Examine individual changes

'{{Infobox mountain | name = Vinicunca | photo_caption = Vinicunca or Rainbow Mountain | elevation_m = 5,200 | elevation_ref = | prominence = | map = Peru | location = [[Peru]] | range = [[Andes]] | coordinates = {{coord|13.870227|S|71.302951|W|region:PE|display=inline,title}} | coordinates_ref= | topo = | type = | age = | last_eruption = | first_ascent = | easiest_route = }} '''Vinicunca''', or '''Winikunka''', also called '''Montaña de Siete Colores''', '''Montaña de Colores''' or '''Rainbow Mountain''', is a mountain in the [[Andes]] of [[Peru]] with an altitude of 5,200 meters above sea level.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.arqueologiadelperu.com/montana-colores-arco-iris-rainbow-mountain-vinicunca-quispicanchis-cusco/|title=Montaña de siete colores {{!}} Montaña Arco Iris {{!}} Rainbow Mountain en Vinicunca, Quispicanchis, Cusco – Arqueología del Perú {{!}} Historia, Turismo, Arte , Inca, Prehispánico, Pre-Inca|language=es|access-date=2019-03-19}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://rpp.pe/blog/trotamundos-en-rpp/salvemos-la-montana-de-colores-de-vinicunca-noticia-992722|title=Fotos: Montaña de Colores de Vinicunca es víctima de su popularidad|website=RPP|language=es|access-date=2019-03-19}}</ref> It is located on the road to the [[Ausangate]] mountain in the Peruvian [[Andes]], in the [[Department of Cuzco|Cusco region]], between the districts of [[Culipata|Cusipata]], province of [[Quispicanchi Province|Quispicanchi]], [[Pitumarca District|Pitumarca]], and the province of [[Canchis Province|Canchis]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://publimetro.pe/actualidad/noticia-conoce-belleza-winikunka-montana-7-colores-cusco-fotos-52958|title=Conoce la belleza de Winikunka, la montaña de 7 colores de Cusco|website=publimetro.pe|date=2016-11-17|access-date=2019-03-19}}</ref> Tourist access requires a two-hour drive from [[Cusco]], and a walk of about {{convert|5|km|sp=us|adj=on}} or three-and-a-half-hour drive through Pitumarca and a {{convert|1/2|km|spell=in|adj=on}} steep walk (1-1.5 hours) to the hill. As of 2019, no robust methods of transportation to Vinicunca have been developed to accommodate travelers, as it requires passage through a valley.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.americatv.com.pe/noticias/actualidad/cusco-denuncian-que-han-danado-montana-siete-colores-n245674|title=Cusco: denuncian que han dañado la Montaña de Siete Colores|website=América Noticias|language=es|access-date=2019-03-19}}</ref> In the middle of the 2010s, mass tourism came, attracted by the mountain's series of stripes of various colors<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://s3.accesoperu.com/wp6/wp6.php?p=24268|title=Salvemos La Montaña de Colores: Está Corriendo Grave Peligro|website=ACCESOPERU.COM|language=es|access-date=2019-03-19}}</ref> due to its [[mineralogical]] composition on the slopes and summits.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://andina.pe/agencia/noticia-en-dia-internacional-las-montanas-conoce-las-7-cumbres-mas-altas-del-peru-735626.aspx|title=En el Día Internacional de las Montañas conoce las 7 cumbres más altas del Perú|last=PERÚ|first=Empresa Peruana de Servicios Editoriales S. A. EDITORA|website=andina.pe|language=es|access-date=2019-03-19}}</ref> The mountain used to be covered by glacier caps, but these have melted recently due to [[global warming]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://theculturetrip.com/south-america/peru/articles/the-discovery-of-perus-rainbow-mountain-has-an-unfortunate-truth/|title=The Discovery of Peru's Rainbow Mountain Has an Unfortunate Truth|website=theculturetrip.com|language=en|access-date=2020-06-06}}</ref> == Location == [[File:Red valley.jpg|left|thumb|The Red Valley, a path that connects [[Pitumarca District|Pitumarca]] with Vinicunca]] Vinicunca is located to the southeast of the city of [[Cusco]] and can be reached from Cusco via two routes: [[Cusipata District|Cusipata]] or [[Pitumarca District|Pitumarca]]. One route is through the Peruvian Sierra del Sur (PE-3s) in the direction of the town of [[Checacupe District|Checacupe]], and further to the town of [[Pitumarca District|Pitumarca]], which is around two hours from the city of Cusco. From Pitumarca, travelers may go by foot, car or motorbike along a trail passing through several rural communities such as Ocefina, Japura and Hanchipacha, and reach the community of Pampa Chiri, where a 1.5-kilometer walk along the Vinincunca pass leads to the natural formation with stripes of colors that give the name Rainbow Mountain. An alternative route is via [[Cusipata District|Cusipata]]. From Cusipata, travellers may walk for 3km along the Chillihuani route along a bridle path to the Rainbow Mountain.