Palccoyo Rainbow Mountains Tour

Palccoyo Mountain Tour Itinerary:

4:00am - 6:30am: Pick up - Transfer to Colca- Breakfast

Our guide will pick you up early at the hotel, and then we will head south of Cusco. Once we arrive at the community of Cusipata, we will enjoy a basic buffet breakfast for 30 minutes at a rural restaurant. If you need to make last-minute purchases for snacks, water, or sunscreen, you can take advantage of this stop.

7:00 AM - 9:00 AM: Transportation to Checacupe - Visit to the 3 Bridges - Panoramic view of the Red River - Transfer to Palccoyo

Once everyone is ready, we will embark on a journey to the base camp of Palccoyo. During this trip, we will visit the 3 bridges of Checacupe (Inca Bridge, Colonial Bridge, and Republican Bridge). From Checacupe to Palccoyo, we will see unforgettable landscapes, including mountains and colorful valleys filled with llamas and alpacas. Our guide will let us know when we are passing by the Red River so you can appreciate its beauty.

9:00 AM - 11:30 AM: Arrival at the base camp of Palccoyo - Hike to Palccoyo - Optional visit to the Stone Forest

When you arrive at the base camp of Palccoyo, you will be at an altitude of 4,700 meters. Our guide will point out key topics, safety recommendations, and highlights of the route before we begin. This hike takes approximately 45 minutes to 1 hour, during which you can enjoy landscapes and panoramic viewpoints until we reach the 3 Colored Mountains of Palccoyo. From this site, you will be able to see Ausangate, the highest mountain in Cusco. At this point, we will take the best photos before continuing our hike to the Stone Forest of Palccoyo, where we will reach an altitude of 5,000 meters at the highest point.

11:30 AM - 4:30 PM: Return to transportation - Lunch - Return to Cusco.

Once we visit the Colored Mountain of Palccoyo and the Stone Forest, we will descend for 30 minutes to the parking area to return to the rural restaurant, where a delicious buffet lunch will be waiting for us. Afterward, we will begin our return to Cusco. We will arrive near Plaza Regocijo (two blocks from the Plaza de Armas) at approximately 4:00 PM. Our guide will pick you up early from your hotel, and then we will head south from Cusco. 

Note: Due to the geography of the area, restaurant options are limited. Guru Explorers is always on-site monitoring to offer the best alternatives, considering that, being a rural area, the restaurant standards will be more basic compared to those in a city.

The price of the Palccoyo Rainbow Mountain Tour (Group Service) includes:

• Departure from your accommodation in the Historic Center of Cusco. Sometimes, the selected accommodation may be located on streets with restricted access for tourist vehicles. In these cases, the guide will suggest a nearby point where you can walk to meet them, so they can pick you up from a permitted street.
• Return to Plaza Regocijo, one block from Cusco’s Plaza de Armas. 
• Professional guide in English and Spanish (other languages are available on private tours). The guiding may be bilingual in englinsh and spanish. 
• Buffet breakfast and Lunch at a rural restaurant (vegetarian and vegan options available upon request). Being a rural area, the restaurant standards will be more basic compared to those in a city.
• Trekking or hiking poles (on request). 
• Entrance tickets to the Palccoyo Mountain
• Oxygen bottle available with the guide upon request in case of emergency.

The price of the Palccoyo Rainbow Mountain Tour (Group Service) does not include:

• Souvenirs
• Tips for the guide and driver (contribution is voluntary)
• Meals not mentioned in the description
• Drinks

What to bring for the hike to Palccoyo Mountain:

• Choose comfortable walking shoes, warm jacket, hats or caps, gloves, sunglasses, sunscreen, water, rain gear or poncho (especially in November - April).
• Passport or ID card.
• Travel insurance.
• Cash (local currency) In Peru, there is usually a fee to use public restrooms. We recommend bringing coins or cash for these situations. 

Considerations for the alternative tour to the Rainbow Mountain:

What does it mean that the tour is shared?

• It means that you can share the tour with a group of tourists of different nationalities and ages, both from Guru Explorers and from different operators (group of approximately 16 people). It is an excellent opportunity to connect with travelers from different parts of the world! Remember that this type of tour is operated by Guru Explorers or our strategic partners who respond to our same standards. If you prefer a tour where you do not share with other people, please ask us for the Private Tour option.
• How is the guiding in this type of shared tour? This tour focuses more on experiences than on detailed historical narration. The guide will point out specific topics, safety recommendations, and highlights of the route before starting. During the hike, the beauty of the landscape will speak for itself. As it is a shared tour, it’s important to remember that the guide will be constantly moving among the group members, who will progress at different paces. In the end, everyone will meet again at the top, where they can enjoy some free time to rest and take photos before beginning the descent. If you prefer a more personalized guiding experience, we recommend our private tour, with an exclusive guide just for you.

Other considerations

• Transportation: The seating arrangement in the transportation is random, based on the order of arrival and pickup.

• Pickup and Schedule: One day before the shared tour, you will be assigned a pickup time range and an approximate return time. It is important to be punctual to avoid delaying others. The duration of the tour may vary depending on the group's pace and traffic, so the return time is only an estimate. Please remember that neither traffic nor the pace of tourists is the responsibility of Guru Explorers. 

• Access Limitations: Due to restricted access for tourist vehicles on some narrow streets or because of traffic congestion, a nearby pickup point may be suggested to start the tour. 

• Physical Conditions: This Palccoyo tour requires stable physical conditions to complete the route, although it is less demanding than other tours like the Rainbow Mountain or Humantay Lake. During the hike, there is an ascent of 200 meters, from 4700 meters to 4900 meters above the sea.

