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Trekking through the Mountain of the Seven Colors , also known as the Rainbow Mountain, has become one of the essentials on many routes through Peru . Not surprisingly, it is the most visited place in the country after Machu Picchu and therefore one of the goals of many travelers who come to the country wanting to discover its nature.
If you are thinking of doing the excursion to the Rainbow Mountain , it is convenient that you inform yourself a little before starting out, since it is a high-altitude route and, therefore, requires physical effort. So that nothing goes wrong, we have prepared this guide in which you will find what type of tour to choose, tips for doing it, prices and schedules, among many other aspects. When you are ready, do not miss our post with the main places to visit in Cusco , thestarting point of this trekking. Let’s start!
Why do the excursion to the Rainbow Mountain?
We are sure that if you have come this far it is because you have seen one of the photos of the incredible Rainbow Mountain or Vinicunca . Located inthe Peruvian Andes, en route to the Ausangate snow-capped mountain, it began to gain fame around 2015 thanks to social networks and the relative ease of visiting it from Cuzco.
It is not for less, we are all fascinated by the different layers of colors that have earned it the nickname of the Rainbow Mountain or Mountain of the 7 colors. According to experts, these are due to their different mineralogical composition. Thus, the pink color is due to red clay, fancolites, mud and small clays; white for quartz; red for small clays (iron) and clays; brown for magnesium; green for iron with magnesium; and mustard yellow for sulfur.
Although you should keep in mind that a large part of the photos on social networks are retouched so that the colors appear more saturated and that the weather in the area is variable (so it may be that you have a very foggy or cloudy day ), trekking to the Mountain of the 7 colors is an experience that you will always remember. The landscapes seem taken from another planet and, although hard, the route is very rewarding.
You should know that there are other mountains of colors in the Cusco area that you can also visit such as Palcoyo, which is the second best known although still far from the almost 3,000 daily tourists that Vinicunca receives and the least visited, Pallay Punchu.
Where is the Mountain of the seven colors located?
The Rainbow Mountain is in the district of Pitumarca, in the province of Sanchís, about 140 kilometers from Cuzco . It belongs to the Andes mountain range and its top is 5,200 meters above sea level. You will contemplate it from a neighboring mountain, having to climb to approximately 5,100 meters of altitude. This is why trekking to the Mountain of the 7 Colors can be quite complicated if you are not in good physical condition and if you do not do it properly and with the proper equipment.
The tours to the Mountain of the 7 colors take you to the beginning of the trail to contemplate it in approximately 3 hours from Cusco. Keep in mind that you will have to do another 3 hours of return.
How to get to the Mountain of 7 colors for free
On the other hand, you can also get to the Mountain of 7 colors for free . It is, of course, the cheapest option and we recommend it if you have more time or want to visit the Rainbow Mountain earlier so there are fewer people. Even so, keep in mind that, although it is almost impossible for you to get lost during the journey, you will not be accompanied by a guide who will carry support material. For this reason, it is a feasible alternative only if you are used to or prepared to do high mountain trekking and as long as you do it with caution.
You will have to take one of the buses that go to Cusipata from the Urubamba – Sicuani Terminal, located in front of the Inca Garcilaso de la Vega stadium in Cuzco. The buses that go to Sicuani leave more or less every 15 minutes. The journey to Cusipata lasts between 2 and 2.5 hours and costs 7 soles per person.
Once in Cusipata, where the bus leaves you, you will see that there are shared taxis that go to Pampachiri, where you will start walking. The trip lasts approximately one hour and costs 10 soles per person.
Finally, you can also choose to rent a car in Cuzco and go to the parking lot from which the trail starts on your own. Just drive carefully and keep in mind that the last part of the road is a sandy track.
In the event that you are thinking of going to the Rainbow Mountain for free so that there are fewer tourists, it is advisable that you spend the night in Cusipata and that you start around 4 or 5 in the morning to arrive before the groups that come from Cuzco .
Tour to the Mountain of 7 colors
The tour to the Mountain of Seven Colors is almost a full day from Cuzco. Begin with pickup from your hotel around 4am. After a couple of hours on the bus (during which you can still sleep to recharge your batteries), you will stop for breakfast in Cusipata , which usually consists of toast with jam and butter, coffee/tea/coca infusion.
Afterwards,
During the first stage (about 1,500 meters) the path is flat, but then it starts to get steep until it becomes quite a steep climb in the final part to reach the last viewpoint. It is normal for the outward journey to take between 90 and 120 minutes, depending on your physical condition and how high the altitude affects you. It is common for the group to disperse, but the guide must be attentive in case at any time someone needs the support of emergency oxygen or a first-aid kit. Therefore, it is very important to go with a trusted agency.
Along the route you will find people offering water and snacks such as coca candies. Also some llamas or other animals to take photos. Please be a responsible traveler and avoid encouraging the use of animals for these purposes. In addition, you will also see how the use of horses (70-100 soles) is offered to reach a certain point of the path. Since the state of these is not the best, we would ask that you only mount them in emergencies.
