Palccoyo rainbow mountain

Day trip

Explore in solitude and enjoy three rainbow mountains instead of just one with the classic tour to Vinicunca. Book your Palccoyo Rainbow Mountain – 1 Day with us. 

Tour Price

Palccoyo rainbow mountain

Half Day

Price from $

120

USD Per Person

Group Size

FROM 03 UP TO 10

Activity Level

Easy

BOOK NOW

Trip Details

PALCCOYO RAINBOW MOUNTAIN ITINERARY

Cusco – Palccoyo – Cusco

We begin our day with pick-up from the hotel at 5:00 am and begin our drive towards the Palccoyo Rainbow Mountain trailhead. Located south of Cusco, we drive for approximately 4hrs in private transport until the trail where we will provide you with a breakfast.

Along the way, we see beautiful Andes mountains as well as lush green valleys, local people working in their land, hundreds of alpacas and llamas. If we are lucky we will stop for vicuñas and observe them in their natural free state. When we get to Apacheta, we will begin our hike towards to Palcoyo Mountain. After hiking 10 minutes we get the viewpoint from where you enjoy the first Rainbow Mountain. We take pictures and drink our wáter. Then we hike another 10 minutes we get to the second viewpoint where we will take picture of the second Mountain. Then we hike another 10 minutes to the third viewpoint and you will be impressed by the third mountain. This viewpoint is the place from where you take the classical Postcard Picture of Palcoyo.

After enjoying the beautifil colorful mountains, we will hike back to the Trailhead. Then we take the van for about 2 hours until Ttio town where will have our lunch in local house prepared by our Chef. After enjoying our delicious meal, we drive another 1 hour and half until Cusco. We will drop you off in your hotel at 05 pm roughly.

Stone forest(optional)
If you feel good once you get the third viewpoint, we can hike another 10 minutes to the Stone forest. You will see beautiful rock formations once you get to the top. The trail is swithbacks and steep. But the view from the top is amazing. You will see Ausangate Mountain in a distance and the all 3 Rainbow Mountains. Another good thing to climb is, you dont come back by the same trail, you hike in a loop.

Included

  • English speaking guide, plus an assistant guide for a big group.
  • First aid kit, including oxygen.
  • Breakfast and lunch.
  • Snacks for the trek.
  • Private transportation to and from your hotel in Cusco.
  • Entrance fees to Palcoyo Mountain.
  • Pick up and drop off from the hotel.
  • Pre-Trek briefing the night before the trek to go over the itinerary, meet your guide(s) and answer any questions.

Not Included

  • Gratitudes for the staff.

WHAT TO BRING FOR PALCCOYO RAINBOW MOUNTAIN

  • 1 Liter and half of the water (per person- at least!).
  • Water-resistant trekking shoes.
  • Warm clothing (thermal underwear, fleece, hat, gloves, and socks).
  • Waterproof clothing (poncho).
  • Synthetic or cotton clothing (socks, trousers, shorts, t-shirts).
  • Sunhat and sunglasses.
  • Sun cream.
  • Water bottles such as Nalgene.
  • Basic medications.
  • Walking sticks.
  • Personal items.

IMPORTANT INFO 

  • Don’t go to the Palccoyo Rainbow Mountain in the afternoon in the rainy season because of lighting. Since the high concentration of mineral. There is a high chance to get stricken by lighting.
  • You will enjoy the beauty of the área without flocks of other tourist so that sounds rather appealing to you as well.  Of course you will see Quechua-speaking herders tending to their llamas and alpacas grazing on the land.  don’t hesitate, just go for this alternative tour- before it is too late.
  • The walk grants some spectaculars views of the range. Every 100 meters another gorgeous red or Green valley or unique rock formation is to be seen. This another advantage over Classic Rainbow Mountain; you won’t see one beautiful multi-color Mountain. But Many.
  • This tour will also incorporate a cultural stop in Checacupe where our guest can walk across a traditionally created Inca Bridge.
  • On the alternative Rainbow Mountain hike, the van stops at 4900m (16.076 ft). From the parking you can already see the colorful mountains and you only have to hike up for another 150m (492 feet)or so, along a nice and easy path.
  • If you want a better view, at a slow pace you can reach the viewpoint of the Palcoyo mountain range in 45 minutes.
  • If you see the Mountain covered with snow in rainy season, just wait! and the snow will melt. However, If you see Mountain covered with snow in dry season. The snow will melt slow beacuse it is frozen.
  • The local community have already organized basic infrastructure to welcome visitors. They have proper toilet!.
  • The journey begins at a more “prudent” time, around 5 a.m. It is also a 3.5 hour drive and 3.5 hour return trip.

Our Recommendations

  • It is recommended for all ages and all genres, It is also a great option for those travelling with their kids.
  • We don t recommend to go early to Alternative Rainbow Mountain(Palcoyo). when it is cloudy its colors will be dimmer or darker and if the day is  sunny it will be vibrant colors.
  • It is better to visit Machu Picchu and Cusco first, giving you time to adjust to the mountain air.
  • If you’re short on time and want to tick-off impressive landscapes in a hurry without committing to much hiking, then Palcoyo is a very interesting option as a day trip.