5 rainbow mountain facts to make you a prepared traveller

What rainbow mountain facts should we know before venturing on a trip to one of the wonders of nature? Cusco is considered one of the 50 most beautiful cities in the world thanks to its culture, tradition and history. Did you know that many of the traditions and stories that we know today were passed down from generation to generation? An example is the traditional gastronomy; to this list is added that Cusco is an ideal city to forget the routine thanks to the tourist and natural attractions such as “the mountain of 7 colors”, Red Valley, Palccoyo, Humantay Lagoon, Machu Picchu and other places that you can visit with Inkayni Peru Tours.

1.- CATALOGUED AS A MUST-SEE PLACE TO VISIT BEFORE YOU DIE

The National Geographic Magazine listed the 7-color mountain or rainbow mountain of Cusco among the “100 places you must visit before you die”, and it is not for less because the fact of being in front of the mountain and feel the clean air combined with the effort you put to get there, you will understand why trekking lovers want to climb Vinicunca.

2.- BUILD YOUR OWN “APACHETA”!

The apachetas are small constructions (compilations) of stones like pyramids, which traditionally represent the gratitude and permission to enter the territory of the apus or sacred mountains. That is why, along the way you will see small piles of stones oriented to the mountains, and you will be part of this rite in the Peruvian Andes by building your own apacheta.

3.- DON’T MISS PHOTOS WITH SOUTH AMERICAN CAMELIDS

The route to the rainbow mountain besides being surrounded by ichu, lichens; you will also be surrounded by beautiful species such as the alpaca, llama and vicuñas; animals that stand out for the beautiful fur they have and thanks to this they can make various weavings that are currently made specifically in the Sacred Valley of the Incas.

It is also likely to meet foxes, skunks, huallatas, partridges, deer, vizcachas, condors (currently there are about 300 species throughout Peru) and osqollos (Andean cats).

Don’t forget to take pictures with the beautiful camelids, we only ask our travelers to be respectful and careful with the treatment of these beautiful species during the tour to the rainbow mountain Peru.

4.- ORIGIN OF THE DEGRADATION OF COLORS IN THE RAINBOW MOUNTAIN

The main attraction of the Vinicunca mountain is precisely the degradation of colors that the mountain has and this is mainly due to the erosion of minerals and the deglaciation of ice due to climate change. According to the account of ancient inhabitants of the area, some years ago the mountain was covered with ice all year round; however, at present, most of the year it is colorful except for the frost season, between the months of June and July.

Next, we will know the origin of the colors of the Vinicunca mountain:

• Pink color: product of the red clay, fangolites (mud) and arilites (sand).
• Whitish color: due to the quartz sandstone and marls, rich in calcium carbonate.
• Red: composed of claystones (iron) and clays belonging to the Upper Tertiary.
• Green: it is due to the compound of phyllites and clays rich in ferro magnesian.
• Earthy brown: it is a product of fanglomerate composed of magnesium-bearing rock belonging to the Quaternary era.
• Mustard yellow: due to calcareous sandstones rich in sulfide minerals.

5.- THE PAYMENT TO MOTHER EARTH, PACHAMAMA

Cusco, is a department of Peru respectful of its history, culture and traditions. So, if you come to Cusco during the month of August you will often see and hear terms such as “Apu” “coca” “Pago a la Pachama”, the latter is directed to the gratitude to mother earth and therefore the whole month is dedicated to payments to the earth.

So, if you decide to make your trip to Vinicunca in the month of August it is likely that you will be part of a payment to the Pachamama.

So far with the best 5 facts about the mountain of colors that every adventurous traveler like you should know, before choosing the date of travel to Cusco.

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