PALCOYO MOUNTAIN

What’s better than just a rainbow mountain? The three rainbow mountains of Palccoyo. This new alternative route is lighter, less strenuous, and with no crowds battling for a picture. If you are hungry for spectacular and remote scenery, come join us on this one-day tour to merge a wide smile with the colors of Palccoyo on a hike that will make you feel like the only one on the planet!

PALCOYO MOUNTAIN

Vibe Journeys
$ 122 ALL 2025
  • REGULAR PRICE $ 146
  • DIFFICULTY - DEMANDING
  • TRIP CODE (VJSPM1D)
new

Journey Style

ACTIVE/TREKKING

Service Level

STANDART

Effort Level

CHALLENGING

Group Size

FROM 1 TO 12

Travel Type

SMALL GROUP

PALCOYO MOUNTAIN

We warmly welcome you to Palcoyo, the Rainbow Mountain of Colors, one of Cusco’s hidden natural wonders.
Nestled high in the Andes at almost 5,000 meters above sea level, Palcoyo offers an extraordinary landscape where nature itself has painted the earth in vibrant shades of red, yellow, green, and ochre.

Unlike its famous sister Vinicunca, Palcoyo is known for its gentle and accessible trails, allowing visitors of all ages to enjoy its breathtaking beauty. Here, you will discover not just one, but three stunning rainbow-colored mountains, along with sweeping views of the majestic Ausangate range.

As you explore, you’ll be surrounded by the serenity of the Andean highlands, herds of llamas and alpacas, and a landscape that seems to belong to another world. Palcoyo is more than a destination — it is an invitation to connect with nature, embrace the silence of the mountains, and take home unforgettable memories.

✨ Welcome to Palcoyo — a place where the colors of the Earth meet the spirit of the Andes.

LADY IN PALCOYO MOUNTAIN
PALCOYO MOUNTAIN OVER VIEW

🌈 “Palcoyo: Walking Through the Colors of the Andes”

The Palcoyo Mountain Tour is a unique adventure that takes you to one of Cusco’s hidden gems — the Rainbow Mountains of Palcoyo. Located at nearly 5,000 meters above sea level, Palcoyo offers a breathtaking natural spectacle of three rainbow-colored mountains, vast Andean landscapes, and views of the sacred Ausangate range.
 
Unlike the challenging hike to Vinicunca, Palcoyo is known for its easy and accessible walk, making it a perfect experience for travelers of all ages. Along the way, you’ll encounter peaceful herds of alpacas and llamas, traditional Andean communities, and wide valleys painted with vibrant mineral tones.
 
This full-day tour combines natural beauty, cultural encounters, and peaceful exploration — giving you the chance to connect with the Andes without the crowds. Whether you are a photographer, a nature lover, or simply seeking an inspiring journey, Palcoyo will leave you with unforgettable memories.
 
✨ Highlights
•Gentle hike with panoramic views
•Three stunning rainbow mountains
•Majestic views of Ausangate Glacier
•Scenic drive through Andean valleys and stone forests
•Opportunity to see local wildlife and communities

🌈 “Palcoyo: Walking Through the Colors of the Andes”

Day 1: Cusco – Palccoyo – Cusco

We begin our day with pick-up from the hotel at 5:00 am and begin our drive towards the Palccoyo Rainbow Mountain trailhead. Located south of Cusco, we drive for approximately 4 hours in private transport until the trail where we will provide you with a breakfast.

Along the way, we see beautiful Andes mountains as well as lush green valleys, local people working on their land, and hundreds of alpacas and llamas. If we are lucky we will stop for vicuñas and observe them in their natural free state. When we get to Apacheta, we will begin our hike towards Palcoyo Mountain. After hiking for 10 minutes we get the viewpoint from where you enjoy the first Rainbow Mountain. We take pictures and drink our wáter. Then we hike for another 10 minutes we get to the second viewpoint where we will take pictures of the second Mountain. Then we hike another 10 minutes to the third viewpoint and you will be impressed by the third mountain. This viewpoint is the place from where you take the classical Postcard Picture of Palcoyo.

After enjoying the beautiful colorful mountains, we will hike back to the Trailhead. Then we take the van for about 2 hours until Ttio town where will have our lunch in a local house prepared by our Chef. After enjoying our delicious meal, we drive another 1 hour and a half to Cusco. We will drop you off at your hotel at 05 pm roughly.

Stone forest(optional)

If you feel good once you get the third viewpoint, we can hike another 10 minutes to the Stone Forest. You will see beautiful rock formations once you get to the top. The trail is swift and steep. But the view from the top is amazing. You will see Ausangate Mountain in the distance and all 3 Rainbow Mountains. Another good thing to climb is, that you don’t come back by the same trail, you hike in a loop.

