Palccoyo the alternative Rainbow mountain

Palccoyo Mountain
1 Day Tour

Full Day Tour
Vidal Expeditions Video
Accommodation Icon
No Accommodation
Group Size Icon
Up to 8 People Group Size
Max. Altitude Icon
4,900masl/16,076ft Max. Altitude
Difficulty Icon
Moderate - Challenging Difficulty

Hike to the Astounding Multi-colored Mountain

Cusipata - Combapata - Palccoyo Mountain
Accommodation Icon
No Accommodation
Group Size Icon
Up to 8 People Group Size
Max. Altitude Icon
4,900masl/16,076ft Max. Altitude
Difficulty Icon
Moderate - Challenging Difficulty

Many people talk about the famous Rainbow Mountain of Peru because this is the most visited mountain in Cusco. However, Cusco has other tourist attractions, such as the Palcoyo Rainbow Mountain, the second colored mountain in Cusco. This incredible mountain was recently discovered by the local people. It is a beautiful place located on the southern side of Cusco, with an altitude of over 4,920 meters (16,141 feet) and surrounded by mountains and glaciers. The trek to rich the seven-color mountain is easy compared to the classic rainbow mountain; however, due to the location, it is less visited and has a smaller crowd, making it perfect for people who want to be away from the crowds and enjoy the marvel in the Andes of Cusco.

  • Overview
  • Itinerary
  • Inclusions
  • Packing List
  • Faqs
  • Pricing
  • Enquire Now
  Overview

This Rainbow Mountain of Palccoyo offers an incredible views proper from the Andes, with local people, lamas, and alpacas. Along the route, you will appreciate the countryside of Peru, with picturesque villages where local people have conserved their traditions for many years. The hike on the path is quite easy, going gradually up to reach the view point where you can appreciate the Palccoyo mountain. It takes about 45 minutes with some viewpoints, and basically you can find three colored mountains surrounding this area.

Highlights: Palccoyo Mountain
Hiking distance: 3km/1.8miles (2 hours hike round trip)
Considerations: Acclimatization is required
Season: March to November
Max. Altitude: 4,900masl/16,076ft

Itinerary at a Glance

  • Day01

    Cusco - Cusipata - Palccoyo Mountain - Cusco

    Embark on the best adventure to discover the iconic Rainbow Mountain of Palccoyo in the middle of the Peruvian Andes.

  Itinerary
Day 01

Cusco - Cusipata - Combapata - Palccoyo Rainbow Mountain , Cusco

Highlight of the day: Arriving at the spectacular Palccoyo Mountain and enjoying the amazing views of the surrounding landscape.

Hike to Palccoyo Mountain of Seven Colors

Meals Icon
Breakfast and Lunch Meals
Difficulty Icon
Moderate Difficulty
Walking Distance Icon
3 km / 1.8 miles Walking Distance
Walking Time Icon
2 - 3 hours Walking Time
Starting Elevation Icon
4,780 m / 15,682 ft Starting Elevation
Highest Elevation Icon
4,900masl/16,076ft Highest Elevation

The adventure will start with the pick-up from your hotel early in the morning, then we will be heading to Cusipata town, where we will get our Andean breakfast. Following this, we will drive for another 2 hours to reach the trailhead. Along the route, you will appreciate different picturesque Andean villages. This is one of the best sections to observe how the ancient people built farming terraces on the slopes of the mountains, and around this area, the locals still use all the terraces for potato farms. When we arrive at the trail at 4,780 meters (15,682 feet), you will prepare for the hike, which normally takes around 30 to 40 minutes to get to the view point of Palccoyo Rainbow Mountain. However, on the way, you will see another colored mountain around you and some alpacas grazing in the distance. After you have reached the view point, it will dazzle you immediately. From here, you will take your time to appreciate this natural wonder and the entire landscape surrounding it.

After you have explored Palccoyo Rainbow Mountain, you will have the option to hike up the rock forest area, where you can see different rock sediments formed over millennia. From here, you can have a better view and appreciate the three rainbow mountains around you. Then, we make our way back to the car and drive to Cusipata town, where we will enjoy our lunch, and then we drive back to Cusco.

