It is known in both ways “Rainbow Mountain " or “Montaña de 7 colores Vinicunca”, the original name comes from two Quechua voices “Wini rumi” Black stone “Kunka” neck; Black stone due to the black stones that abound in the area, and neck by the narrow hill that resembles a neck.

The study by the Office of Cultural Landscape and Muñoz details how each strip is composed according to its colour:
Pink: Combination of red clays, mudstones (muds) and sands.
White: sandstone (quartz sand) and limestone.
Purple or lavender: marl (mixture of clay and calcium carbonate) and silicates.
Red: argillites and clays.
Green: clays rich in ferro magnesium (a mixture of iron and magnesium) and copper oxide.
Yellowish brown, mustard or golden brown: limonites, calcareous sandstones rich in sulphide minerals (combined with sulphur).