusco

The day begins early. A driver picks you up at your hotel between 4:00 and 5:00 am, provided you are staying near or inside the historic center. That window is worth keeping in mind: you will need to be ready before sunrise, and the exact pickup time matters when you are trying to get enough rest in Cusco.

The trip is planned as a full day, with a return to the city at about 5:00 pm. That gives you a long stretch away from your hotel, so pack what you need before bed. The operator asks you to provide a phone number with the country code and have WhatsApp, a useful way to coordinate a very early pickup.

This is a structured excursion rather than a do-it-yourself outing. Transport, a guide, and meals are included, which takes some planning off your hands. The trade-off is that your day follows the group’s schedule, and the departure time leaves little room for a slow morning.

Breakfast in Cusipata before the climb

The first planned stop is Cusipata, where you sit down to a buffet breakfast. For a tour that starts in the dark, this is more than a meal tucked into the itinerary. It gives you a chance to eat before the climb and begin the mountain portion with food already arranged.

A buffet also gives you a little choice, though the specific dishes are not listed. If you have special dietary needs, the available information does not say what alternatives can be provided, so ask the operator before booking rather than counting on a particular menu.

After breakfast, transport takes you to the tour’s starting point. The next major part of the day is the horseback ascent. Exact driving times between Cusco, Cusipata, and the trail start are not provided, so do not plan around an assumed road schedule. The only firm timing is the early pickup and an estimated return to Cusco around 5:00 pm.

The uphill ride and the horse arrangement

At the starting point, you mount a horse for an ascent of about 1 hour and 30 minutes. The horseback portion is the tour’s defining feature. It can be helpful if you prefer not to make the entire climb on foot, but it does not remove the demands of a mountain outing: you will still need weather-appropriate clothing, time outdoors, and enough general fitness to manage the day.

The horse is listed as included for one way, and the itinerary describes riding up. It does not clearly state how you return to the starting point, so confirm that detail with the operator before booking. Do not assume the horse is available for both directions.

There is one practical issue worth sorting out in advance. On one departure, the group was asked to pay 80 soles for horses, despite some participants having prepaid. The horse handlers and guide appeared to have different understandings about how the horsemen would be paid, and the participant was unsure the payment had reached each handler promptly. That account does not establish how every departure is handled, but it is reason enough to ask: Is my horse included in the $75 price, who receives payment, and is a tip expected? Clear answers can prevent an awkward conversation on the mountain.

The reviews also indicate that the horsemen accompany the riders, while the guide may walk up separately. On one trip, guide Wilfred met the group near the top. That can mean the person leading the ride is not necessarily beside you for every step, so follow the horse handler’s directions and make sure you know where to regroup.

Camelids along the route

The tour highlights opportunities to see camelid species during the ascent. The information does not promise a particular animal sighting, but keeping an eye out along the route adds a distinctly Andean element to the ride. It is a welcome reminder that the mountain outing is not only about reaching a photo spot.

Bring sunglasses and a sun hat, along with sunscreen. The packing list also calls for cash, which is sensible when entrance fees, souvenirs, or other personal expenses are not included. The tour does not specify the attraction fee, so budget for an additional charge and check its current amount with the operator.

Time at Rainbow Mountain

At the top, the group has time to take in the scenery and make photos. No exact length is promised, so treat this as a scheduled stop rather than an open-ended stay. The view is the central payoff, and one past participant described the mountain as beautiful and worth the climb.

Do not underestimate the cold. A participant specifically noted that it was chilly at the top, so bring layers that suit the forecast and the conditions you encounter. The general instruction is to wear weather-appropriate clothing. Since the outing begins before dawn and reaches a mountain setting, dressing for changeable conditions is a more reliable plan than assuming the morning’s weather will hold.

The operator includes oxygen, but that should not be read as a substitute for being fit to take part. The tour is specifically not suitable for people with respiratory issues or high blood pressure, and it also excludes pregnant people, wheelchair users, people with recent surgery, babies under one year, and people over 200 pounds (91 kg). If any of those limits may apply to you, contact the provider before booking.

