Palccoyo Rainbow Mountain: An Alternative Tour

Have you heard about Palccoyo Rainbow Mountain? Visiting the Rainbow Mountains in Peru has become a must-see activity for many tourists. The beautiful rainbow-striped sloping mountains, colourful alpacas and llamas with snow-capped landscapes offer up a unique destination for travellers.  

The most popular Rainbow Mountain tour (Montaña de Siete Colores) is Vinicunca. It was the first Rainbow Mountain area available to tourists, and as a result, it attracts the crowds. However, this guide focuses on a lesser-known Rainbow Mountain gem called Palccoyo. Both are spectacular, so in this guide I will explain the differences between the two areas to help you choose which one to visit. If you have time to go to both, that’s even better. 

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What is Rainbow Mountain?

The Rainbow Mountains in Peru showcase a unique display of bright, colourful mineral layers resembling a rainbow. These layers appear on various peaks in the Andes Mountain Range at very high altitudes. Fourteen different minerals such as chlorite, sulphur, magnesium, calcium, sand and iron all make up the coloured appearance. 

How to get to Rainbow Mountain

The easiest way to explore the Rainbow Mountain areas is by day trip from Cusco. Multiple operators run tours from the city, and they generally last the whole day. They also include an early start with a pickup time of around 4-5 am. Due to the remote locations, I don’t recommend making the journey without a guide. If group tours aren’t what you want to go for, hiring a private driver who knows the area would be a better option. 

You can also opt to do the Ausangate Trek through the mountains to reach these areas. Before the influx of tourism, trekking used to be the only way to get to the Rainbow Mountains. After the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, this is the second most popular trek in the Cusco area. Ausangate is Peru’s fifth highest mountain and is a sacred peak to Peruvians. Its snow-capped peaks dominate the landscape in the area. 

Where are the Rainbow Mountains in Peru?

Both Rainbow Mountain areas lie to the southeast of the city of Cusco. The journey from Cusco to Vinicunca is around 2-3 hours one way, depending on the route taken by the tour operator – via Cusipata or Pitumarca. The journey time to Palccoyo is slightly longer, 3 hours one-way via the village of Checacupe. 

How long is the hike up Rainbow Mountain?

The climb depends on which Rainbow Mountain you decide to visit, both Palccoyo and Vinicunca sit at high altitude levels. Spending at least two days in Cusco before attempting to hike either of these routes helps avoid the effects of altitude sickness.  

Having said that, Palccoyo is the easiest hike of the two. Sitting at 16,076 ft (4,900m), it is lower in elevation than Vinicunca. The hike is shorter and only takes 1-2 hours to see the area. There is an elevation gain, but the climb is slow and steady, making it easier overall on the body at high altitudes. The most challenging part is the path that inclines to the Rock Forest, which can also be admired from the bottom.  

Vinicunca is the highest peak and sits at an elevation of 17,060 ft (5,200m). From the parking area, the hike takes around 3-3.5 hours and is much more challenging. The route begins fairly flat, but with the high altitude, it can feel hard going. In order to reach the peak, there is a steep incline that takes 30 minutes to complete. The good news is there are horse rides available for a fee (around 70 soles). The ride ends at the base of the incline so you can save energy to tackle this section. There is also an option to continue hiking to the Red Valley which takes an additional 30-minutes to reach. This hike is not available in Palccoyo. 

Which Rainbow Mountain is better?

At Palccoyo, there are three rainbow mountains to see, and the first is visible as soon as you enter the car park. Vinicunca has one, but I’ve read that the colours are more prominent. I’ve only visited Palccoyo Rainbow Mountain, but I wasn’t disappointed with the colours I saw.  

If you’re looking for the very sloped, striped mountain shot you see on Instagram, you can only get this at Vinicuna. It will be crowded, so keep in mind you will have to wait in line to get it. There are photo opportunities at Palccoyo too, but the classic shot is more of a rounded hill. There are locals with decorated alpacas and llamas at each location, remember to tip if you take any photos.  

Both are located in the Red Valley, mountains of varying shades of red due to the mineral composition. They’re a beautiful sight too. There is an option to hike into this area if you visit Vinicunca, whereas in Palccoyo, you can admire the valley from above. However at Palccoyo, there is a unique opportunity to explore a Rock Forest. They are a geological formation of rocks that jut out vertically, almost spiky, and the views in all directions across the entire valley are simply incredible.   

While we drove up to the parking area of Palccoyo, we witnessed Andean farming communities at work. Herds of llamas, alpacas and sheep roam the mountains and roads, the drive was very scenic.

Palccoyo vs Vinicunca

To make things a little easier I’ve prepared a summary chart for each Rainbow Mountain area for comparison.

How do I get to Palccoyo Rainbow Mountain?

Initially, we had a tour booked to visit Rainbow Mountain in Vinicunca. When we arrived in Peru, we learned that it was closed. Communities in the area had disputes over land rights and entry fees, so the access routes were closed down (it has since been settled). It’s important to note that this area is suffering from over-tourism due to its popularity. Environmental destruction is occurring as this is such a fragile alpine landscape, and it faces overcrowding daily. 

Palccoyo Rainbow Mountain Tour from Cusco

Our tour company rearranged our booking so we could visit Palccoyo Rainbow Mountain instead, and I am so glad they did! We were picked up outside our Cusco rental at 4.30 am to begin our journey into the mountains. We drove for two hours until we reached our first stop just outside of Checacupe, it was time for breakfast. I follow a gluten-free diet and enjoyed an omelette with fresh juice and coffee.

Tour Tip: Some tours stop in the village of Checacupe to admire the Inca and Colonial Bridges. It’s worth looking into when choosing a tour option.

After breakfast, we drove for another hour through the mountain roads towards Palccoyo. Our local guide spoke Spanish and English, and he was one of the best guides we had on our entire trip to Peru. His knowledge and passion for the mountains and Peruvian culture made the experience even better.   

Once reaching Palccoyo, we were able to explore on our own. The entrance fee was included in the tour price, so we could hit the trails straight away. After spending around 2.5 hours roaming, it was time to return. There are facilities in the parking area and some locals selling snacks if you need them. 

On the way back to Cusco we stopped at the same restaurant for a hearty lunch. We made it back around 5 pm and were ready to enjoy an evening in the city. 

Best time to visit the Rainbow Mountains?

The dry season is the best time to visit, between April to October. There is a higher chance of sunny skies and no rain. The wet weather can make the mountains appear dull in colour. We visited in mid-April, and the conditions were perfect. We benefitted from clear skies with the occasional bit of cloud cover. Temperatures remain chilly and windy year-round, averaging 0°C to 10°C (30°F to 50°F). We found the temperature varied throughout the day, so wearing layers is vital. 

Recommended Clothes for Hiking the Rainbow Mountains

The mountains are changeable, so it’s a good idea to pack wisely for the day. These are some essentials to bring along with you:   

• Sun protection – the UV rays are much stronger at high altitudes so bring sunglasses & sunscreen   
• Comfortable walking boots or shoes   
• Water and a snack  
• Warm clothes (layers are best) including a rain jacket, jumper, hat and gloves  
• Toilet paper and hand sanitiser  
• Local currency (for horse rides or more snacks)  
• Camera and enough battery power 

Thanks for reading, I hope this has been a useful guide to visiting Palccoyo Rainbow Mountain in Peru. What Rainbow Mountain are you choosing to visit? Let me know in the comments below or find me on Instagram.

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