Rainbow Mountain Peru (Vinicunca)
Rainbow Mountain Peru (Vinicunca): where it is, its altitude, the hike, entrance fees, the best time to go, what to wear and how to visit from Cusco.
By J. José Rodríguez, Founder / CEO
Rainbow Mountain, or Vinicunca in Quechua, is a mountain striped in red, ochre, turquoise and lilac at about 5,000 m (16,400 ft) in the Cusco region of Peru. It is a day trip from Cusco: about 3 hours by road, then a 1.5–2 hour hike up. Next to the viewpoint is the Red Valley, a valley of deep red hills with far fewer visitors. This guide, from our team in Cusco, covers where it is, the hike, the altitude, fees, the best time to go and what to wear.
Rainbow Mountain at a glance
| Quechua name | Vinicunca (“Winikunka”) |
| Location | Pitumarca district, Canchis province, Cusco region, Peru |
| Altitude | About 5,000 m (16,400 ft) at the viewpoint |
| Trailhead | Phulawasipata, about 4,600 m (15,100 ft) |
| From Cusco | About 100 km southeast, around 3 hours by road |
| Hike | 4–5 km (2.5–3 miles) up in 1.5–2 hours; about 1 hour down |
| Difficulty | Challenging, because of the altitude |
| Entrance fees | S/ 30 Vinicunca, S/ 20 Red Valley (included in our tour) |
| Best time | April to November, the dry season |
Where is Rainbow Mountain?
Rainbow Mountain is in the Pitumarca district, Canchis province, in the Cusco region of southern Peru. It is part of the Vilcanota mountain range, and from the top you can see Ausangate (6,384 m), the highest mountain in the Cusco region.
The route from Cusco runs Cusco → Urcos → Checacupe → Cusipata → Phulawasipata. Phulawasipata is the last point vehicles reach; from there you continue on foot or on horseback.
It is not near Machu Picchu: the two are on opposite sides of Cusco, so plan them on separate days.
How high is Rainbow Mountain?
The viewpoint is at about 5,000 m above sea level, over 16,000 ft. It is one of the highest day hikes in Peru, higher than Humantay Lake (4,200 m), Cusco (3,400 m) and Machu Picchu (2,430 m).
At this altitude, headaches and shortness of breath are common. To enjoy it:
- do the hike after 2–3 days in Cusco, ideally after visiting Machu Picchu;
- walk slowly, drink water and eat a light breakfast;
- do not go if you have heart or breathing problems, or if you feel unwell the day before.
Read more in our guide to Machu Picchu and Cusco altitude.
Why is it colored? Is it real?
Yes, it is real. The stripes are layers of sediment with different minerals exposed by erosion: iron oxides give the reds and ochres, and other minerals give the greenish, turquoise and lilac tones.
Many photos online are edited, so set your expectations. In person the colors are softer and change with the light. They look best in sunshine, from mid-morning, in the dry season. Clouds dull them and fresh snow can cover them completely.
The mountain became famous in the mid-2010s. Local people say it used to be covered in snow for much of the year; today it welcomes visitors every day.
How to get to Rainbow Mountain from Cusco
On a day tour (the easiest way)
Most travelers visit on a full-day tour. A typical day:
| Time | What happens |
|---|---|
| 4:30 am | Pickup at your hotel in Cusco, breakfast on the way |
| 7:30 am | Arrival at Phulawasipata |
| 8:00 am | Start the hike to Vinicunca |
| 10:30 am | Red Valley viewpoint, after the Rainbow Mountain summit |
| 12:30 pm | Lunch and return to Cusco |
| 5:30 pm | Back in Cusco |
Our Rainbow Mountain tour with the Red Valley leaves Cusco every day, with a guide and emergency oxygen.
On your own
You can take public transport to Cusipata and a taxi to Phulawasipata, but you need to leave before dawn, the last stretch has no fixed timetable and getting back in the afternoon is uncertain. For a single day, a tour is usually easier and not much more expensive.
The hike
- Distance: 4–5 km (2.5–3 miles) up on a wide dirt trail.
- Time: 1.5–2 hours up and about 1 hour down.
- Profile: gentle at first, through a valley with alpacas and llamas, then steep for the last 20–30 minutes.
- On horseback: local horsemen offer rides for most of the way up, paid in soles. The final stretch to the viewpoint is on foot.
- Red Valley: from the top, a ridge leads to the Red Valley viewpoint, about 30–45 minutes more.
The entrance fees are collected by the communities that manage the site: S/ 30 for Vinicunca and S/ 20 for the Red Valley. Both are included in our tour.
