Hidden in a remote corner of Peru's Ausengate region, a few hour's drive outside of Cusco, Vinicunca is a remote place unmarred by travelers on the touring path.
At 16,000 feet, even the foothills tower above the landscape. For years, Vinicunca, more commonly referred to as the Rainbow Mountain (the translation in the local language means "seven-colored mountain"), was hidden under a thick layer of ice. But as regional temperatures rose, the snowpack thawed and revealed thick stripes of mineral deposits painted across sandstone rock. Tourism to Rainbow Mountain has picked up in the last six months, but it has not yet lost its mystique.
How to Get There
Vinicunca, a.k.a. Rainbow Mountain, is a four-drive south of Cusco. Rent a car in the city or book a tour with a local company. There are not yet limits on the number of tourists that can hike to the site, and visits can be arranged at the last-minute. It's a good idea to spend a few days in Cusco to acclimate to the altitude before enduring the steep hike.
Arrange a Trek
The easiest way to do the hike is with a guide. Indigenous people speak Quechua, a local language, not Spanish. It is easier to communicate and reach the summit with someone who knows the terrain. Cusi Travel is an operator that supports impoverished communities and donates a proceed of all profits to scholarships for local students.
https://www.forbes.com/sites/fathom/2017/01/14/vinicunca-mountain-rainbow-mountain-peru/#237818326661