• Vinicunca Mountain - DAILY DEPARTURES: 4:00 am to 4:30 pm
  DURATION: One day
  HOME: Cusco
  PLACE TO VISIT: Cusipata - Vinicunca
  FINISH: Cusco
  PHYSICAL STATE: Level 3
  ALTITUDE: 5100 m.a.s.l
  CATEGORY: Natural
  BEST TIME TO VISIT: May-November

RECOMMENDATION: It is advised to spend at least 2 days in Cusco for acclimatization. Although the hike is approximately 2 hours each way, those not well acclimatized may face challenges during the trek.

WHY THE MOUNTAIN IS COLORED

This tour begins early with a departure from Cusco. Transportation will pick up participants from their hotel at the scheduled time, heading to the district of Cusipata, about 77 kilometers away. After a 2-hour bus ride, breakfast will be served in the community of Cusipata for 30 minutes, followed by a 1-hour drive to the community of Phulawasipata. From there, the trek to the 7 Color Mountain - Vinicunca begins, taking approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes to 2 hours to ascend to 5,100 meters.

At the summit, a guide will provide brief information about this stunning natural formation. According to geologists from the Geological Society of Peru, Vinicunca, like many other mountains in the Andes, was formed by tectonic plate movements that elevated marine sediments into impressive mountains.

The colors of Vinicunca result from the oxidation of minerals due to erosion, humidity, and other geological factors. Historically, the mountain was covered in ice, but due to global warming and climate change, the ice has melted, revealing this magical landscape that highlights Earth’s beauty and ecological fragility.

The colors of the 7-color hill, as studied by the Deconcentrated Directorate of Culture of Cusco, are due to the following mineralogical composition:

• The pink color is from red clay, fangolites (mud), and arilites (sand).
• The whitish color is from quartz sandstone and marls, rich in calcium carbonate.
• Red is composed of clays (iron) and clays from the upper tertiary.
• Green is due to phyllites and clays rich in magnesium ferro.
• Earthy brown is a product of fanglomerate composed of rock with magnesium from the Quaternary era.
• The mustard yellow color is due to calcareous sandstones rich in sulfur minerals.

Along the way, participants will see South American camelids, locals in traditional attire, and the changing colors of the mountains until reaching Vinicunca, where they can enjoy the view of the entire Vilcanota mountain range. After receiving information and time to explore and photograph the mountain, the group will return the same way to the transportation and head back for 1 hour to the Cusipata district of the Paucarpata community for lunch at a restaurant. Lunch is at 2:00 pm, and the return to Cusco begins at 2:00 pm, with arrival at the square between 4:30 pm and 5:00 pm.

• Income to the Mountain of Colors
• Blankets and ecological canes
• Professional guide in 2 languages English and Spanish
• 1 Breakfast / 1 Buffet lunch
• Round trip tourist transportation
• Pick up from the Hotel within the City

• Horse / extra drinks

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.