Trekking to the Rainbow mountain

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Description

Seven colours in Cusco when the city’s flags flutter. Seven colours in the Andean sky when the rainbow appears. Seven colours in the markets and food stalls when various popular dishes blend together on a single plate.

These seven colours have been known for a long time in Cusco, but they aren’t the only ones. Outside the ancient Incan capital, in the domain of Apu Ausangate (the highest mountain in the region), travellers walk, climb, and strive to reach the seven colours that neither paint a rainbow nor a flag.

If you want to be one of them and experience the heights of the Vilcanota mountain range, join our tour to Vinicunca, the Mountain of 7 Colours, in the district of Pitumarca (Canchis province). A challenging destination you can’t miss, and we invite you to discover with us.

The slopes and summit of Vinicunca (5,200 metres high) will amaze you with their colourful stripes in various shades. These “brushstrokes” are the result of the oxidation of different minerals, shaped by natural factors like erosion and atmospheric moisture.

The Rainbow Mountain (as it is known worldwide) is waiting for you. Don’t hesitate any longer—add this fascinating route to your travel plans in Peru. We offer the best service so you can enjoy every step of your journey on Cusco’s rainbow mountain to the fullest.

Itinerary

Reaching the rainbow is no easy task. While this colourful destination isn’t in the sky, it’s very close to it. Vinicunca’s 5,200-metre elevation demands visitors to be in good physical condition, acclimated to the altitude, and well-rested the night before the tour.

This last factor is crucial. Our excursions to the Mountain of 7 Colours start early in the morning. At 4:30 a.m., we will pick you up from your hotel in the Historic Centre. Try to be ready a few minutes beforehand. Dress warmly and remember to bring a daypack and wear sturdy trekking shoes or boots.

The next “step” is the 3-hour overland journey from Cusco (3,400 m a.s.l.) to Cusipata (3,310 m a.s.l.). Arrival in this district of the Quispicanchi province is scheduled for 7:30 a.m., an ideal time for breakfast. So, shake off the sleep and cold with a coffee or a good coca tea.

Before resuming the tour, you’ll have the chance to make some last-minute purchases at the shops in Cusipata, which will boost the local economy. However, don’t linger or stray too far. After breakfast, you’ll take a brief drive on an unpaved road to the community of Llaqto (4,630 m a.s.l.).

The path to the rainbow

It’s time to start walking. You’ll take your first steps on the route to Vinicunca at around 9:00 a.m. Before you set off, the guide will provide information about the mountain and a series of recommendations to ensure your excursion is memorable.

Remember, there’s no rush, and our tour isn’t a competition. Walk at your own pace and try to exert yourself as little as possible. The guide will keep an eye on the whole group, so don’t worry if you fall behind a bit. Your goal—and ours—is for you to “conquer” the summit of the rainbow mountain.

How long will it take? The average time is 2 hours. The first stretch doesn’t have too many inclines, but don’t be too confident. Walking at high altitudes is always challenging. It’s also a good idea to take small breaks to rest and get some oxygen.

These stops will help you tackle the final ascent to Vinicunca (around 45 minutes) with more energy. From the summit (which you’ll reach at around 11:00 a.m.), you’ll have a panoramic view of the Andean landscape and fully appreciate the colours of a mountain that, until a few years ago, was unknown to tourists.

What happens next is easy to imagine. You’ll enjoy the mountain and feel the energy that emanates from the Ausangate region. Overcoming the distance and altitude will bring you such intense satisfaction that it’s hard to put into words. You have to be there to experience and understand it.

A getaway to the Red Valley (optional)

If you’re an unstoppable and adventurous hiker, add an extra attraction to your 7 Colours Mountain tour: the Red Valley, an area with striking coloration that resembles Mars. This destination is optional. If you wish to visit it, speak with your guide on the vehicle, and he will provide you with the necessary recommendations.

Keep in mind that if you want to explore the Cusco’s Mars, you’ll need to advance ahead of the group. Additionally, your time at Vinicunca will be shorter because you’ll need to hike to the Red Valley (4 km, approximately 30 mins). You can also rent a horse or a bike to save time.

Don’t spend too long in the Red Valley. You need to return to the 7 Colours Mountain before the group begins the return journey to Llaqto.

Time to return

With that sense of triumph, you’ll head back to Llaqto (on foot) and then to Cusipata by bus. If all goes smoothly, you’ll have lunch in this picturesque district around 2:00 p.m., to regain the energy spent on the mountain. After a hearty meal, the vehicle will return to Cusco, arriving around 6:00 p.m.

After nearly 13 hours of travel, we’ll drop you off very close to Cusco’s Plaza de Armas. You’ll be able to say “mission accomplished,” as your effort and adventurous spirit were not in vain. Both allowed you to see with your own eyes the famous mountain that nature has “painted” with seven colours.

Inclusions

Included:

Pick-up from your hotel in the morning (in the historic centre).
Transfer in a tourist vehicle (round trip).
Buffet breakfast and lunch with vegetarian options.
Professional bilingual guide (English and Spanish).
First aid kit.
Oxygen tank in the vehicle.
Oxyshot (small portable oxygen canister during the hike).
Trekking poles.

Not included:

Entrance to the Seven Coloured Mountain: 30 soles per person.
Entrance to the Red Valley: 25 soles per person (visiting this place is completely optional).
Horse rental: 50 to 120 soles (renting horses is completely optional).
Drop-off: At the end of the tour, the bus will drop you off near Cusco’s Plaza de Armas.
Dinner.

If you book a private tour, the inclusions will be almost the same, but at the end of the tour, the bus will drop you off at your hotel, and the guided tour will be conducted in a single language. Please read the FAQS section for more details.

Pricing

Shared tours:

You will travel alongside other travellers from different countries.
The group size averages 20 participants.

Adults: 25 USD per person.
Minors under 12 years old: 23 USD per person.

Private tours:

If you wish to customise this tour, the price will vary.
If your group is large, the price per person will participants.

Adults: 115 USD per person based on two people.
Minors under 12: Discounts available.

Faqs

Will I be picked up from my hotel?

Yes, as long as your hotel is located in Cusco’s historic centre; otherwise, we will arrange a meeting point. If you book a private tour, we will pick you up from anywhere in the city of Cusco.

Where does the tour end?

The bus will drop you off near Cusco’s Plaza de Armas. From there, you will need to walk or take a taxi to your hotel. If you book a private tour, we will drop you off directly at your hotel.

What is breakfast and lunch like?

We have set up a buffet area with Peruvian food, including vegetarian options. For breakfast, you will find cereals, yoghurts, fruit salads, oatmeal, coffee, etc. — for lunch, there will be rice, spaghetti, chicken, meat, etc.

Are the pick-ups and drop-offs on time?

No, all the times listed in the tour description are approximate and may vary due to the location of your hotel, traffic, and the number of tourists booked for the tour. If you book a private tour, the schedule is generally more precise as described in the tour details.

Details

From 25$

13h 30m

English, Spanish

Any question?

Talk to us!

Trekking to the Rainbow mountain

Description

Description