This magical place is located about 100 kilometers south of Cusco and is located in the Cordillera del Vilcanota at an altitude of 5,200 meters above sea level between the districts of Pitumarca and Cusipata.
Since the beginning of 2015 and in less than two years it became a natural tourist boom, the number of tourists taking photos with this mountain has increased from dozens to about 1,000 per day. Due to its popularity and promotion on social networks, this mountain has become a must-see destination in the rankings of tourist attractions in the world. Thus, in August 2017, it was included in the list of “100 essential places in life” recommended by travel experts on the Business Insider website.
Authorities that govern the control of the mountain of colors
In recent years, this colorful mountain has become increasingly popular, attracting a third of the tourists who visit the Inca citadel of Machu Picchu daily. Therefore, new forms of access and greater control are increasingly necessary for a correct service to tourists and world travelers towards the mountain of colors. For which the Regional Directorate of Tourism of Cusco (Dircetur) is the regulatory entity and guarantees that the Vinicunca Mountain conserves the natural and ecological environment as well as the preservation of the fauna throughout the Vilcanota mountain range. The municipal governments are also part of enforcing the regulations, in this case, the municipalities of Pitumarca and Cusipata, who are the inspectors for compliance with the regulations stipulated to the tourism agencies and the residents for a reciprocal coexistence between the tourist, tour operator, and settlers.
que llevar a la montana de colores

Principles of sustainable tourism in the Vinicunca mountain

The fundamental principles for the conservation of the mountain of colors are based on the following:

  1. Natural resources are an intangible asset for which it is essential not to carry out any type of mining near and around the rainbow mountain.
  2. The Mountain of 7 Colors is an intangible natural heritage, therefore no tourist will enter the same mountain vinicunca.
  3. Mountain tourism creates opportunities for local businesses and is also a source of economic income for the inhabitants.
  4. Tourism maximizes the relationship with all stakeholders, strengthening actions to conserve natural heritage, knowledge of indigenous peoples and native communities, as well as respect for their customs.
  5. Tourism in Vinicunca will be carried out in an orderly manner, without exceeding load capacities and minimizing negative impacts on ecosystems and their biodiversity.

Vision for Tourism in the mountain of colors

  1. By the year 2030, tourism in the rainbow mountain ensures the conservation and sustainable use of natural resources.
  2. By 2040, the Dircetur guarantees the maintenance of biodiversity, as well as its environmental services, through training for residents and tourists.
  3. The Protected Natural Areas within the Vilcanota mountain range will be an intangible area with all sectors of society and in coordination with the three levels of government, promoting the sustainable use of natural resources and thus contributing to the well-being of the communities and the country.
  4. By 2030, Cusco will position itself as a global powerhouse in terms of sustainable tourism, integrating the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity in the sector, generating a range of services and competitive destinations that contribute to the sustained and sustainable growth of tourism activities, with a wide and fair distribution of the economic and social benefits of tourism in the receiving communities, to consolidate a balanced regional development.
  5. Count on the preservation of the mountain of colors for future generations.

Strategies for sustainable tourism in Vinicunca

  • Promote the nature tourism product nationally and internationally.
  • Innovate, strengthen and consolidate the nature tourism product taking into account the needs and vocation of each of the government entities.
  • Promote the development, equipment, and modernization of tourism infrastructure in the towns of Cusipata and Pitumarca and surrounding towns.
  • Promote the creation and strengthening of social and tourism companies for nature tourism in the country.
  • Promote the development of sustainable productive tourism projects in communities, towns, or indigenous and rural areas that add to the offer of nature tourism in the country.
  • Socialize the strategy to Promote Nature Tourism in Peru with government entities and in the different digital communication media with the aim of expanding, strengthening, and raising awareness about the great opportunity that it is for the sustainable development of the country.