Palccoyo Rainbow Mountain 1 Day
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Tour details:
Palccoyo Rainbow Mountain Tour: Discover a Peaceful Alternative to Vinicunca
The Palccoyo Rainbow Mountain tour is one of Cusco’s best-kept secrets—a breathtaking and less crowded alternative to the more famous Vinicunca. Located in the district of Checacupe, within the Palccoyo community, this natural wonder offers a truly unique Andean experience filled with vibrant colors, stunning rock formations, and panoramic views that will leave you speechless.
How to Get to Palccoyo
The adventure begins in the city of Cusco, where we set out early in the morning heading south on the route toward Arequipa. After approximately 2.5 to 3 hours by vehicle, we reach the charming town of Checacupe, known for its colonial bridge and traditional culture. From there, we take a detour along a scenic unpaved mountain road for about 1 hour until we arrive at the trailhead near Palccoyo town.
What to Expect on the Palccoyo Tour
Unlike the more demanding Vinicunca hike, the Palccoyo trek is relatively short and much easier, making it ideal for families, older travelers, or anyone looking for a gentler hiking experience. The trail offers breathtaking views of not just one, but three colorful rainbow mountains, each painted naturally with striking hues of red, orange, yellow, and green due to the mineral-rich soil.
One of the highlights of this tour is the stunning Stone Forest (Bosque de Piedras), a fascinating geological formation located at over 4,800 meters (15,750 ft) above sea level. From this vantage point, you’ll enjoy panoramic views of the surrounding snow-capped peaks, including the majestic Ausangate Mountain, the highest in the Cusco region.
Best Time to Visit Palccoyo
The best months to visit Palccoyo are during the dry season, from April to October, when the skies are clear and the colors of the mountains are most vibrant. Early morning departures help avoid potential weather changes and offer the best lighting for photography.
Book Your Palccoyo Adventure Today
If you’re looking for a stunning, peaceful, and accessible day hike in the Andes, the Palccoyo Rainbow Mountain tour is the perfect choice. Let Aremika Expeditions take you off the beaten path and show you one of the hidden gems of the Cusco region.
 Duration |
1 day |
 Tour type |
hiking |
 Difficulty |
Intermediate |
 Guide |
Inglés, español |
 Group size |
10 - 19 paxs |
 Maximum altitude |
4600 masl |
Itinerary
Day: 01 Palccoyo Rainbow Mountain Tour
At 6:30 a.m. until 07:00 a.m. pick up from your hotel and start our tour of Palcoyo Rainbow Mountain.
We will have a journey of about 4 hours approx. by the road that takes us to Arequipa, arriving at Checacupe take the detour by a dirt road to reach the village of Palccoyo.
On the way we will enjoy the typical landscapes of the Peruvian Andes, surrounded by mountain ranges and inter-Andean valleys.
Arriving at the Palccoyo Rainbow Mountain we will have a view of small colorful mountain formations. As well as the main attraction “the Rainbow Mountain similar to Vinicunca”.
After enjoying the majesty of the mountains we will return to Checacupe, where lunch will be waiting for us.
Finally we will take our transportation to return to the city of Cusco, arrival at 5:00 pm.
Reseñas
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