The Climate in The Rainbow Mountain

The climate in the Montaña de Colores varies according to the season in which it is found, although in general the climate in the Vinicunca mountain is frigid since it is located at an altitude of 5200 meters above sea level, which means that it always has a climate and a temperature cold and dry. In the rainy season the weather is cloudy, rainy, and cold, therefore the temperature drops to 5 ° C at night, and during the day it has an average temperature between 10 to 15 ° C. Its temperature in the months’ May to November it varies between 7 and 12 °C in the day and at night it drops below 0 °C.

Height in the Mountain of Colors

The mountain of colors is located in the Vilcanota mountain range near the snowy Ausangate at 5,200 meters above sea level. Latitude: S 13°52’8.518 Longitude: W 71°18’12.765. What makes you suffer from altitude sickness when visiting it due to fatigue since you will have to walk 8 kilometers, this makes the walk demanding for the tourist who wants to visit it.

What is the best time to visit Rainbow Mountain?

To visit and contemplate Vinicunca Mountain in its maximum splendor, you need to know the best time.
The Dry Season.- This season starts from April to November and it is recommended that at this time you make your trip to the mountain of colors to contemplate its surroundings in their maximum splendor.
The Rainy Season.- This is the season in which it is not recommended to visit the Vinicunca mountain since the weather is rainy and there are usually electrical storms, so it is risky to visit it between these months of December to March.

Distance from Cusco to the mountain of colors

To get to the mountain of colors there are two routes, the distance between Cusco and the Mountain of Colors varies according to the path you choose:

The route through Cusipata:
Starts in Cusco – Cusipata (paved road) 81 km
Cusipata – Phulawasipata (carriage trail). 20 km
Phulawasipata – Mountain of Colors (path): 3 km.

The route through Pitumarca:
Cusco – Pitumarca (paved road) 87km
Pitumarca – Pampachiri (carriage trail) 49 km
Pampachiri – Mountain of Colors (road): 4.5 km.

What to take to the mountain of colors

To enjoy a trip without complications you should take into account these tips:

• Try to be in good health and be in good physical condition.
• Take your trekking equipment: poles, trekking shoes, a wide-brimmed hat, small backpack, clothes
  raincoat, sunscreen, rain poncho, water, and carbohydrate-rich food.
• Buy water and food in the city of Cusco or in Cusipata or Pitumarca, since they are the only places where you will find a store.
• Carry money in soles.

Finally, before making the walk to Vinicunca, do not forget to acclimatize to the climate of the Cusco region, in this way you will reduce the symptoms of altitude sickness (soroche).