Private quad excursion · Cusco → Red Valley → Vinicunca
Drive your own ATV to the Rainbow Mountain.
A full-day private tour from Cusco. You ride a quad through the Red Valley, walk the last stretch to the 5,036 m viewpoint, and come back with a bilingual guide, hotel pickup and both meals taken care of.
Two landscapes, one ride
The ATV route starts at the Cusipata base, 3,600 m, after a 2-hour drive from Cusco. From there you climb on the quad through the Red Valley: iron-rich hills in rust and wine, a dirt track that loops around the ravines, and almost nobody else around, because the vehicle route runs apart from the walking trail that most group tours take.
Quads stop at the base below the pass, where motor vehicles are not allowed. The final section to the Vinicunca viewpoint is a 30 to 40 minute walk on a gentle slope, or a horse ride for those who prefer to save their legs. At the top: seven mineral bands across the ridge, the Ausangate glacier in the background, and your guide to explain why the colours are there.
- Riding time45–60 min each way
- Walk to the viewpoint30–40 min, optional horse
- Base altitude3,600 m (Cusipata)
- Highest point5,036 m
- VehiclesAutomatic 200 cc quads, 1 or 2 riders
- DifficultyModerate — altitude, not skill
The day, hour by hour
Times are for a standard pickup. As the tour is private, we can start earlier to be alone at the viewpoint or later if you prefer a slower morning.
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Pickup at your hotel in Cusco
Private vehicle with driver and guide. Hotels outside the historic centre are picked up as well; we confirm the exact time the day before.
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Breakfast in Cusipata
Hot breakfast at a local restaurant: bread, eggs, fruit, coffee or coca tea. Time to adjust layers and use the restrooms.
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Safety briefing and practice lap
Helmet, gloves and goggles are fitted. Your guide explains throttle, brakes and the rules of the track, and you do a few practice laps on flat ground before setting off.
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ATV ride through the Red Valley
About an hour of riding with photo stops at the red hills. The guide rides ahead on his own quad; a support vehicle follows the group.
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Walk to the Vinicunca viewpoint
Quads are parked at the upper base. The final 30 to 40 minutes are on foot, at your own pace, or on horseback (paid locally). Around 40 minutes at the summit for photos.
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Return ride and lunch
Back down on the quads to the base, then lunch at the restaurant in Cusipata.
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Drive back to Cusco
Drop-off at your hotel between 16:30 and 17:00.
What is included
- Private round-trip transport from your hotel in Cusco
- Bilingual guide (English and Spanish) for your group only
- Automatic ATV, 1 or 2 people per vehicle, fuel included
- Helmet, gloves and goggles
- Breakfast and lunch in Cusipata
- Entrance fee to the Vinicunca community area
- First-aid kit and oxygen in the support vehicle
Not included
- Horse for the final walk (paid at the base, approx. S/ 80–100)
- Walking poles (available for rent at the base)
- Snacks and drinks beyond the meals
- Tips for guide and driver
- Personal travel insurance
Bring with you
Sunglasses, sunscreen, a warm jacket and a windbreaker (it is cold on the quad at 4,500 m), closed shoes, 1 L of water, original passport and some cash in soles.
Prices per person
The tour is private, so the price depends on how many of you travel. Two riders can share one ATV; a passenger pays a reduced rate. Prices in US dollars, updated November 2026.
| Group size | Per driver | Per passenger (no driving) |
|---|
Children under 18 travel as passengers. Pickup from the Sacred Valley (Urubamba, Ollantaytambo) is possible with a supplement — ask on WhatsApp.
Why travellers choose the private ATV instead of the group bus
You skip the crowd
Group tours walk the main trail with hundreds of people. The ATV track runs on the Red Valley side and reaches the viewpoint from the back.
You set the time
Leave at 03:30 to catch the first light, or at 06:00 if you are still adjusting to the altitude. Your schedule, not the bus's.
Your guide is yours
One guide per group, so you get a real briefing, help at altitude and the time you need at the top.
Licensed and local
Operated directly by Enjoy Peru Holidays from our office in Cusco, with our own drivers. No resale, no middleman.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a licence to drive the ATV?
No. The route is on private land, not public roads, so no driving licence is required. You need to be 18 or older to drive; younger travellers ride as passengers with an adult or with the guide.
How much of the way do we ride the ATV?
The quad covers the Red Valley section, roughly 45 to 60 minutes of riding each way. The last stretch to the Vinicunca viewpoint is a 30 to 40 minute walk or an optional horse ride, because motor vehicles are not allowed at the summit.
What altitude does the tour reach? Is it safe?
The viewpoint is at 5,036 m (16,522 ft). We recommend at least two days in Cusco before the tour to acclimatise, drinking plenty of water and avoiding heavy meals the night before. The support vehicle carries oxygen and the guide is trained in altitude first aid.
Is the tour really private?
Yes. We only run private departures on this site: your own vehicle from Cusco, your own guide and your own pickup time, from one person upwards.
What happens if it rains or snows?
The tour runs in light rain with ponchos provided. If the community closes the access for snow or storms, we reschedule for another day or refund in full.
How do I pay?
You confirm the date on WhatsApp and we send a secure payment link; a deposit secures the quad and the balance is paid before the tour. No payment is taken on this page.
Ready for the Red Valley?
Tell us your date and group size. We confirm availability, price and pickup time in one message.