Hiking Rainbow Mountain
One of the most widely distributed images when looking up travel-related content for Peru is the magnificent and eye-catching, Rainbow Mountain. Aptly named for its rainbow stripe appearance, the ‘Montaña de Siete Colores’ – directly translating to ‘Seven Colour Mountain’ – was only discovered about a decade ago, gaining media attention between 2012 and 2015.
The mountain’s unique rainbow-stripe appearance is a result of a changing climate, with the stunning multi-coloured layers becoming exposed due to tectonic activity, wind and glacier ice melting in the Andes mountains. What was once ice and snow-covered has now revealed the beautiful varied mineralogy of the region.
Seeing Rainbow Mountain before my eyes was something I had added to my South America backpacking bucket list long before my visit. And I had no idea what to expect from the hike and if the images seen online would be an accurate representation of the real thing.
My experience exploring this remote corner of Peru truly exceeded expectations, so I hope this guide both inspires and prepares you to make the most of your own trip to Rainbow Mountain.
Rainbow Mountain Facts
- The mountain has a number of names, including Rainbow Mountain, Montaña de Siete Colores and Vinicunca (the Quechua word for ‘Mountain Of Colours’)
- The mountain is part of the Andes mountain range
- There have been 14 different colours detected at Rainbow Mountain
- Each rainbow stripe has been formed across millions of years and depicts a different sediment layer throughout its lifetime
- Each colour showcases a different mineral – yellow iron sulphide, pink clay and green chlorite, for example
- The site receives between 1000 and 4000 visitors each day
Unforgettable scenery
Rainbow Mountain aside, the whole surrounding area is insanely beautiful and I would recommend anyone to pay a visit for that reason alone!
Located in the Andes Mountain range near Pitumarca (Cusco region of Peru), other spectacular sights you will see along the way are remote indigenous community villages, looming glaciers, snow-capped mountains, lush valleys, hot springs, native birds and wildlife – just general splendour!
How hard is the hike?
I would say that this was the hardest hike I did in South America and not because the terrain is terribly tricky to navigate or due to any other reason that might make a hike seem difficult. Here, it’s all about that gnarly altitude!
A slight incline with the added pressures of altitude makes each walking step feel like a sprint. You will feel out of breath very quickly for no other reason than the lower levels of oxygen in the air.
But please don’t be discouraged. The climb is something that is manageable for most active people, just don’t expect the journey to be quick by any means. Taking it slow and steady with breaks in between and you will reach the top is a couple of hours.
Allow between 2-4 hours to ascend and get back down again, depending on your fitness level.
Do you need to hike the whole way up?
You can either hike the entirety of the 4km route up Rainbow Mountain yourself or ascend on horseback. At the foot of the mountain there are members of the local indigenous community on standby with horses available to take you two-thirds of the way up. There is a point in which you will need to dismount your horse and continue the final leg of the climb yourself.
Adam and I did hike the entirety of the route but let me be the first to say that there is no shame in taking a horse up!
Do you need to hire a guide/book a tour for Rainbow Mountain?
While hiking the 4km route is doable without a guide, the biggest obstacle you will face is organising transportation from Cusco to the starting point of the hiking trail.
Having been driven there with an organised group tour myself, let me tell you – the roads are sketchy at best, with sheer cliff drops for much of the uphill journey until you reach the Rainbow Mountain car park. And that’s before you start to factor in poor weather conditions. Furthermore, if you do organise a driver or taxi, you will most likely need to pay them to wait for your return as the area is very remote!
I would use an organised tour to your advantage as a cost-effective and simple way of getting yourself to Rainbow Mountain and back safely. When you’re hiking you will be on your own anyway, so don’t be put off from booking a tour from Get Your Guide or Viator etc. as it’s a means to an end. And that end is a safe trip there and back!
Be prepared to be up early
I don’t know of any trip to Rainbow Mountain, private or group, that doesn’t require a painfully early wake-up call.
I think we got picked up from our hotel in Cusco at about 3:30am. We then drove for about an hour to a breakfast stop and then onwards to the Rainbow Mountain car park (all in all the journey taking between 2 and 2 ½ hours).
Getting to the site early is always recommended to allow plenty of time to get up and then back down again. It also ensures that when you get to the top, it’s as uncrowded as possible.
Packing for Rainbow Mountain
Layers
The Andes in the early morning are cold, so come prepared with lots of layers that can be removed throughout the day – this includes thermals. As you hike you will get warm and shed a layer or two and then add them back as needed. A hat and gloves are also recommended, as is a waterproof jacket/trousers if you’re coming in the rainy season.
Footwear
The only way is ankle supportive, waterproof hiking boots and decent hiking socks.
Sun Protection
Higher altitudes mean an increased risk of sunburn, so be sure to apply sunscreen regularly, use SPF lip balm and use sunglasses/a hat/buff. Those UV rays are not to be messed with!
Gear
- Hiking poles if you usually use them (some tour companies do rent these on the day)
- A decently sized waterproof backpack
- A bag to collect any rubbish – TAKE IT BACK WITH YOU!
- Toilet paper/tissues (Just in case! There are toilets at certain points on the trail)
- Camera/phone and spare chargers/portable charger
Food/water/medication
- Snacks to fuel your hike
- Plenty of water (at least 1 litre per person)
- Altitude sickness tables
- Motion sickness tablets
- Painkillers (always handy and helpful if you get an altitude induced headache)
Cash/paperwork
- 10 soles entrance fee (unless already included in your tour ticket price)
- Soles for the horseback ascent (approximately 100 per person)
- Spare cash for additional snacks/water/toilets etc.
- Tip for guides/drivers
- Travel insurance (you shouldn’t be travelling without it anyway!)
Take time to acclimatise to the altitude!
My biggest piece of advice to anyone looking to hike Rainbow Mountain is to please take the time to acclimate to the altitude conditions in preparation for Rainbow Mountain.
Consider this – the peak of Rainbow Mountain is 5200m above sea level, which is not far off the altitude at Everest Base Camp!
We met SO many travellers throughout our backpacking journey in South America who rocked up on the day to hike at altitude before quickly falling ill and not making it the whole way. I would advise taking a couple of days to explore Cusco city, for example, before attempting this climb. You will be very grateful you did as altitude sickness is a real buzz kill.
The best time to visit
While the trail can be hiked all year round the ‘optimal’ time to visit Rainbow Mountain is considered to be between the months of May and October as this is the dry season which makes conditions a more favourable December to March is the rainy season so weather conditions are more temperamental.
We completed the hike in mid October and the weather was ideal – super comfortable and dry! The visibility was also impeccable as you can see from my photographs.
Happy hiking!
Despite the early wake-up call and hours of altitude-infused uphill hiking, the trek up Rainbow Mountain was 100% worth it!
The views were incredible and it felt like a real personal accomplishment, both mentally as well as physically. To keep going despite the shortness of breath and muzzy head caused by the altitude is something that I am still so proud of to this day.
I would recommend giving it a go!
Until next time,
Lica xoxo
