The Red Valley Cusco is located near the Mountain of 7 colors and the imposing Apu Ausangate. This valley is completely unique. One of the most vivid colors in the Valley is red. The red coloration is distinct in its layers on the mountainside. The red coloration is due to oxidation due to iron oxide present in the rocks.
Red Valley Location:
The fantastic Red Valley is located in the district of Pitumarca, in the province of Canchis in the Cusco region. The Red Valley of Cusco belongs to a chain of mountains and ravines that, as its name mentions, are of reddish earth, adorned and protected by the Ausangate. You can enjoy the landscape and the snowy Ausangate, together with the Mountain of 7 Colors and the Red Valley.
Altitude:
This part of Cusco exceeds 5,200 meters above sea level. The height could play a trick on you, to take a tour to this spectacular place, it is necessary that you acclimatize one day in advance so you can enjoy the walk. This famous tourist attraction is located on the slopes of the snowy Ausangate, APU tutelary of Pitumarca.
¿What are APUS?
are sure that you have noticed repeatedly that we name this word, Apu has a meaning and importance for the Andean cosmogony, they are mountains of great importance according to the Incas, they were divine entities who ruled over the destiny of humanity. Today it continues to have the same importance.
How to get to the Red Valley from the Rainbow Mountain?
The road to the red valley Cusco is just above the last horse stopping point on the way to the final climb up the mountain of 7 colors, you will see a small path to the right of you with a rope. After 10 minutes of walking, you will meet the local people who charge the entrance to the red valley Peru. They are exactly where the short and long path divides. They will help you choose the route.
The way
The trail to Valle Rojo is through a dirt road and they are well marked. The walk is not really dangerous, but it will require all your strength. As the path approaches the Valle Rojo viewpoint, the path becomes steeper and more challenging.
Short path to the Valley
This trail to the red valley begins at the mountain of 7 colors. At first it's flat for about 15 minutes and then it's uphill. We recommend this trail for those who don't have a lot of time and still want to see this amazing Red Valley. Most tour groups take this option. It only takes 25 minutes (one way).
Long Way
This route also starts at the Mountain of 7 colors. Walk for about 20 minutes flat and then it will be uphill to the Mirador. To avoid walking back the same way you came, you can take the longer alternative path from the Red Valley viewpoint to the car park where the hike to the rainbow mountain begins. We recommend this option for those who have time and want to avoid the crowd. The walking time is 40 minutes (one way) from the Vinicunca mountain.
Know in detail what the Red Valley offers:
- Age restrictions: There is no restriction, but we recommend over 7 years.
- Restroom: There is not a restroom along the road to Red Valley.
- Elevation: 5,053 meters / 8,923 feet.
- Cost: The entrance fee to the Red Valley is 10 Soles.
- Location: The Red Valley is located in Pitumarca and Cusipata district, Canchis province. It is located 3 hours from the town of Cusco.
- Walking time: 3 hours (round trip). Starting from the same place where you start for the mountain of colors.
- Fauna: we can find alpacas, llamas, vicuñas, Andean condors, kestrels, deer, among others.
- Advantages: you will escape from the crowd.
- Disadvantages: Extra effort, not many people will go there because they feel tired after the Rainbow Mountain hike.
Difficulty:
- Short trail: Easy-Moderate
- Long trail: Moderate – Difficult
Distance:
- Short path: 970 meters / 0.60 miles.
- Long way: 1.2 km / 0.74 miles.
Climate:
When you are just minutes from the Mountain of Seven Colors you can see the Red Valley in the distance, there are two very clear and marked seasons that we will let you know and take into account on your next visit to Cusco:
- Dry season: It is between the months of April to October, the weather is pleasant, the beautiful blue sky of Cusco is observed, in this season you can enjoy the blue landscape.
- The rainy season: This season includes the months of November to March, in these months the sky becomes cloudy with the presence of rain.
What is the best time to visit the Red Valley?
The Red Valley of Cusco is open every day of the year for all the public interested in trekking (Note: there are some restrictions due to the quarantine and the global pandemic against COVID 19). The ideal months to visit the Mountain of 7 Colors and the Red Valley is during the dry season. During the dry season you can enjoy the blue Cusco sky characteristic of all the photos.
Useful information
- The Red Valley lookout is much less crowded than Rainbow Mountain, which has hundreds of people when you reach the top around 10am.
- Book in small groups that leave Cusco early so they have more opportunities to visit the Red Valley Peru.
- The route to the Red Valley is the same that leads to the Vinicunca mountain
- Make sure that the Red Valley is included in your mountain hike of 7 colors. It will really make your day!
- Make sure you are correctly adapted to the altitude; it's not an easy hike if you're not.
- Do not go to the Red Valley in the afternoon in the rainy season due to electric shock. Given by the high concentration of minerals. There is a high probability of catching lightning.
Best Tours in Peru
Many are the routes that take you to Machu Picchu, but none is like the Inca Trail Tours, the most famous pedestrian path in the Americas. After flying from the capital of Perú, Lima, you will arrive in Cusco to walk for four days along a path through forests and dense fog, millenary stone steps and discovering the ruins of ancient fortifications and Inca cities, and all the time enjoying majestic views.
- Salcantay Trek Peru to Machu Picchu 5 days
- Palcoyo Mountain Tour
- Cusco to Manu Tour
- Humantay Lake Day Trip
- Huchuy Qosqo Day Hike
- Half Day Cusco City Tour
- Llactapata Inca Trail to Machu Picchu
- Qoyllur Riti Festival
- Apurimac River Rafting
- Vilcabamba Trek to Machu Picchu
- Inti Raymi and Machu Picchu Tour
- Salkantay Inca Trail Combo
- Waqrapukara Peru Full Day Tour
- Sacred Valley Bike Tour
- Honeymoon in Machu Picchu
- 1 Day Inca Trail Hike to Machu Picchu
- Sacred Valley Tours
- Lares Trek to Machu Picchu 4 Days
- Huchuy Qosqo Trek to Machu Picchu
- Short 2 Day Inca Trail Hike to Machu Picchu
- 2 Day Inca Trail with Camping
- 7 Lakes Ausangate Trek
- 4 Day Jungle Trek to Machu Picchu
- Inca Quarry Trail to Machu Picchu
- Urubamba River Rafting
- 5 Days Salkantay Mountain Trek
- 3 Days Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu
- Huchuy Qosqo Trek to Machu Picchu
- 7 Lakes Ausangate Trek
If you want to visit Machu Picchu, we recommend you to book your Machu Picchu Ticket in advance, so you will enjoy your Vacation in Machu Picchu without any problem.
