Visit the Rainbow Mountains
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When you think of a trip through Peru, most people think about Machu Picchu and the impressive Inca empire. However, southeast of Cusco, deep in the Andes, you will find the Rainbow Mountains (Vinicunca), with colors like a rainbow. This spectacular mountain might steal your heart forever, and the view from the top will take your breath away. Not only because it is extremely beautiful, but also because you have to climb to 5,035 meters (16,519 ft) for this view.
Until a few years ago, the Rainbow Mountain was almost always covered with snow or ice, requiring a six-day hike to reach it. Unfortunately, due to global warming, it is now almost always visible.
Rainbow Mountain is a strangely colored mountain with various hues, such as red, yellow, and green stripes that seem painted onto the landscape. These colors result from copper, iron, and malachite in the soil. It is one of the most popular destinations on Instagram and Facebook. The Peruvian name means Montaña de los 7 Colores, or the "Mountain of 7 Colors." This special mountain has quickly grown to attract almost 1,500 visitors per day, making it one of the biggest tourist attractions in Peru.
A trek to a height of 5,035 meters is quite tough. The weather can change constantly, and together with the high altitude, a visit can be challenging even for experienced hikers. The thin air can cause shortness of breath, altitude sickness, and severe headaches. Therefore, you can choose to rent a horse for the day, which costs around 20 US dollars. Many friends and couples share a horse with each other. Along the way, keep your eyes open for alpacas and wild vicuñas that are often seen here.
Despite the influx of tourism, the locals still wear traditional clothing, and many remain cattle farmers. The beauty of the mountains is matched by the charm of the people, making you fall in love with both the landscape and its inhabitants.
How to get there
Rainbow Mountain is easy to visit as a
day trip from Cusco. When you visit Cusco you will find many options and offers. Of course they all claim to be better
and cheaper than the others. Depending on whether or not you eat, you
pay around 90 sol for going to the Rainbow Mountain, which comes to around 27 us
dollar for a full-day program.
Where to stay
If you will start the tour from Cuzco and you have some budget you might want to stay at Inkaterra La Casona. A beyond amazing hotel with many sustainable practices.
The hotel is located in a quiet and discrete plaza just a few steps from the main Plaza Mayor. You can enjoy the tranquility that one feels inside the hotel despite the proximity to a very busy main square. Staffs are super friendly and the property is just pure magic. On booking.com this hotel gets an average rating of 9.6.
Best time to visit
The best time to plan your hiking
adventure depends on what you prefer. If you are looking for lush,
green landscapes in Peru then leave in May. The wet season will be over,
allowing you to enjoy the spectacular views even more. The dry season
of Peru starts in May and lasts until September which is also the
high season. If you do the tour (hike) to Rainbow Mountain from May to November, the weather at night will be freezing, below 0 degrees celsius. (32 º F). From December to April it will be even colder and it will feel like – 5 or -10 degrees Celsius (41 ºF – 50 ºF), in these months the weather changes a lot, some days you will have snow and some days it rains with thunder and lightning. Click here for more climate details.