Also known as the “Palccoyo Rainbow Mountain Tour,” this trek is an alternative to the more popular but more crowded and more physically challenging “Vinicunca Rainbow Mountain Tour.” As an increasingly sought-after alternative to the Rainbow Mountain Tour, the Palcoyo hike is more relaxed but offers similarly gorgeous views of three different colored mountains, not to mention the local communities of farmers with their alpacas in the drive along the way. You’ll also see the stone forest (Bosque de Piedras) and the Ausangate glacier in the distance. Despite being a shorter and easier trek as a 30-minute walk and short uphill to the summit, the hike is still a bit challenging considering the altitude of 4,900 meters (16,000 feet), considerably much higher than the city of Cusco.
Itinerary: Palccoyo Tour from Cusco
- Transport to Palcoyo, including a stopover for breakfast
- 4:00 am: Pickup at your hotel in Cusco
- 5:00 am: Buffet breakfast
- 5:30-5:45 am: Continue journey – see alpacas in their natural habitat & potential photo stops along the way
- 9:00-9:30 am: Arrive at Palcoyo
- Hike around 30 minutes to the colored mountains
- Hike back to the vehicle
- Transport to your hotel in Cusco, including a stopover for a buffet lunch
Included in Tour Package:
- Pickup and drop-off at Cusco hotel
- Licensed bilingual tour guide
- Personalized service in small groups
- Guided tour of Palcoyo in English
- Entrance ticket to Palcoyo
- Safe, comfortable transport to/from your hotel-Palcoyo
- Breakfast
- Buffet lunch
- First aid kit
- Oxygen tank
NOT Included in Tour Package:
- Accommodations in Cusco
- Horse-ride and handler, if needed
- Travel/health insurance
- Tip for the tour guide
What to Pack/Bring:
- Passport
- Daypack with rain cover
- Water – 1 liter
- Camera or cell phone to take photos
- Personal medication
- Trekking shoes or hiking boots
- Clothing for hiking in cold weather, such as:
- Thermal(s) or base layer(s)
- Warm layer(s)
- Warm jacket
- Sweater
- Down jacket
- Gloves
- Scarf
- Beanie or toque
- Rain jacket or poncho
- Lip balm
- Sunhat
- Sunglasses
- Sunscreen
- Cash for snacks/souvenirs/tip (including coins for the washroom)
- Optional: Extra snacks