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.intupacusco.com/tours-cortos-cusco/full-day-montana-colores-vinicunca-cusco/|title=Tour Full day montaña de colores cusco 2018 {{!}} Intupa Cusco|website=Machu Picchu Tours {{!}} Viajes a Machu Picchu {{!}} Tours Cusco {{!}} Intupa Cusco|language=es|access-date=2019-03-19}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://bitacorasdeviaje.com/peru/vinicunca-la-montana-arcoiris|title=Montaña Arcoíris, Cusco|last=Andrés Vögler|date=2016-10-11|website=BITÁCORAS DE VIAJE|language=es|access-date=2019-03-19}}</ref> The altitude of the Rainbow Mountain being around 5200 meters or over 17,000 feet, time for acclimatizing to the high altitude may be necessary during the trek up to the summit.<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.bemytravelmuse.com/rainbow-mountain-peru/ |title=Secrets of Rainbow Mountain, Peru: How to Do it Right |date=5 August 2018|work=Be My Travel Muse }}</ref> == Weather == Travelers to Peru and locals generally agree that the best time of the year to visit the colorful site is in August, since it is [[dry season]] and provides a beautiful view, maximizing the vivid colors of the mountains. Nevertheless, the famous colors always look beautiful. Travelers are advised to try to avoid days following significant rainfall (in December, January and February), more so after snow has fallen.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.machupicchuperutours.com/montana-de-siete-colores/|title=La Montaña de Siete Colores {{!}} Vinicunca Cusco - Perú {{!}} Guía de Viajes|date=2016-04-15|language=es|access-date=2019-03-19}}</ref> As to fauna, travelers may see a wide variety of [[alpaca]]s and other camelids in certain short seasons. == Mineralogical composition == According to the Cultural Landscape Office of the Decentralization of the City of Cusco, the seven colors of the mountain are due to its mineralogical composition: the pink color is due to [[Ultisol|red clay]], fangolitas (mud) and arilitas (sand); the whitish colouring is due to [[Silicon dioxide|quartzose]], [[sandstone]] and [[marl]]s, rich in [[calcium carbonate]]; the red is due to [[Mudrock|claystones]] ([[iron]]) and clays belonging to the [[Neogene|Upper Tertiary]] period; the green is due to [[phyllite]]s and clays rich in [[Mafic|ferro magnesian]]; the earthy brown is a product of [[Conglomerate (geology)|fanglomerate]] composed of rock with [[magnesium]] belonging to the [[Quaternary]] period; and the mustard yellow color comes from the [[calcareous]] sandstones rich in [[Sulfur|sulphurous]] minerals.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.vinicuncaperu.com/es/|title=Vinicunca Perú {{!}} La montaña de colores en Perú {{!}} Cusco|website=Vinicunca ES|language=es|access-date=2019-03-19}}</ref> {{wide image|File:Montaña Vinicunca.jpg|800|Colored stripes of steeply tilted strata at Vinincunca }} == Mountain concession for mining == An approval process for mining began on March 30, 2015 in Lima, when the mining exploration company Minquest Perú SAC, owned by the Canadian Camino Minerals Corporation, submitted a petition to mine [[Red Beds]] to the Geological, Mining and Metallurgical Institute (''Instituto Geológico Minero y Metalúrgico'', [[INGEMMET]]). The petition included the territory of the districts of Cusipata and Pitumarca with an area of 400 hectares, covering the whole of the mountain, and overlapping the peasant communities of Chillihuani and Pampachiri. INGEMMET issued a warning that parts of this territory, including Vinicunca, should have been protected within the "Ausangate Regional Conservation Area". In 2009, the Regional Government of Cusco had proposed the creation of this protected area to Peru's National Service of Protected Natural Areas (''Servicio Nacional de Áreas Naturales Protegidas'', [[SERNANP]]). However, SERNANP responded that the Ausangate Regional Conservation Area had never been officially created, since the proposal had not met the necessary requirements. Therefore, on March 16, 2018, with Presidential Resolution No. 042-2018-INGEMMET / PCD / PM INGEMMET, the title of metallic mining concession was granted.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://cooperaccion.org.pe/incoherencia-del-sistema-de-planificacion-territorial/|title=Incoherencia del sistema de planificación territorial|last=Cooperacción|website=CooperAcción|access-date=2019-03-19}}</ref> On May 21, 2018, following public protests, the company informed the Regional Government of Cusco of its renunciation of the concession; however, the Regional Government indicated that it was the Ministry of Energy and Mines that must assume the administrative actions to recover possession of these lands. The National Chamber of Tourism (CANATUR) expressed its deep concern over the management of Vinicunca, one of the most important components of Peru's new appeal to tourism.