WHY IS RAINBOW MOUNTAIN PERU COLORFUL? DISCOVER IT NOW!

Why is Rainbow Mountain Peru colorful?

Welcome to an expedition looking for the mysteries and wonders of Peru. In this new blog, together, we will explore and discover the enigmas behind Rainbow Mountain, a geological formation that has left everyone in awe.

You wonder… Why is Rainbow Mountain Peru colorful? Join us in this incredible story behind this natural phenomenon and discover the secrets that make this mountain such an extraordinary jewel in the Andes.

Inkayni Peru Tours prepares you to unravel the mystery of one of Peruvian Rainbow Mountains. Join us on this blog and discover a small spot in the Andes.

RAINBOW MOUNTAIN’S CHARACTERISTICS YOU SHOULD CONSIDER

• It is also known as Vinicunca coming from two Quechua words. “Wini” means Pass and “Kunca” means neck.
• Rainbow Mountain’s colours originate from 14 different minerals.
• When Vinicunca Rainbow Mountain was covered in snow 6 years ago, its beauty couldn’t be fully witnessed.
• The temperature in this area drops below 0C°/32°F at night.
• It is possible to encounter llamas and alpacas along the path towards the Rainbow Mountain of Peru.
• The weather is unpredictable and changes quickly, especially in the rainy season.
• It is possible to hire horses in the area if the altitude makes hiking impossible.

WHY DOES THE RAINBOW MOUNTAIN IN PERU HAVE SEVERAL NAMES?

As time went by, people and tourism gave new names to this mountain for marketing. However, the original name is Quechua because nobody would know of this mountain if the ice and snow hadn´t melted. Some of them are:

• Cerro colorado
• The mountain of the 7 colours
• Seven Coloured Mountain
• Rainbow Mountain Peru
• Vinicunca
• Winikunka

WHY IS RAINBOW MOUNTAIN PERU COLORFUL?

Rainbow Mountain has these colours for different reasons, ranging from turquoise to lavender, maroon and gold. However, they are mostly due to environmental factors and mineralogy.

For example, when minerals such as red clay, green carbonate and white quartz are mixed, the colourful effect we see is created.

Another reason why the Rainbow Mountain of Peru have different colours is its location, as it is over 5000 m.a.s.l./16000 ft. At this level, trees and bushes cannot grow, so the colours appear.

Finally, the sunlight also affects Rainbow Mountain’s colourful appearance, as it tends to be more vibrant in the early morning or late afternoon when the sun is at a low angle.

All of these factors generate beautiful geological formations and views to witness when you go to the Rainbow Mountain.

Panoramic view of the Rainbow Mountain

GEOLOGY OF RAINBOW MOUNTAIN PERU

This geological phenomenon rose from the collision of the Naza plate and the South American plate thousands of years ago.

The colours of this natural beauty are the result of the composition of minerals deposited on the earth over millions of years. After the collision of tectonic plates, minerals such as copper, iron, hematite and sulfur were superimposed to create what we admire and know today as the 7 Colors Mountain.

This landscape was hidden for a long time under thick layers of ice and snow. Forty years ago the temperature increased and the snow began melting, revealing a completely new landscape.

WHAT IS THE COMPOSITION OF ITS COLOURS

Each colour of Rainbow Mountain Cusco has its own characteristic:

• Soft pink comes from red clay, mud (Mudstones substances) and sand from 3 to 4 million years ago.
• White originates from calcium carbonate-rich substances such as quartzite, sandstone and loam 400 million years old.
• The intense red color is composed of clay (iron) belonging to the upper tertiary era of 3 to 4 million years ago.
• Meanwhile, the deep green colors are composed of phyllites, copper oxide shales more than 600 million years old. The blue colours come from a combination of phyllite and clay rich in ferromagnesium.
• The brown color has its origin in rocks and magnesium belonging to the quaternary era 1 to 2 million years ago.
• Finally, the glowing yellow has its origin in iron sulfide layers of 80 to 90 million years ago.

You have read some facts about why is Rainbow Mountain Peru so colorful! The following information are important or maybe, even more important.

