Vinicunca Rainbow Mountain: A Visual Spectacle in the Peruvian Andes

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Cusco

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The visual spectacle offered by this site has attracted numerous travelers since 2016.

Duration: 14 hours, 30 minutes

Cancellation: 1 day learn more

Highlights

Vinicunca Mountain - DAILY DEPARTURES: 4:00 am to 4:30 pm\nDURATION: One day\nHOME: Cusco\nPLACE TO VISIT: Cusipata - vinincunca\nFINISH: Cusco\nPHYSICAL STATE: level 3\nALTITUDE: 5100 m.s.n.m\nCATEGORY: Natural\nBEST TIME TO VISIT: May-Nov\n\nRECOMMENDATION: We recommend being at least 2 days in Cusco for acclimatization purposes. Remember that, although the walk is about 2 hours one way and 2 hours back if you are not well acclimatized you may have difficulties during the journey.\n\nBECAUSE THE COLORS OF THE MOUNTAIN\n\nThis program starts very early with the departure from Cusco.\nOur mobility will pick us up at the hotel according to the scheduled time and then we will go to the district of Cusi pata which is at a distance of approximately 77 kilometers. By bus for 2 hours our breakfast will be in the community of Cusi pata for a time of 30 minutes and then continue for approximately 1 hour in our mobility to the community of PHULAWASIPATA. From this point we will start our trek to the 7 Color Mountain - Vinicunca, the road will take us about 1 hour with 45 minutes to 2 hours of ascent until 5,100 meters.\nAlready at the top our Guiad for a brief information of this beautiful natural formation.\nAccording to some geologists of the Geological Society of Peru, the Vinicunca mountain, like many other mountains in the great Andes Mountains, was formed by the movement of the tectonic plates that raised the marine sediments to become impressive mountains.\n\nOn the other hand, the color presented by Vinicunca is the result of the oxidation of some minerals due to erosion, humidity and other geological factors.\n\nAt some point in our history, the mountain was covered with blocks of ice: it was snowy. However, due to global warming and climate change, the ice disappeared and left in place this magical landscape that demonstrates the beauty and ecological fragility of planet Earth.\n\nThe coloring of the 7-color hill, according to the studies of the Deconcentrated Directorate of Culture of Cusco, is due to the following mineralogical composition:\n\nThe pink color is the red clay, fangolites (mud) and arilites (sand).\nThe Blanquecino is by quartz sandstone and marls, rich in calcium carbonate.\nRed is composed of clays (iron) and clays belonging to the upper tertiary.\nThe green is due to the compound of phyllites and clays rich in magnesium ferro.\nThe earthy brown is a product of fanglomerate composed of rock with magnesium belonging to the Quaternary era.\nAnd the mustard yellow color is due to the presence of calcareous sandstones rich in sulphured minerals.\nAlong the way we will be able to appreciate some South American camelids, settlers with their typical costumes and the change in the coloration of the mountains until we reach Vinicunca where we can enjoy the landscape of the entire Vilcanota mountain chain.\nAfter receiving our information and time to visit the mountain and take our photos we will take the same way back to our mobility and later return for 1 hour to the CUSIPATA district of PAUCARPATA community to have our lunch in our restaurant. 2:00 pm to We will have lunch. 2:00 pm We begin the return to the city of Cusco. 4:30 pm to 5:00 pm arrival at the square

What's Included

Income to the Mountain of Colors
Blankets and ecological canes
Professional guide in 2 languages English and Spanish
1 Breakfast / 1 Buffet lunch
Round trip tourist transportation
Pick up from the Hotel within the City

What's Not Included

Horse / extra drinks

Location

Plaza Kusipata

Pileta de la Plaza regocijo only if your pick-up was not confirmed from the Hotel.

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings

4.9

(39 Ratings)

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1 star

Ana_luisa_perdigao

Jul 25, 2024

Excellent. Super recommend - The company is serious and very good. They are punctual, take you in great vans, very tasty food too and the Guide was excellent. I thank the seller Alexia for all the promptness and for indicating me this tour. Super recommend!