Vinicunca — Local services in Cusipata

If your tour is early morning take warm cloths as it’s cold and snow and horse is also best option. Walk slow and save energy to go to top of summit as view of mountain is amazing and carry selfie sticks to get good photos from above.

Rainbow Mountain—known locally as Vinicunca or Montaña de Siete Colores—was long familiar to indigenous Andean communities. However, its signature colorful stripes remained hidden beneath snow and ice until relatively recently.

It gained international attention around 2013–2015, when melting snow (accelerated by climate change) unveiled the vibrant mineral layers

Rainbow Mountain Hike Summary

🏔️ Elevation • Base of trail: ~4,600 meters (15,091 ft) • Summit (viewpoint): ~5,036 meters (16,522 ft) • That’s higher than Machu Picchu, Cusco, and even Everest Base Camp!

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🚶‍♂️ Hiking Distance & Time

There are two main routes (depending on your tour operator):

Classic Route (via Pitumarca): • Hiking distance: ~7 km (4.3 miles) round-trip • Hiking time: 3–4 hours total • Elevation gain: ~400 meters • Condition: Moderate to challenging due to thin air and incline

Hike Details • Trail is mostly dirt and gravel with some steep sections • No shade, very exposed to sun, wind, and cold • Altitude is the main challenge, not the trail steepness • Final viewpoint offers 360° panoramic views of Vinicunca and Ausangate range

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🧳 How to Be Prepared

🫁 Acclimatization • Spend 2–3 days in Cusco or Sacred Valley before the hike • Avoid doing this hike right after landing in Cusco

💧 Essentials to Bring Item Why It’s Important Water (1–2L) High altitude dehydrates faster Snacks Energy boosters like nuts, granola, and fruit Warm layers Weather shifts from sun to snow quickly Windbreaker Cold wind at summit is intense Gloves + Hat Especially in early mornings Sunscreen High UV exposure at altitude Coca leaves/tea Helps prevent altitude sickness Cash (Soles) For toilets, horse rides (~60–100 soles one way)

Horse Option • Available at the trailhead (you can choose midway too) • Costs 60–100 soles ($15–25 USD) depending on route and negotiation • Still requires a 10–15 min steep climb on foot at the end

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🧠 Pro Tips • Start early (tours leave Cusco around 4:00 AM) • Use poles (especially if knees or balance are a concern) • Stay hydrated and walk slowly — avoid overexerting • Weather can be unpredictable — expect sun, snow,...

From the “MC Peru Expeditions Hiking Point & Motorcycle Point” (that’s what it’s called on google maps) where most of the organised tours will drop you off there’s a relatively short hike to the top of the Vinicunca - 5036 m (I recommend getting there for photos and will explain why later). You need to hike around 2.5 km with around 300 m of an elevation gain. It will take around an hour. It might be challenging for some due to hight altitude. Just don’t go too fast and take small steps. For people who hiked at high altitudes before it’d be a piece of cake. Don’t forget to drink your fluids! Now getting to the point. If you go below Vinicunca there’s a queue of people waiting for their turn to make an “iconic photo”. Although on this spot without a good lens you won’t see the mountain in all of its beauty because of the angle. I recommend getting higher to take a better picture (also a longer lens would be great). Also from the top you have a great view on a glacier and a wonderful mountain covered in snow. There’re multiple photo spots (alpacas, colourful guy at the top of the Vinicunca, stone hands) where you can take a picture but you need to pay for it (unfortunately I don’t remember how much). Also you can buy some souvenirs and food at the top and on a lower part. Because some of you might not like such crowded places I recommend getting there as early as possible. If you are not an early bird maybe try to get there outside of the rush hours? It might be hard because most of the organised tours start around the 4 AM. We’ve reached the top around 10:15 AM and it was extremely crowded (probably the tours are accumulating at these hours). I won’t touch upon a topic of the colours and how vibrant they are. You need to see it for yourself. In case it won’t satisfy your artistic needs there’s a lot of photo editing software widely available on the internet - just so you know. Anyway, highly recommending getting there as it is a...

Rainbow Mountain was probably the most challenging site we visited in terms of high altitude, even compared to Machu Picchu or the Sacred Valley. Sitting at over 12,000 ft (4,000–5,000 m) above sea level, the thin air makes the experience more demanding. Since we went in August and started very early—around 6:30 AM at the base—it was bitterly cold, with temperatures feeling close to 1°C.

Most visitors hike up the trail, which takes a little over an hour, but we opted to ride horses. The ride costs about 80 soles per person and includes a handler who guides the horse and ensures your safety. Horses will take you roughly 85% of the way up, but the final stretch to the summit must be done on foot, climbing a series of stairs.

There are three bathroom stops along the route, each costing 2 soles. Because we went so early, there was no running water for handwashing—so bringing antibacterial wipes is highly recommended.

As you climb, the scenery transitions into a rocky, high-mountain landscape. At the summit, the famous rainbow-colored soil appears on just one side, while snowcapped glaciers surround the opposite side. I was actually surprised by how small the rainbow portion of the mountain looked compared to what I had imagined.

At the top, you’ll also find local vendors selling hot chocolate and offering photo opportunities with llamas dressed in traditional attire. For 2 soles, you can even get a stamp in your passport as a fun keepsake to mark your visit.

The panoramic views are truly breathtaking—not just of Rainbow Mountain itself but also of the surrounding ranges. From the summit, we continued on to the Red Valley, which requires an additional 20–25 minute hike.

I highly recommend making this extra detour. Entrance to the Red Valley costs 30 soles per person, and in my opinion, it was even more spectacular, with vibrant red hues that were richer and more striking than the rainbow...