Duration 1 day
Difficulty short hike; steep ascent
Max altitude more than 5,000 m a.s.l.
Distance 6–8 km approx. (Cusipata route)
Vinicunca mountain, known as Rainbow Mountain, the colorful mountain, or rainbow mountain, is a magical place surrounded by snow peaks, camelids, birds, rivers, and Andean communities. Today it has become the most visited natural wonder in Peru.
Rainbow Mountain is a site you should visit during your stay in Cusco. This incredible hike is organized for travelers who are well acclimatized to the altitude and who can walk for 4 hours. The ascent to the mountain takes around 2 hours and is a fairly steep climb that ends at an altitude of more than 5,000 meters. Distance: approx. 6 km (we go via Cusipata, which is a shorter route).
We will pick you up from your hotel between 4:00 and 4:30 a.m. to begin our 3-hour journey toward the foothills of Ausangate snow peak. Once we arrive at our destination, we have a box breakfast and, after a brief talk with the group, we begin our hike. It will take us about 2 hours to reach the most beautiful point, where we will have time to take photos of this enigmatic place.
During the hike up and down the mountain we will have the opportunity to see varieties of South American camelids and the impressive Andean mountains highlighted by Ausangate snow peak. We will have a brief gathering at the summit to hear about the Colorful Mountain and its surroundings, and then time to enjoy the beautiful landscape that makes up this sacred land.
Next we begin the descent of the mountain, which should take around 2 hours. There will be options to go up or down on horseback if the climb becomes too difficult. We regroup at the base and then head to a small town to enjoy a delicious Peruvian-inspired buffet lunch. After this fantastic meal we drive back to Cusco, ending the tour approximately at 4:30 p.m., very near Plaza de Armas.
The total approximate distance is 8 km (round trip) and the ascent takes about 2.5 hours at a normal pace.
Yes, you can rent horses and dirt bikes for the ascent if you wish. The approximate cost is 90 soles and the horses cover about 90% of the climb; the final meters must be done on foot.
It is a short hike: even without experience it is possible to complete the ascent without much difficulty.