Our representative will pick you up from your hotel early in the morning at 4:00 a.m. with our van and drive you towards Cusipata town for about 2 hours. Here we will stop for breakfast, our guide will lead us to the restaurant to enjoy our buffet breakfast. Then, we will continue our journey driving for another hour and half going up to the mountains through the narrow road, on this part of the road you’ll will observe the how quick change the landscapes from the valley to the highlands, picturesque village along the way and the first colored mountains will appear little by little, also you will see some Alpacas and lamas’ farm. Once we reach the head of the trail, we will begin our hike for about 45 minutes with a beautiful colored mountain next to us. The path goes gradually up, ascending to the view point.

Once you reach the summit at 4,900 meters (16,141 feet), you will have an incredible view of the three rainbow mountains that surround you. You’ll need some time to explore and capture the best photos with not many people around. From here, you will have the option to hike a little bit up for a better view and visit the stone forest with its many shapes. Afterwards, the path goes down to the bus station, where you’ll board the bus and go back to our restaurant to enjoy the lunch. Later in the afternoon, we'll drive to Cusco and drop off you at your hotel.

  Inclusions

At Vidal Expeditions, we are transparent and provide specific details of what is included and excluded in our Palccoyo Rainbow Mountain Tour. We know this is very important so that you know exactly what to bring and don’t miss anything. We provide this information to ensure that you have an incredible experience during your tour.

WE INCLUDE

Vidal Expeditions Team Provide

  • Pre-departure briefing

    Once you book the tour with us, you will get a notification about the pre-departure briefing, where you will meet with your adventure guide and the tour group in our office the night before your Palccoyo Mountain tour departure. During this briefing, you will receive important details about the tour.

  • Professional Cultural Guide

    All our tour guides have a great reputation for customer service and have been leading tours in the area for many years. Our tour guides have graduated with a tourism career from the National University San Antonio Abad of Cusco. They have also studied English at a private language institute. Through their patience, responsibility, knowledge, passion for adventure, and pride in having been born in the land of the Incas, we ensure our tour guides provide an excellent experience for you when you explore the Palccoyo Mountain.

  • Entrance Fees

    Once we receive your details and the deposit for your tour, we will purchase all the necessary tickets for you to explore Cusco. They will be for a specific date.

Transportations

  • Private Transport

    We included all the transportation during your tour. We will pick you up from your hotel in Cusco and take you to the beginning of the trail. The bus returning once you are done with the Palccoyo tour to Cusco will drop you off at your hotel.

Equipment

  • Walking Sticks

    Hiking with trekking poles has its benefits. They protect your knees while you are hiking downhill, especially in remote areas where there are many ups and downs. Trekking poles also help you during the ascent and provide increased stability. Vidal Expeditions will include a pair of trekking poles.

  • Medical First Aid Kit

    All tour guides at Vidal Expeditions are very well trained in first aid. They received training courses every six months on how to assist someone who is in an emergency situation. Also, they are trained on how to supply balloon oxygen if someone requires it.

Meals

  • Meals

    At Vidal Expeditions, we know food is such an important part of any vacation, and getting the right fuel on an active holiday is crucial. We include one breakfast and one lunch. And of course, we cater to all dietary restrictions. Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and others—just let us know. Our chefs are well-trained to prepare the best food you've ever had with local and organic ingredients.

WE NOT INCLUDED

  • Water bottle

    Every customer needs water during this tour. We will stop in a shop where you can purchase some water bottles and snacks.

  • Travel Insurance

    We recommend buying travel insurance before leaving your country in case something happens during your visit to Peru.

  • Tips for our team

    Tips are not included. Tipping the team is usual on any excursion in Cusco, although we pay good salaries to our entire team, tips are welcome as a token of your appreciation for the team hard work.

  Recommendations
INFO

At Vidal Expeditions, we focus on making your trip an unforgettable experience, and we want to provide all the details you need to know before leaving your country and starting your life experience in Peru.

What you need to pack? Important
  • Passport
  • Good daypack (the smaller, the better)
  • Water storage: Water reservoir like Camelback is encouraged - but enough for at least 2-3 liters.
  • Comfortable hiking pant
  • Trekking poles

INSIDE YOUR DAYPACKS:

A daypack can be any size for hiking, but we always say the smaller, the better. If it is larger, try to make it as light as possible.

