Palccoyo — Rainbow Mountain
Three ridges of mineral strata, with vehicle access to 4,700 m and a 45-minute walk.
- Duration
- 1 day (approx. 10 h)
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Maximum altitude
- 4,900 m
- Group size
- Maximum 14 people
- Departures
- Daily departures
- Acclimatisation needed
- 1 day in Cusco
- Best season
- April to October
Palccoyo features the same mineral stratification as Vinicunca, spread across three adjacent ridges, together with a forest of rock formations and views of Mount Ausangate.
The main difference is access. Vehicles reach 4,700 metres and the walk to the viewpoints takes about 45 minutes over largely flat ground, compared with the two-hour sustained climb to 5,036 metres at Vinicunca.
It is the recommended alternative for travellers with limited acclimatisation, families with children, older travellers, or anyone who prefers a low-effort route. It also receives a fraction of the visitors who reach Vinicunca.
Itinerary
05:00
Pickup in Cusco
Departure on the Checacupe road. Later than Vinicunca, because here there is no fog or bus queue to beat.
08:00
Breakfast in Checacupe
Stop in the village, known for its colonial bridge.
3,450 m above sea level
10:00
Walk to the viewpoints
Just 45 minutes of gentle walking from where the vehicle drops you, with almost no elevation gain.
4,900 m above sea level
11:00
The three ridges and the stone forest
Time at the viewpoints with Ausangate behind, plus the forest of rock formations.
13:00
Lunch and return
Lunch in Checacupe and back in Cusco around 17:00.
What's included
- Hotel pickup in Cusco
- Tourist transport
- Breakfast and lunch
- Palccoyo entrance fee
- Professional guide
- Oxygen bottle and first-aid kit
Not included
- Trekking poles
- Tips
What to bring
- Warm clothing and a windproof jacket
- High-factor sunscreen
- Hat and sunglasses
- Water
Frequently asked questions
Is this the same as Rainbow Mountain?
It is the same geological formation, spread across three ridges instead of one. The main difference is access: vehicles reach 4,700 m and the walk takes 45 minutes over level ground, against the two-hour climb to 5,036 m at Vinicunca.
Which one should I choose?
Palccoyo is the recommended option with limited acclimatisation, with children or with older travellers, and for anyone who prefers a low-effort route. Vinicunca is the one to choose for the physical challenge and the better-known view. The colouring is comparable at both.
Are there really fewer people?
Considerably fewer. Vinicunca receives hundreds of visitors a day in high season; Palccoyo, a fraction. On weekdays the viewpoints are often practically empty.
When not to go: January to March — snow covers the colours