Vinicunca — the Rainbow Mountains — has gone from unknown to one of Peru’s most-visited sites in under a decade, after glacial retreat exposed the striped ridge around 2015. The reds, yellows, greens and lavenders are iron oxide, copper, iron sulphide and other mineral stains in sedimentary rock, laid down over tens of millions of years.
Day trips from Cusco involve a 3am start, a three-hour drive, and a 3 km one-way walk from the trailhead at 4,800 m to the viewpoint at 5,036 m. The distance is modest; the altitude is what makes it hard. Horses are available on the steeper sections for around 100 soles.
Peruways runs the trip with transport, breakfast, acclimatisation briefing and a guide who can take you to Red Valley (a short detour from the main ridge, worth the extra hour) and talk through the geology and Quechua context.
Give yourself at least two full days in Cusco before attempting the hike. Book through Peruways and aim for the dry season between May and September, when the colours are sharpest and the trail isn’t a mudslide.
