Mistakes I Made at Rainbow Mountain, Peru: How to Avoid Common Hike Mistakes in Vinicunca

If you're planning a trip to Peru, Cusco is likely on your radar. This historic city serves as the perfect base for exploring the surrounding wonders, including the stunning Rainbow Mountain, also known as Vinicunca by locals. While this vibrant mountain is a must-see on many Peru itineraries, I made a few mistakes during my hike that I wish I’d avoided. Learn from my experience so you can enjoy your Rainbow Mountain hike to the fullest.

What is Rainbow Mountain? Exploring Vinicunca’s Vibrant Colors

Rainbow Mountain is located in the Andes and is famous for its colorful, striped appearance. These striking layers are the result of 14 different types of sedimentary rock, and on a clear day, the colors are as vibrant as those you see in photos.

However, getting to Rainbow Mountain isn't a simple stroll. The hike is VERY challenging, and the elevation makes it a particularly tough one for those not properly prepared.

To visit Rainbow Mountain, you’ll need to book an official tour through a reputable company. Websites like GetYourGuide and Viator offer a wide range of tours that can help you navigate the journey from Cusco to the mountain.

I visited in mid-February, which is during Peru’s rainy season, and while I didn’t get rain, I did get snow!

Here are the 7 mistakes I made at Rainbow Mountain and how you can avoid them.

Mistake #1: Starting the Rainbow Mountain Hike Too Soon – The Importance of Acclimatization

When I first arrived in Cusco, I was excited to explore everything the city had to offer. But I made the mistake of booking my Rainbow Mountain tour as my very first day trip. This was a huge mistake.

Rainbow Mountain is located at an altitude of nearly 5,200 meters (17,060 feet) above sea level, which is comparable to the height of Everest Base Camp. Cusco, on the other hand, sits at 3,400 meters (11,155 feet). This means there’s a significant difference in elevation, and even if you’ve acclimatized to Cusco, jumping to Rainbow Mountain right away can overwhelm your body.

Tip: Spend a few days in Cusco to acclimatize before tackling high-altitude hikes. You might also want to consider visiting Sacred Valley first, which sits at a lower elevation.

Another tip: Book this as your very last activity, as you will be able to have more time to acclimatize as you do other activities.

Mistake #2: Not Preparing for the High Altitude – Tips for Handling Altitude Sickness

Altitude sickness is a common issue when hiking in the Andes, and it’s not something I took as seriously as I should have. In Cusco, many people chew coca leaves or drink coca tea to help with acclimatization. While I had access to coca tea at my Airbnb and during breakfast, I skipped it, thinking I’d be fine.

I wasn’t fine.

When we arrived at the parking lot, our tour guide gave our group something to spray on our hands and smell, so this was the only precaution I took with coca.

At the higher elevations of Rainbow Mountain, I began to feel dizzy and short of breath. Coca tea or chewing leaves can help alleviate these symptoms, so don't skip it!

Tip: If you're heading to Rainbow Mountain, consider drinking coca tea before the hike and carry some coca leaves with you for the journey.

Mistake #3: Hiking Like It's Just Another Hike – Adjust Your Pace

At the start of the hike, I tried to go at my usual pace, but quickly learned that this wasn’t going to work at 5,000 meters above sea level. The air is much thinner at this elevation, and breathing becomes significantly more difficult.

I quickly had to adjust by taking frequent breaks, breathing deeply, and slowing my pace. This may seem obvious, but it’s a vital point that many overlook when preparing for a high-altitude hike.

Tip: Take it slow and steady. Rainbow Mountain is a marathon, not a sprint!

Mistake #4: Not Preparing for Snow at Rainbow Mountain

While I packed for the rainy season, I didn’t consider that the high altitude might bring snow instead of rain. When we arrived at Rainbow Mountain, it was snowing and incredibly windy. While I had plenty of layers, I forgot to bring gloves.

I ended up using extra hiking socks as makeshift gloves (which worked surprisingly well!), but it was a lesson I won’t forget.

Tip: Pack for all weather conditions, including snow. Be sure to bring warm gloves, a windproof jacket, and layers that can keep you warm and dry.

