The rainbow mountain (also called Vinicunca or simply (¨7 colors¨) is one of the new jewels of the natural nature of Peru and is located very close to Machu Picchu. Located more than 100 kilometers from the imperial city of Cusco, in a high Andean summit elevated to 5,083 meters above sea level. It is a slope dyed in various shades as a result of the complex combination of oxidized and sulphide minerals. The slopes and the summit are dyed in various shades that include red, purple, green, yellow, pink and other variations.
This tourist attraction did not have vehicular access until not many years ago. Since 2016, this place receives thousands of visitors a day, becoming, along with Machu Picchu, one of the most visited in Cusco-Peru. Below we detail all the information you need to know about this rainbow mountain.
Rainbow Mountain Vinincunca
Summary
Why is it called the rainbow mountain or 7 colors?
Location and Altitude
Rainbow Mountian Altitude
How to get?
Weather
Flora and fauna
Red Valley Cusco
The Red Valley Cusco is located near the rainbow. This valley is completely unique, you will have the feeling of being on another planet. The red coloration is due to the oxidation of iron throughout the area.
How to get to the Red Valley from the rainbow mountain?
After visiting the rainbow mountain, take a detour to the left for about 30 minutes until you reach the viewpoint of the red valley, a truly spectacular place. Even many people mention that the red valley Cusco is more amazing than the mountain of 7 colors.
Red Valley
Rainbow Mountain Tour
This colorful mountain used to be a natural attraction and part of the tourist attractions of the 4-day Ausangate trek. Over the years and with the ease of reaching almost to its summit by car, it gained popularity on its own. Today, the most widespread way to visit this summit is through an organized tour. There are 1-day and 2-day tours to the rainbow mountain. Most include transportation, food, entrance fees, and a professional hiking guide. In the city of Cusco there are many tourism agencies offering these services.
Traveling on your own?
It is also possible to visit the ‘Cerro Colorado’ on your own. To do this, the visitor must take the buses to ‘Sicuani’ in the city of Cusco and get off in the town of Cusipata. Then you must take a collective taxi to the community of ‘Pampa Chiri’, where the hike to the rainbow mountain or the 7 Colors begins. The price of the entrance ticket is 25 soles. You can also hire a private taxi from the city of Cusco, the cost is between 300 and 350 soles.
Difficulty getting to the mountain?
The walk takes approximately 2 hours (depends on the physical state of the tourist). It is not dangerous and demands a moderate-high physical effort. The distance traveled will be 6 kilometers round trip, the first hour of walking is relatively flat, while the last 30 to 45 minutes will have an inclination of 40 to 50 degrees.
There are sections of considerable slopes up and down. However, one of the biggest difficulties is the cold weather and icy wind. The altitude of the area can cause altitude sickness. A previous acclimatization of 1 or 2 days in the city of Cusco is recommended. L
Recommendations
- Spend a day or two acclimatizing in the city of Cusco.
- Bring warm clothes for the hike to Rainbow Mountain.
- If you do not consider yourself in good physical condition for the walk, rent a horse from one of the locals.
- On the day of the tour, do not forget a cap or hat, sunscreen, jacket, pants, ideal shoes for trekking, a rain poncho and plenty of water.
Rainbow Mountain in Argentina, China and other countries:
Peru is not the only country whose geography is home to one of these natural formations. In South America, Argentina was also blessed with similar landscapes. In the world, Iran, China and the Mauritius Islands are also home to similar geological formations.
Mountain of the 7 Colors in Argentina: In addition to Cusco, the Argentine Andes have a mountainous formation of various colors. The ‘Cerro de Siete Colores’ is one of the most touristic places in the town of Purmamarca, in the province of Jujuy in Argentina. It is located in a desert geography where in the sunlight, this summit shows off its impressive colors.
Mountain of the seven colors
Rainbow Mountain in China: Zhangye Danxia Archaeological Park in China’s Gansu Province also has a similar geological formation. These mountainous formations are recognized as the most beautiful in that country. They are one of the biggest attractions of that region.
Geological park Zhangye Danxia
Mountain of the 7 Colors in other countries: In addition to Peru, Argentina and China, Iran and the Mauritius Islands are also home to colorful formations. In Mauritius they call their dunes dyed in endless shades the ‘Land of Seven Colors’. In Iran they are called ‘Ala Daghlar’ and they are one of the main landscapes of the city of Tabriz, in the northeast of the Asian country.
Land of the seven colors in Mauritania Islands
Questions and answers about the rainbow mountain
1) How much is the entrance to the rainbow mountain?
There are 3 tickets for the Vinicunca rainbow mountain. Foreign adults first pay 5 soles (2 USD) to the Chillihuani community and before starting the walk they pay 20 soles (6 USD). Finally, if tourists want to see the beautiful red valley of the rainbow mountain, they have to pay 10 soles (3 USD). The tickets have a symbolic price and are used to distribute them annually among all members of the community, construction of bathrooms, museums and road maintenance.
2) How to hire a horse during the visit to the Vinicunca Mountain?
In the community of Pampachiri, the inhabitants rent their horses for an approximate cost of 100 soles (30 dollars). This service is round trip.
The only way to hire a horse is by negotiating directly with the residents. There is no way to reserve one online.
3) How to avoid altitude sickness on the rainbow mountain?
- Altitude sickness is a malaise that people suffer when visiting high altitude regions. The main symptoms are headache, and difficulty breathing.
- To avoid symptoms during the trek to Vinicunca, it is recommended to get used to the climate of the city of Cusco at least 1 or 2 days before the excursion.
- It is also advisable to drink plenty of water, to always stay hydrated. Coca tea is a good option: this infusion is made from the coca leaf, a sacred plant of the Incas.
4) What are the hours that you can visit the rainbow mountain?
The Vinicunca does not have a defined schedule. The visits are exclusive during the day and sometimes in the afternoon.
The group tours to the rainbow mountain of 1 day have an approximate schedule of 14 hours, they start at 4 in the morning and end around 5 in the afternoon.
5) Can children visit the rainbow mountain?
Children can visit the Vinicunca under the supervision of their parents. However, the climate and altitude are not recommended for babies or children with health problems.
6) Are there hotels near the Mountain of 7 Colors?
The closest hotel services to Vinicunca are in the town of Cusipata. The hotels there are simple but nice and comfortable.
7) Are there bathrooms on the rainbow mountain?
At some points on the way to the Vinicunca mountain, the inhabitants had bathrooms. These have a cost of 1 sol (0.3 US dollars).
8) How to hire a tour guide?
The only way to visit the Vinicunca in the company of a tour guide is by purchasing the tour service. Otherwise, you can visit without a guide.
9) Is it possible to visit Vinicunca in a wheelchair?
Unfortunately, it is not possible to visit the Vinicunca in a wheelchair. This is because the dirt roads are very steep in certain parts, making it impossible to travel on wheels.
10) Can older adults visit the Vinicunca?
Seniors can visit Rainbow Mountain if they are physically fit. Older adults who are not used to walking should consult with their doctor.
You might also like
Leave A Reply