DESCRIPTIONS
WHY YOU SHOULD VISIT RAINBOW MOUNTAIN CUSCO?
Rainbow mountain Cusco is an incredible tour where you can see the wonderful geography, flora, fauna of the site, we invite you to travel with X TRAVEL PERU.
WHAT DOES WINICUNCA OR VINICUNCA MEAN?
Vinicunca or Winincunca comes from two Quechua words, Wini: colorful and Cunca: Neck or Step. Certainly, when arriving at this point of the mountain of colors it opens as a step to continue towards the low valleys, and around the incredible landscape is observed, in addition to the inhabitants who use these same colors in their clothes or typical costumes.
What vegetation will you find in the rainbow mountain Cusco?
The area where the Mountain of 7 Colors is located, belongs to the Puna and Glacier Ecoregion.
- Rather, throughout the tour, we will see the Ichu (Stipa Ichu), which serves as food for smaller and larger animals.
- Plant of vital importance such as the Queuña (polylepis incana) the only tree that grows up to 4,200 meters above sea level.
- Cactus like Austrocyl Floccosa.
- Also, the Yareta (azorella compacta)
- However, native potatoes are grown in this area, the only domestic plant in the area.
What animals can we appreciate on the tour to the rainbow mountain Cusco?
The mountain of colors is not alien to the great diversity of animals, here we can observe some species highly appreciated and admired by man.
- First, the Llama, the sheep, and the Alpacas are domesticated species, which during the tour we will observe thousands of them grazing.
- Second, the Vicuña, one of the South American camelids that live in the wild, very beautiful and delicate, it can be seen frequently in the red mountains and the red valley.
- The Condor, the largest bird that flies, if we are lucky, we can observe flying in the mountains and colors.
- La Vizcacha, we can often observe them when the rocks are there since these animals walk without making noise.
- Likewise, we will be able to appreciate in the area, the Andean fox, the Puma, the Andean Guinea Pig, gray deer, skunk and other animals.
Why do the mountain 7 colors have those colors?
The incredible resemblance to the rainbow that the mountain 7 colors have is due to the complex geological history of marine, river and lake sediments. Also due to the oxidation of its minerals produced by the humidity of the area and erosion, this mountain obtains striking colors such as fuchsia, red, yellow, and gold.
- First, the red color observed in the mountain is due to the presence of iron ore in the oxidation state.
- The yellow color is also due to iron compounded with clay or calcareous sandstone with sulfur.
- The green and blue colors are due to the presence of the copper mineral also in the oxidation process, which is why the difference in shades.
- However, the dark gray part is the presence of basalt rock in a state of decomposition to become sandstone.
- In this way, by analyzing the combinations of colors, we can describe the presence of more than 12 shades taking into account the climate and time factors.
OVERVIEW
RAINBOW MOUNTAIN – CUSCO 1 DAY
In the morning between 4 and 4:40 a.m., the tour guide stops by your hotel to pick you up. Then, you get on our vehicle that takes you to the town of Cusipata. There, a delicious buffet breakfast is served (vegetarian option on request). After breakfast, we continue about 40 more minutes to the hike control point at Llaqtoc (4,850 m / 15,912 ft). In this way, you prepare to start walking.
The route takes us around 1:30 h to reach Viñicunca (Rainbow Mountain Cusco) at 5,020 m.s.n.m. On the way, we will be able to observe a multitude of llamas and alpacas. These animals provide the warm fiber that they process into colorful outfits. Also, we traverse impressive gorges that lead to the highest parts while surrounded by snow-capped peaks (for example Ausangate at 6,385m / 20,948ft). For this reason. More importantly, a variety of colors of Rainbow Mountain (5,020 m / 16,466 ft).
