Rainbow Mountain Packing List

There’s nothing worse than packing too much or forgetting to bring something you’ll need on your hike. Here are the Rainbow Mountain must-haves to make sure you have an unforgettable time!

Layers of clothing

Depending on the time of year, the skies when climbing the mountain can be crystal blue or a shifting variation of grey tones. However, on both occasions it is important to wear comfortable and durable clothing.

Due to the height of the mountain, temperatures tend to be low and it can also be windy, making the hike uncomfortable if you don’t have the right clothing to keep you warm. We suggest having layers of clothing that can be easily removed, as there may be parts where you will feel hot during the hike.

Trekking shoes and socks

As more travelers trek the trail over time, the path becomes more prominent. However, variable weather can have an effect on trail conditions making some places difficult to navigate. We recommend wearing a strong, durable pair of hiking shoes (or comfortable, sturdy sneakers) and thick socks to have a trouble-free hike.

Waterproof ponchos

The chance of rain is always present, especially during the rainy season. The hike up and down can be difficult, and doubly so if you are wet and cold. With the risk of rain, we suggest bringing waterproof gear. If you don’t have waterproof gear, a simple rain poncho that you can get in Cusco before the hike is usually enough to help with this.

Cap and sunglasses

A hat and sunglasses are essential as the sun’s radiation at this altitude can be quite strong and the glare almost blinding. This lighting can be a major distraction which should be avoided when walking on uneven terrain.

Toilet paper and hand sanitizer

When you reach the base of the mountain, before you start your hike, there will be cabins with toilets available. However, these toilets are not very well developed and sometimes they do not have toilet paper, so it is best to bring your own.

There are no further facilities as you progress along the route, so make sure you also bring hand sanitizer in case you get your hands dirty along the way.

Sunscreen

As mentioned above, solar radiation is much more intense at higher altitudes. At 2,500m it is 1.5 times the strength it has at sea level and 2.5 times at 4,000m. In addition to this, Rainbow Mountain is often covered by a layer of snow which can reflect up to 80% or 90% of solar radiation instead of the 20% of solar radiation reflected by the rough surface.

It is important to be covered with a strong layer of sunscreen, especially if you have sensitive skin.

A small backpack

Many of the essentials on this list are small and can be packed into a small backpack to take to Rainbow Mountain. Try to bring only the things you will need, as walking with a heavy backpack will become difficult pretty quickly at this altitude.

We recommend carrying a backpack with a waist adjuster or hip belt as without one your backpack can tire you out quite quickly.

Coca leaves

Coca leaves are one of the items on this list that we would consider crucial. Used by locals as a natural remedy to prevent altitude sickness, these leaves are the ideal aid to help with a throbbing headache and help with shortness of breath. They can be purchased in the markets of Cusco and simply chewed (they can also be used to make coca tea).

Water

Staying hydrated and drinking plenty of water is a must. It is important to keep your body hydrated to ensure that you will be able to climb the mountain without tiring quickly and easily.

We also suggest taking only small sips of water as you go so that you don’t get overwhelmed with the sudden need to go to the bathroom during the hike.

Entry fee

There is a 10 soles entrance fee for anyone entering the park. When visiting Rainbow Mountain with a tour operator, the 10 soles entrance fee may or may not be included in your tour, depending on the operator you choose to travel with.

It is not included in most tours, so be sure to check before you leave.

Trekking poles

We recommend these for anyone who thinks they might have trouble while hiking in the mountains. They are mostly useful for going up, down, and are also often used on slippery terrain, such as mud, snow, or loose rocks.

Having two extra points of contact helps tremendously with traction, so we would recommend these to anyone who feels they may struggle with this hike.

Toilet Paper & Hand Sanitizer

This Rainbow Mountain packing guide wouldn’t be complete if I didn’t mention toilet paper! If you need to use the restrooms you can’t ever be sure if they will be supplied with toilet paper or hand soap. You definitely don’t want to be caught without it. When I travel I always carry these two essentials!

Cash/Soles

Last but not least, you need 5 soles per person to get entry through the gate and 25 soles per person for an entry ticket. Also, if you want to use the restroom or buy something while on the trail you will need soles to pay.

Trekking Poles

These are totally optional, but I will say I wish I had trekking poles while trying to keep my pace up with shortness of breath. Poles would have made it considerably easier. I saw many people using them. Here are some of my favorite collapsible trekking poles that are packing friendly!

Snacks and Bites

While there are plenty of vendors on the trail we always bring our own snacks. The car ride to/from Cusco is 3.5 hours so by the time we were done we needed a snack to hold us over until we got back to our airbnb . Our favorite snack is cheese and peanut butter crackers. Seriously, they are so delicious and you can eat them at any time – for breakfast or even when you’re feeling nauseous!