What to wear for a Rainbow Mountain ATV tour
Almost every Rainbow Mountain packing list on the internet is written for walkers, and walking keeps you warm. You will be sitting still on a machine moving at thirty kilometres an hour through air that is already below freezing before dawn.
That one difference rewrites the whole list.
Why the trekking list is wrong here
A hiker generates heat for three hours and sheds layers on the way up. A rider generates none and has the wind pulling heat off them continuously. At 5,030 metres, in July, at speed, the effective temperature on the back of your hands is well below what the forecast says.
Meanwhile the things a trekking list insists on — boots, poles, a big day pack — are of almost no use on a quad bike.
The list
- A windproof, waterproof outer jacket. The single most important item on this page. Not a hoodie, not a fleece on its own.
- Proper gloves. Your hands are in the wind on the handlebars for hours. Thin woollen gloves are not enough above 4,800 m.
- A thermal or fleece mid-layer under the jacket.
- Long trousers. Anything windproof over them is a bonus.
- A buff, scarf or neck gaiter. The gap between the helmet and the collar is where the cold gets in.
- A thin warm hat that fits under a helmet.
- Closed shoes with a solid sole. Trainers are fine. Sandals are not, and we will not let you ride in them.
- Sunglasses — UV at this altitude is fierce even when it feels cold.
- SPF 50+ sunscreen and SPF lip balm. Apply before you leave Cusipata, not at the top.
- Your passport or DNI, for the entrance ticket.
- 30 soles in cash per person for the gate, plus a little more for snacks and tips.
- A phone or camera with a full battery. Cold drains them fast; keep it inside a layer.
The one item people regret
Gloves. Every single week.
Cold hands are not a comfort problem on a quad bike — they are a control problem. Fingers that have stopped working properly cannot squeeze a brake lever with confidence, and the guide notices it before you do. If you buy one thing in Cusco before this tour, buy proper gloves in the San Pedro market for a few soles.
We carry spares, but not many
There are a few spare pairs of gloves and a couple of spare buffs on every departure. They are for emergencies, they are not sized for everybody, and on a full departure they run out. Bring your own.
Everything else is already in the price
Helmet, gloves and safety equipment come with the machine. You bring the layers.
From $60 per person
Check availability Ask on WhatsAppWhat to leave at the hotel
- Hiking boots. You are walking 5 minutes at each viewpoint. Trainers are better.
- Trekking poles. Nothing to use them on.
- A large backpack. There is nowhere good to put it on a machine. A small one, worn on your back, is fine.
- A drone. Not permitted at the viewpoint without community authorisation, and the wind up there eats them.
- Anything loose that can fall out of a pocket. Several hundred phones live on that mountain.
Month by month
| When | What changes | Add |
|---|---|---|
| May – August | Coldest mornings, clearest skies | A second thermal layer and the warmest gloves you have |
| April, September, October | Milder, still cold at dawn | The standard list is enough |
| November – March | Wet season. Rain is likely. | Genuinely waterproof outer layer, and a dry bag for the phone |
What we provide
So you are not buying anything twice:
- Helmet, fitted at the briefing.
- Safety equipment for every rider.
- The machine, fuelled.
- Breakfast and lunch in Cusipata.
- First-aid kit and oxygen on the departure.
Questions travelers ask us
Do I need hiking boots for the Rainbow Mountain ATV tour?
No. The total walking is about 5 minutes at each viewpoint, on a made path. Closed trainers with a solid sole are better than boots on a quad bike.
How cold does it actually get?
Below freezing before dawn in the dry season, and with wind chill at riding speed it feels considerably colder than that on exposed skin. By mid-morning in the sun it can be pleasant. Layers, not one big coat.
Can I buy warm clothes in Cusco?
Yes, cheaply. The San Pedro market and the streets around it sell alpaca gloves, hats and buffs for a few soles. It is a far better plan than flying with a parka.
Is there anywhere to store a bag during the ride?
Your main luggage stays in the van, which goes with the group. Take only what you want on your back for the riding sections.