We reached the mountain between 10 and 10:30 am. The Guide explains here about its orography, ecosystem, and causes of its colors. It also takes you to a viewpoint to take the most beautiful photographs of the mountain of 7 colors and see wonderful landscapes of more than 5,000 meters high. After that, we start our hike back passing El Mirador del Valle Rojo (Mirador del Valle Rojo) overlooking the valley and the Red Mountains. Finally, we visit another Viñicunca viewpoint that will allow you to take more photos.
In the end, we return to Llaqtoc where our vehicle awaits us. Before we get on, we enjoy a buffet lunch. Then return to the city of Cusco arriving at approx. 5 pm. The Rainbow Mountain – Cusco – Short Trail trek ends with your transportation back to your hotel in Cusco.
ALTITUDE
Maximum altitude: 5,036 metres / 16522.31 feet
Minimum altitude: 3,310 metres / 10859.58 feet
Duration of the trek: Around 3 hours
Trekking distance: 6 km / 0.932057 miles
Difficulty: Moderate to challenging
Weather: Cold – rain
ITINERARY
RAINBOW MOUNTAIN – CUSCO 1 DAY
- 4 – 4:40 am – pick-up from your hotel in Cusco.
- Transport by private vehicle to the village of Cusipata.
- At approximately 7 am – buffet breakfast in Cusipata.
- 8:20 am (approx.) – arrival to the checkpoint of the trek at Llaqtoc.
- Short briefing and offering to the mountains.
- Hike (around 1 and half an hour) observing the snowy peak of Wiñay Ritty (Forever Young) till we get to the Rainbow Mountain (Viñicunca in Quechua native language) measuring 5,036 m.a.s.l.
- Return trek passing a viewpoint overlooking the Red Valley (Valle Rojo) and the Red Mountains.
- Stopping at another viewpoint of Viñicunca to take more photos.
- Arrival to Llaqtoc.
- Buffet lunch.
- Transport by private vehicle back to Cusco.
- 5 pm approx. – arrival to the city of Cusco.
- Transfer to your hotel.
- End of the Rainbow Mountain – Peru – Short Way trek.
INCLUDED
WHAT IS INCLUDED IN THE RAINBOW MOUNTAIN CUSCO:
- Pick-up from your hotel in Cusco.
- A professional English-speaking Tour Guide.
- Guide Assistant (for groups of over 10 participants).
- A professional Cook experienced in preparing healthy food.
- Private transport to the trailhead and back to Cusco.
- Meals: 1x buffet breakfast, 1x buffet lunch, hot beverages during main meals, snack (cereals and fruits) – a vegetarian option available upon request.
- First aid kit and a bottle of oxygen.
- Two-way radio.
- Blankets and walking sticks.
NOT INCLUDED
NOT INCLUDES IN THE RAINBOW MOUNTAIN CUSCO:
- Entrance ticket to the Rainbow Mountain (Soles 10).
- Entrance to the Red Valley (Soles 10).
- An extra horse in case of emergency or to carry personal belongings (USD 28 extra).
- Dinner.
- Beverages (apart of breakfast and lunch).
- Tips to local staff.
- Pocket money in Soles.
- Accommodation in Cusco.
- Any flight.
- Travel insurance.
WHAT TO BRING
WHAT TO BRING WITH YOU FOR THE RAINBOW MOUNTAIN TOUR CUSCO?
- Necessary stuff for a 1-day trek (We recommend a backpack of up to 5 kg of your belongings some of which might be carried by an extra horse.);
- Personal identification document (a copy of ID/Passport);
- Personal medicines (if applicable);
- Small backpack;
- Warm clothes such as a jacket, sweaters, long trousers;
- Rainy coat or poncho (especially, from November to April);
- Trekking shoes;
- Camera;
- Extra batteries and/or power bank (there is no electricity on the trek);
- A peak/hat;
- Sun glasses;
- Sun protection cream;
- Towel;
- Water purification tablets (optional);
- Pocket money in Soles (in any case of emergency or to buy some souvenirs).
MAP
PRICE
The price depends on the number of participants, travel dates and other preferences. Please inquire about a personalized price.