Once you have reached the viewpoints and once you have enjoyed the views, you will have to follow the same path back. This time it will be lighter, since you will go downhill. When you catch the bus again, you’ll head back to Cusco, but for most tours, you’ll stop for a buffet lunch and recharge. You will be back in Cuzco around 5 or 6 pm.
If you want the ride to be lighter, you can also do the quad excursion . Even so, consider that you will also have to walk part of the trail.
Finally, if you are doing a more complete trip and don’t feel like planning more, you can also consider these excursions that include the Rainbow Mountain tour:
Cusco, Rainbow Mountain and Machu Picchu in 4 days
Machu Picchu Jungle, Sacred Valley and Rainbow Mountain in 6 days
Palcoyo Mountain Tour
Although Vinicunca is the best known of all, Peru has another mountain of colors: Palcoyo. Actually, it is a set of 3 multicolored mountains located about 20 kilometers from the previous one. The excursion, in addition to being more bearable because the walk up takes between 45 minutes and an hour, will also make you enjoy an impressive “stone forest” and a bridge from the Inca period.
The excursions to Palcoyo have a very similar price to those that take you to Vinicunca and their duration and schedule are also very similar. The entrance fee is 10 soles per person.
For all these reasons, although it is still a high-altitude hike, if you fear trekking to the Rainbow Mountain because of its difficulty, booking the excursion to Palcoyo can be a good alternative. Being less popular, you will also find fewer people, the groups are smaller and you have more personalized attention from the guide.
Excursion to Red Valley or Red Valley
The Red Valley is also one of the impressive places in this area of Peru and it is possible to combine your visit with the excursion to the Mountain of 7 Colors. In fact, there is a detour on the path for those who want to walk more, being able to choose between a short path (approximately 30 minutes in each direction) or a long one (45 minutes), but you should be aware that both have a lot of unevenness.
The vast majority of travelers do not visit the Red Valley because the trekking to the Rainbow Mountain is already tiring enough to add extra effort. However, if you are prepared and want to take advantage of the fact that you have come this far, you can hire an excursion to the Mountain of 7 Colors that includes the Red Valley like this one . Consider that you will have to pay an additional 10 soles for the entrance to the valley.
Schedule of the excursion to the Rainbow Mountain
Regarding the schedule of the tour to the Mountain of the 7 colors, you should know that most of the agencies pick up the hikers around 4 in the morning. You will be back in Cusco around 5:30 p.m.
Tips for trekking the Mountain of the seven colors
We hope we’ve helped you plan your Rainbow Mountain excursion, but here are some additional tips to help you enjoy it even more:
- Rest the night before and prepare your backpack in advance so that you can make the most of your sleeping hours.
- Go with warm clothes and dress with different layers. The trekking through the Mountain of the 7 colors runs at altitude, so it can be cold, but you will also be walking and you may have clothes on at certain times. A raincoat can also come in handy.
- Don’t forget some good hiking boots . The floor can be slippery due to humidity or rain.
- Bring sunscreen , cap/hat and sunglasses. Remember that you will be at high altitude and the sun is stronger.
- Walk slowly , take things easy. You don’t have to be the first.
- Do not have a very strong breakfast so that you do not feel bad with the altitude.
- Leave the unnecessary on the bus and go light . The less things you carry, the less it will cost you to walk.
- Do not forget to bring water (1 liter or 1.5 liters may be fine) and a snack that gives you energy such as nuts or a banana. Drink the water in small gulps. If possible, chew coca leaves. In Pampachiri you have some stalls where you can buy this kind of thing.
- Be a responsible traveler , do not take photos with the llamas or alpacas and avoid using horses that are not in good condition.
- Try to do the tour to the Mountain of 7 colors between the months of March to October . The rainiest are December, January and February. August is usually the best month.
- It is recommended that you have spent a few days in another place at high altitude such as Cusco to acclimatize . Do not do the excursion to the Mountain of the seven colors directly from Lima.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Rainbow Mountain Tour
We hope we have solved most of your doubts about the excursion to the Rainbow Mountain in Peru, but here are answers to the most frequently asked questions about it:
How long does it take to walk to the Rainbow Mountain?
You need to walk between 90 minutes and 2 hours to reach the highest point. The way back will take you a little less, since it is downhill.
How difficult is it to climb the Mountain of 7 colors?
The route is not very long, but you should keep in mind that it is a high-altitude trail with a very steep part. It is necessary to be moderately accustomed to walking and it is advisable to have acclimatized to the altitude for a few days.
How much does the entrance to the Mountain of 7 colors cost?
The entrance to the Mountain of 7 Colors costs 25 soles for foreigners and 15 for Peruvian nationals. To this cost you will have to add the cost of the excursion, which ranges between 60 and 120 soles, depending on what is included and the service.
How to get to the Mountain of 7 colors?
The most comfortable thing is to do it on an excursion from Cusco. They will take you directly to the trailhead and bring you back.
How long is it from Cusco to the Rainbow Mountain?
The journey by transport takes approximately 3 hours in each direction. The walk lasts between 2 and 3 hours, depending on your physical condition.
How to get to the Mountain of 7 colors without a tour?
You can take a bus from Cusco to Cusipata (about 2 hours) and then look for transportation to where the trekking to the Mountain of 7 Colors begins (about 90 minutes).
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