  • Rain gear
  • Sun hat
  • Sunscreen
  • Camera
  • Water bottle
  • Bug spray
  • Hand sanitizer
  • Toilet paper and small plastic bag for waste
  • Extra Money for Souvenirs, Drinks & Tips
  • Personal medication or Own first aid kit
  • Snacks (Chocolate, energizing bars, caramels, etc.)
  Faqs

PREPARING FOR YOUR PALCCOYO MOUNTAIN TOUR!

Here some frequently asked question about our Palccoyo Mountain Tour in Cusco

At Vidal Expeditions, we try to make the booking system as easy as possible for you. Once you decide to do some of our day tours, we will send you a booking form where you need to complete all the required details that we need to book your tickets. We also need a previous deposit of 50% of the price per person. As soon as you pay it, we immediately book a spot for this tour. Once we are done with it, we will send you your invoice and a confirmation form that all the booking processes have been satisfactorily set up.

This Palccoyo Rainbow Mountain is one of the best alternative day tours to the classic, crowded Vinicunka Mountain. Located on the same mountain range, it has the same seven colors formed by the natural sediments of thousands of years. However, this mountain is located at a lower altitude, and not many people visit it, making it a perfect destination for those who want to avoid large groups.

Actually, Cusco has three rainbow mountains; the last one was discovered during the COVID-19 pandemic. These three rainbow mountains are: Vinikunca, the classic and most visited; Palccoyo, which is a great alternative for those who do not like the crowded areas; and Pallay Punchu, which also offers stunning views. If you want a challenging trek with breathtaking views, then the Vinicunka Rainbow Mountain is what you are looking for.

The big difference between Vinicunka and Palccoyo Rainbow Mountain are:

  • Altitude: Vinicunka: 5,036 meters, Palccoyo: 4,900 meters
  • Landscapes: Vinicunka: Rainbow Mountain & Red Valley. Palccoyo: Three Rainbow mountains & Rock forest
  • Difficulty: Vinicunka: Moredate-Challenging. Palccoyo: Easy - Maderate
  • Walking time: Vinicunka: 2,30 hours round trip. Palccoyo: 1,50 hours round trip

The elvation of Palccoyo Rainbow Mountain is 4,900 meters (16,076 feet) above sea level

Yes, at the beginning of the hike, you will find some basic cabins that are used as toilets, so we recommend bringing a roll of toilet paper for this tour.

Well, this is not a very challenging hike; it takes around 30 minutes to reach the view point where you can see Palccoyo Rainbow Mountain. Keep in mind that the hike starts at 4,780 meters and the viewpoint is at 4,900 meters, only 120 meters from hiking through a gentle path. However, it is always recommended to have a few days of acclimatization.

No worries; all our trekking team and guides are well prepared to assist in any emergency that can happen during this tour. Altitude sickness is very common at this altitude, and our guides will always carry an oxygen tank in case someone in the group needs it. We also don't rush anyone, so if you take your time to hike slowly and steadily, you will make it.

Actually, it is better to join a guided tour from Cusco; many travel companies offer daily departures for this mountain because there is no local transport that goes to this Palccoyo mountain. The other way is to take a local taxi from different places in Cusco.

Definitely, if you are looking for a wonderful place away from the crowds where you can still see a colored mountain, this Palccoyo Mountain is a great alternative for you.

We usually pick up our customers at 4:00 a.m. from their hotels, and it can vary according to the weather predictions, hotel location, and size of the group.

Definitely, it is always recommended to wear light hiking boots if possible. However, for our traditional day tours, where you do not need to hike for hours, you can go with sneakers. On the Rainbow Mountain and Humantay Lake tours, you need ones with ankle support, which are extra helpful, especially for the inexperienced hiker. Because you will be climbing and going down slippery stairs, some of which could be muddy, uneven, and at varying heights, the extra support helps prevent twisting your ankles.

During our Palccoyo Rainbow Mountain Tour, we include: pick-up, transportation, meals (breakfast and lunch), entrance fees, a tour guide, and walking poles.

