Palccoyo Rainbow Mountain Full-Day Trek from Cusco

Palccoyo Rainbow Mountain

Palccoyo is a group of striped mountains in the Andes of the Cusco region, at about 4,900 metres above sea level. Their bands of red, pink, yellow, green and turquoise come from layers of different minerals exposed over millions of years. Compared with Vinicunca, Palccoyo has a shorter walk from the road and usually fewer visitors, which is why many people search for Palccoyo Rainbow Mountain as a quieter alternative.

A gentle path leads across the high plateau to several viewpoints, with each one showing the colours from a different angle. Because the altitude is high, walk slowly, drink water and use the hiking pole. Colours are strongest in sunshine, and on a clear morning the ridge is spectacular. The visit takes a few hours.

The highland landscape around Palccoyo

The Palccoyo area is a wide, treeless highland with sharp rock formations, grazing alpacas and llamas and small Quechua farming communities. The scenery around the coloured hills is as striking as the mountains themselves, with bare ridges and the wide sky typical of the high Andes. Look out for grazing herds and the small lakes that dot the plateau.

The route follows a road south-east from Cusco through farming villages, and the area is much less visited than the Sacred Valley. Bring a warm jacket, gloves, a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen, because the sun is strong and the wind is cold. The best time to visit Palccoyo is the dry season from May to September, and early morning gives the clearest skies.

The Checacupe bridge and the drive from Cusco

On the way, the trip passes through the town of Checacupe, where an optional visit to the old stone bridge can be added. It is a colonial-era bridge over the river, and entrance to it is paid separately. The stop is a short break in a long drive, and gives a taste of a region that most tourists never reach.

The default option includes hotel, hostel or apartment pickup in Cusco between 4:00 and 5:00 in the morning, depending on the location of your accommodation. The drive to Palccoyo takes about three hours, with a buffet breakfast on the way. After the hike you have a buffet lunch, with a vegetarian or vegan choice, and return to Cusco, where you are dropped at Regocijo Square.

Altitude, difficulty and how to prepare

Palccoyo is high, so plan to spend a day or two in Cusco before the trek. Cusco is at around 3,400 metres, and the trail climbs some 1,500 metres higher. The walk is easier than Vinicunca, but high altitude affects everyone, so tell your guide if you feel unwell. An oxygen tank and a first-aid kit are carried on the trip for emergencies.

Wear hiking shoes, warm layers, a rain jacket and sunglasses, and bring water, snacks and sunscreen. The full day lasts about 12 hours. The Checacupe bridge is optional and paid separately, and tips are not included. If you are choosing between Palccoyo and Vinicunca, Palccoyo is often preferred for fewer crowds and an easier walk.