  • Elevation Gain: 163 m / 534 ft.
  • Elevation Loose: 165 m / 541 feet.
  • Walking Distance: 3 km / 1.8 miles
  • Trailhead Elevation: 4770 m / 15,649 ft.
  • Highest point: 4920 m/ 16,141 ft.
PALCOYO MOUNTAIN FEELING
BEAUTIFUL VIEW IN PALCOYO MOUNTAIN
ROCKY MOUNTAIN IN PALCOYO MOUNTAIN
JUMPING IN PALCOYO MOUNTAIN

Here Photo GALLERY

It is INCLUDED

  • Permits & Entrance Tickets

      • Entry to the Palcoyo Mountain

    High Quality Service & Safety

    • Experienced Tour Guide
      • Our official tour guides speak English and Spanish and are professionally trained and certified. We choose them for their experience, responsibility, unbridled passion for exploring, and pride in sharing our culture and history. In every experience, they will keep you safe and comfortable so you can enjoy your time worry-free!
HAVING LUNCH IN PALCOYO MOUNTAIN
  • Trekking Poles with rubber tips
  • Medical Kit or First AID Kit
    • All Vibe Journeys guides have received specialized training in first aid. We hold mandatory training sessions with our guides every February. Your guide will always carry a first aid kit to face basic emergencies (altitude sickness, travelers’ diarrhea, cuts, scrapes, etc.) as well as oxygen. If necessary, we’ll evacuate you from the path as quickly as possible and ensure that you arrive at a clinic for treatment.
    • 24/7 Customer Service
    • We have telephone service available 24 hours/day for ease of communication with Salkantay Trekking leading up to your trek.
  • Meals

    • Breakfast and Lunch
    • Snacks and water
      • For the hike, we’ll provide you with a water bottle and snacks of local fruits, cookies, chocolate, caramels, etc.
    • One cloth snack bag per person
    • We’ll provide you with a cloth bag for your snacks—perfect for storing wrappers and keeping the environment clean. Feel free to use it throughout your trek!
     
    Transportation
    • All transportation is included in this tour. We’ll pick you up from your hotel and after the end of the trip, we’ll drop you back at the door of your hotel in Cusco.

It is NOT INCLUDED

  • Gratuity for Adventure guides, Adventure chefs and support staff.
  • Travel Insurance
  • Rain Poncho
IN CASE OF AN EVACUATION (All expenses generated in)
  • Accommodation
  • Transport 
  • Food
  • others
Must be covered by you.
VibeJourneys will give one staff to support you during the evacuation.
MACHUPICCHU ON A RAINY DAY

PACKING LIST - Essentials for a great journey​

  • Passport (Optional): You can just bring a photocopy, but if you want to get the Rainbow Mountain stamp in your passport, you will need to bring the actual passport.
  • 1 Liter and half of the water: To stay hydrated during the hike.. 
  • Personal snacks: We provide snacks, but if you need to eat frequently, like every 5 minutes, we suggest bringing something extra, like an energy bar.
  • Pillow for van ride: You can leave the pillow in the van while you go hiking.
  • Trekking shoes: We strongly suggest you wear trekking shoes. The path at Rainbow Mountain is dusty, and some parts can be slippery.
  • Waterproof pants (optional):Only bring them during the rainy season, from December to March.
  • Extra cloths(Optional): Bring them during the rainy season (December to March) because sometimes you can get very wet, and you’ll need extra clothes.
  • Sunscreen lip protector: Bring lip balm with sunscreen because the air at Rainbow Mountain is dry and cold.
  • Down jacket: Usually, it’s cold on Rainbow Mountain, so it’s a good idea to bring a warm coat.
  • Rain Jacket: Due to global warming, it might rain even during dry seasons. 
  • Long sleeve t-shit: It’s better to wear long sleeves to protect yourself from sunburn. If you choose to wear short sleeves, make sure to apply sunscreen to your skin.
  • Wool hat: It’s always cold at Rainbow Mountain, no matter what month you visit. When the sky is cloudy, the temperature drops quickly.
  • Trekking pants: We suggested using trekking pants, but if you have other pants that are suitable for hiking, you can bring those instead. 
  • Rain poncho: It’s really important to take a rain poncho during the rainy season. If you’re going out during the dry season but notice that the sky looks cloudy the day before, you should also bring a rain poncho.
  • Sunhat with long brim: Keep in mind that you’ll be going above 5000 meters, where the sun is very strong.
  • Sun cream: Over the rainbow mountain, not only the sun burns, also the cold burns. so bring the sunscreen. 
  • Water bottles or camelbag: It’s better to use a reusable water bottle or a camelback.
  • Sun glasses: The sun is very strong at altitudes above 5,000 meters. Additionally, when it snows, the snow can reflect sunlight and harm your eyes.
  • Extra money: On the way, you’ll find local people selling snacks, soda, and even alpaca meat. You’ll need cash to buy these. If you want to take a photo with an alpaca, you’ll need to give a tip.
  • Thick socks: To keep your feet warm.
  • Neck Gaiter: The buff will keep your neck and face warm, especially during the winter.
  • Gloves: When you reach the top, it can be very windy and cold on some days. Wearing gloves will help keep you warm, especially when you’re taking pictures or using walking sticks.
  • Basic medications: You should carry some basic medicines, like ibuprofen for headaches and Diamox for altitude sickness.
  • Portable Charger: Phone batteries drain quickly in cold places.
  • Telephone or Camara: To capture the best photo for your memories.
BREAKFAST IN PALCOYO MOUNTAIN
PALCOYO MOUNTAIN VIEW OF AUSANGATE
ROCKY MOUNTAIN IN PALCOYO MOUNTAIN
IN THE SUMMIT OF PALCOYO MOUNTAIN
PALCOYO MOUNTAIN OVER VIEW

COMMONLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How To Book Palcoyo Mountain 1-Day Trek With Vibe Journeys?

To book your tour to Palcoyo Mountain with us, please click the “BOOK NOW” button above. Next, choose your departure date and fill in the personal details for each person joining the trip. Finally, you will need to pay a deposit for each person. After we receive your deposit, we will send a confirmation email. This means your trip to Palcoyo Mountain is fully confirmed.

When Should I Pay The Outstanding Balance?

You can pay the rest of what you owe in cash in Cusco a day before your trip. We accept both USD and soles. If you want to use a credit card, please make the payment through our booking platform at least two days before your trip. Keep in mind that credit card payments have a 5% service fee. Paying in cash is cheaper because there are no extra fees. Please tell us which payment option you prefer.

Why Is Your Price More Expensive Than The Other Travel Agencies?

You can find a cheaper Palcoyo Mountain trip on the street. These tours usually take 20 people in one group with just one guide, which is why the price is lower. The guides are often students who are still learning and they don’t bring oxygen. On our tours, we keep the group small with a maximum of 12 people and an experienced English-speaking guide. We also offer you excellent food, and our drivers are careful. There are more things that we offer, but these are the most important ones.

Do I Need To Bring My Original Passport On The Palcoyo Rainbow Mountain Tour?

You don’t need to bring your passport for our Palcoyo Mountain day trip. You can simply bring a photocopy of it.

Can I Stay In The Sacred Valley For My Palcoyo Rainbow Mountain 1 day Trip?

Yes, but it’s not recommended because our Palcoyo Mountain tour groups start from Cusco. If you’re staying in the Sacred Valley, we can provide a private service, but there will be an additional $30 charge for transportation from the Sacred Valley.

Can I Rent A Horse In The Palcoyo Rainbow Mountain?

Horses are not allowed on Palcoyo Mountain because they can damage the mountain and the path, which is made of flat rocks. The trail is also easy for people to hike.

Best Time To Hike The Palcoyo Rainbow Mountain?

The ideal time to visit Palcoyo Rainbow Mountain is from April to November when the weather is dry. On the other hand, from December to March, it is the rainy season. During this time, the trail can be muddy and wet, and the mountain might be covered in snow and mist.

Is It Cold At The Palcoyo Rainbow Mountain trek?

At Palcoyo Rainbow Mountain, mornings are usually cold, often going below freezing. As the sun comes up, the temperature gets warmer. At the top of the mountain, it can be cold and windy, especially when it’s cloudy, with temperatures between 5-15°C (40-60°F). When it’s cloudy or raining, the temperature usually drops to between 0-10°C (32-50°F).

If One Experiences Altitude Sickness, What Do You Do?

All of our tour guides have an oximeter and oxygen tanks on our Palcoyo Mountain day trip. If you start to feel unwell, the guide will check your oxygen level and give you oxygen if needed. If you still don’t feel better, we will take you to a lower altitude as quickly as possible.

Are There Any Age Restrictions For The Palcoyo Rainbow Mountain Tour?