The weather in Cusco and parts of the Andes is unpredictable, even if the weather forecast says it’s sunny. We can’t trust it. It is an impossible question for us to answer. Historically, April through September is the dry season; November through February is the rainy season; and March and October are bridge months—a mixture of both. But the clouds have not followed these rules in the last few years. Prepare for sun and rain, no matter when you come. As far as temperatures go, that is consistent throughout the year. Mornings and evenings are always cold. Make sure to bring a fleece jacket for the mornings and a down jacket for the afternoon.

  Pricing

From: USD 70.00 per person

USD 65.00: from 4 people to more

  Enquire Now

Thank you for your interest in having an adventure travel experience in Peru curated by Vidal Expeditions. Please take a moment to complete our short form, so one our friendly Adventure Consultants could provide you all the information for your trip of a lifetime in Peru.

Our Pledge |  Your privacy is respected and protected. Vidal Expeditions will never share, sell, or make public any of your personal contact information to third parties.

Personal Details

Trip Details

Palccoyo Rainbow Mountain Day Tour
14 years and above
Below 14 years
7 + 3 =
Vidal Expeditions whatsapp

Feel free to reach us via email at vidalexpeditions@gmail.com or by calling us directly at +51 951 359 694

Book your trip

Monday - Friday: 09:00 to 18:00 Hrs.
Saturday: 09:00 to 13:00 Hrs.

Vidal Expeditions location

Prolongacion Av. Grau L-8, Santiago - Cusco

Best Seller
Tour Price
Full Day
Palccoyo Rainbow Mountain Tour

Price from $ 70 USD Per Person

Group Size Up to 8 People

What's it like

Palccoyo Rainbow Mountain Tour Map



WHAT MAKES US DIFFERENT?


At Vidal Expeditions we offer the best service for all our customers and here is what makes us different than others.

  • Small groups: Along our excursion group size is a capped at 8 people. This guarantees that you will enjoy every step of our excursion

  • Hotel: During our excursion to Machu Picchu, we offer a 3 stars hotel stay for the last night. This ensures you are well rested and ready to explore Machu Picchu.

  • Bus to Machu Picchu: To enjoy Machu Picchu, we provide a round trip ticket on the bus from Aguas Calientes to the main entrance of the archaeological site.

  • Local Tour guides: Our team consists of 100% local tour guides, who have expert knowledge in our ancient culture.

  • Best Camping Equipment: We have the state-of-the-art camping equipment for our excursion. The equipment is thoroughly cleaned and sanitized before and after every excursion.

  • Best Trekking team: At Vidal Expeditions we focus to create the best experience during our excursions. Our team that consists of tour guides, cooks, porters, horse drivers are handpicked. We train our team to offer you the best service. We take care of our team by providing them with good equipment and paying them fairly.

Why Travel with us

Start a Conversation

Hi! Click one our members below to chat on WhatsApp ;)

The team typically replies in a few minutes
From US$ 70.00
Exciting Treks in Cusco icon

Related Peru Treks

Alternative journeys you may be interested in

Here you have other options that will suit your needs from the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu

Seven Lakes Ausangate

Seven Lakes Tour

The Ausangate Seven Lakes Tour offers a different experience with incredible alpine lakes.

Read More ➼
Humantay Lagoon

Humantay Lake Tour

Join the tour to Humantay Lake on an unforgettable hike to the imposing and beautiful turquoise lagoon.

Read More ➼
Seven Colors Mountain

Rainbow Mountain Tour

This day tour will take you through an incredible, remote area in the high Andes.

Read More ➼
Waqrapukara Tour

Waqrapukara Day tour

Embark to explore the enigmatic Inca fortress in Cusco.

Read More ➼
Pallay Punchu Rainbow Mountain

Pallay Punchu Rainbow Mountain

Discover the natural colors of the third Rainbow mountain in Cusco.

Read More ➼
Sacred Valley of the Incas

Sacred Valley Tour

Embark on a fantastic day trip to the Sacred Valley of the Incas in Cusco.

Read More➼

Related Articles

Explorations Journal

Just looking for inspiration? Take a look at our latest blog posts below.