HOW IS THE CLIMATE IN RAINBOW MOUNTAIN CUSCO?

The climate around Rainbow Mountain Cusco is cold, dropping below 0°C/32°F at night and mornings.

Also, the Rainbow Mountain elevation is over 5000 m/16400 ft! Inside the high Puna grasslands surrounded by glaciers. In addition, this Rainbow Mountain of Peru is part of the Vilcanota Mountain Range and it reaches its highest point in the snow-capped Ausangate at 6,384 m/20,944 ft.

Precipitation in this area is unpredictable throughout the year. Rainfall is very common in the rainy season but it happens in the dry season as well.

RAINBOW MOUNTAIN AND MACHU PICCHU

Although the trip only lasts one day, we recommend you visit Machu Picchu before take the Rainbow Mountain Tour because of acclimatization.

We suggest exploring Machu Picchu, Inca Trail or Humantay Lake first because they are below 4000 m/13120 ft. The tours mentioned above would help with acclimatization to the altitude if you plan to hike towards Vinicunca Rainbow Mountain.

Now you know the most important facts about why is Rainbow Mountain Peru Colorful and som other important information about this incredible place in the Andes, the next episode are other possible similar attractions!

Machu Picchu and Rainbow Mountain views

AN ALTERNATIVE TO VINICUNCA RAINBOW MOUNTAIN

If you haven’t gotten acclimatised to hike over 16000 ft, we present you some options to consider.

PALCCOYO RAINBOW MOUNTAIN

The Palccoyo Rainbow Mountain, located 100 kilometers southeast of Cusco, reaches 4,900 meters (16,076 feet). The hike takes about 1 hour and is not as demanding as climbing to Vinicunca.

Palccoyo Rainbow Mountain has a less difficult hiking level compared to Vinicunca Rainbow Mountain. Also, Palccoyo Rainbow Mountain is less crowded than Rainbow Mountain, so you will have a more exclusive experience and get more authentic memories of the Peruvian Andes.

Overview of the Peruvian Andes around Palccoyo

RED VALLEY

The Red Valley is one of the new tourist attractions of the last few years. It is a natural reddish mountain range attraction due to the abundance of minerals in that area.

It is located 7 kilometers from Pitumarca, in the province of Canchis, southeast of Cusco. At an altitude of 5,020 m/16,469 ft.

Before arriving to the Red Valley you must walk for approximately 2 hrs. This route crosses beautiful landscapes and natural resources; one of them is the “Red River” or “Yawar Mayu”, which shows its reddish waters in the rainy months (November to March), and its colours originate from the abundance of minerals existing in the high peaks of the red valley.

Hikers visit the Red Valley and Rainbow Mountain in one day. Both tourist attractions are located in the foothills of the snow-capped Ausangate, Cusco’s highest mountain!

Cusco’s new attraction: The stunning Red Valley

AUSANGATE TREK

One of the must-see tours for nature and trekking lovers in Cusco is the combination of the Ausangate Trek and Vinicunca Rainbow Mountain in just two days discovering two spectacular wonders of the Peruvian Andes.

The hike includes the Red Valley, a combination of incredible landscapes, snow-capped mountains, alpacas, llamas and vicuñas in their natural habitat. In addition, at night you can enjoy a sky full of stars, stargazing, and the Milky Way in all its splendour.

Don’t forget! Acclimatization is a key factor in any hike over 4000m/13000 ft.

Hikers heading towards Rainbow Mountain through the Ausangate Trek

If you would like to read more, here are some options:

👉 THE AUSANGATE TREK TOWARDS THE PROTECTOR OF MANKIND AND TOWNS

👉 FROM EPIC ADVENTURES TO CULINARY DELIGHTS: WHAT TO DO IN CUSCO BEFORE INCA TRAIL?

Now you know about the history of the Rainbow Mountains in Peru, why don’t you lace up your hiking boots, buy your flights and travel to Cusco? Inkayni Peru Tours offers several trekking alternatives allowing you to discover every corner of one of the most beautiful parts of the Peruvian Andes!