Rainbow mountain horseback riding tour + Buffet Lunch

Rainbow Mountain’s mineral-colored slopes are the draw, but the journey is part of the bargain: a pre-dawn pickup, a breakfast stop in Cusipata, and a climb to a viewpoint at 5,200 meters. You can ride a horse for the ascent, then get out on foot to reach the main viewpoint.

I like two things in particular: the horse option can take some of the strain out of the uphill approach, and the tour includes both breakfast and lunch, a welcome convenience on a remote day trip. The small group limit of 15 also gives you a better chance to hear your guide than you might get in a large busload.

The main caution is the altitude. Even with a horse for the ascent, the final approach can feel hard, and the horses are not included for the return. There is also a timing mismatch to clarify: the activity is described as six hours, but the stated schedule runs from a 4:00 to 5:00 am pickup until about 5:00 to 5:30 pm.

The details that matter

• The viewpoint sits at about 5,200 meters: That elevation makes the climb demanding, so take the pace seriously and consider your health before booking.
• Horseback riding is one-way: Horses are provided for the ascent only, through the local community, and cannot be reserved in advance.
• Cusipata is the meal stop: The tour includes buffet breakfast before the ride and buffet lunch on the return. Food quality may vary.
• Expect a very early start: Pickup is scheduled between 4:00 and 5:00 am, with return to Cusco around 5:00 to 5:30 pm.
• The group is limited to 15: English- and Spanish-speaking guide service is listed, and guide names associated with especially positive outings include Alex, Jonathan, and Wayra.
• Budget separately for admission: Attraction tickets and souvenirs are not included in the $70 price.

A pre-dawn departure from Cusco

Your day begins with hotel pickup between about 4:00 and 5:00 am. That early start is part of the practical reality of visiting Rainbow Mountain on a day trip: there is a lengthy drive to Cusipata, then the approach to the mountain and the high-altitude climb.

The stated duration is six hours, but the published schedule points to a much longer day, ending near Cusco’s Plaza de Armas around 5:00 to 5:30 pm. Plan around the longer schedule rather than assuming you will be back by lunchtime. If your onward plans depend on the return time, confirm the timing with Zarate Adventours before you book.

Hotel pickup is included, as is transport. Make sure the supplier has your phone number with the country code and that you have WhatsApp, since those details are specifically requested for communication. If you are booking at the last minute, check availability with the supplier by email first.

Breakfast in Cusipata, then uphill

The route takes you to Cusipata for a buffet breakfast before continuing to the tour’s starting point. It is a useful pause before the climb, and having food arranged means you do not need to organize breakfast on your own in the dark. The tour also includes lunch at the same town later in the day.

The food is a mixed part of the experience. Some people have found the meals good, while one account described the food as poor. I would treat the buffets as convenient and included, not as a reason to book. If you have particular dietary needs, the available information does not say whether those can be accommodated, so ask before departure rather than counting on a specific menu.

Camelids and the horse-assisted ascent

From the starting point, the approach is described as about two hours, with camelids visible along the way. These animals are a natural part of the highland setting, and spotting them gives the walk more interest than simply watching the trail ahead. Bring a camera, but keep it accessible without letting it distract you from your footing or breathing.

Horses are included for the ascent only. The local community provides them at the base, and you cannot reserve one in advance. That means the option is useful, but not guaranteed for a particular person or arranged ahead of time. If riding is central to your decision, contact the operator to understand how the horses are allocated when you arrive.

Do not assume the horse takes you all the way to the viewpoint. The description says the horses are for the uphill ride, while the final approach is a climb on foot. A person who rode uphill still needs to be ready to walk at altitude. The horse can reduce the effort of part of the ascent, but it does not make the mountain easy.

The final push at 5,200 meters

Rainbow Mountain’s colored bands come from different minerals in the slopes. The view is the reward for the approach, and the tour allows time at the main objective to take it in and get photographs. The actual colors and visibility depend on conditions, which are not specified, so go for the high-country experience as well as the famous view.

At about 5,200 meters above sea level, even a short climb can feel taxing. One participant described the final climb as extremely difficult, despite enjoying the horse ride and finding the view beautiful. Take that warning to heart: the altitude is not a minor detail, and fitness alone does not guarantee that you will feel comfortable at that height.

Oxygen is included, but that should not be treated as a substitute for being well enough to go. The tour is not suitable for people with pre-existing medical conditions, pregnant women, wheelchair users, visually impaired people, or anyone over 95. If you have concerns about altitude or a medical condition, speak with a health professional before deciding.

Returning for lunch and heading back to Cusco

After time at the mountain, the group returns to Cusipata for a buffet lunch, then travels back to Cusco. The tour ends near the Plaza de Armas, with arrival expected around 5:00 to 5:30 pm. That end point is handy if you are staying in the center, though it is not the same as being dropped back at your hotel.

The return journey completes a full day, not a quick outing. Keep some space in your evening for rest, especially if the climb takes more out of you than expected. The information does not give a detailed breakdown of drive times or stops, so avoid scheduling a tight commitment immediately after the estimated arrival.

What $70 covers, and what it does not

At $70 per person, the package brings together hotel pickup, transport, a guide, breakfast, lunch, oxygen, and a horse for the ascent. That is useful value if you want the main logistics organized in one booking and would otherwise need to arrange transport and meals separately. The horseback option is an added practical benefit, though its availability is handled by the local community at the base rather than reserved for you.

The price does not include attraction tickets, food beyond the meals specified, or souvenirs. Since the ticket cost is not provided, add it to your budget and check the current amount before travel. You should also bring cash, both because it is on the recommended packing list and because some costs are not covered by the tour price.

The food deserves a measured expectation. You get two buffet meals, which is convenient, but quality is not guaranteed to suit everyone. For many people, the strongest value is the transport, guide, meals, and uphill horse option bundled together, rather than the meal experience alone.

Guides, group size, and confidence in the booking

The tour is offered in English and Spanish and is limited to 15 participants. That is small enough to feel more personal than a large coach group, while still being a shared outing. Individual guide assignments are not specified in advance, but names associated with particularly positive experiences include Alex, Jonathan, and Wayra. Their reported strengths were friendliness, professionalism, and clear knowledge of the trip.

Most of the supplied ratings are very positive, and the overall score is 4.1 out of 5 from seven ratings. Still, one person reported arriving at the pickup point without finding anyone and getting no response through the app or WhatsApp. That is a serious exception, not something to ignore. Confirm your pickup point and contact details in advance, and keep the supplier’s contact information available on the morning of departure.

You can reserve now and pay later, and cancellation is available up to 24 hours ahead for a full refund. Those terms offer some flexibility, but they do not replace checking that the pickup plan is clear, especially for a departure before dawn.

Packing for a cold, bright, high-altitude day

Bring your passport or ID card, hiking shoes, hiking pants, sunglasses, a sun hat, sunscreen, a camera, and cash. The list is sensible for a long day outdoors: proper footwear matters on the walking sections, while sun protection is useful at a high, exposed viewpoint. Keep the essentials easy to reach during the approach.

Alcohol and drugs are not allowed. The tour also asks you to provide a correctly formatted phone number with country code and to have WhatsApp. Those small preparations can reduce confusion when pickup is scheduled so early.

Who will get the most from this tour?

This trip suits you if you want to see Rainbow Mountain with transport, guide service, two meals, and a horse-assisted ascent arranged together. It is particularly appealing if you would rather have help with the uphill section, while accepting that you still need to walk and that the horse cannot be booked ahead.

It is a poor fit if you need an accessible route, have a medical condition that could make high altitude risky, are pregnant, or cannot manage a steep effort at 5,200 meters. The tour’s own suitability limits are worth respecting. It is also less suitable if you need a short outing: despite the six-hour duration label, the detailed schedule suggests you should reserve most of the day.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if the colored mountain is a priority, you are prepared for a demanding high-altitude walk, and the convenience of transport, meals, a guide, and an uphill horse option is worth $70 plus the separate ticket cost. The best parts are the mountain itself, the chance to see camelids on the approach, and the practical support of having the day’s main arrangements handled.

Think twice if you are counting on a guaranteed horse, a reliably short day, or exceptional food. Before paying, confirm the actual duration, pickup details, ticket cost, and how horses are allocated. If those points are clear and you are comfortable with the altitude, this is a practical way to reach one of Peru’s most striking mountain viewpoints.

FAQ

How long does the tour take?

The activity is described as six hours, but the schedule gives a pickup between 4:00 and 5:00 am and a return to Cusco around 5:00 to 5:30 pm. Confirm the expected duration with the supplier.

What time is hotel pickup?

Pickup is scheduled for approximately 4:00 to 5:00 am.

Where does the tour end?

It ends near the Plaza de Armas in Cusco, with an estimated arrival between 5:00 and 5:30 pm.

Are horses included?

Yes. A horse is included for the ascent only. The local community provides the horses at the base, and advance reservations are not available.

Are attraction tickets included in the $70 price?

No. Tickets to the attraction are not included.

Are meals included?

Yes. The tour includes a buffet breakfast in Cusipata before the mountain approach and a buffet lunch there after the visit.

What languages are available for the guided tour?

The listed guide languages are Spanish and English.

How large is the group?

The tour is listed as a small group, limited to 15 participants.

What should I bring?

Bring your passport or ID card, sunglasses, a sun hat, camera, hiking shoes, sunscreen, cash, and hiking pants.

Can I cancel for a refund?

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