Weather and the best time to go
Because of the altitude, it is cold all year:
- At dawn: temperatures are often below freezing.
- At the top: it is windy.
- At midday: the sun is very strong.
| Season | Months | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Dry | April to November | More clear days and more visible colors. Very cold mornings, especially in June and July. |
| Rainy | December to March | Rain, clouds and possible snow that can cover the stripes. |
If it has snowed on your date, the mountain may be white: beautiful, but you will not see the stripes. See the weather for the whole region in our guide to the best time to visit Machu Picchu, or the month you plan to travel, such as Machu Picchu in June.
What to wear and bring
- Warm layers: a base layer, a fleece, a down jacket, a wool hat and gloves.
- A waterproof jacket (essential from December to March).
- Sunglasses, a sun hat and high-factor sunscreen.
- Hiking shoes with good grip.
- Water, snacks and cash in soles for the horse, the restrooms and tips.
Is Rainbow Mountain worth it?
For most travelers, yes: the scenery, the alpacas, the snow peaks and the Red Valley make a memorable day. Be realistic about the effort, though. It is a long day with an early start, and the altitude is the real challenge, not the distance. If you are short on time or worried about the altitude, consider the alternatives below.
Rainbow Mountain, Palccoyo or Pallay Punchu?
There are other rainbow mountains around Cusco, with fewer people:
| Vinicunca | Palccoyo | Pallay Punchu | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Highest point | About 5,000 m | About 4,900 m | About 4,700 m |
| Hike | 1.5–2 h up, steep finish | 45 min–1 h each way, gentle | About 3 km round trip, steep finish |
| Crowds | Many | Few | Very few |
| Tour | Rainbow Mountain | Palccoyo | Pallay Punchu |
If the climb worries you, Palccoyo is the gentlest option. For something different and quiet, choose Pallay Punchu.
Rainbow Mountain in Peru vs. China
Search for “rainbow mountain” and you will also find the Zhangye Danxia landforms in Gansu, China. They are a different place: colored sandstone hills seen from boardwalks and viewpoints, at a much lower altitude. Peru’s Rainbow Mountain is a high Andean hike at about 5,000 m, with the snow peaks of Ausangate in the background.
Tours
Plan this with a local team
Cusco day tour
Rainbow Mountain & Red Valley
Hike Vinicunca, the Rainbow Mountain, and the Red Valley in one day from Cusco. Breakfast, lunch, guide and community fees included.
Cusco day tour
Palccoyo Rainbow Mountain
Day trip from Cusco to Palccoyo, the alternative Rainbow Mountain: three colorful mountains, the Stone Forest and Ausangate views on a gentle hike.
Cusco day tour
Humantay Lake
Day hike to the turquoise Humantay Lake below the Salkantay glacier. Transport, breakfast, lunch, guide and entrance fee included.
Frequently asked questions
Quick answers
Where is Rainbow Mountain in Peru?
In the Cusco region of southern Peru, in the district of Pitumarca, about 100 km southeast of the city of Cusco. Its Quechua name is Vinicunca.
How high is Rainbow Mountain Peru?
The viewpoint is at about 5,000 m (over 16,000 ft) above sea level. The hike starts at Phulawasipata, at about 4,600 m (15,100 ft).
How long is the Rainbow Mountain hike?
About 4–5 km (2.5–3 miles) up, which takes 1.5–2 hours, and about 1 hour down. The trail is wide and gentle at first and steep for the last 20–30 minutes.
How much is the entrance fee?
S/ 30 per person for Vinicunca and S/ 20 more for the Red Valley, collected by the local communities that manage the site. Both are included in our tour.
Is Rainbow Mountain real?
Yes. The stripes come from layers of different minerals. Many photos online are edited, though: in person the colors are softer and look best in sunshine in the dry season.
Is Rainbow Mountain worth it?
Yes, if you are acclimatized and ready for a long, high day. If the altitude worries you, Palccoyo is a gentler rainbow mountain with fewer people.
Can I ride a horse up Rainbow Mountain?
Yes. Local horsemen offer rides for most of the way up, paid in cash on site. The last stretch to the viewpoint is always on foot.
What is the best time to visit Rainbow Mountain?
From April to November, the dry season, when skies are clearer and snow is less likely to cover the colors. Mid-morning light shows the stripes best.
Is Rainbow Mountain near Machu Picchu?
No. Machu Picchu is northwest of Cusco and Rainbow Mountain is southeast, about 6–7 hours apart by road. Each is a separate day from Cusco.