Rainbow Mountain, or Vinicunca, is one of South America’s most stunning natural wonders. Located about 3.5 hours from Cusco by minibus, this multicolored peak in the Peruvian Andes has quickly become a must-see destination.
Tours depart daily from Cusco as early as 3:30 AM. Most operators return hikers to the city by 7:00 PM. The entrance fee to the park is 10 soles and is often not included in tour packages.
🥾 The Hike to Rainbow Mountain
The hike begins with relatively flat terrain, but the final stretch is steep and challenging. At over 5,000 meters above sea level, every uphill step is exhausting. Locals, young and old, often pass by effortlessly in traditional attire while visitors struggle with the altitude.
- Distance: ~8 km round trip from the bus stop
- Elevation: ~5,200 meters (17,060 feet)
- Difficulty: Moderate to difficult, especially near the summit
🧭 Top Tips for Your Rainbow Mountain Trek
- Weather changes quickly, bring sunscreen, sunglasses, a rain jacket, hat, and thick hiking socks (plus a spare pair)
- Chew coca leaves to help with altitude
- Pack a small backpack with water, snacks, and toilet paper
- The entrance fee (10 soles) is usually not included in tour prices
- Spend a few days in Cusco to acclimate before attempting the hike
🐎 Alternative Ways to Reach the Summit
- Horseback: Available for rent along the trail (~80 soles)
- Mountain biking: For thrill-seekers, bikes offer a unique way to experience the landscape
🏕️ What to Do at Rainbow Mountain
- Explore the surrounding area, there’s little vegetation, so it’s hard to get lost
- GPS is recommended for solo hikers
- Enjoy panoramic views and take photos of the colorful terrain
🍽️ Food and Water at Rainbow Mountain
- Snacks are sold by locals along the trail
- Hot meals and drinks are available at the summit
- Bring your own food if staying overnight
- A small stream is available for water, purify before drinking due to animal presence
- Bottled water and soft drinks can be purchased in nearby villages
🛌 Where to Sleep
There are no formal accommodations yet, but camping is possible. Ask locals for permission, they may request a small fee, which helps support their alpaca-farming communities.
⚠️ Safety and Altitude Awareness
- Acclimate properly before your hike
- Weather can shift rapidly, daytime warmth turns into freezing nights
- Snow and ice are common in June and July
- The area is remote, only accessible by foot or horseback
- Bring proper gear, food, and water if hiking independently
🌈 Why Is Rainbow Mountain So Colorful?
Vinicunca’s vibrant stripes, from turquoise to lavender, maroon, and gold, are caused by mineral layering and weathering.
- Red: Iron oxide
- Yellow: Iron sulfide
- Other colors: Formed by sedimentary rocks like sandstone, halite, clay, and gravel exposed to snow, wind, and water
📖 Origin of the Name Vinicunca
Vinicunca comes from the Quechua word Winicunca, meaning “hill with a narrow neck.”
📍 Where Is Rainbow Mountain Located?
Vinicunca is part of the Vilcanota mountain range near Ausangate Peak. It lies between the communities of Cusipata and Pitumarca in the Quispicanchi and Canchis provinces of the Cusco region.
- Coordinates:
- Latitude: 13°52’8.51″ S
- Longitude: 71°18’12.76″ W
🌡️ Climate and Temperature
- Annual average: 7–12°C
- Rainy season: December to March (cloudy, heavy rain)
- Dry season: April to November (sunny days, cold nights)
- Snowfall: Common in June and July
🏔️ How Was Rainbow Mountain Formed?
According to the Geological Society of Peru, Vinicunca was formed by tectonic activity that uplifted marine sediments into the Andes. The mountain was once covered in ice, but climate change melted the glaciers, revealing its colorful layers, an awe-inspiring reminder of Earth’s beauty and fragility.
🌈 Why Is Rainbow Mountain So Colorful?
According to Cusco’s Regional Directorate of Culture, the vibrant stripes of Rainbow Mountain are caused by the presence of various minerals:
- Pink: Red clay, mud, and sand
- White: Sandstone rich in arsenic and calcium carbonate
- Red: Iron-rich clay deposited during the late Tertiary period
- Green: Phyllites and ferromagnesian-rich clays
- Brown: Fanglomerate with magnesium-rich rocks from the Quaternary era
- Mustard Yellow: Sulfur-rich calcareous sandstones
🗺️ Geographic Importance
Rainbow Mountain sits at an altitude of 6,384 meters (20,945 feet). Due to the harsh environment, vegetation is sparse, making the colorful layers fully visible.
🐾 Flora and Fauna at Rainbow Mountain
Despite the arid conditions, South American llamas and alpacas thrive here. You may also spot:
- Flora: Ichu grass and various lichens
- Fauna: Alpacas, llamas, vicuñas, condors, kestrels, Andean guinea pigs, and gray deer
🚐 How to Get to Rainbow Mountain from Cusco
✅ Route via Cusipata (Most Popular)
- Drive time: ~3 hours
- Hike time: ~1 hour from trailhead
- Steps:
- Take a bus to Sicuani from Cusco (PE-3S route)
- Or take a direct bus to Cusipata from Coliseo Cerrado (10–17 soles)
- From Cusipata, take a colectivo to Phulawasipata (20 soles)
- Begin the hike from Phulawasipata
Note: Colectivos only run in the morning. A private taxi from Cusco costs ~250 soles.
✅ Route via Pitumarca
- Continue past Cusipata to Checacupe (~2 hours)
- Take a colectivo to Pitumarca (5 soles)
- Then another to Pampachiri (20–25 soles)
- Pay the entrance fee at the checkpoint (10 soles / 5 soles for Peruvians)
- Hike ~5 km to the viewpoint (~2 hours)
This route was popular until 2019 but is now less favored due to longer travel time.
🥾 Hike Difficulty
- Level: Moderate
- Trail condition: Mostly good, not steep until the final section
- Challenge: High altitude reduces oxygen, making breathing harder
Tip: Be in good health and acclimate in Cusco before hiking.
📅 Best Time to Visit Rainbow Mountain
Visit during the dry season (May–November) for clear skies, sunny days, and cold nights. Avoid the rainy season (December–March) due to poor visibility and muddy trails.
👀 What to See and Do at Rainbow Mountain
- Admire the rainbow-colored earth as it glows in the sunlight
- Marvel at nearby peaks like Ausangate, the highest in the Cusco region
- Explore nearby natural wonders like the Red Valley and Palcoyo
- Engage with local communities, many are llama and alpaca herders
- Enjoy a breathtaking day in the high Andes, reconnecting with nature
🎒 What to Bring to Rainbow Mountain
- Passport or ID
- Cash in small bills (for entrance and local purchases)
- Sunscreen, sunglasses, wide-brim hat, rain poncho
- Hiking boots, warm layers, windbreaker, gloves
- Camera and spare battery
- Water, snacks, fruit
- Personal medication
- Coca leaves for altitude support
Optional: Rent a horse for 50 soles one-way or 90 soles round-trip. Your guide can assist.
🏔️ Visit Rainbow Mountain with Aremika Travel
Join our Ausangate Trek, a 5-day, 4-night adventure through one of the most sacred and stunning regions of the Vilcanota range. You’ll see turquoise lagoons, towering glaciers, rolling farmland, and the iconic Rainbow Mountain.
If you’re ready to explore Vinicunca, Aremika Travel has the perfect trek for you. [Contact us] to learn more about our tours and services
