HIKING THE RAINBOW MOUNTAIN “VINICUNCA” (Full Day Tour)

Cusco

In the heart of the Andes mountain range, located 100 km (62 miles) southeast of the capital of the Inca Empire, in the district of Pitumarca, majestically perched on the Vilcanota mountain range, is the famous mountain of colors, also known by its inhabitants as Winikunka or Cerro Colorado. This natural gem is located at an altitude of 5,200 meters above sea level (17,060 ft.), where the sky touches the earth and the forces of nature converge to create the most extraordinary shapes imaginable.

The geological formation of this unusual landscape is due to its mineralogical and geological composition of marine, lacustrine, and fluvial sediments over millions of years. According to studies conducted in the area, the geological formation of the mountains, which display the sediments that give them their natural color on the surface, dates back to between the Tertiary and Quaternary periods, approximately 65 million years ago. All these sediments were transported by the seawater that covered the Andes, thus forming granular layers, which today can be seen as layers of different colors, the main attraction for travelers.

The movement of tectonic plates, the subduction of this plate with respect to the Nazca plate, raised the sediments, turning them into the mountains we see today. Over thousands of years, these mountains acquired vibrant colors due to the oxidation of minerals, rock disintegration, and erosion by atmospheric conditions such as wind, rain, snow, and sun.

According to geological studies, the colors of Vinicunca Mountain are due to the following characteristics:

Pink or fuchsia: a mixture of red clay, mudstone (mud), and sand.

White: sandstone (quartz sand) and limestone.

Purple or lavender: marl (a mixture of clay and calcium carbonate) and silicates.

Red: argillites, iron oxide, and clays.

Green: clays rich in ferromagnesian (a mixture of iron and magnesium) and copper oxide.

Yellowish brown, mustard, or gold: limonites, calcareous sandstones rich in sulfide minerals (combined with sulfur).

The Vinicunca Rainbow Mountain is currently the second most popular tourist attraction in Peru after Machu Picchu. Its popularity is due to the viral spread of photos and videos posted since social media took hold in our country, approximately since 2013. The tourist destination had already been promoted by some travelers, until 2017, when the hundreds of visitors it had previously received grew to thousands of visitors per day.

According to locals, these mountains were still covered with snow until about 20 years ago. Due to global warming and exogenous environmental conditions, the snow melted rapidly, exposing the sediments and vibrant colors of the mountain, which attracted everyone’s attention. The residents joined forces to share this discovery with the authorities and jointly promoted the attraction for tourism and the economic and social development of the communities that benefit directly from tourism.

On the way to this natural attraction, it is possible to pass through different local and rural communities, appreciating and coming into contact with the real life of the inhabitants of the area. Likewise, throughout the tour, it is possible to enjoy the presence of high Andean camelids such as llamas and alpacas, and if you are lucky, some vicuñas in their natural state. These delicate and gentle species make the trip much more interactive and picturesque for visitors.

A visit to Vinicunca not only allows you to appreciate this beautiful natural attraction, but also allows travelers to connect with nature, surrounded by the wonderful indigenous people of the area, and participate in other activities and celebrations typical of each village, as long as the visit to the attraction coincides with a celebration date.

As for the climate of the region, as well as throughout the city of Cusco, we have two distinct seasons: the rainy season, from November to March, when the weather is cloudy, rainy, but somewhat cold, with temperatures dropping to 5°C (41°F) at night and an average daytime temperature of 10 to 15°C (50°F to 59°F). The dry season, from April to October, has temperatures ranging from 7 to 12 °C (45°F to 55°F) during the day and drops below 0 °C (32°F) at night. These months are the coldest, especially May, June, and July, and it is necessary to come dressed warmly from head to toe, as the freezing wind coming from the mountains and snow-capped peaks is like blades that hurt the skin.

Details

Itinerary

Your professional guide will pick you up at your hotel very early in the morning at the agreed time.
In a private van, you will travel for approximately 2 hours until you reach the tourist restaurant for an energetic breakfast before the hike.
After breakfast, we will continue for approximately two more hours until we reach the car park, the starting point of the hike.
During the hike, depending on the route taken to reach the mountain, you have the option of renting a horse, hiring the services of a motorcycle with driver, or simply walking. Any of these options are valid.
If you choose to visit the attraction on ATVs, please make your request in advance, as the ATVs are rented from the city of Cusco and must be reserved at least 1 day prior to the tour.
Once on the mountain, your professional guide will give you a complete explanation of the entire area. You will have the opportunity not only to enjoy the view of the mountain of colors, but also to delight in the partial view of the red valley, the impressive view of the snow-capped Ausangate, considered the Andean deity and protector of the inhabitants of the city of Cusco, the highest point of the city at approximately 6,400 meters above sea level (20,997 ft). You will have time at your disposal to decide when to return.
Back at the parking lot, we will return in our van to the city of Cusco, but not before stopping at a restaurant for a well-deserved lunch to recharge our batteries. Upon arriving in the city after such a wonderful experience, you will be dropped off at your hotel to rest.

Include

Personalized assistance and advice from an Andina Amazónica host to help you design your dream itinerary.
Meals as specified in the itinerary (Breakfast & Lunch).
Entrance tickets to the places to be visited as specified in the itinerary.
Daily activities and excursions according to the chosen itinerary.
Mineral water available for each day of the tour.
Private or shared tourist transportation (according to your requirements).
Professional bilingual tour guide, accredited and certified, with first aid training and academic updates.
First aid kit and oxygen tank if required.

Not Include

International flights to and from your country of origin.
Domestic flights (unless required and requested).
Travel insurance.
Meals and drinks not specified in the itinerary.
Visits and activities not specified in the program.
Extra expenses incurred by the traveler.
All tips.

Recommendations

PROGRAM COST AND INCLUSIONS:

Each of our programs is tailored to your specific needs and desires; the price also varies according to the number of travelers, the length of stay at each destination, the activities to be carried out, the category of accommodation you require, among other requirements.
Our travel designers will create a specific experience for you. Taking into account your travel budget, we will do everything necessary to design your experience just as you dream it.

Important

ACCOMMODATIONS:

To design your personalized experience, the hosts at Andina Amazónica carefully select accommodations for our clients, offering everything from 5-star luxury hotels, boutique hotels, 3-star hotels, to country lodgings and Airbnb, according to the requirements (budget, category, location, etc.) indicated by the traveler, to guarantee comfort, safety, and health during your trip.

IF YOU HAVE ANY OTHER CONSULT, DONT DUDE TO LET US KNOW, ANDINA AMAZONICA IS GOING TO HELP YOU WITH EVERYTHING.