When we are in our travel planning process, we always dream of discovering the most extraordinary places that the destination to which we are going can offer, whether they are historical monuments, restaurants, urban settings, or fascinating natural settings.
And we cannot deny that Peru is a country full of activities and incredible places for all its visitors, whether they are great history buffs or those looking to relax and reconnect, but especially for adventurous travelers who want to live unparalleled emotions every day of your trip.
For this reason, we always emphasize that the ancient country of the Incas offers all types of travelers wonderful experiences and we cannot leave out the Peruvian trails on this topic, as even those who are beginners have their chance to see incredible places.
And in this article, we are going to talk about one of the most sought-after attractions in the Cusco region, one which you may have already heard about as an unparalleled destination during your searches or you may have already come across beautiful images of it on your social networks. We are talking about the incredible 7 Colors Mountain, a work of nature that surprises all its visitors.
If you are curious to know more about this natural wonder, don’t worry, because here we will cover everything you need to know about this colorful mountain in the middle of the Peruvian Andes, how is the trail to visit it, what other attractions are get to know the region and also about how the trips that include this attraction work.
Are you ready to go to Peruvian lands for this great adventure full of adrenaline, which demands a lot of dedication, but is worth every second? Learn more about one of the wonders of Cusco with Viagens Machu Picchu.
Visit Rainbow Mountain in Peru
In case you didn’t know, there are some colorful mountains in some parts of the world besides Peru, like China and Argentina, however, two of these are located in Peruvian lands. If you are curious, we would like to clarify that in this article we are dealing with the largest mountain with 7 colors in the country, originally called Vinicunca Mountain.
This is the main mountain with this characteristic in the ancient country of the Incas, it is located at about 5,200 meters above sea level, which makes it possible to have a spectacular view of the surroundings of the mountain and to be enchanted by the beauty, and it is located in the Cordillera de Vilcanota.
The original name of this work of nature comes from the Quechua language and has the meaning of “colored neck”, a reference to the evident colors of this giant. For these people, the mountain also represents a powerful Apu, that is, a spiritual one that protects the people of the remote villages that inhabit the region.
In addition to all this, you may be wondering the reason behind these colors that attract so much attention around the world, so we make sure to explain. These magnificent colors in the lands of the imposing Vinicunca represent nothing more and nothing less than its geographical history.
In other words, the colors are the result of millions of years of sediment accumulation in this region that, more than 65 million years ago, was covered with plenty of water. Sediments from different sources settled on the ground and created the different colors of the place, which turned into a mountain due to the movement of tectonic plates.
Although its existence is very old, the discovery of this place as a tourist potential took place in the mid-2010s, when the layer of ice that covered the highest parts of the mountain melted and presented its colors to the world, starting to attract more people, thousands of people a day.
Path to Montaña de Siete Colores
As you can imagine, the trail to the top of the Colored Mountain is quite challenging, not because of the degree of difficulty of the route itself, but because of the high altitude of the attraction, so it is important to be well due to climate and know how to deal with the altitude sickness because of the lack of oxygen.
In general, this tour requires a full day, which begins very early morning, in which travelers are guided to the base of the trail on a 3-hour drive that crosses the entire South Valley. Before the route, the guides usually provide all the information necessary to make the journey safely and comfortably.
The walk lasts around 3 hours on the way to the main viewpoint, where it is also possible to have contact with some residents who offer services to visitors, such as horseback transport. It is also possible to observe some of the most representative animals of Peru, these being the llamas and alpacas.
Along the way, there will be constant monitoring by the guides to check the well-being of all adventurers and if there is a need to make any stops, but remember to always do it calmly and enjoy every moment, without rushing to arrive.
Upon arriving at the top of the mountain, there is 1 hour for you to enjoy good times in this scenery from another planet, taking time for rest and contemplation, taking beautiful photos to keep as a souvenir, or replenishing your energies for the way back, which also usually takes 1 to 2 hours to reach the parking lot.
Things to do in Vinicunca Mountain
And if the adventure through the Colored Mountain is not enough for you, know that it is possible to take advantage of your tour to discover other attractions in the vicinity of this region, those are the Red Valley and the Ausangate Mountain.
Traveling through Peruvian lands is a box of surprises and it can often be difficult to choose which attractions to choose, so we recommend that you get to know our packages to Cusco and many other destinations in Peru. Get in contact with our team to prepare a tailor-made plan for your dream trip.