Rainbow Mountain, a natural wonder near Cusco in Peru

Published: 21 October 2023 | Update: 09 February 2026 | Reads: 4058

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The Mountain of 7 Colors (also called Vinicunca or simply Rainbow Mountain Cusco) is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Peru. Rainbow Mountain in Peru is more than 100 kilometres from the imperial city. It is located on a mountain more than 5,200 metres high. The different shades of colour on this mountain are the result of a complex combination of minerals. The slopes and top of the mountain are covered in a natural colour scheme of red, purple, green, yellow and pink, creating a bright and beautiful landscape.

It's amazing to think that this attraction was covered by glaciers just a few years ago. Since it melted in 2016, this place has become one of the most popular places to visit in South America, along with the amazing citadel of Machu Picchu. But the Cusco region has more to offer than just views; for adventure lovers, there are total immersion experiences like the Salkantay Trek hike, which connects the snowy peaks with the jungle, showing that the mountains in Peru are just one part of the amazing Peruvian landscape.

Come and see the famous Rainbow Mountain in Cusco and start planning your next holiday. This is the perfect place to start exploring the area where Inca history and natural beauty meet. Below, you will find all the detailed information about the Mountain of 7 Colors:

What makes Rainbow Mountain in Peru special?

Geological Origin: The colours we see today are the result of the oxidation of minerals like sulfur (yellow), clay (red), and calcium carbonate (white), exposed after a very long time of erosion.
There are many different routes. Although Vinicunca is the most famous, in 2026 many travellers choose other routes to enjoy the landscape with fewer crowds. These include the Palcoyo and Pallay Poncho colour mountains.
Visual Impact: There are not many rainbow mountains in Peru that look so different from the deep blue sky of the Andes, which is perfect for people who love taking photos.

Note: It is located at a higher altitude than Machu Picchu and even higher than the highest point of the Salkantay Trek, so it is essential to get used to the height before you start. We suggest that you leave this visit for last on your trip to Cusco.

Where is Rainbow Mountain in Cusco, Peru?

The Winikunka or Vinicunca mountain is behind the imposing Ausangate, which is part of the Vilcanota mountain range in Cusco. It is a valley that is irrigated by the Pitumarca River, which starts in the lower part of the Ausangate and flows into the great Vilcanota River. The Vinicunca massifs belong to the local farmers of Pampachiri.

Origin of the Rainbow Mountain Cusco:

The name comes from two Quechua words: "Wini" is the name for the rounded and heavy black stones that are found in the area. They call these "wini rumi" (stone). The second is "Kunka", which means "neck". This is because the hill is so narrow that it looks like a neck. At first, the people who lived on the high plateau and the settlers knew it as "Qolla Ñan", which means "way of the Qollas".

A fact you should know: Until a few decades ago, snow covered this mountain. But the temperature has increased since then, causing the snow to melt. This has exposed the minerals that now give the mountain its famous colours.

How to get?:

It starts in the city of Cusco and goes to the towns of Andahuaylillas, Quiquijana and Checacupe. After travelling for three hours by car or tour bus, you will arrive at Pitumarca, where the Qheshiuno community is located. This is where your walking trip will start. The walk takes about an hour to the horse station, where the arrieros will always help you. The horses will take you up to a certain point in the climb. Then you have to climb on foot to reach the top, which is 5,200 metres above sea level, where there is a viewpoint. From there, you can see the mountains all around you. They are the domains of the great Apu Ausangate.

Cusco to Rainbow Cusco

Climate:

The climate in the highlands of Cusco is cold. Rain, wind and altitude sickness (or soroche) can be the biggest challenges for travellers. It can get as cold as zero degrees. The best time to go is during the dry season (from April to October), when there is less rain. If you're planning a visit during the rainy season (which is from November to March), be sure to pack a rain poncho.

Flora and fauna:

The place has amazing geography, and it is home to animals that are usually found high in the Andes mountains, such as llamas, alpacas and vicuñas. The locals there raise horses to take visitors around. This region is very high up in the Andes mountains, where natural hot springs are common.

Rainbow Mountain Peru from Cusco

Minerals can be found at Vinicunca:

The Rainbow Mountain in Peru, also known as Vinicunca, has a fascinating geological history. According to the Cultural Landscape Office of the Decentralized Culture Directorate of Cusco, the mountain's unique colors are the result of "a complex geological history of marine, lake and river sediments".These sediments were carried to the mountain by water that once covered the area. They date from between the tertiary and quaternary periods, meaning they are from between 65 and two million years ago. Over time, the sediments formed layers (with different sizes of grains) that today are seen as the edges that attract tourists so much. The movement of the plates raised up the sedimentary rock until it became mountains. Muñoz and the study of the Cultural Landscape Office explain how each strip is made according to its colour.

Pink or fuchsia: It's a mixture of red clay, sand and mud.
White: Sandstone is made of quartz sand. Limestone is made of calcium carbonate.
Purple or lavender: Marga is a mixture of clay and calcium carbonate, as well as silicates.
Red: It's made up of two things: argillite and clay.
Green: It is made up of clay that contains a lot of ferrous magnesia (a mixture of iron and magnesium) and copper oxide.
Yellowish brown, mustard or golden: Limonites are a type of rock made up of calcium carbonate and sulphur.

Fun fact: Despite its dry appearance, there are lichens and mosses that grow in some areas of Vinicunca Mountain. These plants have adapted to the altitude and mineralised soil, and they add subtle shades of color to the mountain.

A trip to Rainbow Mountain in Peru

Tour of Rainbow Mountain in Cusco. This beautiful mountain used to be a popular route to the seven-day Ausangate mountain. Over time, this mountain has become more and more popular. The best way to visit this mountain today is on a tour. Most packages include transport, food, tickets and a professional guide. There are lots of tourist agencies in the city of Cusco that offer these services.

Travel on your own?

You can also visit the Rainbow Mountain on your own. To do this, the visitor must take a bus from Cusco to Sicuani (it takes 2 hours and 40 minutes). When you get there, take a bus to the town of Quesiuno. Then start walking (or you can hire a horse) to the Mountain of 7 Colors. The entrance fee is 10 soles (10 PEN).

How hard is Rainbow Mountain?

The walk takes between three and four hours (depending on how fit the tourist is) and isn't too dangerous, but it does require a medium to high level of physical effort. There are some steep slopes to climb and descend. But the cold weather and the icy wind make it really hard. The high altitude can cause people to feel unwell. It is recommended that you spend one or two days getting used to the altitude in the city of Cusco (we highly recommend taking a city tour).

Recommendations for Rainbow Mountain in Cusco:

Take a few days to get used to life in the city of Cusco.
Wear warm clothes when you go for a walk.
If you don't think you're fit enough to walk, you can rent a horse to one of the locals.
On that day, remember to take a hat, sunscreen, a jacket, trousers, hiking boots and a poncho for rain.

Cusco RainBow Mountain

Other things to do near Cusco

As well as the well-known Machu Picchu, the area around Cusco has lots to offer. You can learn about the culture, history and landscapes of the Andean Peru. From traditional towns to little-known natural wonders, there is much to discover just a few kilometres from the imperial city. So, if you are looking for new adventures, here are some places you can't miss: