One of Cusco’s main natural wonders is the 7-color mountain, also known as Vinicunca, a must-see destination on your trip. If you’d like to find out what the trip is like, the schedule, the places you’ll visit, and even what the hike is like, we’ll provide you with everything you need to make your visit to the 7-color mountain an unforgettable experience.
Content
- What is the 7-color mountain?
- Where is the 7-color mountain?
- What is the tour to the 7 colors mountain like?
- What is the hike to 7-color mountain like?
- Features of the 7-color mountain
- Differences between traveling during the rainy season and the dry season
- Recommendations for your trip to the 7 colors mountain
- Frequently Asked Questions
ATV Adventure to the 7 Colors Mountain
If you’re looking for a more adrenaline-fueled adventure through 7-color mountain, the ideal option is to go ATV riding. It’s one of our most popular tours, allowing you to experience iconic landscapes surrounded by mountains on a route that saves you the trek up the mountain. Take advantage of the opportunity to enhance your trip to Vinicunca and book it now.
What is the 7-color mountain?
The Seven Colors Mountain, or Vinicunca, is a natural attraction that owes its colors to a combination of minerals attracted by geological phenomena over time. This mountain was once covered in snow (glacier), which melted over the years, allowing us to see its incredible colors today.
Currently, it’s one of Cusco’s main tourist destinations, allowing you to explore beautiful valleys, mountain ranges, snow-capped mountains, and agricultural areas on the way to the summit of the Seven Colors Mountain, which chromatically resembles a rainbow.
The mountain is also known as Vinicunca, its original name, but due to its colorful appearance, it was popularly called the Mountain of Seven Colors. Reaching this natural setting, 5,036 meters above sea level, will provide one of the best adventures, where both the journey and the destination will be the reward of the trip.
Where is the 7-color mountain?
The impressive 7-color mountain is located in the province of Canchis, about 100 kilometers from the city of Cusco. To reach this destination, you must travel by car for approximately three hours until you reach the Phulawasipata checkpoint, where the final hike begins, lasting almost two hours.
Its privileged location allows you to admire a landscape surrounded by mountains in valleys and even the immense Ausangate snow-capped mountain, which is approximately 6,384 meters above sea level.
What is the tour to the 7 colors mountain like?
The usual trip to 7-color mountain begins very early, around 4:30 a.m., with pickup from their hotel or residence aboard the tour bus. The first journey will take approximately two hours to reach the village of Cusipata, where breakfast will be served to recharge your batteries. During the trip, you can catch up on some sleep.
We’ll then continue our journey by tourist transport for another hour until we reach the Phulawasipata checkpoint. From here, we’ll get our first impressions of the hike, which will last between 1 hour 30 minutes and 2 hours along steadily ascending trails. Horses are also available for rent to make the trek easier.
After completing the hike, we’ll finally reach 7-color mountain, which sits at an altitude of 5,036 meters above sea level. From here, we’ll have stunning views of the surrounding valleys and the Ausangate snow-capped mountain, the highest peak in Cusco.
The return journey is the same, with another stop in the town of Cusipata for lunch. Afterward, we’ll travel to Cusco, arriving at approximately 6:00 p.m. The full tour to 7-color mountain lasts almost 14 hours, making it a great day trip.
What is the hike to 7-color mountain like?
The hike to 7-color mountain is considered medium to high difficulty, primarily due to the altitude. We hike for approximately two hours, covering a 4-kilometer trail. Remember that you can stop at any time to take photographs of the impressive landscapes you see, making the tour even more enriching.
The first part of the hike will be on a flat trail, which will prepare us for the final stretch. Throughout the journey, we will be surrounded by beautiful landscapes, worthy of stopping and appreciating every step we take. The final part of the hike will be on steep trails, so we will need to take it easy and keep hydrated. It will only take 30 minutes of effort, but it will provide even greater value to the destination.
To explore it, you also have the option of renting a horse, which will drop you off a short distance from 7-color mountain. Due to its altitude, it can be difficult for many visitors, so this option, along with the ATV tour , is very popular.
Depending on the season, we can experience a different landscape. During the rainy season (November–March), we’ll find more precipitation, which can cloud the landscape but also allows us to explore the area without heavy tourist traffic. During the dry season (April–October), on the other hand, we’ll experience a much more complete landscape, along with a more pleasant climate. The number of visitors during these months is much higher, but this doesn’t prevent you from enjoying the tour in a much more colorful setting.
