The local community call it Vinicunca, but we know it better as the Rainbow Mountain. This incredible mountain is no longer Peru´s best kept secret! Although it is tucked away in the Andes, it has become almost as popular as the famous Machu Picchu citadel, and more recently it’s becoming one of the top Cusco. Day trips. You will have seen countless pictures of Rainbow Mountain on Instagram and, if you’re already in Cusco, its unmistakable stripes of red, yellow, and orange will now be a common sight all over the city. This remarkable stripey mountain is also known as Vinicunca, Winikunka, Montaña de Siete Colores, and Montaña de Colores and has become a must-see on your luxury Peru tours.
What to Expect on a Luxury Rainbow Mountain Trip
Travelers should be physically prepared to ascend to 5200m in altitude which can be tricky for inexperienced hikers who are short on time and want to see it all in a day. It is recommended that travellers take longer Peru luxury packages to acclimatize properly and to also visit other destinations like the Ausangate mountain, local communities, and to take a moment to appreciate the wildlife to make the most of your Cusco tour. Make sure that you spend at least a couple of days acclimatizing in Cusco if you do plan to do this trip in one day.
The high altitude also means colder temperatures, so make sure you go prepared. If you decide to take a one-day tour to Rainbow Mountain, make sure you wear very warm clothes. Coca leaves also help to fight off altitude sickness and also, only take necessary items with you, you do not want to be carrying too much weight in your day pack on this Peru tour! There is also a chance that you’ll meet many groups of tourists by the time you arrive at Rainbow Mountain, which is generally around noon. The one - day Rainbow Mountain excursion will have you back in Cusco in time for dinner!
You Have to Take a Day Tour from Cusco!
Previously, most Rainbow Mountain tours involved a long early morning bus ride from Cusco and then 15 kms round-trip trek. However, with a new road now carved into the hillside (specifically for tour buses) the actual ‘hike’ portion of The Rainbow Mountain trip is now a much shorter round-trip distance of about 7 km. However, the early morning bus ride remains! Although some tours may leave earlier or later, the standard day trip to Rainbow Mountain will involve the following:
General itinerary
• Hotel pick-up between 4 a.m. - 5 a.m.
• Drive for two hours
• Breakfast stop for 30-45 mins
• Drive for 1.5 hours to Rainbow Mountain car park
• Walk along trail to the mirador / viewpoint (1.5 - 2 hours)
• Stop at viewpoint for 30 minutes
• Hike back to tour bus (1 hour)
• Drive for 1.5 hours and have a lunch stop
• Drive back to Cusco.
As you can see, it’s a long day with the majority of time spent driving to / from the mountain (all be it through some lovely Peruvian scenery). Tours leaving earlier in the morning are less common but will provide you with the best opportunity to skip the huge crowds that arrive later in the day. Unless you have your own vehicle, it really is not worth trying to do Rainbow Mountain independently as the local transport connections required are too unreliable for it to make any sense, practically.
Practical Information
The Rainbow Mountain is located in the Vilcanota Mountain range, also home to the majestic Ausangate Mountain. The minerals seen the Rainbow Mountain caused the sandstones to acquire a reddish colour that contrasts with the yellow and turquoise stripes. This is caused by the presence of other minerals combining with the extreme weather conditions of this high-altitude region. Rainbow Mountain was once covered in snow that melted due to global warming, so its natural colours were unobserved for years.
Getting to the top of the Rainbow Mountain involves a steep hike that are extremely challenging for those who are no well acclimatized. It’s recommended you spend at least a couple of days in Cusco before you head out on a luxury Rainbow Mountain tour. Tours leave Cusco bright and early leaves Cusco by bus at 5 AM and arrives 3 hours later to the town of Quesiuno situated at the bottom of the Rainbow Mountain. From here, you will hike for about five hours with a lunch stop along the way. It sounds easy, but it’s actually quite difficult due to the high altitude. Luckily, the local people rent horses to take you up to the Rainbow Mountain summit.
One day tour or Ausangate and Rainbow Mountain (5-day)?
Private Cusco tours can also take up to six days because, aside from visiting the Rainbow Mountain, you get to hike around the Ausangate Mountain. This mountain was sacred to The Incas. In six days of the Ausangate trek, you can see ice caves, the mountain’s glacier, lesser-visited Andean landscapes and crystal-clear glacial lagoons. You also get to experience the life of the native people who are llama farmers, visit ancient hot springs in Pacchanta, and see animals such as condors, foxes, vicuñas and vizcachas. Whether you choose the full day trip to the Rainbow Mountain or the six-day adventure to the Ausangate mountain range, you will be visiting a cosmic Andean world, virtually unexplored that will be the perfect addition to anyone’s bucket list.
If you want to find out more about the Luxury Rainbow Mountain tour, contact us here at Andean Travel Experience and we can help you organize your luxury Peru tour to this magnificent natural phenomenon called Rainbow Mountain!