RAINBOW MOUNTAIN | Winikunka / Vinicunca / Montaña de Siete Colores | Amazing Hikes Near Cusco, Peru

Rainbow Mountain also known as Winikunka or Vinicunca or Montaña de Siete Colores is located in the Pitumarca District of the Cusco Region, Peru. It is among the most colorful mountains in the world due to the seven-color stripes on its summit.

The trailhead is located at the foot of the Ausangate mountain range which is a three-hour drive from the city of Cusco. The hike itself is straightforward, but I advise to be prepared with the elevation as there are many who experience altitude sickness during the hike.

This hike offers stunning views of the Ausangate Mountain range which has diverse geological features such as hanging glacier and glacial valleys, Permian formations with red, ochre, turquoise colors, the Andean uplift made of granite, and the Cretaceous limestone forests. This region is also inhabited by herds of llama and alpaca.

The highlight of this hike is no doubt the Rainbow Mountain itself which showcases seven colors visible from the summit. The colors are attributed to various mineral deposits such as copper, iron, hematite and sulfur, among others. These minerals were buried underneath thick layers of snow for many years. Around 40 years ago, rising temperatures caused snow to melt revealing a completely new landscape.

To enjoy this adventure, joining a tour is more convenient as it includes drop-off and pick-up from your hotel in Cusco, breakfast and lunch.
More details and if you consider booking on this link:
https://www.viator.com/tours/Cusco/Pa...


Statistics:
Distance: 7 km round trip
Highest Point: 5,036 meters
Rating: Moderate to Difficult

Music:
Springtime by Vlad Gluschenko |   / vgl9  
Music promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.com
Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License
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One Piece Of Summer by Keys of Moon |   / keysofmoon  
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Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)
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Photo and Video credits to J. Chan

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Disclaimer:
I am not a hiking advisor / professional. Please always do your due diligence in planning and research of the weather, avalanche warnings, trail risks, knowledge and preparedness in doing any hike.

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