The Palcoyo Rainbow Mountain tour does not have any age limits. However, Vibe Journeys suggests that children be at least 6 years old because younger children often have a hard time with the cold and can get sick from the high altitude. If you want to take your child to the Mountain, it is a good idea to dress them warmly and arrive in Cusco at least three days before the tour so they can get used to the altitude.

How Far In Advance Should I Book The Palcoyo Mountain Hike?

Tickets for Palcoyo Mountain are always available and don’t sell out, so you can book them even at the last minute. However, from May to August, which is the busy season, it’s highly recommended to book at least one month ahead of time, as we may run out of guides during this time.

Are There Toilets During The Palcoyo Mountain Hike?

There are only two toilets at Palcoyo Mountain. The first toilet is where you pay the entrance fee, which is still in the town of Palcoyo. The second toilet is at the start of the hiking trail. We suggest you use these toilets before you start hiking. There are no toilets along the hike, so you will need to wait until you finish the hike. The area is open, making it difficult to find a private spot. It costs 2 soles to use the toilets, and you will receive toilet paper.

Do I Need Extra Money For The Hike?

We highly recommend bringing cash in soles when visiting the Palcoyo Rainbow Mountain. Many local people sell items like handicrafts, snacks, and drinks such as soda, Gatorade, and beer. You will also need cash to use the restroom. Please note that none of the sellers accept credit cards, so it’s important to have cash.

Are Hiking Sticks Helpfull For The Palcoyo Rainbow Mountain Trek?

At the beginning of the hike, you won’t need walking sticks because the path is mostly flat. However, if you decide to take the extra hike to the Stone Forest, the sticks will be very useful. During the rainy season, it’s important to bring the sticks since the trail can get muddy and slippery, and it sometimes even snows. The sticks will help you find solid places to step on.

I Don’t Like To Go In A Shared Group, Can You Arrange A Private Tour For Me?

Sure! We can arrange your private trip to Palcoyo Rainbow Mountain.

Can I Charge My Devices in Palcoyo Rainbow Mountain 1 Day Tour?

There are no spots to charge your device at Palcoyo Rainbow Mountain, so be sure to bring a portable charger. You can only charge your devices in our van.

Is It Safe To Go On A Palcoyo Rainbow Mountain Tour?

Yes, it is safe to visit Palcoyo Rainbow Mountain with us. Our guides have years of experience and always carries an oxygen tank and a first aid kit. Our vans are new, and the drivers also have years of experience.

How Difficult Is The Palcoyo Mountain Trek?

The Palcoyo Rainbow Mountain hike is considered easy. It is found in the Peruvian Andes and goes up to an elevation of about 4,940 meters (16,207 feet), which can cause problems due to altitude sickness. The trail is around 3 kilometers (1.8 miles) round trip, with a gentle uphill path, except for a steep part if you head towards the stone forest.

How Many Days Should I Spend Getting Used To The Altitude Before Hiking Palcoyo Rainbow Mountain?

It is a good idea to stay in Cusco for at least 3 days before hiking to Palcoyo Mountain, so your body can get used to the high altitude. Even if you are coming from a place with a similar altitude, you should still take at least one day to rest before starting the hike.

Can You Visit Palcoyo Rainbow Mountain Without Hiking?

Sadly, there are no horses or motorcycles available at Palcoyo Mountain. The only way to reach it, is by hiking.

If I’m Afraid Of Heights, Can I Still Join Palcoyo Rainbow Mountain In Peru?

The trail to Palcoyo Rainbow Mountain is wide and easy to follow, with no steep drop-offs. So, if you’re scared of heights, you’ll feel comfortable. There is a lookout point to see the three rainbow mountains that may seem a little scary, but you don’t have to go there if you don’t want to.

Do You Include The Red Valley On Your Palcoyo Mountain Tour?

No, because the Red Valley is not located in Palcoyo Mountain.

I Will Be Traveling With My Family, Including Two People Who Are 65 Years Old. Do You Think They Can Handle It?

We had people between the ages of 50 and 65 who were active and healthy. We recommend using a private service so you can travel to Palcoyo Mountain at your own pace. It’s also smart to see your doctor, tell them you’re going to an altitude of 4,940 meters, and follow their guidance.

Can I Keep My Extra Stuff In Your Van?

Yes, you can keep your extra items in our van. We always use a large van for the Palccoyo Rainbow Mountain trek, so there will be plenty of room.

Can You Drop Me Off In  The Airport After The Palcoyo Mountain hike?

Yes, we can take you to the airport after your trek. We’ll drop you off first since the airport comes before reaching Cusco city center.

Is there Any Student Discount?

Unfortunatly, we don’t have a student discount for our Palcoyo Mountain Hike.

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