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All Peru Pitumarca Rainbow Mountain
AO Edited

Rainbow Mountain

A remote candy-striped mountain in the Peruvian Andes straight out of the pages of Dr. Seuss.

Pitumarca, Peru

Added By
Molly McBride Jacobson
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The Ausangate trek.   Richard Espenant/Shutterstock
The Ausangate trek.   Richard Espenant/Shutterstock
Hiking in Peru up to the Rainbow Mountains near Cusco.   Richard Espenant/Shutterstock
Peruvian hikers atop Vinicunca, or Rainbow Mountain.   mundosemfim/Shutterstock
Peru’s Rainbow Mountain.   Richard Espenant/Shutterstock
Peru’s Rainbow Mountain.   Ste Lane/Shutterstock
  Giulia Viganò
Cerro Colorado valley - also know as Rainbow Mountan Valley, next to Cusco, Peru   mundosemfim/Shutterstock
Rainbow Mountain Peru   michaellbrawn / Atlas Obscura User
Rainbow Mountain Vinicunca   info27 / Atlas Obscura User
Vinicunca (Rainbow Mountain)   Hugo van den Bos
Walking up a trail to the Rainbow Mountains in Peru.   Richard Espenant/Shutterstock
  breaingram / Atlas Obscura User
  breaingram / Atlas Obscura User
  breaingram / Atlas Obscura User
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About

The peaks in the Ausangate mountain region of the Peruvian Andes are all uncommonly colored: Some are terra cotta, some lavender, others are a vibrant turquoise. They're colored by the sediment and atmosphere of the area, unique because of its altitude and isolation close to the ocean. But none are quite so marvelous as Vinicunca, also known as Rainbow Mountain, Winikunka, Montaña de Colores, and Montaña de Siete Colores.

For all its striking colors, Rainbow Mountain was notoriously hard to find. It's located deep in the mountain range, and even the most adept travelers with highly experienced guides have reported difficulty locating it. In the past, it took about six days of hiking to reach its peak. Nowadays, there are plenty of bus tours departing from Cusco to the mountain. Due to the increase in popularity of the mountain, it has very quickly become Peru's second most visited tourist site. During the peak season, it can see up to 4000 people per day. 

To be sure, those who love hiking will enjoy the journey; the Ausangate trek is one of the most popular among visitors to Peru. There are hot springs, local villages and vendors, stunning views of the Ausangate Glacier, and llamas and alpacas along the way. And nothing caps off almost a week of trekking like a visit to this breathtaking painted mountain.

Related Tags

Mountains Color Rainbow Geological Oddities Nature Geology

Know Before You Go

There is now a road leading to the mountain. The trek to the summit can now be done in a couple of hours. While the hike is not long, the altitude can cause problems for those not used to it. A horse and guide can be rented for around 50 to 100 soles.

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Peru: Machu Picchu & the Last Incan Bridges

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Community Contributors

Added By

Molly McBride Jacobson

Edited By

info27, Dalasaur, TeaAndCoffeeLover, Kara G...

  • info27
  • Dalasaur
  • TeaAndCoffeeLover
  • Kara G
  • rainbowmountain
  • ausangateperu
  • Meg
  • breaingram
  • michaellbrawn

Published

October 21, 2016

Edit this listing

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Sources
  • https://peruadventuretrek.com/en/rainbow-mountain-peru-full-day-tour/
  • https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ausangate
  • http://theendlessadventures.blogspot.com/2015/10/a-walk-into-unknown-searching-for.html
  • http://ericrhanson.com/rainbow-in-the-mountain/
  • https://www.ayni-peru.com/rainbow-mountain-ausangate/
  • https://www.alongdustyroads.com/posts/rainbow-mountain-cusco-peru
  • https://rove.me/to/peru/rainbow-mountain-hiking
  • https://www.cachilife.com/rainbow-mountain-peru-10-amazing-hiking-tips/
  • https://www.salkantaytrekking.com/traditional/cusco/rainbow-mountain/
  • https://www.ausangateperu.com/
Rainbow Mountain
Ausangate mountain region (Cerro Colorado Valley)
Pitumarca
Peru
-13.870111, -71.303212
Visit Website
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Nearby Places

Volcán Pabellones

Peru

miles away

Museo Ritos Andinos (Andean Rites Museum)

Andahuaylillas, Peru

miles away

Rumicolca

Quispicanchi, Peru

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Peru

Peru

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Places 116
Stories 34

Nearby Places

Volcán Pabellones

Peru

miles away

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miles away

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Quispicanchi, Peru

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Peru

Peru

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Stories 34

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