+51 918 885 164 info@happygringotours.com
+51 918 885 164 info@happygringotours.com

Cusco To Palccoyo Rainbow Mountain- Alternative Rainbow Mountain Peru

(1 Review)
From$55 USD
From$55 USD
Save To Wish List

Adding item to wishlist requires an account

6246
Why Book With Us?
  • No-hassle best price guarantee
  • Customer care available 24/7
  • Hand-picked Tours & Activities
  • Free Travel Insureance
Happy Gringo
Tripadvisor
Get a Question?

Get in touch using the form below, and we'll get back to you as soon as possible.

Tour Details

Join us on a full day Cusco to Palccoyo tour to experience the best of this Alternative Rainbow Mountain Peru in a small group or in our exclusive private tour. 

The seven coloured mountains are one of the most visited attractions in Cusco after Machu Picchu. Most travellers choose to hike Vinicunca Rainbow Mountain. It’s preferable to visit the Rainbow Mountains during the dry season in Cusco, because the absence of rain makes any hike safer and easier.

Palccoyo Rainbow Mountain Tour is an easier option. It barely involves any hike as we will be driving you closer to the summit on this full day tour. The highest point of the tour is at 4900 metres above sea level and the trail begins at 4800 metres above sea level, so you will just be hiking 100 metres. 

The trail offers enchanting views of the Stone Forest or Bosque de piedras which are a natural stone formation here. You will also get to see many flora and fauna. Vicunas are quite common here. 

Unlike the Vinicunca Rainbow Mountain trek, Trip to Palccoyo begins at a reasonable time from Cusco. Before reaching the trailhead, we will be stopping at a town called Checaupe. It is home to a colonial rope bridge that resembles Q’eswachaka and was built during the Spanish era. 

You will also get to see the mighty Ausangate Glacier. This is a Sacred Andean Peak and dominates the southern skyline of Cusco on a clear day. The tour guide will share some information about the locals who have preserved their traditional Andean way of life. 

Please note that this full day trip to Palccoyo Rainbow Mountain is a high altitude experience. We highly recommend you to spend a few days in Cusco and acclimate to the altitude before the tour to avoid altitude sickness. For learning more about the trip, you can check our guide about the hike to the Rainbow Mountains.

Do take a moment to check our reviews on Trip Advisor

Departure & Return Location

Cusco Hotel Transfer

Departure Time

0500 AM

Price Includes

  • Cusco Hotel Transfer
  • Round Trip Transport
  • English Speaking Local Tour Guide
  • Breakfast and Lunch

Price Excludes

  • Any Personal Expenses
  • Entrance Fees

Recommended To Carry

  • Camera and Extra Batteries
  • Sunscreen
  • Sun Hat and Sunglasses
  • Peruvian Soles in Cash
Itinerary

Palccoyo Rainbow Mountain Tour

We will be picking you up from your hotel in Cusco at 0700 AM. Then in our private transport, we will be driving you through the South Valley of Cusco to Checacupe. This is a colonial town. Here you will have some time to buy some water or snacks or use the restrooms. 

Checacupe has a colonial vibe. The town houses a rope bridge that was built by Spanish rulers and looks like Q’eswachaka. The town also houses a colonial church. 

Palccoyo Rainbow Mountain Tour:

After touring here, we will embark on a drive up the hill to Palccoyo. We will be driving through many remote highland communities and schools. Our guide will be giving you an insight to their way of life. 

We may even invite the head of the community or some kids to join us as this would give them an exposure to the outside world.

Once we reach the car park, our tour guide will be handing you over a snack box. We will then begin hiking. The hike is relatively easier as you will be gradually walking up to the summit. 

Along the way, we will be crossing the Stone Forest or Bosque de Piedras. Here, distinctly shaped rocks tower up to the sky. This is a natural rock formation.  

Once at the summit of Palccoyo, our tour guide will introduce you to the Andean mythology. As farming is a main profession here, since Inca civilization, people continue to worship the natural entities like Lakes and Mountains. 

Once you have had your fill of this enchanting attraction, we will start to hike down the same way we went up. We will then drive you back to Checacupe. Here we will stop for lunch. 

After lunch, we will be driving you back to Cusco. We will be reaching Cusco city by 0600 PM.

Photos
FAQs

When to hike Palccoyo Rainbow Mountain?

