Rainbow Mountain

Rainbow Mountain is an amazing natural wonder in Peru, and here are some things you may not have known about it.

While its colorful summit is the main reason that most people visit Rainbow Mountain, it is home to other natural features. For those who are worried about hiking to the top, or hiking at all, at such an altitude, there is another option: horseback. Many people don't realize that the altitude of Rainbow Mountain - 17,060 feet - can cause symptoms of altitude sickness. This is why the mountain always appears to change in color, even though it's usually just weather or light-created illusion. Those hiking Rainbow Mountain are often surprised to know that it's actually pretty cold at the top - falling to temperatures as low as the low 30s (Fahrenheit). The mountain is colored by minerals that can be found in the sediment that makes up its rock layers, giving it multiple hues.