Palcoyo Rainbow Mountains: A fantastic alternative tour to the popular “Rainbow Mountain", Palcoyo offers a more relaxed and peaceful place option that is best for those who don’t want to hike 3 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.
Don't miss our excursions to Rainbow Mountain, a true spiritual portal to the Andean gods and Pachamama. We guarantee unique and unforgettable experiences. We also offer two-day tours, and we can put together complete packages for your trip to Cusco, including this wonderful adventure.
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.
Unlike Vinicunca, the Palcoyo Rainbow Mountain is a lesser-known attraction and therefore less crowded during the day. Reaching this tourist attraction is much easier because it includes only a 1-hour hike and the altitude is also much lower. From its summit, you can appreciate the Ausangate snow-capped mountain like nowhere else. Additionally, there is a forest of stones and a unique landscape all around.
Diferencias | Montaña Palcoyo | Montaña Vinicunca |
Atractivos | Montaña de los 7 Colores de Palcoyo. | Montaña de los 7 Colores Vinicunca. |
Altura | 4,900 m.s.n.m. | 5,200 m.s.n.m. |
Dificultad | Fácil | Difícil |
Tiempo de caminata | 1 hora (2 kilómetros). | 3 horas (5 kilómetros) |
¿Necesita caballo? | No | Sí (opcional) |
Número de visitantes | Bastantes | Pocos |
Clima | Frío | Frío |
The Palcoyo Rainbow Mountain is located south of Cusco in the Checacupe district and Canchis province, a short distance from the Ausangate snow-capped mountain, in the Andes Mountains of Peru.
Tours of Palcoyo Rainbow Mountain are only available in the mornings and part of the afternoon. Due to the cold weather, the opening hours are from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The best time of year and month to visit Palcoyo Rainbow Mountain is during the dry season (April to October). Rainfall is less frequent during these months, making the hike easier.
You must purchase an entrance ticket in the town of Palcoyo. The cost for foreigners is 10 soles (3 dollars). Domestic tourists pay 5 soles (2 dollars). If you booked with us, the ticket is included.
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Adrian L
July 25, 2025
Hicimos el camino Inka de 2 días. Nuestro guía fue Eduardo y anduvimos muy contentos. Tuvimos un día maravilloso. El día anterior hicimos un briefing en nuestro hotel donde nos explicó todos los detalles importantes. El día del inicio quedamos en el km104 del tren y ahí empezamos la ruta. Fueron espectaculares todos los paisajes que vimos, las informaciones de Eduardo y todas las otras conversaciones que tuvimos con el. Es un guía muy tranquilo y con muy buena actitud.
Roberto P
July 24, 2025
Foi uma das experiências mais belas de minha vida. Paisagem majestosa, história fascinante e um guia (Percy) extraordinário.
Horacio V
July 24, 2025
Isabel - fue mi guía personal.. y déjame contarte que fue unas de las mejores experiencias de mi vida!!! Estuve con dios en cada momento de este viaje y siento que dios me conectó con ella. Increíble guía llena de amor, compassion y cariño. (Estuve un poco enfermo) y ella me recomendó exactamente lo que necesitaba. Lo máximo!! Súper agradecido, porque no solamente fue un guía sino una gran amiga. Un servició 10/10 rating. Porque Isabel lo hizo mágico. Es más que un guía es un ángel de compañía. Gracias Dios, gracias Perú, gracias Machu Picchu, y gracias Isabel por los lindos recuerdos! Hasta pronto… amén.
Quenia S
July 23, 2025
Fazer o Caminho dos Incas estava a muito tempo nos planos da nossa família. Tivemos a grande sorte de ter uma experiência única com o nosso guia Percy! O Caminho é exigente, mas Percy consegue unir tudo que importa: atenção aos detalhes, talento, generosidade e carisma. Tudo que se pode esperar de um guia…ele ultrapassa e muito! Só agradecer por todo cuidado e atenção! Foi uma escolha certeira fazer a viagem com a Inka Trail! Além disso, a equipe que acompanha é muito simpática e solícita e a comida do chef Richard foi sempre surpreendente.
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