Palccoyo Rainbow Mountain is a part of the Peruvian Andes. Here it is subject to two seasons – Dry Season and Wet Season. We highly recommend doing the trek during the dry season – March to November. This is when you will get a clearer view at the colors of Palccoyo. 

During monsoon, the trail gets slippery and the mountain is often covered in snow. 

What Our Customers Say About Us

Each review from our users is important to continue growing and offering the best service to each of our clients. Our priority will always be that you enjoy your trip to the fullest while our professional team works to fulfill it.

  • star rating  The 1-day trip to Machu Picchu was very well organized!
    Our vacation was great to the land of the Incas in Perú with Gringo Tours.

    We strongly recommend traveling... read more

    avatar thumb 986nayelliv
    February 5, 2023

    star rating  We had a dream of hiking the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu and were unable to get permit so ended up doing thjis. This is genuinely the best alternative as... read more

    avatar thumb nelsonj820
    February 3, 2023

    star rating  We booked Machu Picchu tour 1 day from Cusco with Happy Gringo. The tour was very well organized, our pick up was on time, the train had good panoramic views,... read more

    avatar thumb Benitha10
    January 23, 2023

    star rating  The views and history were amazing and the guide (Rubens) was incredibly passionate and knowledgeable. It was great to learn about the culture and history from his eyes.... read more

    avatar thumb 396matthewe
    January 11, 2023
  • star rating  Great Experience with Happy Gringos!

    My family had difficulty to find a travel agent to book the Machu Picchu tour, however the workers of Gringo Tours were very helpful... read more

    avatar thumb Atomk2044
    January 11, 2023

    star rating  I bought the service at the very last minute, when other big tours could not provide the service due to insufficient participants (most people canceled for the political unrest that... read more

    avatar thumb Gofar T
    December 31, 2022

    star rating  We booked the tour at the last minute. But we are still able to make it to Machu Picchu. Our guide Eder is interesting and knowledgeable. Highly recommend this tour!... read more

    avatar thumb Nora a
    December 22, 2022

    star rating  An unforgettable, majestic experience to one of the Seven Wonders of the World - Despite the distances involved, from beginning to end, the trip was very well-organized and everything happened according to plan. The tour guide at the destination was very insightful and answered... read more

    avatar thumb Derick L
    December 22, 2022
  • star rating  An unforgettable, majestic experience to one of the Seven Wonders of the World - Despite the distances involved, from beginning to end, the trip was very well-organized and everything happened according to plan. The tour guide at the destination was very insightful and answered... read more

    123derickl
    December 22, 2022

    star rating  Highly recommended - We booked the tour at the last minute. But we are still able to make it to Machu Picchu. Our guide Eder is interesting and knowledgeable. Highly recommend this tour!... read more

    noraaM4722CJ
    December 22, 2022

    star rating  Even though we had news that the train may not be in operation to Picchu, we would have expected the local operator to contact us and give us updates. We... read more

    avatar thumb Mike D
    December 19, 2022

    star rating  An Impressive 2-day trail to Machu Picchu :)(: - We booked the Inca trail to Machu Picchu 2 days with Gringo Tours!

    The communication was great, the pick up was on time, the box lunch was very delicious,... read more

    Olgha098
    December 19, 2022
  • star rating  We highly recommend traveling to Machupichu with Gringo tours in Peru!
    We booked the 2 days tour to Machu Picchu. The service was very well organised from Cusco, the Communication... read more

    avatar thumb humberth01
    December 15, 2022

    star rating  The trip was amazing. The views were out of this world. I want to give a specially shoutout and thanks to Mauro. He did an amazing job. Explained the history... read more

    avatar thumb Lxrsd
    December 10, 2022

    star rating  Was really worried about this tour because the night before I found out I’d be the only one going BUR the tour company made me feel super safe and my... read more

    avatar thumb Billie N
    December 2, 2022

    star rating  Lifetime Experience with Gringo Tours - We book the Machu Picchu tour with gringo tours. We strongly recommend how they work and did their best to find our Machu Picchu ticket when all the travel agencies... read more

    Wilbert0122
    November 26, 2022
1 Review
Sort By:RatingDate

Edwin

Couple Traveller

Our Rainbow Mountain experience was second to none. Marko is a fantastic guide with an excellent knowledge about the trek and the life of the community who live there.

October 8, 2020