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PALCCOYO MOUNTAIN FULL DAY TOUR

Discover the colorful Palccoyo Rainbow Mountain on an accessible and relaxed day hike.

  • Full Day
  • Max 16 People
DURATION

Full Day

LOCATION

Cusco

MAX ALTITUDE

4,900 m s. n. m.

DIFFICULTY

Moderate

Palccoyo Mountain – Full Day Tour

The Palccoyo Mountain Full Day Tour takes you to a mountain range in the Peruvian Andes that is very similar to the famous Vinicunca Mountain, but more accessible.

 

Its more than 9,000 hectares of natural landscape display a rainbow of colors, creating a joyful yet mystical atmosphere. Along the route, you’ll discover a stone forest, ideal for nature lovers. This attraction is relatively new and unknown to many locals, as it was once covered in snow, obscuring its vibrant hues.

However, due to global warming, the snow has melted, revealing the full spectrum of colors at Palccoyo. Witness the colors of Palccoyo’s Rainbow Mountain in the tranquility of the morning, when the Andes open up before you and the light is at its most intense. This full-day excursion from Cusco will take you to one of Peru’s most beautiful mountain landscapes, far from the crowds and the demanding climb to Vinicunca. Along the way, you’ll enjoy a variety of vibrantly colored mountains, panoramic valley views, and the breathtaking Stone Forest. This tour is designed for travelers seeking comfort and spectacular scenery; it’s a pleasant and unforgettable way to experience the Andes at a relaxed pace.

Itinerary

Palccoyo Mountain - Full Day Tour

Very early in the morning, we will pick you up from your hotel at around 4:00 a.m. We depart early, heading south from Cusco to arrive in Palccoyo before the crowds, allowing you to enjoy the mountain views in the soft morning light.

As we travel south in comfortable transportation, the landscape gradually changes, transitioning from the city to wide valleys, rolling hills, and traditional Andean villages. Along the way, we will stop at a local restaurant for breakfast. This is the perfect time to warm up, relax, and prepare for the high-altitude portion of the day. Your guide will also ensure everyone is comfortable, answer questions, and share helpful tips to make your trek more enjoyable.

After a typical breakfast, we continue our journey through the southern Andes. This part of the trek is filled with beautiful mountain scenery and opportunities to see alpacas, llamas, and other wildlife. As we approach Palccoyo, the route becomes more rural, allowing us to appreciate the serene beauty of the region.

Once we arrive at the starting point of the hike, our expert guide will explain the route, weather conditions, and the pace of the day. Palccoyo is known as a more accessible alternative to Vinicunca, but the altitude is still high, so we’ll take our time to ensure a calm, safe, and enjoyable experience for everyone.

The hike is short, lasting 45 minutes to 1 hour, along a mostly flat and gradual path through picturesque scenery. This makes it an excellent option for those seeking beautiful mountain views without a long or steep climb.

As you progress, you’ll begin to see several mountains adorned with rainbow colors, not just one viewpoint. This is one of the aspects that makes Palccoyo such a special place. The area feels more spacious, peaceful, and relaxed, with plenty of room to take photos and enjoy the scenery at your own pace.

If the weather is good and the group is comfortable, we can continue to the Stone Forest viewpoint. This optional hike takes us to one of the most impressive areas of Palccoyo, where the rocks have sharp, jagged formations that rise above the colorful mountains, making the panoramic views even more magnificent and breathtaking.

After enjoying the scenery, we’ll return to the starting point of our hike, where our transportation will be waiting, and we’ll head back along the same route.

On the way, we’ll stop at a local restaurant for lunch, where you can relax and recharge after your hike. After a delicious traditional lunch, we’ll continue our journey back to Cusco and drop you off at your hotel. We generally arrive at around 5:30 p.m., depending on traffic, weather, and road conditions.

Trip Details

Altitude 4,900 meters above sea level
Hike 30 to 45 minutes on relatively flat terrain, ideal for beginners
Highlights A group of three colorful mountains and a unique stone forest with views of the snow-capped Ausangate mountain
Climate Cold and high-altitude. Possibility of sun, wind, or even snow at certain times of the year
Essential requirement Acclimatization to the altitude (spending at least 2 days in Cusco) before undertaking the trek
Route Cusco – Cusipata – Kayrahuire – Rainbow Mountain – Cusco
Difficulty level Easy to moderate

IMPORTANT: Please Allow 2 - 3 Days for Acclimatization

Services Included

The services included

  • Pick-up from your hotel in downtown Cusco.
  • Transportation from your hotel in Cusco to the start of the tour and back to your hotel at the end.
  • Entrance ticket to Palccoyo Mountain.
  • Experienced tour guide fluent in English, Spanish and Quechua. Our guides are equipped and trained to practice First-Aid and administer oxygen if needed.
  • Breakfast and lunch at a buffet restaurant.
  • First aid kit.

Not included

  • Water.
  • Tips for your guide and driver.
Take note!
Warm clothing and a rain poncho.
Shoes or sneakers.
Sunscreen, a hat or cap, and sunglasses.
Personal medications and toilet paper.
Water bottle.

Group Service

USD $60.00 per person

Private Service
Number of people
Price per person USD
1 - 2 people
USD $250.00 per person
3 - 5 people
USD $145.00 per person
6 - 8 people
USD $110.00 per person
9 + people
USD $60.00 per person
Camera
Rain Jacket (In the wet season from October to March)
Water
Cap for the Sun
Sunglasses
Sunscreen

How to book

To book the tour, please send us an email with the information of each person in your group:

Full name, nationality, date of birth and gender
Copy of your passport
The tour you want to do, the start date
How many people are in your group
info@peruvianpathsandadventures.com

Experience the Tour

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