Palcoyo Rainbow Mountain Hike
Palcoyo Rainbow Mountain Hike
5.0 (29 Reviews)
Experience Palcoyo Rainbow Mountain Hike With a Local Private Guide
Witness the splendor of Peru’s natural wonders and immerse yourself in the traditional lifestyle of the Vilcanota region where Palcoyo Rainbow Mountain is located on our private day trip from Cusco.
This unique tour is carefully crafted to avoid crowds, ensuring that you have an amazing experience with unparalleled views of the stunning Palcoyo Rainbow Mountain. The Palcoyo Rainbow Mountain 1 day hike is a relatively short and easy walk that does not need you to be an expert in trekking. While exploring this place with a private guide, you will be amazed by the colorful striated rock formations, a result of layers of sediment exposed by erosion and global warming. This place is a truly natural beauty that will leave you breathless with its awe-inspiring views of the three distinct Palcoyo mountains and Ausangate Mountain (the highest mountain in Cusco) in the distance.
Along the trail, you’ll see local Quechua-speaking herders tending to their llamas and alpacas grazing on the valleys. Upon your arrival at Palcoyo, be captivated by the painted-colored hills, sweeping red valleys, and amazing rock formations that make this landscape truly wonderful. This day tour also includes a visit to Checacupe, a town renowned for its emblematic bridges: Inca, colonial, and Republican.
Join us to discover the hidden landscapes and natural wonders of Peru and this Palcoyo Rainbow Mountain is a perfect destination for that. With no crowds jostling for the best vantage point, you’ll have an opportunity to truly appreciate the magnificent beauty of this unique spot.
TRIP HIGHLIGHTS IN BRIEF:
Trip Summary
Palcoyo Rainbow Mountain Hike Summary
- Pre-trip briefing: A day before the tour at 5:00 PM at the client’s hotel
- Tour start point: Cusco – Hotel pick-up at 4:00 AM
- Tour end point: Cusco – Hotel drop-off around 4:00 PM
- Pick-up & Drop-off: Cusco city or airport.
- Guides: Knowledgeable, Funny, and Friendly (unique character of Beyond Andes Guides).
- Service Type: Private and Semi-private service.
- Departure: Daily departures, available for booking on any date, we require 2 people to open a new departure.
- Group Size: Up to 10 participants
- Rainbow Mountain Tickets: Included in the tour cost.
- Dietary Options: Breakfast and lunch included (we provide Vegetarian/Vegan food upon request at no extra charge)
- Best time to hike: From May through October.
- Day temperature: Very cold when is overcast and warm when is sunny. Around the top of Rainbow Mountain is usually windy and cold, make sure to bring winter-type clothing.
Itinerary
1Hiking the Palcoyo Rainbow Mountain
Experience an unforgettable adventure with our Palccoyo Rainbow Mountain 1-day hike! Your day will start with an early pick-up at 4:00 am from your Cusco hotel, and a scenic drive through the stunning South Valley, passing colorful colonial towns along the way. After approximately 2 ½ hours on the road, we will reach the charming town of Checacupe.
From there, we will embark on an hour-long journey through the picturesque countryside on a dirt road until we reach the trailhead at an altitude of 4,900 meters (16,076 feet). As we make our way towards the first lookout point, we will be treated to magnificent views of the Red Valley and several smaller colored mountains.
But the real highlight of the day is the main Palcoyo Rainbow Mountain lookout. After a gentle ascent, you’ll be rewarded with breathtaking panoramic views of the three Palcoyo peaks and the highest snow-capped mountain in the Cusco region, Ausangate, standing tall at 6,384 meters (20,945 feet). At a staggering altitude of 5,040 meters (16,535 feet), you’ll feel on top of the world!
For those who want to take their adventure further, an optional extra hike through the fascinating Palccoyo Rock Forest is available. This geological feature is a stunning outcropping of jagged rocks and offers the perfect backdrop for those Instagram-worthy shots.
After enjoying the area and taking in all the natural beauty, we will retrace our steps back to Checacupe, where we will savor a delicious packed lunch and explore the charming village, including the Colonial Inca bridge. We will then take our private transport back to Cusco and drop you off at your respective hotel after a memorable day exploring the hidden landscapes of the Palcoyo Rainbow Mountain region.
Food
Breakfast and lunch included
Physical Level
Easy to Moderate
Walking Distance
4 miles
Hiking Time
3 hours
Starting Altitude
4,900 m/ 16,076 ft
Highest Altitude
5,040 m/ 16,535 ft
Weather
Nov-April Wet season, May-Oct Dry season
Note on Itinerary
Although we strive to strictly adhere to the itinerary outlined above, please be advised that it is subject to change due to a variety of factors beyond our control. These factors may include incidents in the location where the trip will be operated, strikes, political disputes, entry or border difficulties, extreme weather conditions, flight cancellations, and other unforeseeable circumstances. Please note that & Beyond Andes Travel is not responsible for any changes or amendments resulting from such circumstances.
