WHAT: Visiting the rainbow mountain of Palccoyo; an alternative trip to the touristy mountain of Vinicunca in the same area. WHERE: The mountain range is a 3,5 hour drive from Cusco one way. HOW LONG: A full day. We were supposed to be picked up at 06:30 am (but we experienced a Peruvian delay). We returned at Cusco around 05:30 pm, luckily with little traffic jams on the way around Cusco. The hike itself was - without the viewing stops- about 45 minutes. Our actual time at the rainbow mountain was something like 2 hours. HOW MUCH: It would depend on the agency, but more or less 90 PEN per person. This includes a lunch, admission to the area (10 PEN), transportation and a guide along the way.
As our legs were still hurting a bit from the stairs to the Machu Picchu, we decided to take it easy the day afterwards. Still, we really wanted to see the famous rainbow mountain, a day trip from Cusco.
The tour that most people take to the area has a focus on the mountain of Vinicunca. So if people talk about the rainbow mountain in Peru, Vinicunca is what they refer to. The hike towards this place is long (3 hours) and on very high altitude (above 5000 meters). Apart from that, I was put off by the popularity of the place. The daily amount of visitors is enormous and you won’t really have to place to yourself unfortunately.
As we informed about tours to the rainbow mountains in Cusco, one of the agencies mentioned the tour to the area near Palccoyo, nicknamed the “Three Rainbow Mountains.” You’ll basically visit the same area, but enter through a different access. The plus side of this trip is that the hike isn’t so difficult, but you still have the gorgeous views on the multi-coloured area. Although it was a bit more expensive than the regular tour; I thought the tour was absolutely amazing, easygoing and tranquil.
The next day we were picked up in the early morning; ready for a long ride! It takes a while before you get to the area – the same for the regular tour – but you’ll be rewarded with some pristine landscapes along the way; with valleys, little rivers and some smaller communities all around.
Palccoyo is the town from where you can enter the mountains, in exchange for a little fee. As the area is far from the highway and the road to get there is unpaved and winding it’s difficult reach it. The last bit of the trip towards the rainbow range especially is very bumpy. Some of us got a little sick in the back of the car. So if you want to avoid that, try to grab a seat in front of the car.
With only a couple of other tourists it was almost unreal to experience this place. The hike is at high altitude (starting point around 4900 meters), so perhaps you might feel out of breath if your not used to it yet. A plus of this tour is that the elevation gain is little, as the highest point of the trip is situated at 5000 meters. Apart from that as said the hike is pretty short, some 30 minutes to the first point and another 15 minutes to the second view.
The walk grants some spectacular views of the range. Every 100 meter another gorgeous red or green valley or unique rock formation is to be seen. This is another advantage over Vinicunca; you won’t just see one beautiful multi-coloured mountain, but many.
The view at the snow-capped Ausangate mountain on the other side of the area is absolutely amazing as well. And as it started to snow at the end of our visit, we also were better able to see the contrast between the colourful range and the white peaks behind it.
So, what can I say… I really loved this trip, because we could enjoy the beauty of the area without flocks of other tourists. So that sounds rather appealing to you as well, don’t hesitate, just go for this alternative tour – before it’s too late!
Here’s where to find that alternative spot! ↓
Sandra Staverløkk Ingdal
February 8, 2019 at 6:43 am
Hi!
I would love to go to Palccoyo, and it would be greatly appreciated if you could let me know what agency you used? The ones I find online are quite expensive.
In advance, thanks so much!
Patricia Dominguez
April 18, 2019 at 11:01 am
I too, am planing a trip to cuzco and would like the name of your tour agency if possible. Thank you for your pictures and descriptions! It looks beautiful!
Kristel
April 19, 2019 at 2:01 pm
Hi Patricia, thanks for your comment! I get this question a lot. Unfortunately I forgot the agency I went with :(. I do remember it was located at Choquechaka near Ladrillos on the right side when walking uphill. Also, another reader told me that Terra Quechua also offers the tour for a great price! She considered TQ a fine agency as well, especially compared to other prices of offered tour. Hope this helps! Best and enjoy Cusco!! Kristel from TTT
Kat
May 4, 2019 at 12:56 pm
I went yesterday, booking direct with Raul from kana Travel (they are on FB) and it was 100s, which included entry fee and an excellent buffet lunch. Great English speaking guide and comfortable mini van. Some others in the group booked through travel agencies and were charged more.
Kristel
May 20, 2019 at 8:51 am
Thanks Kat for that useful addition! Cheers, Kristel from TTT
Kon
May 20, 2019 at 7:58 am
Helpful article! We went last week with exploor to the alternative rainbow mountain palccoyo and that was fantastic!!! The hike was short (45min), no other people were around us and we have visited also a local community!
The best thing was, that we were the only tourist up there!!!!
Kristel
May 20, 2019 at 8:52 am
Oh wow how lucky you were! The only one! And thanks for the addition! Hope many others will have the same experience in the future as you did. Cheers, Kristel from TTT
moira berman
February 26, 2020 at 1:45 am
Visited the alternative Rainbow Mountain a week ago. The guide company I found was soooo fantastic, that I got high praise from the folks who joined me. And among the people who were in our loose group in Cusco, 4 more (various) excursions were booked with the same company that week. trekhoppers.com Matt the owner is fantastic. And rates are very reasonable.
Windy
February 8, 2024 at 11:42 am
Hi, thanks for the great information.
Were you able to fly a drone there? Is drone allowed in that area?
Thanks.