Rainbow Mountains
Palccoyo Rainbow Mountain
- Duration: Full day
- Difficulty: Easy
Places you visit
- Three Rainbow Mountains
- Red River
- Ausangate Snow-capped Peak
- Stone Forest (optional)
Trip overview
Palccoyo Rainbow Mountain is an excellent alternative to Vinicunca for travellers who want to enjoy Andean landscapes with a shorter, more accessible hike: just 30 to 40 minutes to the viewpoint, compared with the longer and more demanding hike at Rainbow Mountain.
Along the way you will admire the Three Rainbow Mountains, the majestic Ausangate snow-capped peak, the Red River and, optionally, the Stone Forest, surrounded by spectacular natural views.
It is the ideal choice for travellers with children, older travellers, or anyone who prefers a low-difficulty hike without giving up the multicoloured Andean scenery. It still takes place at high altitude, though, so we recommend spending at least one day acclimatising in Cusco before the tour.
Itinerary overview
Full day- Hotel pickup from 4:00 a.m.
- Tourist breakfast in Cusipata
- Transfer to Palccoyo
- 30- to 40-minute hike to the viewpoint
- Three Rainbow Mountains, Red River and Ausangate
- Optional visit to the Stone Forest
- Buffet lunch and return to Cusco (approx. 6:00 p.m.)
The route, step by step
Hotel pickup. We collect passengers from their hotel in the historic centre of Cusco and set off toward Cusipata.
Tourist breakfast. We stop to enjoy a tourist breakfast before continuing on to Palccoyo.
Transfer to Palccoyo. We continue the journey to the starting point of the hike.
Hike to the viewpoint. We take a gentle 30- to 40-minute hike to the main viewpoint, low in difficulty and accessible to most travellers.
Three Rainbow Mountains. We visit the Three Rainbow Mountains, take in the view of the Red River and the panorama of the Ausangate snow-capped peak.
Stone Forest (optional). Those who wish can extend the hike to the Stone Forest before free time for photos.
Lunch and return. We descend at an easy pace, enjoy a buffet lunch, and head back to Cusco, arriving at approximately 6:00 p.m.
Included9
- Pickup from your hotel (historic centre of Cusco).
- Tourist transport.
- Professional bilingual guide (Spanish and English).
- Tourist breakfast.
- Buffet lunch.
- Vegetarian option (with prior notice).
- First aid kit.
- Oxygen tank.
- Card and payment-link processing fees.
Not included4
- Palccoyo entrance fee: S/15.00 for Peruvian passengers · S/20.00 for foreigners · S/10.00 for local residents.
- Water and snacks.
- Tips (optional).
- Anything not listed under «Included».
What to bring
- Valid ID or passport
- Warm clothing
- Trekking shoes
- Cap or hat
- Sunglasses
- Sunscreen
- Rain poncho in the rainy season
- Water and snacks
- Cash for the entrance fee and personal expenses
- Acclimatise for at least one day in Cusco before the tour
Questions about this tour5
- Is the hike difficult?
- No. It is a short, low-difficulty hike of approximately 30 to 40 minutes, which makes Palccoyo a more accessible alternative to Rainbow Mountain (Vinicunca).
- Is it suitable for older travellers or children?
- Yes, since the route is more accessible than other mountain routes in the area.
- What places are visited?
- The Three Rainbow Mountains, the Red River, the Ausangate snow-capped peak and, optionally, the Stone Forest.
- Is Palccoyo a good alternative to Vinicunca?
- Yes. Palccoyo offers multicoloured landscapes similar to Rainbow Mountain, but with a much shorter, low-difficulty hike, ideal for travellers who want an equally spectacular experience without a demanding physical effort.
- Is there any altitude risk even though the hike is short?
- The hike is low in difficulty, but it takes place at high altitude. We recommend acclimatising for at least one day in Cusco before doing the tour.
Booking, payment and cancellations
Booking policies
- Booking subject to availability.
- A valid ID or passport must be presented.
- The tour operates with a minimum number of passengers.
- Changes and cancellations follow the agency's policies.
Important information
- The hike is low in difficulty, but it takes place in a high-altitude area.
- We recommend acclimatising for at least one day in Cusco before doing the tour.
- Times may vary due to weather or route conditions.
