Hiking
Classic · VinicuncaUS$ 29
Red Valley + VinicuncaUS$ 29
Quad · ATV
Vinicunca quadUS$ 70
Red Valley + quadUS$ 75
Classic · VinicuncaUS$ 29
Red Valley + VinicuncaUS$ 29
Vinicunca quadUS$ 70
Red Valley + quadUS$ 75
Who charges it, how much it is, where you pay it and why it is not included in any tour price — including the separate Red Valley fee.
The land around Vinicunca belongs to the highland communities of the district of Pitumarca. They maintain the trail, staff the control point, run the horses and manage the flow of visitors, and they collect an entrance fee to do it. That money does not pass through the tour operator, which is why no honest listing can present it as "included". On the quad plans you can add the tickets in the booking form: US$10 on the Rainbow Mountain route and US$20 on the Red Valley route, which covers both entrances. You can also pay each community directly on site. On the hiking plans you can add it in the booking form when you reserve, or pay it at the control point on the day.
| Fee | Who charges it | How it is paid |
|---|---|---|
| Vinicunca entrance | The Pitumarca communities | Added in the booking form (US$10 on the Classic quad plan), or cash on site |
| Red Valley entrance | The community that manages the valley | Included in the US$20 add-on on the Complete quad plan, otherwise cash on site |
| Saddle horse | Local families along the trail | Cash, negotiated directly with them |
| Local motorbike | Local families | Cash, on site |
| Boleto Turístico | Not applicable | Does not cover these sites |
Tap a column header to highlight it
💡 Note: bring cash in Peruvian soles. There is no card payment, no cash machine and no reliable phone signal beyond Cusipata.
Change is limited at the control point and at the Red Valley gate. Bring small denominations.
You may be asked to show it again further along the trail, so do not throw it away at the gate.
Vinicunca and the Red Valley are managed separately and charged separately. One ticket does not cover the other.
On the hiking plans our WeTravel booking form lets you add the Vinicunca entrance at checkout. It is the simplest option if you would rather not carry extra cash, and it means one less queue at the control point on a cold morning. If you skip it, nothing is lost — you simply pay at the gate instead.
Different community, different management. The Red Valley fee is only ever paid in cash, on site, and it cannot be added to your booking in advance. If you think you might take the detour, carry enough soles for it even if you are not sure yet — the decision is usually made at the viewpoint.
These fees are set by community assemblies, not by individuals, and the amounts are modest by any international standard. They are what keeps the trail maintained and the families working at home. Pay what is asked, and keep the receipt.
Add the Vinicunca ticket at checkout, or pay it on site — either way, the tour is US$29.
Complete your Peru adventure with these expert-guided full day experiences.
"Life is short and the world is vast — the sooner you start exploring it, the better."
