The Rainbow Mountain Peru
James Bustamante is Native to New York but born to Peruvian parents. He has been traveling throughout Latin America since early 2003 and finally made his home in Peru. James has made his way by eating and traveling through almost every country in Central and South America.
Last Updated on June 8, 2022 by James Bustamante
Going to Cusco? Getting Machu Picchu Reservations? Touring the Sacred Valley? There are many places to go and sights to see while in Peru. One of the most picturesque destinations is the Rainbow Mountain Peru, otherwise known as Vinicunca or the colored mountains in Peru.
At around 18,000 feet or 6,000 meters above sea level, the hike to the top of the mountain can be challenging if you don’t take certain precautions.
The rainbow mountain hike indeed demands a certain fitness level, as altitude levels can change quickly. Therefore, this particular tour can be more challenging than one of the many hikes to Machu Picchu.
The precautions mainly stem from making sure you are adequately acclimated to the higher altitudes of Cusco.
Travelers Tip: Make sure to follow the protocol to acclimate before taking the Rainbow mountain tour properly. Our travel advisers will usually place this trip towards the end of the itinerary to ensure you have been in Cusco for a few days first.
You’ve most likely seen the many incredible pictures from around social media that showcase the natural beauty of this area.
Table of Contents
Why Is The Rainbow Mountain, Peru Colorful?
The mountains themselves get that colorful, reddish tint from the large variety of sediments on this rocky surface, giving them a unique and surreal look.
When hiking this colorful mountain, many travelers say that the surrounding landscape and the red colors make it seem like you are on another planet altogether.
Getting To the Rainbow Mountain Peru
The Rainbow Mountain in Peru itself is only accessible by foot or on horseback. However, from the nearest road, there’s a trail leading up. This hike can take anywhere from 2.5 hours to 4 hours, depending on how fast we hike.
Adding to the hike would be the three-hour drive from Cusco, meaning that the entire trip can take around six to eight hours from the start of the journey until we reach the top of the mountain.
Remember that we also have to return to Cusco, so add another 3 hours of travel to the schedule.
The Rainbow Mountain & Traditions
Something to note is that locals believe the mountain to be holy, so bear this in mind when visiting and act respectfully following local traditions.
One of their traditions forms part of their year Star Snow festival, otherwise known as Qoyllur Rit’I, where thousands of Peruvian pilgrims travel to the base of the Rainbow Mountain, Peru.
This festival will end with a celebration that spans the entire day. Every year, this takes place on May 31st, when the weather is still quite impressive in the highlands.
It’s Off The Beaten Road…Literally
These colorful mountains opened routes for tourism only a few years ago, so there aren’t too many services, stores, or souvenir shops (yet). Few people know that the “Vinicunca” was only recently discovered due to the melting ice on top of the mountains.
The Origin of The Red Mountains
After shedding the ice and snow, these impressive mountains were once again free to show their fantastic array of colors. The rainbow-like coloration is due to a variety of different factors.
Its reddish hue most likely means a heavy layer of iron oxide rust found buried in the soil itself, just like a nail will rust and turn red after being exposed to water.
The coloration of sedimentary layers often indicates iron oxide rust as a trace mineral.
Traveler’s Tip: December, January, and early February are prone to varying weather, affecting visibility on the mountain. If you decide to take the Rainbow Mountain tour, then make sure to take it after this period.
You can add the rainbow mountain tour to any of our Lima to Machu Picchu fully customized packages.
Rainbow Mountains Peru Tour
The rainbow mountain itinerary is detailed below, along with timestamps, so you know what activity takes place at what time and when we return to Cusco. So check out the Rainbow Mountain Peru tour.
4:00 am Pick-up
We begin the tour of Vinicunca (The painted mountains) with an early pick-up schedule between 4:00 am, and 4:15 am. We then drive through Andean roads for two and a half hours until we reach the small town of Cusipata.
6:40 am Breakfast Stop
At 6:40 am, we stop at Cusipata to have breakfast. The service includes breakfast; however, we suggest having a light breakfast and some infusions like tea, coca tea, or coffee. Breakfast can consist of local cheeses, bread, jam, butter, and an energizing quinoa drink. After breakfast, we continue on the Peruvian rainbow mountain tour to Chillihuani.
7:45 am Begin Rainbow Mountain Hike
By 7:45 am, we will begin the hike to the rainbow mountains. The ascend takes approximately 1 hour and 40 minutes to complete. The walk through Vinicunca is not easy, but it is worth it once we reach the top. When we get to the highest point on the hike, we’ll have around 45 minutes to take pictures of the surrounding colorful mountain peaks. Once we finish our photography, we head back down the walking path to the tourist shuttle.
Traveler’s Tip: You can rent horses to make it easier if you feel too tired/exhausted during the trek. The locals living in the area provide this as an extra service.
1:00 pm Lunch At Cusipata
By 1:00 pm, we are back in the village of Cusipata in time for lunch. Then, we’ll head to a restaurant where we can try some local dishes and regional products. There are also a few shops surrounding the restaurant if you want to get some last-minute souvenirs from the Rainbow mountain in Peru. After we finish lunch, we begin our return to Cusco.
5:45 pm Arrival At Cusco
Between 5:45 and 6:15 pm, we will be back in the city of Cusco. We’ll drop you off at your hotel—end of Service.
Rainbow Mountain Booking Form
If you want to know anything more about Peru, Cusco, and Machu Picchu Travel, check out the rest of our blog posts at Peru Travel Blog, and follow us on Facebook and Instagram for our special packages.
Frequently Asked Questions About The Rainbow Mountain in Peru
Yes, this is why we always advise our clients to spend a few days in Cusco before attempting any trek. As you may or may not know, the Rainbow Mountain is relatively high. It is significantly higher than Lima, Cusco, and Machu Picchu.
Yes, this is very important. Whether you book the tour beforehand or at arrival, you will always be provided a guide for your hike up the mountain. This is important not only due to the guide’s expertise but also the exciting information they will provide due to safety reasons. If you have an accident or feel sick, you will need an experienced person to help you get back down the mountain.
You can go year-round. However, we usually suggest going after February is over. Any time from March to November would be ideal as they form part of the dry season, with June and July having the best weather.
Our Rainbow Mountain Tour provides everything you will need in case of accident or sickness. We provided first aid kits, oxygen tanks, well-trained personnel, and professional guides prepared for any type of emergency during the trek.
Absolutely. Rainbow mountain’s incredible beauty makes the hike up the hill more gratifying. You can get unlucky if you go during January or February, as cloud coverage can obscure the mountain as you are so high up. It does give it a bit of a magical effect nonetheless.
Depending on what time of year you go, you may need a few extra things. However, we also suggest taking a warm set of clothes, a good camera, worn in trekking shoes, fresh socks, a rain jacket/poncho, hat & sunglasses, toilet paper & hand sanitizer, sunblock, a small backpack, coca candy or coca leaves if you feel a bit light-headed, among others.
