RAINBOW MOUNTAIN
Located in the Peruvian Andes, Rainbow Mountain was only discovered in 2015, when the layers of snow and ice began to melt off the mountain revealing the many colours of this new natural wonder. This colouration is caused by weathering and mineral deposits. Today it is the second most visited attraction in Peru. With an altitude of 5,200 metres it is about a 3.5 hour drive from Cusco.
The best way to visit Rainbow Mountain is by taking a day tour from Cusco, as public transport is virtually non-existent making it almost impossible to do independently. We chose to go with the recommended Rainbow Mountain Travels and were really happy with our choice. One of our key reasons for choosing them was they guaranteed to be one of the first at Rainbow Mountain, which allowed us to beat the crowds!
We were picked up from our accommodation at around 3-3:30am and began our drive up into the Andes. After a couple of hours we stopped as the sun was coming up, in the town of Cusipata for some breakfast. This was a good opportunity to sip some coca leaf tea which allegedly helps reduce altitude sickness. Once we had eaten it was a further 1 hour drive up the mountain until we reached the starting point of the hike.
When this attraction first opened it required about 15km of round-trip hiking, however with this new road having been built the hike is now only about 7km. The path we hiked was only about 1 year old at the time of our visit.
Depending on your fitness level and how affected you are by the altitude the hike generally takes 40-60 minutes each way. It begins relatively flat with only the last 20 minutes or so getting quite steep.
If hiking isn’t for you there is also the option to pay an additional 90PEN ($25USD) for a horse ride, though you will still be required to hike the last and steepest part yourself.
I chose to do it all by foot and loved having the chance to stop and photograph the locals, dressed in traditional clothing with gumboots, and to stop and see the llamas and alpacas that roamed the mountainside.
There are a couple small stands set up selling remedies for altitude sickness and basic snacks along the way.
The hardest part is done once you arrive at the base of Rainbow Mountain, also called Vinicunca. Here there is a local man with a table who will stamp your passport for 2PEN. Visitors cannot climb on the actual mountain, however make your way up Winikunka Mountain for those iconic views. In Quechua the name “Wini” means black rocks and “Cunca” means neck as in the shape of the mountain.
Some tour companies will also give you the option to add on a trek through the Red Valley for around 20PEN ($5.50USD). The valley is located about a 30 minute walk from Rainbow Mountain and involves a steeper climb. The rich red tones of the valley are caused by iron and clay.
Top Tips
Visit in the dry season between May to October. During the wet season, November to April, and the cooler months there can be snow on the mountain. We visited in November and had friends go on days either side of us only to find it was completely white with snow. The day we chose to visit we were very lucky to have clear blue skies and the snow had mostly melted. From December to February the area receives its highest amount of rainfall and visibility can be greatly affected. Aside from the visibility the rainfall can also make the trek quite slippery and dangerous.
Dress for all weather. We experienced both the warm sun and relentless icy winds while on the trek. I suggest wearing layers and be sure to pack a windbreaker or rain jacket for at the top. If you have hiking boots these would for sure prove useful, though it can be done with a paid of good running shoes.
Be prepared for the altitude. It’s a good idea to give yourself a couple days to acclimatize in Cusco before venturing to Rainbow Mountain. At 5,200 meters above sea level the altitude can be really noticeable. Take advantage of the coca leaf tea which can help relieve symptoms and pack some coca leaves or lollies as well as some agua de florida which I found the most effective.
Although there are a couple small stalls selling drinks and snacks, these are very limited and often overpriced due to convenience. Be sure to pack plenty of water and bring your own toilet paper. I have come across some gnarly bathrooms in my travels and these rated as pretty bad. As to be expected there is no toilet paper provided so if it isn’t already a staple item in your backpack while in South America I would recommend packing it.
Take your passport! You must show your passport at certain checkpoints to enter the national park. If you love collecting passport stamps as much as I do you’ll be please to know that once you arrive at the mountain you can get your passport stamped for a small fee of 2PEN ($0.55USD).
