See a Mountain of Seven Colours Located in Peru

Do you know that there is a mountain of seven colours located in the South American country called Peru? It is called Rainbow Mountain or Vinicunca. In the local Quechua language of the Peruvian Andes, Rainbow Mountain is called Vinicunca. This name is composed of the words “wini” and “kunca”, of which wini b represents the black stones that covers the area, and kunca meaning the area of the mountain that resembles a necklace. Let me tell more about this Rainbow Mountain below.

EVENTS Feb 26, 2024 0 467 Add to Reading List

See a Mountain of Seven Colours Located in Peru

It’s true, rainbow mountains exist! In fact, there are four around the world that you can explore, hike and of course, take stunning photos of for your instagram. These mountains are vibrant, colourful rock and sand formations created from a combination of tectonic plate movement, layered sediment and erosion. Now lets talks about the one located in peru, the Vinicunca!

Vinicunca (Rainbow mountain), also called Montana de Siete Colores is a mountain in the Andes of Peru with an altitude of 5,200 metres above sea level. The mountain can be said to have been formed some 20 million years ago. The Vinicunca was shaped by thick multihued bands of mineral deposits, which through the ages have coloured and compacted the sandstone rock strata.

The mountain is famous for displaying a colourful rainbow like pattern, hence the name. it is the fastest-growing tourist attraction in Peru followed by Huacachina Desert Oasis. The mountain is made up of 14 different colourful minerals.

Exact Location of Vinicunca

Some of you may be wondering where exactly in Peru is this Rainbow Mountain located? Well, for clarity sake, Vinicunca is located to the southeast of the city of Cusco and can be reached from Cusco via two routes: Cusipata or Pitumarca. One route is through the Peruvian Sierra del Sur (PE-3s) in the direction of the town of Checacupe, and further to the town of Pitumarca, which is around two hours from the city of Cusco.

Like I mention earlier, the altitude of the mountain is around 5200 meters or over 15,600 feet, so time for acclimatizing to the high altitude may be necessary during the trek up to the summit.

Rainbow Mountain History

Rainbow Mountain remained hidden under glaciers and snow for many years, limiting its visibility and knowledge. However, Vinicunca has emerged as a renowned international attraction recently.

In 2015, this natural gem of the rainbow mountains in Peru revealed itself to the world, shedding its old white cloak little by little due to the impact of climate change. Since then, it has become an unmissable destination for avid travelers seeking unique experiences and unforgettable glimpses.

Origin of the Rainbow Mountain in Peru

The Rainbow Mountain owes its astonishing beauty to centuries of geological activity and changes in nature. The interaction of minerals and sediments over millions of years has created this breaktaking spectacle that leaves us breathless. Red clays, calcium carbonate-rich sediments, ferromagnesian compounds, and other combinations of elements interweave to paint an unimaginable colour palette.

The Weather in Vinicunca

Travelers to Peru and locals generally agree that the best time to travel to visit the colourful site of the Rainbow Mountain is by August, since it is the dry season and provides a very beautiful view, maximizing the vivid colours of the mountains.

The most popular attraction types near Vinicunca Mountain are;

Eco Tour
Day Trips
Hiking and Camping Tours
Nature and Wildlife Tours
Sightseeing Tours

Mineralogical Composition and what makes the Colours

According to the Cultural landscape Office of the decentralization of the City of Cusco, the seven colours of the mountain are due to its mineralogical composition; the pink colour is due to red clay, fangolita (mud) and arilitas (sand); the whitish colouring is due to quartzose, sandstone and marls, rich in calcium carbonate; the red is due to claystones (iron) and clays belonging to the Upper Tertiary period; the green is due to phyllites and clays rich in ferro magnesian; the earthy brown is a product of fanglomerate composed of rock with magnesium belonging to the Quaternary period; and the mustard yellow colour comes from the calcareous sandstones rich in sulphurous minerals.

Lastly, the Rainbow Mountain, or Vinicunca, is an astounding natural phenomenon in Cusco, Peru. This impressive landscape has become one of the country’s most popular tourist destinations due to its uniqueness and unparrelled beauty. What makes this mountain so special is its extraordinary colour palette.