Returning to Cusipata for lunch

After time at the mountain, you return by the same route to Cusipata for a buffet lunch. Having a meal arranged at the end of the climb is a real convenience: you do not have to bring a full day’s food or search for a place to eat while tired. The lunch is described as comforting, though the menu is not specified.

The return to Cusipata also gives the day a useful rhythm: breakfast before the climb, the mountain visit in the middle, and lunch before the drive back to Cusco. Food is included, but anything beyond the stated breakfast and lunch is not. Carry cash for personal purchases, and bring any snacks you know you will want.

The tour expects to return to Cusco at about 5:00 pm. That estimate makes the trip a substantial commitment, so avoid scheduling a tight onward connection or an important evening plan around an exact arrival time. The tour does not provide a guaranteed minute-by-minute timetable.

What the $75 price covers

At $75 per person, the package includes hotel pickup, transport, an English- or Spanish-speaking guide, breakfast, lunch, oxygen, and a horse for one way. That is a useful bundle for a remote day trip, particularly if you value having meals and transport arranged rather than assembling each part yourself.

The price is not all-inclusive. The attraction entrance fee, food not mentioned, and souvenirs are excluded. The amount of the entrance fee is not given, so check it before you set your budget. Also get the horse arrangement in writing or in a clear message, especially if the booking process asks you to pay separately for the ride.

The tour has a 4.1 rating from 10 reviews, a modest sample. The strongest recurring positives in the comments are the food, organization, and guide service. One person praised EberForever and the meals; another described Alex as friendly and informative; others highlighted the organization and value. A separate account raised the horse-payment concern, so the good service record should not keep you from asking a few specific questions.

Who will get the most from this trip

This tour suits you if you want to see Rainbow Mountain with transport, a guide, meals, and an uphill horse ride arranged in one day. It is especially practical if you are based in Cusco’s center and are comfortable with a very early pickup and a long day away.

It may be a poor fit if you need wheelchair access, are pregnant, have respiratory issues or high blood pressure, recently had surgery, are bringing a baby under one year, or weigh more than 200 pounds (91 kg). Those restrictions are stated for the activity, so take them seriously and ask the provider if you are unsure whether you qualify.

Bring your passport, sunglasses, a sun hat, sunscreen, cash, and clothing suited to the weather. High-heeled shoes, baby strollers, drones, alcohol, and drugs are not allowed, and littering is prohibited. The basic kit is simple, but warmth and sun protection both matter on a day that spans early morning through late afternoon.

Should you book it?

I would book this tour if you want a guided, meal-included day with a horse for the climb and are comfortable with the early start. The transport and two buffets add clear value to the $75 price, while positive comments about guides such as Alex and EberForever, and about organized timing, are encouraging.

Before paying, confirm the attraction entrance fee, exactly what the one-way horse inclusion covers, and how horse handlers are paid. If those details are clear and the activity restrictions do not apply to you, this is a practical way to reach Rainbow Mountain without arranging every part of the day yourself. If you need a flexible schedule, want a longer stop at the top, or prefer to avoid uncertainty around horse logistics, ask more questions before committing.

FAQ

What time does pickup begin?

Pickup is between 4:00 and 5:00 am from hotels near or inside Cusco’s historic center.

How long is the tour?

It is a full-day activity, with an expected return to Cusco at about 5:00 pm.

Is the horse included in the $75 price?

A horse for one way is included. The attraction entrance fee is not included, and you should confirm the horse arrangement and payment details with the operator.

Are breakfast and lunch included?

Yes. Buffet breakfast is served in Cusipata before the mountain visit, and buffet lunch is served there after the return.

What languages does the guide speak?

The tour is offered with a live guide in English or Spanish.

What should I bring?

Bring your passport, sunglasses, a sun hat, sunscreen, cash, and weather-appropriate clothing.

Who is the tour not suitable for?

It is not suitable for pregnant people, wheelchair users, people with respiratory issues or high blood pressure, people with recent surgeries, babies under one year, or people over 200 pounds (91 kg).

Can I cancel for a refund?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.