Features of the 7-color mountain
The geography we’ll encounter on our trip to Vinicunca, or 7-color mountain, is one of the most impressive in the entire Cusco region. Therefore, being informed about all its characteristics will allow us to better prepare for our adventure in this unmissable natural destination.
| Aspect | Description |
|---|---|
| Location | Canchis Province, Cusco Region, Peru, in the Vilcanota mountain range. |
| Name | Mountain of 7 Colors, also called Vinicunca or 7-color mountain. |
| Altitude | Approximately 5,200 meters above sea level. |
| Geological formation | A product of the erosion and sedimentation of minerals over millions of years. Each color corresponds to a different mineral. |
| Colors | Pink (red clay), white (quartz sandstone), red (iron-rich clay), green (phyllite and ferro-magnesian clay), brown (magnesium-containing conglomerate) and yellow (sulfide sandstone). |
| Access | About 3 hours from Cusco by car + 1.5 to 2 hours of trekking. Horse rentals and ATV tours are available. |
| Climate | Cold, due to its high elevation. It’s recommended to dress warmly and prepare for possible precipitation. |
| Best time to visit | Dry season (April to October). Less rain, more panoramic views. |
Differences between traveling during the rainy season and the dry season
When planning your trip to 7-color mountain, the season you choose will greatly influence your experience. That’s why we’ll present the main features of each, so you can decide which one best suits your tastes.
| Characteristics | Rainy Season (November – March) | Dry Season (April – October) |
|---|---|---|
| Climate | Frequent rain, cloudy skies, and fog. Although the weather will be warmer during the day. | Dry and cold weather with clear skies. Very low temperatures will occur at night and in the morning. |
| Difficulty of the walk | Higher due to mud and rain. May require more physical effort and caution. | Moderate. The main challenge is the altitude, not the terrain. |
| Flow of tourists | Fewer visitors, a quieter experience, and fewer crowds. | More tourists, a busy trail, and more guided groups. |
| Equipment | Waterproof clothing, hiking boots, walking sticks, and a rain poncho. | Warm, light clothing, sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses, and plenty of water. |
| Overall experience | More intense adventure, fewer people and a greener landscape. | Classic experience, brighter colors and better photos, but with more tourists. |
Recommendations for your trip to the 7 colors mountain
- 7-color mountain is located 5,036 meters above sea level, so you should dress warmly to avoid discomfort during your hike.
- The great challenge of reaching 7-color mountain involves a constant upward hike, so you must be in good physical condition to complete it.
- Remember that you can also go up on horseback, so you won’t miss out on the experience of visiting 7-color mountain.
- Much of the route is on dirt roads and uphill, so you should be well prepared with trekking gear.
- The 7-color mountain tour starts at 4:30 a.m. and ends at 6:00 p.m. It is considered a full-day tour.
- Visiting it during the dry season (April – October) allows you to witness the Vinicunca mountain in all its splendor, without fear of possible precipitation.
- Visiting 7-color mountain on a tour allows you to forget about the worries of planning your travel itinerary and focus solely on enjoying the journey.
- For this adventure, it’s highly recommended that you acclimatize in Cusco beforehand, or leave it for the final days of your trip. This way, you’ll be sure to enjoy it without any problems and avoid altitude sickness.
- Remember to stay hydrated throughout your hike. It’s also important to bring a snack to replenish your energy.
Frequently Asked Questions
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1. What is the 7-color mountain?
The Seven Colors Mountain, also known as Vinicunca, is a natural geological formation in Cusco. Originally covered by a glacier, its unique color scheme today makes it a major tourist attraction.
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2. Where is the 7-color mountain located?
Vinicunca is located in the province of Canchis, approximately 100 kilometers from Cusco. To get there, you have to drive for three hours to Phulawasipata, from which point begins a hike of approximately two hours to 7-color mountain.
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3. What is the tour to the 7 colors mountain like?
The tour begins very early, with pickup at 4:30 a.m. From Cusco, you’ll travel first to Cusipata for breakfast and then continue to Phulawasipata, where the hike begins. After reaching the summit of 7-color mountain at 5,200 meters above sea level, you’ll enjoy the scenery before returning along the same route, ending the tour around 6:00 p.m.
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4. What is the hike to 7-color mountain like?
The hike is of medium difficulty, lasting between 1 hour 30 minutes and 2 hours. The terrain is initially flat, but becomes steeper in the final stretch. There are options to rent horses or take an ATV.
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5. What is the best time to visit 7-color mountain?
The best time to visit 7-color mountain is during the dry season, from April to October, when rainfall is scarce and the colors of the landscape are most vivid. During the rainy season (November to March), there are fewer tourists, but the weather can make the views difficult.
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6. What clothing and equipment should I bring to visit 7-color mountain?
Due to the low temperatures and weather changes in the mountains, it is recommended to wear waterproof clothing, a hat, gloves, sunscreen, sunglasses, and trekking shoes.
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7. Can I do the hike if I am not in good physical condition?
The route is possible even if you’re not in great physical condition. In case of difficulty, a horse can be hired to make the ascent easier.
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8. Can you visit 7-color mountain without a tour?
Yes, it’s possible to visit on your own by renting transportation to Phulawasipata and hiking independently. However, opting for a tour makes the logistics easier and offers greater safety.
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9. How high is the 7-color mountain?
The summit of 7-color mountain reaches 5,036 meters above sea level. Altitude is a very important factor to consider, so it’s recommended to acclimatize in Cusco at least a couple of days before the tour.
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10. What health precautions should I take into account before traveling?
Altitude can cause altitude sickness, so it’s important to stay hydrated, avoid heavy meals before the climb, and get adequate rest before the hike to 7-color mountain.