Location: Usually starting in the small village of Quesiuno, located in the District of Pitumarca, Province of Canchis, Region of Cusco.

Distance from Cusco Downtown to Quesiuno: 132 kilometers - 3 hours and a half by private transportation.

• Vinicunca is also know by locals as "Apu Winicunca" and/or "Montaña Colorada", and tourists know it as the Rainbow Mountain. It is said that this breath taking geological formation with several ocher tone colors was hidden from thousands of years due to the glaciers that covered this colorful mountain . Only a few years ago the glaciers in the pass melt apparently as a consequence of global warming.
• The Rainbow Mountain has gained fome since 2015 and nowadays many dozens of tourists try to the reach this high pass every day to enjoy the views of Vinicunca as well as the Ausangate Snowy Peak.
• Reaching this high pass by foot is a tough task and make it to the top is reserved to the ones who are physically prepared and well acclimatized to high  altitude.
• If travelers are not in good shape and are willing to be part of this excursion, horses are available for rent. After hiking for about a mile from Quesiuno, horses will be available for rent for about USD 25.00 (round trip), but it is important to know that horses can't be ridden all the way to the top and sorne difficult sections of the trail need to be hiked. In other words, renting a horse doesn't guarantee that all travelers will be able to make it to the pass.
• The Rainbow Mountain attracts sorne many travelers nowadays that several travel agencies offer this tour around the main square of Cusco charging very low prices and providing misleading information about the level of difficulty of the excursion. This in many cases leads to a bad experience; therefore, travelers should carefully choose the itinerary and tour provider that better fits his/her needs.
• The traditional visit takes place in l day starting in Cusco City at 03:00 hours and ending in Cusco at 17:00 hours. Several tour operators offer 2 or 3 day tours combining the Rainbow Mountain excursion with biking, fishing or a visit to the Inca bridge of Qeswachaka made out of ropes over the Apurimac River.
• Weather in this area can be unpredictable. All year long, weather conditions can quickly change from sunny to cloudy and rainy. From December to March runs the rainy season and it is preferable to avoid this excursion during this time trame due to heavy rain, mudslides, and electrical storms.

Restrictions:

• Travelers with health issues such as cardiac conditions, asthma, or pulmonary infections should ask a doctor before hiking the Vinicunca Trek.
• Travelers should refrain from littering this route or booking tour operators not environmental responsible so it remains as pristine as possible.