Found in the Andes Mountains, approx. 3h drive from Cusco, is the very popular Rainbow Mountain. Because of the mineral sediments in its soil, the mountain appears in its multi-colour beauty to the observers.
The original name of the mountain in the Quechua language is “Vinicunca“, which literally means “necklace of colours”.
Surprisingly, local communities discovered the mountain not so long ago. In fact, one day, the melting snow on the peaks revealed the different layers of colours. Also, its discovery turned the mountain into a touristic attraction. Now, there is an entrance fee and the proceeds go directly to the local communities.
Hiking & Useful Tips
The scenery while driving up the valley is magnificent. Lamas, alpacas and horses can be seen everywhere! The short trek starts at approx. 4,900 m / 15,091 feet and takes about 1.5 hours to reach the highest point of 5,036 m /16,522 feet.
We personally did not find the hike challenging, as we spent enough time during the Salkantay trek at high altitudes. But, if you’re coming straight from Cusco give yourself enough time to acclimatize. Many people on the path were struggling and had to return to the bus because of it. So, our tip to you is to walk gently, breath at a regular pace and drink lots of water. If needed, there is also an option to rent a mule or horse for the way up. Bare in mind though that you’ll be dropped at the bottom of the final hill. So, you’ll still need to hike the last section.
Since we had some time to spare, we decided to go to the Red Valley as well. It is just a couple of hundred meters away from the Rainbow Mountain. The valley is famous for its vivid red colour, as the name indicates. For a moment I felt like on Mars! Be advised, that in order to enter the valley, you need to pay an additional entrance fee (around 10/20 Sol).
Frequently asked questions
- Is it worth it to get a tour to visit the Rainbow Mountain?
Personally, the main (and maybe only) benefit of the tour is the transportation. They drive you to the trailhead and give you a limited amount of time to spend at the top. Also, since you arrive together with other tour buses, you end up battling for a spot to take pictures. In the end, that ruins a bit the experience. If you have the time, we recommend organizing private transportation for you and your friends. An alternative is to visit the Rainbow Mountain as part of the Ausangate Trek. - Are the colours that vivid also in real life?
The picture on this blog is unedited and yes it was that vivid. We visited the mountain on a very bright and sunny day, which definitely helped with the colours. However, as many internet sources show, the mountain gets really overcrowded during the day. - What is the Red Valley?
It is a valley just a couple of hundred meters away from the Rainbow Mountain. In case you have some time, you can enter the Red Valley after paying a small fee. It is much less visited than the Rainbow Mountain, so you can enjoy the place all to yourself.
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