Cusco: Rainbow Mountain Horseback Riding Tour + lunch

Rainbow Mountain is the star here, but the horse ride makes the steep approach more manageable. You leave Cusco between 4:00 and 5:00 am, eat breakfast in Cusipata, then ride uphill for about an hour and a half while watching camelids in the high country.

I like the practical two-meal setup and the chance to see the mountain without doing the full ascent on foot. I also like that transport, a guide, oxygen, and a horse for the uphill section are covered in the $75 price. The main concern is the horse arrangement: one departure raised confusion about who had paid the horsemen, so clarify the payment before mounting.

Key points to know before you book

• The day starts very early: Hotel pickup near or inside Cusco’s historic center runs from 4:00 to 5:00 am.
• Breakfast and lunch are included: Both are buffet meals in Cusipata, a useful comfort on a long high-altitude day.
• The uphill horse ride takes about 90 minutes: The horse is listed as one-way, so confirm exactly what your return arrangement will be.
• You get time at the viewpoint: After reaching the top, you can enjoy the scenery and take photographs before returning by the same route.
• The $75 price has one important extra: Entrance fees to the attraction are not included.
• Cold and altitude demand preparation: Bring warm, weather-appropriate clothing, sun protection, cash, and your passport.

A pre-dawn start from Cusco

This is a full-day mountain outing, not a relaxed late-morning excursion. Pickup takes place between 4:00 and 5:00 am from hotels near or inside Cusco’s historic center, and you should be ready before the vehicle arrives.

That early departure serves a purpose. You need time to reach Cusipata, eat breakfast, continue to the riding point, make the climb, and return to Cusco around 5:00 pm. The day is long, but the schedule gives you a proper meal stop instead of treating food as an afterthought.

Your phone number must include your country code, and you need WhatsApp for contact with the operator. That is a small but important detail in a place where pickup changes are easier to manage by message than by a hotel desk.

The listing does not give a group size, vehicle type, or exact pickup time for each hotel. For a last-minute reservation, check availability with Zarate Adventours by email before paying. That is especially wise if your Cusco schedule is tight.

Breakfast in Cusipata before the climb

The first meal takes place in the village of Cusipata. It is a buffet breakfast, which gives you a chance to eat properly before the high-country ride rather than relying on a snack packed from Cusco.

I like this stop because it breaks up the early drive and puts real food into the day. You will have a long period ahead, including transport, the climb, time at the mountain, and the return. A warm or filling breakfast can matter more than it sounds when you have been awake since before sunrise.

The exact menu is not specified, so do not book this expecting a particular dish. Food not mentioned in the tour details is at your own cost. Bring a little cash for that reason, and also for entrance fees, souvenirs, or other purchases.

Riding uphill for about 90 minutes

After breakfast, you continue to the starting point and mount a horse. The uphill ride lasts approximately one hour and 30 minutes. Along the way, you can look for camelid species, an appealing part of the trip for anyone who wants more than a single viewpoint and a quick photograph.

The horse is included for one way. The practical meaning of that wording needs attention. The route description says you return by the same route, but the inclusion specifically says horse, one way. A past departure also involved local horsemen and an additional payment request of 80 soles from some people who had not prepaid.

That arrangement caused an uncomfortable misunderstanding. Some riders believed the horse fee had already been handled, while the horsemen expected payment from them. The guide later said the horsemen would be paid, but the riders were left unsure about who had received what.

You can avoid much of this trouble by asking before you mount: Is the horse included for the uphill ride only? Is the horseman’s fee fully covered? Is a tip expected, and who should receive it? Get a clear answer from your guide, ideally before the horses are assigned.

This is not a complaint about the horses themselves. It is a warning about payment clarity. The ride can be a useful way to save energy, but the local horsemen should know exactly how their fare is being handled.

You should also confirm whether you will walk down or ride down. The supplied details do not settle that point. Wear sturdy shoes either way. High heels are not allowed, and ordinary walking shoes will be far more useful on uneven ground.

Camelids and open high-country views

The ride gives you time to look around instead of focusing only on your footing. The tour specifically highlights camelid species, so keep an eye out during the ascent. The information does not promise a particular species or a guaranteed sighting, but these animals are part of the appeal of the setting.

The scenery is the reason to tolerate the early alarm and the cold. The mountain offers broad views and a strong change from the streets of Cusco. You will want your camera ready, but do not spend the whole approach staring at a screen. The animals, the changing views, and the rhythm of the ride are part of the experience.

The tour provides oxygen, which is reassuring, but that does not make altitude-related health concerns disappear. This experience is not suitable for people with respiratory issues, high blood pressure, recent surgeries, or pregnancy. It is also not suitable for babies under one year old, wheelchair users, or anyone over 200 pounds, or 91 kilograms.

Those restrictions are not minor footnotes. Tell the provider about relevant health concerns before booking, and do not treat the included oxygen as a substitute for medical advice.

Time at Rainbow Mountain for photos

Once you arrive, you have enough time to enjoy the scenery and take photographs. The exact length of the photo stop is not stated, so your guide will control the schedule. One departure allowed about one hour at the top, which is a useful expectation, but it should not be treated as a fixed promise for every group.

This is where the tour earns its place in your itinerary. You are not simply dropped off and rushed back to the vehicle. You get a defined period to take in the view and make photographs worth keeping.

