by nordicdiaries

Day trip from Cusco: Rainbow Mountain

A stunning mountain of seven colors, high in the elevation of 5200 m asl, are you up for the challenge?

A couple of hours away from Cusco, Peru, is the Montaña de Siete Colores. A beautiful mountain, where different natural minerals have been playing their magic, leaving the mountain looking like a rainbow landed on it.

Horses at Rainbow Mountain
A playful puppy

The hike was challenging. Even after a couple of weeks at higher altitude, it couldn’t quite prepare us for such a high ground. Horses are rented for carrying you up, but for me, part of the thing is to hike there with my own two feet.

Very slowly but steadily we made it up to the top. We had the perfect weather for this trek. It was sunny and clear so the colors of the mountain were at their best. The beauty of the area was worth it to get up in the morning before 3.00 am. We actually only returned to Cusco from Machu Picchu late on the previous evening so the lack of sleep probably made us already more tired for the day.

Altitude sickness is a real thing. Don’t even think about doing the Rainbow Mountain trip straight after you have landed. Take at least few days to chill in Cusco and get used to the altitude.

For comparison

  • 8848 – Mount Everest
  • 6960 – Aconcagua
  • 5895 – Mount Kilimanjaro
  • 5200 – Rainbow Mountain
  • 4810 – Mont Blanc
  • 3776 – Mount Fuji
Peruvian Andes
Peruvian alpacas

Word of warning: Rainbow Mountain is very high in the Andes so mind the altitude. Don’t go on a bad weather, because the road up the slope might get muddy and very slippery and so for dangerous. Also the clouds may destroy your changes for a clear view of the mountain. But on a bright day, the place is definitely worth the hike.

18 thoughts on “Day trip from Cusco: Rainbow Mountain”

  2. Pingback: Jo’s Monday walk : Vila Franca do Campo | restlessjo

  5. Wow, what a beautiful walk. I’ve always wanted to go to Peru, and I need to start adding South America to my travel destinations. I came here by way of Jo, by the way. It’s so nice to find you. 🙂

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    1. Peru is really amazing and has such diverse destinations to explore. I can highly recommend visiting, I fell in love with the country. Awesome, Jo was so sweet to post a link to my blog 🙂

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      3. Thank you so much. If you have any ideas on Ecuador for next June and July, I would love to hear them. Or if you have any links about it already written, please send the links. I really want to stay put for a long time in Quito, to study Spanish, write, and linger like a local. Maybe I’ll include the Galapagos, but that’s the least of my interests. Thanks in advance for any ideas you care to share. 🙂

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      4. Sorry for a late response!
        Ecuador is a country I really wish to get back to, it was really beautiful and unique. Galapagos Islands was my favorite, but it can be quite pricy.
        I have written about two good day trip options out of Quito and Quito itself.

        If I were you, I would locate myself to the coastal area, but would definitely check out Baños for Amazon, Riobamba for the Andes and I’ve heard that Mindo is great! Ecuador is country of such diverse landscapes, you’ll have an amazing trip! 🙂

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