The Rainbow Mountain “Palcoyo” Full Day

1 day
From $45.00 USD per person
$81.00 USD
  • Trips Managed & Run by Expert Local Tour Operator.
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  • Indulge in personalized journeys with small, exclusive groups.
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  • Discover distinctive, tailor-made itineraries.
  • Guided by the region's finest certified experts and teams.
  • Your dream expedition begins here!
Duration1 Day
Group Size2/10
Activity LevelModerate

On this walk you will see picturesque villages, beautiful “adobe” houses, herds of llamas and alpacas, and you will have a magnificent view of the glacier Ausangate (6,385 m / 20,945 feet). With the beauty and uninterrupted solitude, this is a spectacular journey for hikers who love a true outdoor adventure.

Palcoyo Rainbow Mountains: A fantastic alternative tour to the popular “Rainbow Mountain." Palcoyo Rainbow Mountains offers a more relaxed and peaceful place option that is best for those who don’t want to hike 4 hours round trip, providing an amazing view of 3 distinct rainbow mountains, the stone forest, and the Ausangate glacier in the distance in only a short 30 minute walk (one way).

Checacupe 3 bridges: Checacupe is a special place where you will see 3 different bridges and have the opportunity to cross the Inca bridge, which is an amazing experience.
Secondly, INKA TRAIL offers high-altitude ecotourism in the mountains; Humantay Lake Tour is one of them and is perfect for nature lovers. This is a new authentic experience in the Andes of Cusco.

Join an exclusive INKA TRAIL group: Cusco explorers like you who seek to achieve their dreams in Cusco, Perú, and Machupicchu. So if you are in Cusco or wherever you don’t miss out, the rainbow mountain tours will be a spiritual gate to the Andean gods, such as the Mother Nature. We are sure that you will have unique and memorable experiences. Also, there is a Vinicunca 2-day tour with an overnight stay in our Andean Lodge, and we can fix travel packages in Cusco, including the experience at Rainbow Mountain.

  • Day 01: By car from Cusco to Checacupe, Hike to Palcoyo rainbow mountain

Itinerary

Day 1 | Rainbow Mountain

By car from Cusco to Checacupe, Hike to Palcoyo rainbow mountain

Palcoyo rainbow mountain

The adventure begins very early with our team picking you up from your hotel at 06:00 hrs. and heading to the small village of Checacupe (located south of Cusco). Where we will make a stop to see an Inca and a colonial bridge and also to grab some last-minute items like drinks, snacks, sunblock, rainponcho, etc.

After the short stop, we continue one more hour to the base camp. Once we arrive there, we take a short and gradual uphill walk (30–45 minutes) to the Palcoyo Pass (4880 m/16,000 ft). Here you will have spectacular panoramic views of the 3 Rainbow Mountains and the spectacular Palccoyo peaks as well, as well as the highest mountain in the Cusco region (Ausangate) and also the Stone Forest at the highest point. We will spend 1 hour at the pass taking pictures and enjoying the spectacular view.
Once we are done enjoying the scenery, we walk back down the same way to the base camp. We now take our private transport to the village called Cusipata to enjoy a delicious, freshly prepared, hot lunch.
After lunch, we will catch our private van back to Cusco. We will drop you off at Regocijo Plaza about 17:00.

  • Walking Time: Approximately 3 hours (including a picnic lunch in the route).
  • Walk and Terrain: Walk, canter, on open roads, some steep ascending trails.

What's Included?

    • Pre-departure briefing: You will meet your Palcoyo Rainbow Mountain guide and group in our office for an orientation before your trek. The meeting will be at 6:00 PM the evening before the trip begins. In case you can’t come at this time “please let us know” to coordinate another time. 
    • Touristic Transport: You will be picked up from your hotel in Cusco in the morning and will travel by private transportation to Tinki Village the starting point of the trek to the Palcoyo Rainbow Mountain.
    • Adventure Experienced Palcoyo Rainbow Mountain trek Tour Guide: English speaking, professionally educated, and official tour guide with tourism certification. They all grew up in this region and have a true passion to teach others about their heritage. Your guide will explain the culture and surroundings along the entire route, including leading your group in ancient ceremonies! He or she will keep you safe, sound, and comfortable on your trek so that you can enjoy your time along the Inca path and will ensure you are safe and happy.
    • Entry ticket to the Palcoyo Rainbow Mountain trail
    • Meals: 1Breakfast, 1 Lunch, (Vegetarian, vegan, or special menus are available at no extra cost) 
    • Medical kit and Oxygen bottle: Our crew will bring a first-aid kit, including emergency oxygen bottle.
    • Transfer back to Cusco: Private touristic transport from Palcoyo to your hotel in Cusco (Day 1)
    • 24-hour guest service: We have telephone service available 24 hours/day for ease of communication and preparation with the agency leading up to your trek.
       

What's not Included?

    • Walking Sticks: You can rent a set from our company if you would like.
    • Personal clothing and gear
    • Travel Insurance
    • Tips for our staff: Please note that our agency staff is well paid so please feel free to tip or not as you wish “Recommendation: Take with you usd 6 to usd 8 per day per traveler for all the trek staff”- Once again it is optional and can vary according your satisfaction. 
    • Additional costs or delays out of control of the management (landscape, bad weather condition, itinerary modification due to a safety concern, illness, change of government policy, political instability/strike, etc.)

Additional Services

What to Bring?

  • Original Passport
  • Day Pack                                                    
  • Full rain gear or poncho
  • Gloves (thin riding and warm gloves) 
  • Trekking pants
  • Breathable dry fit top-wear
  • Headlamp 
  • Sunglasses             
  • Hiking socks 
  • Sunscreen
  • Insect repellent 
  • Bathing suit 
  • Comfortable shoes/flip-flops
  • Cold-weather jacket
  • Long-sleeve fleece/sweater Wool hat
  • Hiking boots
  • Baseball cap, sombrero and bandana
  • Casual mountains wear for evenings 
  • Photo/video cameras and chargers 
  • Binoculars
  • Refillable water bottle (hydration bags are recommended)

PRICES


Important information

Inca Trail and Machu Picchu Availability


Certifications

ISO 9001

Demonstrating our commitment to quality, we hold ISO 9001 certification, ensuring excellence in our services.

ISO 14001

With ISO 14001, we prioritize environmental sustainability, reducing our impact on the planet.

Trip Advisor - Traveler's Choice 2024

We're honored to be recognized with the Traveler's Choice Award in 2024, a testament to our dedication to exceptional travel experiences.

Official Agency - Tour Operator

We are an official agency and tour operator, ensuring a unique and high-quality travel experience to the destinations of your choice in Cusco and Peru.

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Travel Associations

Sernamp & INKATRAIL
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Turismo responsable & INKATRAIL
Safe Travels & INKATRAIL
Gercetur & INKATRAIL
Official Agency & Official Tour Operator