The top can be cold, even if Cusco feels mild when you leave. One person specifically found the summit very cold but still considered the outing worthwhile. Pack layers, not just a thick coat. A warm base layer, hat, gloves, and weatherproof outer layer give you more flexibility as conditions change.

Sun protection matters too. Bring sunglasses, a sun hat, and sunscreen. The high-altitude sun can feel strong even in cool air. Weather-appropriate clothing is essential, and cash is listed among the items to bring.

Do not bring a drone. Drones are not allowed, and alcohol and drugs are prohibited. Littering is also not allowed, which is particularly important in a fragile mountain setting.

Returning by the same route

The stated plan sends you back by the same route to Cusipata. That makes the day easier to understand, since you return to a familiar starting point rather than following a separate trail.

The practical question is how much of the return is on horseback and how much is on foot. Since the horse is listed as one-way, ask the guide at the beginning. A horse may take you up while you walk down, or local arrangements may differ. Do not assume the phrase horse riding covers the entire mountain section.

The horsemen are part of the local operation, and clear communication helps everyone. If you choose to tip, ask the guide how and when to do it. A tip should not become a surprise substitute for a fare that you thought was already included.

The tour is conducted in English and Spanish. Guide quality can vary by departure, but specific guides associated with this experience include Alex, Eber, and Wilfred. Alex was singled out for being friendly and informative, while Eber was praised for guiding and the food. You should not assume a particular guide will lead your trip, but these names give you useful points of contact if they appear on your confirmation.

A buffet lunch back in Cusipata

After the mountain visit, you return to Cusipata for a buffet lunch. I see real value in this arrangement. You finish the cold mountain portion, return to the village, and get a proper meal before the final drive to Cusco.

The food is described as delicious and comforting, though the menu is not provided. As with breakfast, food not mentioned is not included. If you have dietary needs, ask the supplier in advance rather than assuming the buffet will meet them.

Lunch also gives the day a natural pause. You have been awake for hours and may be tired from the ride, walking, or cold. A sit-down meal is more welcome here than a rushed roadside stop.

Back in Cusco around 5:00 pm

The expected arrival in Cusco is approximately 5:00 pm. That timing makes this a manageable choice if you have an evening free, but it is not a good match for a fixed evening reservation, airport transfer, or another tightly timed activity.

Pickup and transport are included, which removes the need to arrange a separate vehicle to and from the mountain. The exact pickup location must still be within or near the historic center, and the exact time depends on your hotel and the day’s schedule.

The included professional guide is another useful part of the package. You have help with the transport, the riding point, the mountain visit, and communication with the horsemen. The tour is offered in English and Spanish, so select the language you need when booking or confirm it directly.

What the $75 price really covers

At $75 per person, the package includes hotel pickup, transport, a professional guide, breakfast, lunch, oxygen, and a horse for one way. That is a solid bundle for a one-day outing, especially if you value having the meals and transportation organized.

The cost does not include the attraction entrance fee, food not listed, or souvenirs. Entrance fees can change, and the amount is not supplied here, so budget for that separately. Bring cash as requested, and ask the operator how much the entrance fee will be before departure.

The horse arrangement is the biggest value question. If you mainly want assistance with the uphill section, the price may suit you well. If you expect an all-day horseback experience with every horseman payment covered in a simple, visible way, you need clarification before booking.

The overall rating is 4.1 from 10 ratings, with especially strong marks for organization, food, friendly guides, and value. The main caution is not the mountain or the schedule. It is the lack of clarity around the horsemen’s payment on at least one departure.

Who should choose this tour

I would point this tour toward an active visitor who wants Rainbow Mountain but prefers not to make the full ascent on foot. You should be comfortable with a very early start, a long day, cold weather, and time at high altitude.

It also suits you if meals and transport are worth paying for. The buffet breakfast and lunch make the day simpler, and the horse can reduce the effort needed for the uphill portion.

I would be cautious if you need wheelchair access, have respiratory or blood pressure problems, are pregnant, recently had surgery, or weigh more than 200 pounds. The tour is not suitable for those conditions according to the stated restrictions.

I would also choose another option if you need a guaranteed particular guide, a confirmed full-day horseback route, or a precise return time. Those details are not promised here.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want a practical Rainbow Mountain day with early transport, two buffet meals, an English or Spanish guide, and a one-way horse ride to make the climb easier. The $75 price is reasonable for that package, provided you add the entrance fee and understand the horse arrangements.

Before booking, ask three direct questions: What is the entrance fee? Is the horse used only uphill, and how do you return? Are the horseman’s fare and any expected tip already covered?

If the answers are clear, this is a good value choice for a prepared, active visitor. If the horse payment remains vague, look for a tour with that part spelled out before you commit.

FAQ

What time does pickup from Cusco begin?

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

Is breakfast included?

Yes. A buffet breakfast in Cusipata is included.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A buffet lunch in Cusipata is included after the mountain visit.

Is a horse included in the price?

Yes, a horse is included for one way. Confirm with the supplier whether that means the uphill section only and how the return is arranged.

Is the entrance fee included?

No. The attraction entrance fee is not included, so bring cash and ask the supplier for the current amount.

What languages are available for the guide?

The tour offers live guiding in English and Spanish.