In the event that we must deviate from the original schedule, we will make every effort to provide the best alternative options available to ensure a fantastic experience. However, any additional expenses that may be incurred will be the sole responsibility of the client and not of & Beyond Andes Travel.
Included
- Palcoyo Rainbow Mountain entrance tickets
- Round trip private Van or SUV
- Professional Beyond Andes Guide
- Pick up from your hotel in Cusco city and drop off at the same place.
- Oxygen tank
- Breakfast and lunch (packed breakfast and packed lunch if restaurants aren’t available)
Not Included
- Hotels
- Travel insurance
- PayPal fees
What to bring
- Comfortable, lightweight trekking clothes or activewear (layers recommended)
- Waterproof, sturdy hiking boots with good ankle support and traction, especially if traveling in the wet season from November to April.
- Waterproof jacket or rain poncho
- Small daypack or backpack (approximately 25L)
- Down jacket
- Hat and gloves
- Hand sanitizer
- Sun hat or cap
- Snacks
- Sunscreen
- Sunglasses
- Water (at least 1L)
- Personal medication
- Muscle relaxers
- Painkillers or anti-inflammatories
- Band-Aids (especially those made for blisters)
- Toilet paper
- Camera
- Cash (in small denominations of Peruvian Nuevos soles or $)
Recommendations
Please, allow yourself 2 days at least to get acclimated for this hike.
Pricing List
Private Service
Tour Payment Schedule
- At time of reservation: 50% of the total balance.
- 60 days prior to departure: Balance should be paid fully, or once upon your arrival in Cusco the other 50% of final balance must be paid fully.
Cancellation and Transfer Fee Schedule
- Minimum fee: $30 per person
- 61-90 days prior to departure: 30% of trip cost
- 46-60 days prior to departure: 50% of trip cost
- 45 days or less: 100% of trip cost
| Number of persons | Price per person | |
| 1 Persons | $ USD 350.00 | Inquire Now |
| 2 Persons | $ USD 175.00 | Inquire Now |
| 3 Persons | $ USD 155.00 | Inquire Now |
| 4 Persons | $ USD 135.00 | Inquire Now |
| 5 Persons | $ USD 115.00 | Inquire Now |
Faqs Palcoyo Rainbow Mountain Hike
The hike to Palcoyo Rainbow Mountain depends on your speed and level of physical fitness. On average, the hike to Palcoyo Mountain viewpoint takes 2 – 3 hours in total.
The best time of the year to go to Palcoyo Rainbow Mountain is during the dry season, from May through August. These months are actually in winter in the Andes, Peruvian highland winter is the dry season so the days are with blue skies, amazing views, and the sunshine makes it the best comfortable hiking conditions. However, the trek is available year-round.
We recommend shoulder-seasons just before and after the rains that is late April, May, and September, October, and early November. During those months the weather is still dry, temperatures are pleasant, and the trail is less crowded, just some light rain is expected.
December through March is the rainy season in the Andes and hiking to the Rainbow Mountain is not recommended. Sustained, heavy rains can make the trail unsafe. Rain quite often means snow at higher elevations as well, which is not only unpleasant to hike through, but could dramatically ruin your views of the Rainbow Mountain!
Trekking during the shoulder season (April, September, October) is weather-dependent. We are willing to book a Palcoyo Rainbow Mountain Tour 1 day during this time, but if conditions are poor we reserve the right to cancel or modify your trip.
This may just be a day trip to Palcoyo Rainbow Mountain, but that doesn’t mean it’s easy. In fact, Palcoyo Rainbow Mountain is considered an easy to moderately hike due to the altitude.
Palcoyo Rainbow Mountain 1 day hike starts at an altitude of 4,900 m/ 16,076 ft) and it has a hiking duration of 2 – 3 hours, the highest point you will actually reach on this hike is 5,040 m/ 16,535 ft. That’s enough to take your breath away – literally!
While the hike is only for few hours, it is a steep, uphill climb on some sections, with an elevation gain of nearly 140m (460 ft). This can be very strenuous for most people. Of course, others will find the return trip down even harder!
The weather in Palcoyo Rainbow Mountain is very unpredictable, changing frequently and quickly. There are two seasons in the Cusco Region where Palcoyo Mountain is located—Wet Season (December to April) and Dry Season (May to November).
You might see warm weather and sunny skies one minute and then cloudy skies and snowfall the next. The best idea is to make sure you’re prepared for all weather by dressing in layers. The weather during the dry season is usually sunny with little chance of rain. During the wet season, there are significant amounts of rain and snow.
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