Today we are going to talk about a mountain that has great particular beauty and that has become one of the best and new attractions in Peru. It's about the mountain VinicuncaAlso known as the Rainbow Mountain, it is located in Peru. Situated more than 7 kilometers from the city of Cusco, its summit reaches an altitude of 100 meters above sea level.
In this article we are going to tell you all the characteristics, geology and formation of the Vinicunca mountain.
Key features
The name Vinicunca comes from the word rainbow. It is a mountainous formation that is tinged with various hues due to the complex combination of different minerals that form it. The slopes and summit are tinged with various shades of color that we find in the mountains. purple, yellow, green, red, pink, and other variations of these colors. It's one of the most important tourist attractions in the entire area. A few years ago, it was completely surrounded by ice, making it impossible to enjoy this mountain. Since 2016, this place has been visited by hundreds of tourists and is one of the most visited places in Cusco and Peru.
Due to the number of colors it mixes, it is known as the mountain of the 7 colors in homage to the rainbow. According to various studies, the multicolored hues are due to the large amount of minerals it is made of, which can also be observed in the RainbowAll of these minerals cover the area and are completely natural substances. that began to form approximately 65 million years ago. These minerals formed when water and rain covered almost all of its slopes and peaks. As time passed, the extreme climate of this area melted the snow, and it is here that all the colors that make up this mountain can be observed.
It is found in the Andes of Peru and the summit has a height of 5.200 meters above sea levelThis entire area belongs to the Pitumarca people, who call it Cerro Colorado. To reach this mountain, you must travel approximately 100 kilometers from the city of Cusco. Then, you must travel approximately two hours along the longitudinal highway through the southern Peruvian mountains, which leads to Pitumarca. The journey continues along the dirt road to the community of Pampa Chiri. This route is 2 kilometers long and can be done on foot or on horseback.
Climate of Vinicunca
The climate of this area is typical of the highest areas. Therefore, the climate is mainly cold. Rain, wind and altitude sickness can be the biggest obstacles for travelers who want to visit this tremendous place. Temperatures can easily drop below 0 ° C. For this reason, the best time to do this adventure is the dry season. This time usually extends from the months of April to October. At this time it is less likely that there will be rainfall and lower temperatures.
If you plan to visit during the rainy season, it's recommended to bring a poncho to protect yourself from the rain. This climate makes the flora and fauna a haven for animals typical of highland areas, yet completely incredible. Among the animals that stand out are llamas, alpacas and vicuñas. Residents throughout the area raise horses, which they offer as transportation to visitors. One of the most striking aspects of the flora is that they host a large amount of the natural herb known as ichu, which is often found in high-mountain ecosystems.
Travel to Vinicunca
If you want to travel to Vinicunca to enjoy these completely natural yet magical colors, you must undertake a difficult journey. This picturesque peak used to be the attractive snowy trail known as Ausangate. Over the years, this mountain has gained popularity as the glaciers melted. You can visit this peak on a tourist tour.
There are different services depending on the modality and the time that you are going to be. The services are usually one or two days. Most of these services usually have a transport, food, tickets and professional guide who is in charge of explaining to you how the Vinicunca originated and what its characteristics are. In the city of Cusco there are also different tourism agencies that offer these services.
You can travel on your own, but it's much more complicated. To travel on your own, you must take a bus to Sicuani from Cusco. This bus usually takes about two hours and 40 minutes. Once there, take a colectivo to the town of Quesiuno. Once you've completed this journey, you must begin a long hike to Vinicunca Mountain. The entrance fee is 10 soles.
If you are going to walk, you must know the difficulty of the mountain. And the walk is approximately 4 hours and, although it is not dangerous, it demands a high physical effort. If you are not in good physical condition and you are used to long walks, you will have problems to do the walk. There are some sections of considerable slopes both uphill and downhill. However, extreme weather must be considered as one of the greatest difficulties that generates a greater problem for hiking. The weather is very cold and the wind is completely icy. The altitude of the area can cause altitude sickness also known as soroche in different people. For this reason, a prior acclimatization of several days in the city of Cusco is recommended.
Recommendations
Once you have spent several days acclimatizing in the city of Cusco, you should bring clothing that is warm enough for the hike. If you are a person who it is not considered in good physical condition it is better to rent a horse. You also can't go without a hat, a cap, sunscreen, thermal pants, hiking shoes, and a rain poncho. Remember that not only is the trip quite physically demanding, but we'll also be challenged by the weather.
I hope that with this information you can learn more about Mount Vinicunca and its characteristics.