The mountain of the 7 Colors (also called Vinicunca or simply Rainbow Moutain Cusco) is one of the new and best attractions of Peru. Located more than 100 kilometers from the city of Cusco, on an altitudinal summit located at 5,200 meters above sea level (m.a.s.l.) It is a mountainous formation dyed in various shades product of the complex combination of minerals. The slopes and summit are dyed in various shades including red, purple, green, yellow, pink, and other variations. This tourist attraction was surrounded by ice not many years ago. Since 2016, this place has received hundreds of visitors a day becoming, along with Machu Picchu, one of the most visited places in Cusco-Peru. Now discover the famous Rainbow Mountain and start planning your next vacation in Cusco. Below is all the information about the 7 Colors Mountain:
The Winikunka or Vinicunca mountain is behind the imposing Ausangate, which is part of the Vilcanota mountain range in Cusco. It is a valley irrigated by the Pitumarca River that is born, precisely, in the lower part of the Ausangate and that flows into the great Vilcanota River. The Vinicunca massifs belong to the peasant community of Pampachiri.
Its name comes from two Quechua voices: "Wini", for the rounded and heavy black stones that abound in the area, which they called "wini rumi" (stone). The second is "Kunka" which means neck, because the narrowness of the hill resembles a neck step. Initially, the muleteers of the high plateau and the settlers knew it like "Qolla Ñan" or "way of the Qollas".
It starts from the city of Cusco and to the towns of Andahuaylillas, Quiquijana and Checacupe. After three hours by car or tour bus you will arrive at Pitumarca, place where the community of Qheshiuno is located, starting point of the walk. The ascent on foot lasts one hour, approximately, until arriving at a horse station, where the arrieros are always willing to help with the ascent. The horses will take you up to a certain point in the climb. Then you have to climb on foot to reach the peak, at 5,200 meters above sea level, where there is a viewpoint. From there you can observe in all its splendor the mountains in a 360 degree view. They are the domains of the great Apu Ausangate.
The climate, typical of the highest areas of Cusco, is cold. Rain, wind and altitude sickness (or soroche) can be the biggest obstacles for travelers. Temperatures can drop zero degrees centigrade. The best time to carry out this adventure is during the dry season (from April to October) when fluvial precipitations are less likely. If you plan to visit during the rainy season (November to March) bring a rain poncho with you.
The incredible geography of the place is the scene of typical animals from high Andean areas such as llamas, alpacas and vicuñas. The inhabitants of the area raise horses to offer them as transport to visitors. Due to the height of this region, the ichu or natural boil of the Andes abounds.
The Rainbow Mountain Peru or Vinicunca is due to "a complex geological history of marine, lake and river sediments," according to a report from the Cultural Landscape Office of the Decentralized Culture Directorate of Cusco.These sediments, transported by the water that once covered the area, date from between the tertiary and quaternary periods, that is, from about 65 to two million years ago. Over time, the sediments were forming layers (with different sizes of grains) that today are seen as the fringes that attract tourists so much. The movement of the tectonic plates of the area elevated these sediments until they became mountains. Muñoz and the study of the Cultural Landscape Office detail the composition of each strip according to its color.