Nature has been very kind to the Cusco region, gifting it with the most beautiful landscapes in the world, including Vinicunca and Machu Picchu.
Vinicunca is also known as the "mountain of seven colors," "red hill," and in English as "Rainbow Mountain."
The Inca citadel of Machu Picchu, a modern marvel of Peru, is one of the most visited tourist destinations worldwide. Located near the Urubamba River Valley, Machu Picchu dazzles visitors with its beauty and mystery.
How do I get from Vinicunca to Machu Picchu?
The best way to get from Vinicunca to Machu Picchu without a car is by bus, train, shuttle, or taxi. The journey takes 9 hours and 24 minutes and costs between $180 and $600.
However, there is no direct route from Vinicunca to Machu Picchu, as Vinicunca is located southeast of Cusco, while Machu Picchu is located north of Cusco.
The starting point for going to Vinicunca or visiting Machu Picchu is the city of Cusco. Having clarified this point, we'll show you how you can visit these two attractions from Cusco.
How far is it from Vinicunca to Machu Picchu?
The distance between Machu Picchu and Vinicunca is 255 km. The road distance is 351.6 km.
How to get to Vinicunca from Cusco?
Vinicunca is located in the Pitumarca district, in the Canchis province, very close to the Ausangate snow-capped mountain (sacred mountain).
Located within the Vilcanota mountain range, Vinicunca is located between 4,710 and 5,200 meters above sea level.
Learn the route to Vinicunca on your own with us.
Wanchaq to Checacupe
Very early (3:30 a.m.), travelers will depart from the city of Cusco to Huayruropata Avenue in Wanchaq. There, they will find a bus terminal located across from the Garcilaso Stadium. This bus will take them to Checacupe in approximately two and a half hours.
Approximate cost: S/ 7.00 ($ 2.10).
Checacupe to Pitumarca
As soon as you arrive in Checacupe, you should board the buses parked in the city's Plaza de Armas, which will take you to Pitumarca. The trip will take 15 minutes and depart every 20 minutes.
Approximate cost: S/. 1.00 ($0.30).
Pitumarca to Chillca
Vehicles depart from the main square of Pitumarca heading to Chillca. The trip will take approximately two and a half hours.
Approximate cost: S/15.00 ($4.50).
Chillca – Vinicunca
Our destination is getting closer. To reach this wonderful mountain, you must depart from Chillca with the services of muleteers, who know the area very well and will guide you to Vinicunca. After an intense hike of approximately two hours, you will finally reach the majestic rainbow mountain.
Entrance fee to Vinicunca:
Nationals S/5.00 ($1.50) – Foreigners S/10.00 ($3.00).
Recommendations
It is recommended to travel from April to August.
Bring equipment such as a hat, a small backpack, comfortable sneakers, a warm jacket, sunscreen, a trekking pole, a blanket, and water for hydration.
It's important for travelers to acclimatize to Cusco and travel a few days in advance to avoid soroche or altitude sickness. Here are some tips.
Buy groceries in Cusco or Pitumarca; these are the only places where you'll find stores to buy groceries or water.
Vinicunca Mountain, or Rainbow Mountain, has become a major tourist attraction, visited by thousands of national and international tourists. With so many travelers each year, a contingency plan is needed to protect it so future generations can enjoy it.
How to visit Rainbow Mountain with a tour?
Are you unsure about visiting Vinicunca on your own? You can also book a tour.
There are several travel agencies online or in Cusco's Historic Center that offer a one-day tour to the Rainbow Mountain.
The tours include direct transportation to the checkpoint, meals, entrance fees, and tour guides. The tour begins with pickup at the door of each hotel.
Rainbow Mountain tours begin in Cusco in the early morning (3 or 4 a.m.) and conclude at night (7 or 8 p.m.).
What does a Vinicunca tour include?
Most agencies include these services:
Includes:
Transportation (round trip).
Meals (breakfast and lunch).
Entrance fees.
Tour guide.
Not included:
Horseback riding.
Walking poles.
Rain poncho.
Snacks.
How to get to Machu Picchu from Cusco?
The shortest way to get from Cusco to Machu Picchu is by train. This involves traveling approximately 120 kilometers (74 miles) on paved roads and railways.
How to get from Cusco to Machu Picchu by train?
Go to the train station of your choice from Plaza de Armas:
San Pedro Station: 10 minutes.
Wánchaq Station: 10 minutes.
Poroy Station: 20 minutes.
Ollantaytambo Station: 1 hour 30 minutes (with additional departure times and train services).
Travel by train. There are a variety of train services and frequencies that will take you to the Machu Picchu Pueblo station (also known as Aguas Calientes).
Duration: Between 1 hour 30 minutes and 3 hours 30 minutes.
Take the Consettur bus (an authorized company) from Machu Picchu Pueblo to the entrance to the Inca Citadel.
Duration: Consettur bus: 30 minutes, departures every 10 minutes.
Arrive at the Citadel or Llaqta Machu Picchu. We recommend purchasing your tickets at least 30 days in advance of your trip.
How to get from Cusco to Machu Picchu via the Santa María alternative route?
To get from Cusco to Machu Picchu via the alternative route through Santa María, follow these steps:
Step 1: Go to the bus station on Antonio Lorena Avenue in Cusco. There, board one of the public buses that will take you to the town of Santa María.
Duration: 4 hours and 30 minutes.
Step 2: In Santa María, wait on the road for one of the collective taxis that will take you to the neighboring town of Santa Teresa.
Duration: 1 hour.
Step 3: In the town of Santa Teresa, board one of the collective taxis that will take you to the Hidroeléctrica train station.
Duration: 30 minutes.
Step 4: At the Hidroeléctrica station, walk parallel to the train tracks and the Vilcanota River until you reach the town of Aguas Calientes.
Duration: 2 hours.
Step 5: In the town of Aguas Calientes, we will go to the bus station to board the shuttle that will take us to the entrance gate to Machu Picchu.
Duration: 30 minutes.
How to get from Cusco to Machu Picchu on the Inca Trail?
To get from Cusco to Machu Picchu on the Inca Trail, tourists only need to purchase a tour online. Remember to do so 4 or 5 months in advance.
The Inca Trail itinerary is as follows:
Day 1: The tour will take you by tourist transport to kilometer 88 of the Ollantaytambo – Machu Picchu road. There, you will begin the upward hike to the Wayllabamba campsite.
Distance covered: 13 kilometers.
Day 2: The Inca Trail continues its ascent to the highest point: the Warmiwañusca Pass (4,215 m / 13,828 ft). That day, you will spend the night at the Pacaymayo campsite.
Hiking distance: 11 kilometers.
Day 3: The third day is the least demanding, descending through mountains covered in forests typical of Peru's high jungle. You will visit several Inca sites and spend the night at the Wiñaywayna campsite.
Hiking distance: 16 kilometers.
Day 4: On the last day, you will arrive at and visit Machu Picchu. You will then return to Cusco via train. Transportation, camping equipment, meals, entrance fees, and a tour guide are included throughout the Inca Trail tour.
Hiking distance: 3 kilometers.
How to get to Machu Picchu on a day trip?
If you are traveling to Machu Picchu on your own and want to make a one-day tour to Machu Picchu, you should follow these steps:
Step 1: Get up very early (approximately 5:00 a.m.) and go to the "Pavitos" station in the Historic Center of Cusco. Take the bus to Ollantaytambo around 5:30 a.m.
Travel time: 1 hour and 45 minutes.
Step 2: In Ollantaytambo, board the "Expedition" train, which departs at 7:45 a.m. for the Aguas Calientes station. Arrival time is 9:15 a.m. Remember to purchase your train ticket weeks in advance.
Travel time: 1 hour and 45 minutes.
Step 3: In Aguas Calientes, go to the bus station that departs for the Machu Picchu entrance gate. Bus tickets can be purchased there.
Travel time: 30 minutes.
Step 4: Once you arrive at Machu Picchu, you only need to present your entrance ticket. Remember that there are different entry times. In this case, you should purchase the "Machu Picchu Only - entry from 10 a.m." ticket.
Visit to Machu Picchu: 4 hours.
Step 5: After visiting Machu Picchu, you must return to Cusco the same way you arrived. To do so, board one of the following trains: Expedition 4:22 p.m., Vistadome 5:23 p.m., or Expedition 6:20 p.m.
Return trip time: 3 hours 30 minutes.
