Rainbow Mountain. Vinicunca in the local Quechua language. This popular mountain has been called a lot of nicknames: montaña de 7 colores, painted mountain, colored mountain, and even Stripy Mountain.
Why do this tour?
The Rainbow Mountain 1-Day Tour is not for the faint-hearted. Hiking its challenging terrain in high altitude takes about two hours from the jump-off point. So, we recommend that you be in your best physical shape.
During the short breaks of the hike, a professional guide will educate you about the mountains and the geography of the region. You might even catch sight of llamas, alpacas, and the locals that frequent the area.
Close to the top, you will observe how the landscape gently changes from green to red until you see the different colors extending from mountain to mountain. All the huffing and puffing is worth it once you get to the summit and see the vivid sandstone stripes covering the whole Vinicunca. The sight is totally Instagram-worthy! You will have one hour to explore and take photos before descending.
Most tour operators will include breakfast at the beginning of the hike and lunch during a top-over. Other one-day tours to this mountain include a hike to a lookout point in the Red Valley, which some travelers have commented to be better than the Sacred Valley. You might want to check that out as well.