These rainbow mountains are true pieces of art, the best example of how capricious and beautiful nature can be. These geological formations are the result of complex geological processes, beautiful sceneries that seem to come out of the imagination of a happy painter.
These rainbow mountains exist and hide some of the most spectacular and beautiful landscapes on the planet. Discover with Auri some of the most beautiful colorful mountains in the world in the following list.
Zhangye Danxia (China)
The most beautiful geological formations of this Asian giant are located in the northwest of China, in the Zhangye Danxia Park. These numerous colorful mountains are located on the slopes of the Qilian Mountains, in Linze and Sunan prefectures of Gansu province. Their formation is related to the same plates that created part of the Himalayas.
Its shades include a wide range of colors of reds, blues, ochres, greens, violets and others. All this great colorful park covers an astonishing 520 square kilometers. In 2010 it was declared a World Heritage Site by Unesco.
A curious fact of this colorful mountain park, Zhangye Danxia, is that among its mountains runs the way formerly traders used to travel to make the famous Silk Road.
Serrania de Hornocal, the 14 Coloured Mountains (Argentina)
The Serrania de Hornocal or 14 coloured mountains is located in the extreme northeast of the Andes of Argentina, 24 kilometers from the city of Humahuaca in the province of Yujuy. This mountain range is part of the Yacoraite limestone formation, which crosses several provinces of northern Argentina but shown in its most colorful version along this area.
Serrania de Hornocal stands out for the many shades of its landscape and its forms that zigzag in an almost mathematical pattern on the 4700 meters high, so it is listed as the mountain of 14 colors. Each color corresponds to each of the minerals that form the different rocky materials of the area, becoming different shades depending on their oxidation in contact with air and erosion. Its viewpoint is located at 4350 meters of altitude.
Painted Hills, Oregon (United States)
Painted Hills is located in the northwestern United States in Wheeler County, Oregon, in one of the most impressive nature reserves in the United States, the John Day Fossil Beds National Monument.
It takes the name of Painted Hills due to the layers of colors and the striations of its mountains. Its formation is of volcanic origin and dates back 35 million years. Each of its layers corresponds to volcanic sediments deposited by ancient eruptions when the area was a river plain. The chromatic spectacle changes according to the time of the day due to the incidence of the sun’s rays. The colors also change according to the season of the year and the different climates. The Painted Hills is open all year round, with easy access for all visitors.
Landmannalaugar Mountain (Iceland)
Landmannalaugar is located in the highlands of the Fjallabak nature reserve in Iceland. Due to its difficult access, Landmannalaugar has kept its natural beauty intact and is one of the most spectacular landscapes in Iceland. The mountains are made of rhyolite, a volcanic rock. The colors are the product of geothermal activity formed by volcanic activity, hot springs, lava fields and rivers. For this reason, these landscapes seem painted in a thousand shades, from black, red to ocher and green, through the blue of various rivers and lakes present throughout the area.
The snow and hard ice of the Icelandic winter cover these landscapes for most of the year, nearly 10 months a year. When temperatures rise, an amazing landscape full of colorful mountains emerges, access is only open during the summer months. These mountains are the perfect destination for mountaineers or bathing in geothermal springs.
The Wave (United States)
The wave is located right on the Utah/Arizona state line within the Vermillion Cliffs National Monument wilderness area. Within Vermillion Cliffs is the Coyote Buttes region which is divided into two parts, the north and south. The Wave is within the northern region.
The wave is a gigantic sandstone rock formation dating from the Jurassic period, some 190 million years ago. It is famous for nature’s u-shaped curves, ripples and twists, a beautiful palette of colors that does not need to be saturated with any photo application.
It is believed to be sand dunes that solidified over time. Due to the fragile landscape that is preserved here, only 20 people per day were allowed to enter, but since the beginning of 2021 the number of people and groups that can visit The Wave has been increased. It is the most exclusive destination in the United States.
The hill of seven colors or “Cerro de 7 colores” (Argentina)
These rainbow mountains are among the most photographed landscapes of northwestern Argentina. The Hill of Seven Colors is one of the hills that borders the Quebrada de Purmamarca, a town located 64 kilometers from San Salvador de Jujuy in Argentina at 4200 meters above sea level.
“Cerro de 7 Colores” was declared cultural and natural heritage of humanity by Unesco in 2003. This incredible place was formed about 75 million years ago. This hill receives its name for its peculiar range of colors that are reflected with the first rays of the sun, and that are appreciated in the great rocky mass that varies from orange to violet tones.
Rainbow Mountain (Peru)
The rainbow mountain or mountain of the seven colors, better known as Vinicunca mountain is one of the best attractions of Cusco and Peru. Definitely a dream landscape that is worth visiting and has become one of the major tourist attractions in the land of the Incas.
The colorful Vinicunca mountain is due to a geological formation accumulated over time by the mixture of marine, lake and river elements. This meeting of minerals dragged by the waters of the mountain range, the winds and the humidity, has caused the oxidation of the place and has made the mountain acquire this magical diversity of tonalities.
The popularity of Vinicunca expanded rapidly and it is a favorite destination for trekking and mountaineering enthusiasts. Thousands of people have been amazed by this colorful spectacle whose beautiful photographs abound on social networks. The U.S. media Business Insider included Vinicunca as part of a list of the 100 must-see places in the world.
Other Rainbow Mountains in Peru
On the other hand, within the Cusco region there is also Palcoyo and Pallay Poncho, other rainbow mountains of beautiful shades.
Palcoyo Rainbow Mountain
It is called the mountain range of colors because we can find several colorful mountains in the area. This mountain is located not many kilometers from the Vinicunca Rainbow Mountain. You can also find a stone forest inside the mountain area. The trekking to this destination is shorter than to Vinicunca Rainbow Mountain, its origin is very similar to this one.
Pallay Poncho Rainbow Mountain
It is popularly known as the sharp mountain of colors due to its whimsical rock formations with pointed ends. This incredible place is also located in Cusco, within the province of Canas. The photos and videos that were published on social networks made the colorful mountain gain popularity.
Not even the best paintings can compare to these fascinating landscapes full of color, these rainbow mountains of beautiful hues are waiting to be discovered by the eyes of every visitor. Auri Travel is pleased to help you with your travel plans to Machu Picchu and other places in the country like these rainbow mountains, come and enjoy your Peruvian adventure with us!
