Trip Overview
Rainbow Mountain Peru, The mountain of 7 seven colors or Vinicuna, it is located between the Cuzco and the provinces of Quispicanchi and Canchis is also one of the most visited places around Cusco.
Its slopes and peaks are tinted by stripes of intense shades of fuchsia, turquoise, lavender and gold.
Vinicunca’s rainbow appearance is due to “a complex geological history of marine, lake and river sediments”. These sediments, transported by the water that previously covered the area, date from between the Tertiary and Quaternary periods, that is, from about 65 to two million years ago. rainbow mountain peru
Itinerary
Our adventure will begin with the pick up at your hotel 04:30 am, then travel around 1.20 minuts, until we reach the place where we will have our breakfast and a short rest, then we will continue for a period of 1 hour until we reach the foot of the mountain. rainbow mountain
From where the journey to the Mountain of 7 Colors (4km), along the road we will be able to observe mountains such as: Apu Sarinini and Ausangate which is the highest mountain in Cusco with an altitude of 6372 meters above sea level.
In the Inca mythology of this mountain and the nearby lakes among which is Sivinacocha from which the masculine energy is born that fertilizes the holy mother earth “Pachamama“;
shortly after a long journey, the waters are lost in the original lands of the Amazon to return with the rains to fill the lakes and glaciers and every night it becomes a river of stars. The Willkamayu known in the West as the Milky Way, which is united by the Andean worldview. rainbow mountains peru
After a walking time of approximately 1.30 hours we will reach the top of the Mountain of 7 Colors ,where we will have enough time to enjoy this beautiful place and take photos, after a brief explanation from our professional guide,
we will take The way back to the bus station to take the transport and go to the restaurant and have a delicious basic lunch, we will finish this beautiful experience by returning to the City of Cusco.
Imágenes del Tour
Map
Includes
RECOMMENDATIONS:
- Very important Face Mask & Face Protector.
- Warm Clothing (Jacket, Sweater, Cap, Shawl, Gloves, etc.)
- Trekking shoes.
- Small backpack to carry what you need.
- Poncho for the Rain.
- Sunscreen.
- Antibacterial gel.
- Sunglasses.
- Extra Money in Soles.
TOUR INCLUDES
- Pick up from your Hotel.
- Tourist transport.
- Accredited Professional Tourism Guide.
- Entrance Ticket.
- Breakfast.
- Lunch.
- First aid kit.
GENERAL CONDITIONS
- All rates for our Peru Packages are expressed in US dollars (optional for currency exchange) and are programmed per person.
- The rates valid for Peruvians only include VAT.
- All our rates are subject to availability and changes.
- Children under 02 years and 11 months are considered INF (babies), do not pay any service and do not have the right to food, bed or seat on the tours.
- DCC (child) is considered a child from 03 to 10 years and 11 months, has a special rate and shares a room with parents.
- Children over 11 years old considered adults.
- Minors must travel with an identity document.
- Rates do not apply to holidays, Easter, long weekends, national holidays, Christmas or New Years.
CONTACT US
- info@dreamy.tours
- reserve@dreamy.tours
THE TOUR DOES NOT INCLUDE
- Drinks & Food Extras.
- Tips and Extra Money.
Information Aditional
Did you know that with the Maras Moray and Salineras Tour, you can visit the Sacred Valley by an alternate route that will take you to the town of Chinchero, Maras, Moray and Salineras?
Facts about Rainbow Mountain Perú
Here are some interesting Rainbow Mountain Perú facts that you should know beffore get to this amazing destination:
- The Rainbow Mountain or Vinicunca is at an altitude of more than half of Mount Everest
- It is also known as Vinicunca, a word that originates from the native language of Peru, Quechua, which translates as “mountain of color.”
- The Rainbow Mountain or Vinicunca is composed of 14 different and colorful minerals.
- Only 4 years ago it was completely covered in snow, so it was impossible to fully witness the beauty of the mountain.
- Temperatures still drop below 0 at night; good to know for anyone visiting Vinicunca on a multi-day hike through Ausangate
- Llamas and alpacas can be seen along the route to Vinicunca.
- The weather can change rapidly from snow to rain and scorching sun in the space of an hour
- You can rent a horse at any point along the way if you start to find the hike difficult; you don’t need to hire one from scratch.
