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Palcoyo Rainbow Mountain Tour Details

Escape the crowds and discover a different side of Peru’s famous Rainbow Mountains on the Palcoyo Rainbow Mountain Tour. This full-day adventure takes you through breathtaking Andean landscapes, colorful mountains, dramatic valleys, and unique geological formations, all with a shorter and more relaxed hike compared to Vinicunca.

Palcoyo is known as the alternative Rainbow Mountain, offering stunning views of multiple colorful peaks, the majestic Ausangate Glacier, and the impressive Stone Forest, followed by a scenic descent through the Red Valley. This tour is ideal for travelers seeking unforgettable scenery, high-altitude landscapes, and a less physically demanding experience.

Departure & Return Location

Cusco, Perú

Departure Time

06:00 AM

Duration

Full Day

Difficulty

Moderate

Highest Altitude

4900 m or 16076 ft

Places Visited

Palcoyo Rainbow Mountains, Stone Forest, Red Valley, Cusipata

Price Includes

Breakfast and Lunch (vegetarian option available)
Professional tour guide (English/Spanish)
Round-trip tourist transportation
Oxygen bottle
First-aid kit

Price Excludes

Snacks and drinks
Gratuities (optional)
Mountain entrance fee (s/25 payment to the community)

Complementary

Oxygen

Palcoyo Rainbow Mountain

Additional Tour Information

Group Tour is based on single occupancy, Private Tour is based on double Occupancy
Please ask us about special group discounts if travelling with 3 or more people
Confirmation will be received within 48 hours of booking
This tour begins in Cusco, Hostel/Hotel Pickup is included for Accommodation located in Cusco City Center
Tour does not have fixed departures, you can choose your own start date
Passport name, number, expiry and country is required at time of booking for all participants
If you are a senior or traveling with small children please ask us about our private tours.

Cancellation Policy

Palcoyo Rainbow Mountain
As the Industry Leader in customer service we provide you with the flexibility to change your travel plans – with the assurance that you’ll have options to re-book when it suits you. As long as you notify us about changes to your travel plans at least 24 hours* before your scheduled departure, you can pick new travel dates or an entirely different trip, with no change fees. We offer:

Flexible Payments
Partial Deposits
No Change Fees*
Secure Online Payment
Guaranteed Departures

View our updated Terms and Conditions here

*Domestic/International Airlines may have their own fees. Day tours can be cancelled for a full refund at least 24 hours before tour start time. Multi day tours, treks and tour packages need to be cancelled at least 40 days before departure for full refund.

Palcoyo Rainbow mountain Tour Itinerary

Rainbow Mountain Full Day Tour

The Palcoyo Rainbow Mountain Tour begins early in the morning with pick-up from your hotel in Cusco at approximately 6:00 AM. We depart toward the southern region of Cusco, traveling through scenic Andean landscapes, traditional villages, and high-altitude valleys.

Our first stop is in the district of Checacupe, where you will visit the famous Three Bridges of Checacupe—a unique site showcasing Inca, Colonial, and Republican engineering in one location. Here, you’ll have time to take photos, stretch your legs, and purchase snacks or water for the journey ahead.

After this short break, we continue driving for approximately 2 hours and 20 minutes toward the remote community of Palcoyo, reaching an altitude of 4,100 meters (13,451 ft). Upon arrival, your guide will provide a briefing about the route, altitude conditions, and safety recommendations before beginning the hike.

Palcoyo Rainbow mountain

The hike to the first viewpoint takes about 45 minutes, following a gradual and scenic trail. Along the way, you’ll be surrounded by rolling hills, colorful mineral deposits, grazing alpacas, and panoramic views of the Andes. Reaching the Palcoyo Viewpoint at 4,800 meters (15,748 ft), you’ll enjoy spectacular views of the Palcoyo Rainbow Mountains, with their vibrant layers of red, green, yellow, and turquoise. On clear days, the towering Ausangate Glacier, one of the highest peaks in the Cusco region, dominates the horizon.

After ample time for photos and explanations from your guide, we continue toward the impressive Stone Forest, located at approximately 4,900 meters (16,076 ft). This natural formation features towering rock columns sculpted by centuries of wind and erosion, creating an otherworldly landscape perfect for exploration and photography.

From the Stone Forest, we begin a gradual descent through the striking Red Valley, named for its intense reddish tones caused by mineral-rich soil. This section offers a peaceful and scenic walk, allowing you to fully appreciate the vastness and silence of the Andean highlands.

Red Valley, palcoyo rainbow mountain

After completing the hike, we return to our vehicle and head toward Cusipata, where we enjoy a well-deserved buffet lunch at a local restaurant. Vegetarian options are available upon request.

In the afternoon, we begin our journey back to Cusco, arriving at approximately 6:00 PM, where you will be dropped off at your hotel after an unforgettable day exploring one of Peru’s most scenic mountain regions.