• Acclimatization: It is recommended to acclimatize in Cusco before taking the Palccoyo tour. This way, your body will be better adapted to the altitude of the region.

• Age Restrictions: This Palccoyo tour is not recommended for children under 10 years old; adults over 60 should consider that this activity requires a reasonable level of fitness.

• Time at the Summit: Please note that the time spent at the Palccoyo mountain summit is limited to approximately 45 minutes. This is to preserve the health of passengers, as staying longer could increase the risk of altitude sickness at 4900 meters above sea level.

• Medications: The guide is not authorized to administer medications. Please consult your doctor before taking altitude sickness pills.

• Route: As we are in a mountainous area, the road may have many curves, which could cause motion sickness in some people. If you are prone to motion sickness, we recommend consulting your doctor about the possibility of taking preventive medication.

• Itinerary Variations: The travel itinerary may vary due to environmental or weather-related reasons beyond our control. We will notify you in advance of any changes. At Guru Explorers, we value your time and work to adhere to the established schedules, even though these may be affected by circumstances beyond our control (natural disasters, field conditions, and other demonstrable reasons). We will do our best to offer efficient options and solutions for your enjoyment.

Not Allowed:

• Pets.
• Smoke.
• Large suitcases or bags.

Not recommended for:

• People with heart problems, back problems, asthma or high blood pressure.
• People in wheelchairs.
• Pregnant women.

Cancellation Policy:

• With 3 days or less notice, there will be no reimbursement.
• Between 4 and 7 days’ notice, 70% reimbursement.
• More than 7 days, 90% will be reimbursed.

Date changes:

• Fees applied for change of date in private tours:
  • There will be no extra charge if notified more than 5 days in advance.
  • If notified between 3 and 5 days in advance, an additional charge of 20% will apply.
  • If notified 2 days or less in advance, it will not be possible to make the change and will not be subject to reimbursement.
• There will be no refund in case of delayed flights, train delays, bad weather or other external factors.

We want to be part of the experience that you will live in the Palccoyo Rainbow Mountain Tour.

If you are still wondering why choose us, we would like you to read 7 outstanding features of our service:

1.  QUALITY: When you go to a teacher, it is because you want to answer all the questions. When it comes to travel, money, time and enjoyment there is a lot to solve and that's what Guru Explorers is all about, giving you the perfect balance for the adventure you DESERVE.
2.  EXPERIENCE: To become Guru Explorers, we are still world travelers, but experts in Cusco, Lima, and the most important destinations in Peru. We experienced bad and good experiences, finding that in the details is the difference, that's why we know what elements are essential for your trip, we are travelers and we strive to enhance your experience!
3.  TRANSPARENCY: We are here to provide you with the best information and description of our tours. We are not in favor of hidden costs. We provide the necessary information so you can choose the inclusions or upgrades you are looking for.
4.  SAFETY: You trust us with your time, your money and your expectations and that is why we fine-tune every detail to guarantee the trip you dream of.
5.  FLEXIBILITY: Although we have pre-established packages; we adapt to your needs and make tailor-made plans for you to visit any place in Peru, with the expertise of a Guru Explorers. We adapt trips for special occasions such as your corporate travel, honeymoon, birthday, social, cultural or sporting event in your visit to Peru, offering you complete advice to achieve and exceed your expectations.
6.  PASSION: Before being tour guides, we are travelers, explorers, adventurers; that makes us passionate about creating the best experiences in the time you invest for you and those you love.
7.  SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY: We promote Responsible and Sustainable Tourism without affecting the traveler, nor exploiting the communities that receive us or their environment. We create experiences that are more humane and respectful of heritage.

Want a different trip to Cusco? We won't keep you waiting!

How difficult is the route to the Rainbow Mountain of Palccoyo?

At Guru Explorers we rate this tour as AVERAGE. This route is a great alternative for those who do not feel able to do the Rainbow Mountain Trek because it is not as challenging as it is less steep.

Keep in mind that all treks in Cusco can be considered demanding due to the altitude. It is recommended to be acclimatized for a couple of days before doing this tour.

How long is the hike to the Rainbow Mountain of Palccoyo?’

The average time for this hike is between 2 - 3 hours roundway.

What are the advantages of the tour to the Rainbow Mountain of Palccoyo vs. the traditional Rainbow Mountain?

• Number of tourists: The traditional Rainbow Mountain or Vinicunca, has a large number of visitors daily, while the Rainbow Mountain of Palccoyo, has much smaller groups. Furthermore, it has become a super important attraction at a regional level and is promoted by many influencers on social networks.
• Length and difficulty of the hike: the route to the Rainbow Mountain of Palccoyo is easier and shorter; the classic Rainbow Mountain or Vinicunca is steeper and more extensive.

What is the weather like in the Rainbow Mountain of Palccoyo?

It should be considered that the cold season is between May and October and the rainiest months are between November and April. However, the weather at high altitude can be unpredictable; from sunny, windy, cold, to sudden rain. We suggest you always be prepared with equipment for all weather conditions. The sun is usually intense during the morning and part of the afternoon and the temperature can range from -5 to 18 °C.

What luggage should I bring?

As it is a day trip, it is not allowed to carry suitcases or large bags. However, you may carry a backpack to carry basic items such as water, camera, hat or cap, sunscreen, sunglasses, among others.

What is the difference between group service and private service?

In the group service you share the experience with a small group of passengers, all departing from Cusco and being picked up at their respective lodgings. The private service is personalized and has the option to leave earlier to avoid other groups of tourists, also, the tour will be at your pace and you can customize the experience on special occasions: birthdays, anniversaries, family trip, among others.