Discovery of Rainbow Mountain in Perú
The visual spectacle that Rainbow Mountain in Perú offers has been attracting visitors since the its discovery of in 2016, according to Haydee Pacheco, a tourism official for the Municipality of Pitumarca. vinicunca peru
We asked the elderly who live in Pitumarca, a town near Vinicunca, about the discovery of Rainbow Mountain in Perú “and they said that the mountain used to have snow,” Machacca said in a recent interview. “Global warming caused the ice to melt and the colorful mountain appeared below.” vinicunca mountain
Machacca, a member of the Q’ero community, said that Cerro Colorado was an attractive destination for hikers because of its beauty, but also because of the climate.
“They love to go because when you are up you feel the pure air and you forget everything and you connect with the Apu of Ausangate,” she said, referring to the divinities believed to be part of the Andes mountains.
Few knew of the existence of this 5,200-meter-high summit. His vision was a privilege reserved for the vigorous walkers who dared to explore the Ausangate domains for five days, the highest summit of Cusco and the Vilcanota mountain range, the place of pilgrimage of hundreds of thousands of people who come to its icy grandeur, to venerate the Lord of Qoyllur Riti, the ‘star of the snow’. vinicunca rainbow mountain
Geology of Rainbow Mountain Perú
In just over two years, travelers who come to take photos with the summit went from a few dozen to about 1,000 a day, according to Peruvian media, despite the cold and altitude of the place. ausangate rainbow mountain
Its slopes and peaks are tinted by stripes of intense shades of fuchsia, turquoise, lavender and gold.
The tourist boom is quite recent, but the history of the mountain and its colors began millions of years ago.
Minerals
Vinicunca’s rainbow appearance is due to “a complex composition of geology of Rainbow Mountain Perú: marine, lake and river sediments,” according to a report from the Office of Cultural Landscape of the Decentralized Directorate of Culture of Cusco.
These sediments, transported by the water that previously covered the area, date from between the Tertiary and Quaternary periods, that is, from about 65 to two million years ago. painted mountains peru
Over time, the sediments formed layers (with different sizes of grains) that today are seen as the strips that attract tourists so much.
The movement of the tectonic plates in the area raised these sediments until they became mountains.
Later they acquired their striking colors due to the oxidation of their minerals, exerted by the humidity of the area, and their erosion, explains César Muñoz, a member of the Geological Society of Peru (SGP), to BBC World. the rainbow mountains
Muñoz and the study of the Office of Cultural Landscape detail the Rainbow Mountain Perú geology compositionof each strip according to its color.
- Pink or fuchsia: mixture of red clay, mudstones (mud) and sand.
- Whitish: sandstone (quartz sand) and limestone.
- Purple or lavender: marl (mixture of clay and calcium carbonate) and silicates.
- Red: argillites and clays.
- Green: clays rich in ferro-magnesium (a mixture of iron and magnesium) and copper oxide.
- Yellowish brown, mustard or golden: limonites, calcareous sandstones rich in sulfur minerals (combined with sulfur).
Elevation of Rainbow Mountain Perú
This amazing place is located in the Andes of Peru, in the department of Cusco and province of Canchis. The elevation of Rainbow Mountain Perú is 5,200 meters above sea level.
It belongs to the people of Pitumarca who call it the “Cerro Colorado”. Because it is located on the way to the imposing Ausangate snow, this site was known long before by the adventurers who dared to do the trek. rainbow mountain peru elevation
How to get to Rainbow Mountain Perú?
Due to its location, just over 100 kilometers from the city of Cuzco, this place is reached by car in the first instance. After a journey of approximately 1.30 hours along the Longitudinal Highway of the Sierra del Sur Peruano, you will reach Pitumarca.
The journey continues along a trail to the community of Pampa Chiri. From there you follow a route through mountain slopes. This journey is 5 kilometers long and can be done on foot or on horseback to finally arrive at Vinicunca. There are tours that offer this service.
Weather
The climate, typical of the highest areas of Cusco, is cold. Rain, wind, and altitude sickness (or soroche) can be the biggest obstacles for travelers. Temperatures can drop below zero degrees Celsius. The best time to do this adventure is during the dry season (from April to October) when river rains are less likely. If you plan to visit during the rainy season (from November to March) bring a rain poncho with you.
Trek difficulty
The 3 or 4 hour walk (it depends on the physical condition of the tourist) is not dangerous and demands a moderate-high physical effort. There are sections of considerable slopes up and down. However, one of the biggest difficulties is the cold weather and the icy wind. The altitude of the area can cause altitude sickness or soroche. A prior acclimatization of 1 or 2 days is recommended in the city of Cusco.