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://larepublica.pe/sociedad/1264328-montana-siete-colores-empresa-renuncio-concesion-minera-montana|title=Empresa decidió renunciar a la concesión minera de la Montaña de Siete Colores en Cus|date=2018-06-21|website=larepublica.pe|access-date=2019-03-19}}</ref> <ref>{{Cite web|title = Rainbow Mountain Hike Peru |url = http://www.incatrailhikingtours.com/en/rainbow-mountains-peru |website = Rainbow Mountain Peru Info |access-date = 2016-01-19|language = en-US}}</ref> <ref>{{Cite web|url=http://larepublica.pe/turismo/destinos/800251-salvemos-la-montana-de-colores-esta-corriendo-grave-peligro|title=Salvemos la Montaña de Colores: está corriendo grave peligro|publisher=La República|accessdate=2017-01-27|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202065955/http://larepublica.pe/turismo/destinos/800251-salvemos-la-montana-de-colores-esta-corriendo-grave-peligro|archive-date=2017-02-02|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}</ref> <ref>{{Cite web|title = Formación Geológica de la Montaña de los 7 Colores |url = https://www.vinicuncaperu.com/es/formacion-geologica-de-la-montana-de-los-7-colores |website = Vinicunca Peru |language = en-US}}</ref> In November 2018, Peru's President [[Martín Vizcarra]] issued a decree enforcing a 12-month moratorium on all mining activity in the area. The Regional Government stated its expectation that within that time frame, the Ministry of Energy and Mines would permanently register the region as a protected conservation area. <ref>{{Cite web|title = Peru Stops Miners From Exploring Rainbow Mountain Tourist Area |url = https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-11-26/peru-stops-miners-from-exploring-rainbow-mountain-tourist-area |website = Bloomberg |language = en-US|accessdate=2019-11-13}}</ref> <ref>{{Cite web|title = Suspenden admisión de petitorios mineros en el área de la Montaña de Siete Colores, ubicada en el departamento de Cusco |url = https://busquedas.elperuano.pe/normaslegales/suspenden-admision-de-petitorios-mineros-en-el-area-de-la-mo-decreto-supremo-n-032-2018-em-1716342-4/ |website = El Peruano|accessdate=2019-11-13}}</ref> <ref>{{Cite web|title = Suspenden petitorios mineros que comprendan la Montaña de siete Colores |url = https://andina.pe/agencia/noticia-suspenden-petitorios-mineros-comprendan-montana-siete-colores-733780.aspx |website = Andina|accessdate=2019-11-13}}</ref> In 2019, as a result of joint work between the Ministry of the Environment and the National Service of Natural Protected Areas (Sernanp), Ausangate was finally established as one of three new Regional Conservation Areas.<ref>{{Cite web|url = https://www.gob.pe/institucion/minam/noticias/76261-minam-consumo-de-plastico-de-un-solo-uso-se-redujo-en-30-en-el-ultimo-ano |website = Ministry of the Environment|accessdate=2020-09-14}}</ref> Government representatives made the announcement during the [[COP25]] event in Madrid.<ref>{{Cite web|url = https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2019_United_Nations_Climate_Change_Conference|title = Ausangate Conservation Area Created in Cusco (Finally) |website = Traveling And Living In Peru |accessdate=2020-09-14}}</ref> According to Cusco’s manager for natural resources, the measure to protect the area does not guarantee that mining projects hoping to extract lithium will be banned. However, Cusco’s governor, Jean Paul Benavente, said that permits for these projects should be declined in order to comply with the measure. == Gallery == <center> <gallery> File:Montana de colores Cusco (Vinicunca) y Valle Rojo por Inka Time.jpg|Colored stripes File:Red valley.jpg|The red valley File:Alpacas in the mountains.jpg|Alpacas in the mountains File:Montaña Arco iris.jpg|Panoramic view of the mountain File:Ausangate as seen from Vinicunca.jpg|[[Ausangate]] as seen from Vinicunca </gallery> </center> ==See also== * [[Apu (god)]] * [[Ausangate]] * [[Mineral industry of Peru]] * [[Tourism in Peru]] ==References== {{reflist}} ==External links== *[https://www.forbes.com/sites/trevornace/2017/01/21/welcome-rainbow-mountains-peru/#15d05b6f6f70 Geology of the colors] [[Category:Mountains of Cusco Region]] [[Category:Mountains of Peru]] [[Category:Peru]] [[Category:Tourist attractions in Cusco Region]] [[Category:Andes]] [[Category:Geology of Peru]]'