Palccoyo Rainbow Mountain Full Day Tour
Pick up from the hotel will be from 4:30 to 5:00 a.m. Once together with the whole group we will head south of Cusco, our first stop will be in Cusipata, in this place we will have breakfast. Then we will continue our trip until we arrive to Abra Huallata Cunka in the community of Palccoyo, which is located at 4100 m. a. s. n. m., at this point we will be able to observe three colorful mountains. Once ready we will start walking for 1 hour visiting the Cordillera Palccoyo and the forest of stones. After the tour we will return to the city of Cusco, on the way back we will have lunch in the town of Cusipata, arriving to Cusco approx. 5:00 pm.
What is different between to Palcoyo and Rainbow Mountain?
All travellers ask about “What is the difference between Palcoyo and Rainbow Mountain“. These mountains are similar, only the difference is the distance to visit it. To find a less challenging alternative to Vinicunca Mountain, you can put on your hiking boots and head to Palcoyo Mountain, this mountain is a sister of the Rainbow mountain Peru is ubicated in Ausangate. The Palcoyo tour have a the best scenic trail and a beautifully mountains.
Unlike the Instagram phenomenon that is the Rainbow Mountain, Palcoyo is an insider secret among locals. Thanks to its short and gentle climb, Palcoyo is suitable for everyone. Also, Palcoyo is far less crowded, making it the best place to enjoy the multicolored mountains without waiting for that perfect split second for a photo.
What is the Mountain of the Seven Colors of Palccoyo?
The Mountain of the Seven Colors of Palccoyo is a set of colored peaks similar to Vinicunca (Rainbow Mountain), due to a mineralization process over millions of years.
Where is Palccoyo, the Rainbow Mountain Range?
The Palccoyo Rainbow Mountain Range is located 124 km southeast of Cusco, at an altitude of 4,900 meters above sea level.
What to see in the Palccoyo mountain?
In addition to being a natural attraction of incomparable beauty, the Mountain of Seven Colors is the natural habitat of various types of animals such as llamas, alpacas, vizcachas, condors and more.
On the route that connects Cerro Colorado there is a stone forest formed naturally millions of years ago. From there you can closely appreciate the beauty of the Ausangate mountain, the largest in Cusco.
How high is the Mountain of the Seven Colors of Palccoyo?
Palccoyo is located at 4,900 meters above sea level (m.a.s.l.), 300 meters at a lower altitude than the Mountain of the 7 Colors Vinicunca (5,200 m.s.n.m.).
Why do you have those colors?
As with Vinicunca, the Palccoyo Rainbow Mountain Range has such striking colors due to the minerals found here, such as red clay, sandstone or copper oxide. It is believed that millions of years ago, this area was completely covered with water, which brought all these sediments that give Palccoyo these characteristic colors.
What other places can be visited in the surroundings of Palccoyo?
Although the main goal of Palccoyo is to visit the Rainbow Mountain Range, the landscape will surprise you with other wonders of nature. On the one hand, on the way to Palccoyo you will find an impressive stone forest, with truly huge rocks and with striking shapes.
On the other hand, this Rainbow Mountain Range is accompanied by an impressive deep red valley that will make you feel like on Mars.
And as if this were not enough, you will do all the trekking with llamas and vicuñas as traveling companions. Doesn’t sound bad at all, right?
Also, if you want to make the most of your trip to Palccoyo, we recommend taking a walk through the district of Checacupe. Here, you will be able to appreciate in one place three bridges from different eras: Inca, colonial and republican.
How to get to the Palccoyo Rainbow Mountain Range?
As always, we recommend doing this route with an authorized travel agency. The Palccoyo tour takes just one day. Normally, the route departs at eight in the morning from Cusco and returns the same day at seven in the afternoon. In addition, many companies stop at other tourist attractions in the area, such as the Raqchi Archaeological Complex, the Four Lagoons or Checacupe. So you can take advantage of every minute to get to know different places along the way!
