Vinicunca — the Rainbow Mountain — sits at 5,200m in the Peruvian Andes, about three hours’ drive southeast of Cusco. The red, pink, green, and gold striping is weathered iron oxide and other mineral deposits in sedimentary layers that were tilted vertical by Andean uplift.
Vinicunca was only “discovered” by tourism around 2015, when a glacier that had covered the ridge melted back. Before that, it was a backcountry pass used by local herders.
The hike from the trailhead is around 6 km round trip but at altitude — the top is higher than any mountain in Western Europe. Most people take it slow and allow 3–4 hours. Horse rentals are available at the trailhead if the altitude is too much.
Peruways runs day trips from Cusco: pickup around 3am, breakfast en route, hike, lunch, back to Cusco by evening. Acclimatise in Cusco for at least two days first.
Book at Peruways.
