Tourists gasp for breath as they climb for two hours to a peak in the Peruvian Andes that stands 16,404 feet (5,000 meters) above sea level. They’re dead tired, but stunned by the magical beauty unfurled before them.

Stripes of turquoise, lavender and gold blanket what has become known as “Rainbow Mountain,” a ridge of multicolored sediments laid down millions of years ago and pushed up as tectonic plates clashed. It’s only within the last five years that the natural wonder has been discovered by the outside world, earning it must-see status on Peru’s burgeoning backpacker tourist circuit.

The popularity of Rainbow Mountain, which attracts up to 1,000 tourists each day, has provided a much-needed economic jolt to this remote region populated by struggling alpaca herders. Environmentalists, however, fear the tourists could destroy the treasured landscape, which is already coveted by international mining companies.

In this March 2, 2018 photo, Miguel Rocco stands in front of his home in Pitumarca, Peru. (AP Photo/Martin Mejia)

In this March 2, 2018 photo, a tourist poses for a photo at the entrance that leads to Rainbow Mountain, in Pitumarca, Peru. (AP Photo/Martin Mejia)

In this March 2, 2018 photo, an Andean woman walks to Rainbow Mountain in Pitumarca, Peru. (AP Photo/Martin Mejia)

In this March 2, 2018 photo, a group of tourists ride horses led by an Andean guide to Rainbow Mountain, a ridge of multicolored sediments laid down millions of years ago and pushed up as tectonic plates clashed, in Pitumarca, Peru. (AP Photo/Martin Mejia)

In this March 2, 2018 photo, an Andean muleteer rests during a break from guiding tourists to Rainbow Mountain, in Pitumarca, Peru. (AP Photo/Martin Mejia)

In this March 2, 2018 photo, an Andean woman sells candies, water and chips, on the route to Rainbow Mountain, in Pitumarca, Peru. (AP Photo/Martin Mejia)

In this March 2, 2018 photo, a child hauls a bucket of water in Pitumarca, Peru, near Rain Mountain. (AP Photo/Martin Mejia)

In this April 5, 2018 photo, a group of Andean muleteers break for lunch during a tour guide to Rainbow Mountain, in Pitumarca, Peru. (AP Photo/Martin Mejia)

In this April 4, 2018 photo, a farmer who now sells Andean clothes, collects flowers while he waits for tourists who have come to see Rainbow Mountain, in Pitumarca, Peru. (AP Photo/Martin Mejia)

In this April 4, 2018 photo, a group of musicians pose for a portrait in Pitumarca, Peru, near Rainbow Mountain. (AP Photo/Martin Mejia)

In this March 2, 2018 photo, an Andean guide rests with his llama as tourists take in the natural wonder of Rainbow Mountain, in Pitumarca, Peru. (AP Photo/Martin Mejia)

In this April 4, 2018 photo, children play in their schoolyard in Pitumarca, Peru.(AP Photo/Martin Mejia)

In this April 4, 2018 photo, Henry, 5-years-old, eyes the camera outside his school in Pitumarca, Peru, near Rainbow Mountain. (AP Photo/Martin Mejia)

In this April 5, 2018 photo, Andean muleteers and a tourist take cover from a rain shower during a tour to Rainbow Mountain, in Pitumarca, Peru. (AP Photo/Martin Mejia)