Best time to visit Rainbow Mountain (Vinicunca) without snow

Rainbow Mountain (Vinicunca), in the Cusco region, is one of the most wanted photos on any trip to Peru. The color bands are natural, but what you find at the top depends on the weather: in the wrong month, the summit can be covered in snow or hidden in fog.

In this Tari Tours guide you’ll see which months to book the tour for the best chance of seeing the colors, what to bring, and a less crowded alternative.

Dry season: April to October, the best time

This is the ideal and safest time to visit Vinicunca.

• Weather. Little rain, clear skies and lots of sun.
• Visibility. The best of the year. With no snow or rain, the minerals that create the colors show at full intensity.
• Downside. It’s high season, so the trail is usually busier.
• Tip. May, June and September are considered perfect: dry weather and fewer people than in July and August.

November and March: transition months with a risk of snow

These are transition months, with a moderate risk.

• Weather. Rain becomes intermittent, but nights in the high mountains can be very cold.
• Main risk. Snow. If it snows heavily the night before, the top of Vinicunca can wake up white, hiding the colors for a while. It usually doesn’t last all day, but it can ruin the morning photo.
• Upside. Far fewer people on the trail.

Rainy season: December to February, the least recommended time

The tour still runs, but this is the hardest season, both for getting there and for seeing the mountain.

• Weather. Heavy, frequent rain, fog and intense cold.
• Main risk. The trail gets muddy and slippery, which makes the climb harder and more dangerous. The summit may be clouded over or covered in snow.
• The exception. If the weather cooperates, the valleys are greener than ever and the contrast with the colors is striking (if you get to see the mountain).

Where the colors come from

The bands of Vinicunca formed from marine and continental sediments laid down over millions of years and then shaped by erosion and weather. Each shade comes from different minerals:

• Red and pink. Iron oxide and clay.
• Green. Chlorite.
• Purple. Manganese oxide combined with coal.

For the Quechua communities in the area, the mountain is an Apu, a protective spirit. Locals also call it Cerro Colorado or Winikunka. Until around 2010, the summit was covered in snow; as the ice melted with climate change, the colors appeared, and the mountain became famous after going viral on social media in 2016.

From the trail you can see the snow-capped Ausangate (6,384 m / 20,950 ft). It’s also common to come across herds of wild vicuñas, Andean relatives of llamas: watch them from a distance and don’t disturb them.

Palcoyo: the less crowded alternative

If you want to avoid the crowds, there are alternative routes, such as the Red Valley (Valle Rojo) or Palcoyo. About 3 hours from Cusco, Palcoyo has three rainbow mountains, easier trails and far fewer tourists. It’s a good option for families or for travelers short on time.

Tips for the hike

The hike to the top, at 5,200 m (17,060 ft) above sea level, is a physical challenge. Go prepared:

• Acclimatization. Arrive in Cusco a few days early and take short walks so your body can adjust to the altitude.
• Clothing. Dress in layers, with warm, comfortable clothes, and wear proper hiking shoes.
• Water. Bring enough water: altitude dehydrates you.
• Sun. Sunscreen, a hat and sunglasses. At altitude, the sun is very strong.
• Guide. Going with a guide helps with safety and with understanding the history and geology of the mountain.
• Health. If you have any health condition, check with your doctor before doing the hike.