Have you ever imagined seeing a Rainbow Mountain in the middle of the Andes? Nature was very kind to give the region of Cusco the most beautiful landscapes in the world, including Vinicunca. This incredible mountain is also known as "seven colors", "Cerro colorado" and in English as "Rainbow Mountain". The imposing mountain Vinicunca presents this hue due to the erosion of sedimentary stones, the same ones that are formed without any intervention of man, being compared with a terrestrial rainbow. Located within the Vilcanota mountain range, Vinicunca is located between 4,710 and 5,200 m.a.s.l. We know that there are mountains and amazing hills all over the world, but whoever looks at the Vinicunca viewpoints, will discover a thousand colors that this unique mountain shows. A geological gem that is becoming very famous, very fast. Because of the incomparable nature of its landscapes, we do not doubt that this incredible mountain will soon be known, as the mountain of the 7 colors will be one of the most desired hiking routes in the world; Rainbow Mountain is located only 100 km from the city of Cusco, it is nothing less than 6,372 meters high; Its exposed minerals (iron oxides, copper sulfates, and others) are shown to form an almost surrealistic image. The Ausangate mountain is also known as Vinicunca, a mountain of 7 colors, or Rainbow Mountain by its English name. The geographical feature belongs to the Rainbow Mountain in the Vilcanota mountain range and has its highest point at 5,000 m.a.s.l. The Incas believed that from this mountain was born the masculine energy that fertilizes the Pachamama (Mother Earth). In the mountain range of this mountain, the Vilcanota river is born and ends in the Amazon. The "Apu" Ausangate is for the Andean culture, giver of life, and guardian of one of the most varied ecosystems in the world; its name means "copper" in Quechua. When you are on this mountain, remember that it is sacred to local people; In fact, many of the nearby Andean communities still have pilgrimage dates to the top of the mountain. Like the community of Chillca; of llama shepherds and alpacas, which have inherited Inca and pre-Inca cultural traditions. It is possible to share the daily life of the shepherds and work with the llamas.
04:30 Departure from Cusco in a private vehicle to the district of Cusipata
06:20 Breakfast in Cusipata
07:00 Start of the hike to Rainbow Mountain (Phulawasipata)
09:00 Arrival at Vinicunca (Time for photographs and enjoying the landscape)
10:30 Return to Cusipata
13:00 Lunch in Cusipata
14:30 Return to Cusco in a private vehicle
17:00 Arrival in Cusco
The tour starts between 04:00 and 04:30 in the morning, we will pick you up from the hotel where you are staying in Cusco and we will start our tour in our tourist transport. Along the way, we will pass through several small Andean villages. Our first stop will be in Cusipata, where we will enjoy a delicious breakfast. We will then continue our journey to the community of Phulawasipata, at the foot of the Ausangate snow capped mountain.
There, the guide will give us an initial explanation, and then we will begin a 7 km uphill hike that will last approximately 2 hours, towards Vinicunca Mountain, also known as Rainbow Mountain (due to the variety of colors it has). In the surroundings we will have spectacular views of the imposing Apu Ausangate. After reaching the mountain, we will have plenty of time to take photos and observe the incredible landscapes. Then we will begin a 2 hour return hike. Once we are back in Cusipata, we will enjoy a delicious lunch and then board our transport again to take us back to Cusco.