Rainbow Mountain in Peru, or Cerro Colorado, as the inhabitants of the area call it, is a true geological jewel that has recently become one of the biggest tourist attractions in the Cusco region.

Also called Vinicunca (“mountain of colors” in Quechua), this spectacular mountain is located on the road to Ausangate, a sacred peak in the Cusco region. When this destination opened up to trekkers taking a Peru holiday, spectacular Rainbow Mountain was soon discovered. Now it’s a popular day trip from the city of Cusco for adventurers seeking to admire a mountain covered by a rainbow.

What is the origin of Rainbow Mountain?

It is not known exactly why such a striking natural wonder hadn’t been discovered until the last decade. The mountain itself is located at 5200m altitude and it is estimated that it was formed several million years ago. There is a rumor that until recently the sacred mountain was completely covered with snow and only in the last 1-2 decades, due to global warming, the snow has receded and the colors become visible.

Sources of the IGP (Geophysical Institute of Peru), do not believe it was completely covered in snow, but there were areas in its surroundings with high glacial melting.

Recent popularity can be attributed to social medial with many people sharing images of this unique landscape nestled in the peruvian mountains.

What led to the unique rock colouration?

Many millions of years ago, in the Quaternary, the area was covered with water and many layers of sediment were compacted. With tectonic plate movement, mountains formed and the different thickness of the grains that constitute these layers made it look like a rainbow.

The colours represent the presence of an array of minerals from red clay, fangolites and sand (pink); sandstone, quartz sand and limestone (off-white); marga -mixed clay and calcium carbonate- and silicates (purple.

How to get to Rainbow Mountain?

The base of the mountain is located at 5200m and around a  two-hour drive from the city of Cusco. From there you will hike 5 km uphill to the viewpoint.

In the Ausangate region you will see many camelids such as llamas and alpacas which are indigenous to this area. These curious creatures make the trip an even more interesting and striking destination for tourists.

Are you ready to get carried away by the majesty of the Rainbow Mountain? Contact Veru Voyage for more details!

Certificates

Certificado Defensa Civil.

Constancia Gercetur. Official Tour Operator.

Licencia de Funcionamiento.

FAQ

All international flights into Peru route through Lima, with connections to most
destinations throughout the country. Some flights out of North America and Europe
arrive late in the evening after the last flight to Cusco has departed. In these cases, an
overnight stay in Lima will be required before proceeding to Cusco. Your Inkati Peru
travel specialist will be happy to assist you with making any necessary hotel
arrangements.
Traveling to Cusco: There are four airline carriers that fly round-trip between Lima and
Cusco: LATAM Airlines, Sky and Viva Air. All offer similar schedules and in-flight
service, but we usually recommend either LATAM Airlines as they tend to be the most
helpful when unexpected flight cancellations or delays occur. Your Inkati Peru travel
specialist can also assist you in selecting the best flight options for your trip.

We always encourage our guests to extend their trips with, at minimum, a couple of pre-
adventure days in Cusco to provide time for altitude acclimatization while they explore
the remarkable beauty of the city. Depending on availability, we would be happy to
book accommodations for you at the best option hotels. We also recommend that our
guests plan an extra night at Machu Picchu for a more comprehensive exploration of the
citadel.
Inkati Peru can also help you plan and book any additional accommodations or
excursions that you might like to experience during your time in Peru. We offer a
collection of trip extensions to some of Peru’s other notable destinations: Lima,
Arequipa, Nazca, Lake Titicaca, the Amazon and of course, within Cusco and The
Sacred Valley. Please alert your Inkati Peru travel specialist if you would like to build
any additional experiences into your trip.

All guests are required to provide valid proof of travel insurance, including specific
coverage for adventure travel activities in Peru.

On any Trek to Machu Picchu or alternative trek, guests hike 4-8 hours per day on six
(6) consecutive days along rugged mountain trails and at various elevations (up to
15,000’/4,500m). Pre-trip preparation should include challenging cardiovascular
exercise including regular hikes on varied terrain, and a healthy, balanced diet. Well-
worn hiking boots and additional acclimatization nights in Cusco or the Sacred Valley
before the trek are both highly recommended. Having said this, please be assured that
all guests are encouraged to hike at their own pace and take breaks whenever needed to
ensure a successful and enjoyable trek for all.

The weather in Cusco is defined by two seasons: Rainy and dry. Wet season typically
runs from November through March, with average temperatures of approximately 56°F
(13.3°C). Occasional showers are expected throughout this period, with the heaviest
rains occurring in January and February. Dry season is normally from April through
October or November, during which time you can expect mostly sunny days followed
by cooler nights and the possibility of morning frost. The average daytime temperature
around this time is 49.5°F (9.7°C). July is regularly recorded as the coldest month of the
year; in some locations night temperatures can drop as low as 32°F (0°C).
Keep in mind that Cusco is located in a high-mountain environment where variable
weather is expected. Rain can occur in the middle of July just as sun may appear in
January, so it is always important to be prepared for four season in one day.

Altitude sickness is most common at elevations above 6,500’/1,900m and results from
the body adjusting to a decreased amount of oxygen. To combat this, Inkati Peru
recommends spending some nights in Cusco or the sacred valley prior to the start of any
adventure program. In addition, it is always important to drink plenty of water. In case
of extreme altitude sickness, both oxygen and First Aid Kid are available as needed.

Once you have booked your Inkati Peru Trip, you will receive a packing list that
outlines the items that you will need for the trip. We recommend packing your
belongings in a regular size suitcase or duffel bag for the duration of the program. You
will only need a day-pack during the adventures parts.
Please be aware that the train company to Machu Picchu imposes a baggage weight
limit of 12kg/27lbs per person. Inkati Peru offers duffel bags on loan; please request one
at the beginning of the program in Cusco if you think that your luggage will exceed this
weight. Extra luggage can be stored safely at your hotel in Cusco.

Although most of Peru operates with an electrical current of 220V. Most of the devices
use to have incorporated the convertor in their chargers.

Second only to the Himalayas, the Andes rise to over 19,000’/5,800m. The rugged
Andean landscape is comprised of dramatic mountain ranges separated by deep vertical
canyons and green valleys. The eastern slopes of the Andes are veiled in cloud forests
which receive plentiful rainfall as they drop into the Amazon Basin.
All of the trails are well-maintained and safe. Adventurers can expect sometimes to
cross sections of original Inca Trails depending on the route , this in addition to newer

paths that may sometimes include steep, rocky,

The official currency of Peru is the “Sol” (S/.), although US Dollars are also widely
accepted. If you are carrying cash be sure to bring crisp, unsullied US bills since torn or
defaced currency will not be accepted locally. ATM machines that dispense both US
Dollars and Nuevos Soles are readily available in the city of Cusco. Credit cards are
generally accepted only in the more upscale restaurants and shops in Cusco and the
Sacred Valley. Note: VISA is most widely accepted, followed by MasterCard.
American Express is accepted in very few places.
During your trip in Peru in adventure parts, you will only need to carry a small amount
of cash for souvenirs and minor personal expenses. We recommend taking Nuevos
Soles in small denominations for purchases en route. Optional gratuities for trip leaders,
assistant guides, and any other staff can be given in either currency.

Gratuities are not included in the trip cost; but we leave this to your discretion.

We are sure you have already told friends and family about your trip. Please take a
moment (or more!) and tell us about the highlights of your journey, about your
companions and guides, and anything else that made your journey unique. Please share
your photos with us too and remember to tag us with #experiencemlp.