5. I paid the price for not using proper sun protection

In hindsight, I feel very dumb for not protecting my face from the sun. When we arrived it was cloudy, overcast, snowing, and windy, so I didn't think too much about using sunscreen or wearing a hat. For majority of the hike, it was cloudy and overcast. Only for a brief amount of time at the top while viewing Rainbow Mountain was it actually sunny.

What I learned was that because we were in such high elevation, the sun is more powerful even if it's behind clouds. About 3 hours after leaving the top of the mountain and getting to lunch at about 2:30pm, my face had already begun to show that I was sunburned. at that time all I had packed with me that I could put on my face was my tinted moisturizer with SPF. I put some on because of the moisturization in hopes that would help the early signs of sunburn.

We arrived back in Cusco around 5:30 p.m. and I went straight home because I was very tired from the hike. when I got home I noticed the sunburn was starting to set in even more. By 7pm,  the sunburn had become miserable. from about my eyebrows down, my face began to show signs of water blisters. my eyes became swollen and then started to run and wouldn't stop, and that became even more miserable and unbearable pain. I went to sleep because I couldn't deal with the pain.

The next morning when I woke up my face had only gotten worse. I didn't have aloe with me but I had moisturizer so I constantly reapplied to allow my face to soak in moisture so the sunburn didn't dry out. I looked so awful and scary that I was not willing to go out in public to go get aloe. my face moisturizer would have to do the trick until I felt comfortable going out in public again.

I have never had such severe sunburn in my life. I've had a few bad sunburns in the past.  one time I had sunburn that caused a heat rash. I've also had times in the past where I've blistered and peeled but that process was usually fairly quick.

With this sunburn, it took an entire week for my face to go through the healing process.  it definitely got worse before it got better but majority of my face from my eyebrows down blistered, scabbed, and peeled.  throughout the healing process, my face was stiff and it was hard to open my mouth to eat. I didn't have much of an appetite while healing either.

No matter what the weather is when you go to Rainbow Mountain, make sure that you take the proper precautions to protect any Exposed Skin from the Sun.  you'll thank me for this later.

6. I overpacked my bag for hiking

As an avid hiker, I like to be prepared for anything when I go hiking. you never know what will happen when you're hiking,  and I've read about and watched many horror stories about unprepared hikers.

Because of the nature of this hike and it being with a guided tour, plus the fact that there are hundreds of other guided tours happening at the same time, I don't feel like I needed to be as prepared as I normally would.

We had the option to leave stuff in the van, and I should have left more than I did so that my bag wasn't so heavy. I'm used to it being a little heavier for hikes, but majority of the things in my bag did not come out of my bag and we're not needed.

I do want to add though, that you should prepare your backpack with what you feel is right for you.

7. I left my external battery at home

As a Solo Traveler I try to take my external battery with me everywhere.  I don't want to be left anywhere with a dead phone and no way to charge it. the night before, I ensured while I was packing my bag that I charged my external battery to bring with me. I made the mistake of not putting it directly in my bag once it was charged and instead put it on my nightstand next to my bed. and that's where it stayed.

During the hike, you will be taking lots of pictures and videos which can quickly and drain your phone’s battery.  I left with my phone fully charged and put it into low power mode to conserve energy. what I did not do was put in an airplane mode which would have helped conserve more battery life so that's another mistake. but when we got back on the bus to head to lunch and then head home my phone was down to 9% left. that's when I discovered that I did not have my external battery with me to charge my phone so I ended up turning off my phone for the rest of the trip. from about 1:00 p.m. until we arrived in Cusco at around 5:30 p.m. my phone was off so that I could turn it back on to navigate back to my Airbnb when we got to cusco.  by the time I made it home I had 3% battery left and my phone went directly on the charger. and that's when I discovered that the external battery was next to my bed.

 

Despite all of these mistakes, my visit to Rainbow Mountain was unforgettable. The stunning colors of Vinicunca and the sheer beauty of the Peruvian Andes made every challenge worth it. If I were to go again, I’d be far more prepared, and I hope these tips will help you make the most of your experience.

When you plan your visit to Rainbow Mountain and Cusco, make sure to prepare for the altitude, pack appropriately for all weather conditions, and always use sun protection. By avoiding the mistakes I made, you’ll ensure a smoother and more enjoyable hike.

 

Want More Travel Tips for Peru?

If Rainbow Mountain, the city of Cusco, or Peru are on your travel bucket list, you can learn more about the area, the culture, day trips, and more here.