Rainbow Mountain Peru: altitude, difficulty and what the hike is like

Rainbow Mountain, or Vinicunca, sits at 5,036 meters (16,522 ft), about 3 hours from Cusco. You get there on foot: 1.5 to 2 hours uphill from 4,600 meters. It is not technical or dangerous, but the altitude makes it demanding. The good news is that almost anyone who is acclimatized and patient makes it to the top, and what waits there is one of the strangest landscapes on Earth: a slope striped in red, gold, turquoise and lavender, facing snow-capped Ausangate.

Here is what the photos don't tell you: how hard it really is, when the colors look best and when Palccoyo is the smarter choice.

Where it is and how high it is

Rainbow Mountain is in the Vilcanota range, southeast of Cusco, between the districts of Cusipata and Pitumarca. From the city it is about a 3-hour drive to the trailhead.

• Viewpoint altitude: 5,036 meters above sea level.
• Trailhead: about 4,600 meters.
• For comparison: Cusco is at 3,399 meters and Machu Picchu at 2,430. Here you climb to more than twice the height of Machu Picchu.
• Other names: Vinicunca, Winikunka, Montaña de 7 Colores or Montaña Arcoíris. They are all the same place.

Across from the viewpoint rises Ausangate, one of the highest and most sacred peaks in the region, which completes the view.

Why it has seven colors

It isn't paint or a filter: it's geology. Over millions of years, layers of sediment with different minerals settled on top of each other, and the rise of the Andes lifted and tilted them like the pages of a book. Broadly speaking, according to geologists, each stripe matches a type of mineral:

• Red and pink: clays with iron oxide.
• Yellow and gold: sandstones with iron and sulfur minerals.
• Green and turquoise: clays rich in magnesium and copper.
• White: quartz sandstone and limestone.
• Lavender and brown: mixes of clay, iron and manganese.

For a long time the slope was covered in snow and ice. Once it was exposed, the mountain went from a herders' pass to one of the most photographed places in Peru. National Geographic's Viajes magazine listed it among the six most spectacular colored mountains in the world.

The colors change with the light: in sunshine they glow; under clouds they look muted. That is why the day's weather matters as much as the hike.

What the hike is like: timing and difficulty

The day starts very early in Cusco. After the drive and breakfast on the way, the hike goes like this:

1. The climb: 1.5 to 2 hours on a wide, well-marked trail, gentle at first.
2. The final stretch: the last 15 to 20 minutes are the steepest. Everyone goes slowly here; stopping every few steps is normal.
3. At the viewpoint: time for photos, a rest and the view of Ausangate.
4. The way down: along the same trail, and much quicker.

The difficulty isn't the path, it's the air: at 5,000 meters there is far less oxygen than at sea level and your body feels it. If you walk slowly, drink water and arrive acclimatized, you make it. If it gets tough, there are horses for hire that take you to just below the viewpoint; the last stretch is on foot.

To understand what happens in your body and how to prevent it, see altitude sickness in Cusco.

Vinicunca or Palccoyo? Which one suits you

Palccoyo (also spelled Palcoyo) is Cusco's other rainbow mountain, in the same range. They aren't rivals: they are different experiences.

Vinicunca, the classic Rainbow Mountain

• The famous postcard: a single slope with the boldest stripes.
• A 1.5 to 2 hour climb, demanding because of the altitude.
• A direct view of snow-capped Ausangate.
• It gets a lot of visitors; the earlier you arrive, the fewer people you find.

Palccoyo, the quiet alternative

• Three colored mountains on one walk, plus a stone forest.
• A short, almost flat walk of under an hour, at around 4,900 meters.
• Far fewer people.
• The stripes are less intense than at Vinicunca and the drive is a little longer.

In short: if you want the iconic image and feel up to the hike, choose Vinicunca. If you are traveling with older relatives, have little time to acclimatize or would rather skip the effort, choose Palccoyo. At Inka Planet Adventure we run the Rainbow Mountain (Vinicunca) tour, the one most travelers come looking for.

When to go and what to bring

• Best time: April to October, the dry season, with clear skies and a firm trail. May, June and September usually bring the best days.
• Rainy season (November to March): you can still go, but expect mud, and the summit may wake up under snow or mist that hides the colors.
• Time of day: always early. Morning light is better and there are fewer people.

It is cold at the top even in sunshine, and the wind is strong. The essentials:

• Layers: thermal base, fleece and a windproof jacket.
• Hat, gloves and a buff for your face.
• Hiking shoes with good grip.
• Sunglasses and high-SPF sunscreen.
• Water, a snack and cash in soles for a horse or the restroom.

Season-by-season clothing is covered in what to wear in Cusco and Machu Picchu. And if you want to add another high-altitude landscape, Humantay Lake is the natural companion to this tour: both are included in our Classic Cusco 5D/4N.

Frequently asked questions

How high is Rainbow Mountain in Peru?

The viewpoint is 5,036 meters (16,522 feet) above sea level and the hike starts at around 4,600 meters. That is much higher than Cusco (3,399 m).

Where is Rainbow Mountain?

In the Cusco region of Peru, in the Vilcanota range, between the districts of Cusipata and Pitumarca. It is about 3 hours by road southeast of the city of Cusco.

How hard is the Rainbow Mountain hike?

The trail is wide and not technical; the challenge is the altitude. With at least two days of acclimatization in Cusco and a slow pace, most people make it. Horses can be hired for most of the climb.

How long is the hike?

Between 1.5 and 2 hours up and a little less coming down. With the drive from Cusco, breakfast and lunch, it is a full-day trip.

Are Vinicunca and Rainbow Mountain the same place?

Yes. Vinicunca is its original Quechua name; Rainbow Mountain, Montaña de 7 Colores and Montaña Arcoíris are the names it became known by.

Can children or older adults do it?

It depends on their fitness and acclimatization. Because of the extreme altitude we don't recommend it for young children or for people with heart or breathing problems. If in doubt, ask your doctor and consider Palccoyo, which is far less demanding.

At Inka Planet Adventure we climb Rainbow Mountain every week. If you'd like to go with breakfast, lunch, poles, oxygen and someone setting the right pace, we'll take you.