RAINBOW MOUNTAIN | How to Get There, When to Go, How to Visit and Prices. Useful Information
- World Mappers
- Oct 15, 2023
- 5 min read
Updated: Apr 3, 2024
RAINBOW MOUNTAIN in PERU
Practical information to best organize your trip to this destination with details on when to go, necessary documents, how to get around and much more
SHORT HISTORY of the RAINBOW MOUNTAIN
(Montaña de Siete Colores or Rainbow Mountain)
Peru's Rainbow Mountain is actually called "Vinicunca" (in Quechua, Peru's native language Willkacunca) and is one of the most famous attractions. Due to climate changes and therefore the melting of glaciers, it turned out to be multicolored and seems to have been painted by some ancient civilization. To tell the truth, these are not colored pigments but debris and minerals which, over the long millennia, have been deposited on this mountain and fused to the rock.
WHERE the RAINBOW MOUNTAIN is LOCATED
Rainbow Mountain is located southeast of the city of Cusco, between the provinces of Quispicanchi and Canchis, in the Cusco region.
WHEN to VISIT the RAINBOW MOUNTAIN
The best time to visit it is during the dry season, i.e. from May to September/October, for safety reasons as, being at over 5000 meters above sea level, during the rainy season it is inevitable to encounter snow.
Map By Salkantay Trekking
WHY is the RAINBOW MOUNTAIN COLORFUL?
The colors that give Vinicunca its surprising appearance are due to the different minerals that reside within the earth of the colored mountain, and which during the geological eras have been deposited and overlapped with each other. The wonderful colors are iron (red), manganese (pink), sulfur (yellow) and calcium carbonate (white). But the "strangest" colors to see on a mountain, i.e. green and blue, are caused by copper and its oxidation. Brown and black are then given by magnesium mixed with various rocks and by granite.
HOW MUCH DOES IT COST to go to the RAINBOW MOUNTAIN
To make an excursion to the colorful mountain of Peru you usually purchase a tour in one of the many agencies in the city of Cusco. The price, which is between € 30 and € 40, includes: transport, breakfast, lunch and guide.
HOW to VISIT the RAINBOW MOUNTAIN
Along the route there are short steep climbs but also long almost flat stretches. The only problem with this trek is not the difficulty of the route but rather the lack of oxygen and a normal consequent fatigue due to the altitude. If you don't feel like trekking on foot - it usually takes from a minimum of 1 hour and a half to a maximum of 3 hours, depending on your physical fitness - you can choose to climb with the help of a horse (about 60 Soles = €15 one way).
CITIES TO VISIT near the RAINBOW MOUNTAIN
In addition to visiting Rainbow Mountain we recommend visiting these splendid towns:
Cusco
Cusco is the historical capital of Peru and represents the initial seat of power of the Inca Empire. In 1983 it was declared a world heritage site by UNESCO and it is really worth visiting given its immense riches.
Arequipa
Arequipa, known as the 'Peruvian white city' is the second most inhabited city in Peru and is one of the most visited cities in all of Peru as its characteristic is that of being surrounded by three picturesque volcanoes and is located in the coastal region south of Village. It is characterized by the presence of multiple baroque buildings built in sillar, a white volcanic stone. Arequipa incorporates a rich mix of indigenous and colonial Spanish cultures and was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2000.
WHERE TO EAT near the RAINBOW MOUNTAIN
BEST TYPICAL RESTAURANTS near the RAINBOW MOUNTAIN in PERU Quality/Price
Vinicunca - €€ - Vinicunca Restaurant Turistico
Cusco - €€€ - Sepia Cusco
Cusco - €€€ - El Bajao
Cusco - €€€ - Mar y Fuego
Cusco - €€ - Nuna Raymi
Cusco - €€ - Tacomaniacuzco (Mexican Restaurant)
TRAVEL TIPS for VISITING the RAINBOW MOUNTAINS in PERU by World Mappers
Could the high altitude cause problems? Yes, especially in the first days of your stay. Weakness, fatigue, headache, slight nausea and tachycardia may be the first symptoms in Peru. But don't worry, it's all normal, these are usually mild symptoms that disappear in a couple of days. To prevent this it is good to avoid smoking, alcohol, strenuous walks and above all avoid eating a lot but it is good to drink plenty of liquids, since the dry and windy climate can create small dehydration problems. But trust me, it's really worth it!
There are health and hygiene rules: never drink water from the taps, only consume bottled water, making sure it is well sealed. Avoid milk and its derivatives as long as they have not been pasteurized first. Peeling fruit is always the best safe alternative.
CHEAP CAR RENTAL in PERU
To travel around Peru you need a rental car. We have chosen to rely on DiscoverCars.com, the best car rental website where you can search, compare and save up to 70%, a real bargain right? They will help you choose the perfect car for your next trip, without having surprises of car delivery surcharges, and where it suits you best. Then just download their App to manage your booking wherever you are.
TRAVEL INSURANCE for PERU
Before any trip it is good to take out insurance to cover any inconveniences that could ruin the experience. We always rely on HeyMondo which allows you to choose the right insurance for every need. We recommend that you always protect yourself with health insurance and coverage for any cancellations, delays and, if you use them, for theft or breakage of electronic equipment. Medical treatment in Peru can be very expensive. Health insurance in this country is not mandatory by law but is strongly recommended; without it, even a routine visit can make you shell out staggering amounts.
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INTERNET & PHONE CALL in PERU - eSIM CARD
How many times do we go abroad and the first thing we do is call home to say we have arrived. How often are we in a city on vacation and we need to find a place to eat using Google Maps or the internet. How many times do we need to send messages and photos on WhatsApp without spending a salary.
Tired of spending millions when abroad calling or using the internet?
Here is the SOLUTION we use: Holafly, a new technology with eSIM. Order your eSIM on the website and within minutes you will receive an email with a QR code. Just scan it and you'll be connected to the internet right away. You save time, stress and above all do something good for the environment by not having a physical SIM. If you are in a hurry and have to leave tomorrow and have not thought about the internet problem, you can solve it very quickly with this eSIM, and there is no problem that you could accidentally lose it or damage it while traveling. Most importantly, with the eSIM you don't have to change or remove your regular SIM card, you can leave it in the phone and use the eSIM instead of the physical one.
Don't waste time and above all don't spend millions, activate your Holafly eSim.
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Holafly also offers data plans with unlimited data to many of the main destinations in the world: for example USA, Indonesia, Europe, Mexico, Thailand and many more.
This is a "new" technology and not all devices are compatible with it, but you can check which phones are already compatible with the eSIM at this link: https://esim.holafly.com/how-to/esim-phones.
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