RAINBOW MOUNTAIN INFORMATION

Its name comes from two Quechua words: "Wini", for the rounded and heavy black stones that abound in the place, which 'em called "wini rumi" (stone). The second is "Kunka" which means neck, 'cause the narrowness of the hill resembles a neck step. Initially, the arrieros of the high plateau and the settlers knew it like "Qolla Ñan" or "way of the Qollas".
RAINBOW MOUNTAIN PHOTO

Why is it a Mountain of Colors?

Its coloration is natural and this due to the large amount of sedimentary stones in erosion, what makes it so beautiful and impressive is how these stones are formed to give it the appearance of a rainbow.
That's why many studies were done to know the reason for the colors and the following conclusion was reached:
The report revealed that the colors of the mountains are due to the mineralogical composition that has: the pink color is for red clay, fangolitas (mud) and arilitas (sand). The whitish, by the white quartzose sandstone. Brown, brown and purple, by limonites and marls, rich in calcium carbonate.
The red one made up of the claystones (iron) and clays belonging to the upper tertiary. The green is due to the compound of phyllites and clays rich in ferro magnesian. The earthy brown is the product of the fanglomerate composed of manganese rock belonging to the Quaternary era. And the mustard yellow color for the calcareous sandstones rich in sulfur minera'em.

How to get to the Mountain of Colors?

Our tour begins in the City of Cusco from where we will depart to Andahuaylillas, Quiquijana and Checacupe. After 3 hours we arrived at Pitumarca.
From our arrival in Pitumarca we have to ascend one hour, approximately, to reach a horse station. The price for the horse rental service, is between 70 and 90 so'em round trip or depending on your decision can be single or only return.
Then we have to climb on foot 'til reaching the summit, at 5,200 meters above sea level, where there is a viewpoint. From there we will observe all the splendor of this fantastic Mountain.