Experience the stunning Palccoyo Rainbow Mountain Tour on a full-day adventure. Discover breathtaking colorful landscapes and immerse yourself in nature. Book your unforgettable journey now!
Escape the crowds and discover Palccoyo, the hidden gem of the Peruvian Andes! Unlike the more strenuous Vinicunca trek, Palccoyo offers a breathtaking yet easy-to-access experience, perfect for all travelers.
Unveiling the Hidden Beauty of Palccoyo
Join us on an unforgettable journey to Palccoyo Rainbow Mountain, a hidden gem nestled in the heart of the Peruvian Andes. Unlike the more strenuous trek to Vinicunca, Palccoyo offers a serene and accessible alternative, allowing travelers of all levels to immerse themselves in the breathtaking beauty of nature.
A Scenic Escape Through the Andes
Our adventure begins with a scenic drive through the Andean highlands, where vast valleys and towering peaks create a mesmerizing landscape. As we ascend, the colors of the mountains start to reveal themselves, painting a picture of nature’s artistry. Along the way, we will pass through traditional Quechua villages, where locals uphold the customs and traditions of their ancestors.
A Gentle Hike to Spectacular Views
Unlike the demanding hike to Vinicunca, Palccoyo features a short and moderate walk, making it an ideal choice for those seeking a more relaxed yet equally stunning experience. The trail offers panoramic views of three rainbow-colored mountains, each displaying unique mineral-rich hues that shift with the sunlight.
A Glimpse Into Andean Culture
Beyond its stunning landscapes, Palccoyo is also a gateway to Andean culture. Our journey allows us to witness the ancestral way of life, where locals tend to their herds of alpacas and weave intricate textiles using ancient techniques. With the guidance of our expert local guides, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of the history and traditions that define this remarkable region.
We will be picking you up from your hotel in Cusco early in the morning. Then, in our private transport, we will drive you through the scenic Andean landscapes towards Checacupe, a small town known for its colonial and Inca bridges.
After a short break, we will continue our journey to Palccoyo, a lesser-known yet stunning alternative to the classic Rainbow Mountain. Before the hike, we will stop at a local restaurant to enjoy a delicious traditional breakfast.
Once we arrive at the trailhead, our local expert will guide you through a short and easy hike to the viewpoint. Along the way, you will witness the vibrant colors of the mountains and the unique stone forest formations. At the top, standing at 4,900m (16,000 ft), you will have plenty of time to admire the breathtaking panoramic views and take unforgettable photos.
After soaking in the beauty of Palccoyo, we will begin our descent and drive to a local restaurant for a buffet lunch, where you can savor authentic Peruvian cuisine.
Departure & Return
Departure Location: Cusco Hotel Transfer
Departure Time
4:30 a.m.
Price Includes
Price Excludes
1. Acclimate to the Altitude
Palccoyo is located at 4,900 meters (16,000 feet) above sea level, so it’s crucial to spend at least two days in Cusco before your tour to adjust. Stay hydrated, avoid alcohol, and drink coca tea to minimize altitude sickness.
2. Dress in Layers
The weather in the Andes is unpredictable, with cold mornings, strong sun, and possible rain. We recommend wearing:
✔ Thermal base layers
✔ A warm jacket
✔ A waterproof windbreaker
✔ Gloves, a hat, and sunglasses
3. Bring the Right Gear
Comfortable hiking shoes with good grip
Sunscreen (SPF 50+), lip balm, and sunglasses to protect against UV rays
A refillable water bottle (we promote responsible tourism)
Snacks and extra cash for souvenirs or optional expenses
4. Expect a Moderate Hike
Unlike the Vinicunca Rainbow Mountain trek, Palccoyo offers a shorter and less strenuous walk (about 1-hour round trip), making it perfect for those seeking a more relaxed adventure.
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Do you have any questions? Contact us at +51 974 378 488
Find out what those who have trusted us to explore unique destinations and live extraordinary adventures have to say.
John CJanuary 10, 2025Verified Excellent, perfectly planned trip. The trip was perfectly planned from start to finish, the transport, the hike, the hotel, the food and the entrance to Machu Picchu. The lovely guide Edwin was incredibly knowledgeable and enthusiastic about the site, the hike, and it's history. It truly is an incredible and captivating place that is a must see if you have the opportunity. Gabriel CNovember 12, 2024Verified Rainbow Mountain Tour guide We had a great tour of Rainbow Mountain. Jose was extremely knowledgeable and was a lot of help. The tour included good breakfast and lunch. I highly recommended this tour Joshua SNovember 10, 2024Verified "Unforgettable Machu Picchu Journey with an Exceptional Guide!" John was the perfect guide for our journey from Cusco to Machu Picchu! From the start, he made everything smooth and enjoyable, picking us up from our hotel and ensuring we were comfortable and ready for the adventure ahead. Thanks to his planning, we arrived at Machu Picchu early, avoiding the crowds and enjoying the stunning morning views. The weather was fantastic, and John's deep knowledge of the history and culture made every moment even more memorable. His explanations brought the ancient Incan sites to life, and he guided us thoughtfully through the walk at Machu Picchu, pointing out details we would have missed on our own. Throughout the entire day, John was attentive, patient, and incredibly helpful. He truly went above and beyond to make our experience unforgettable. Highly recommend! Gabriel CNovember 10, 2024Verified Great tour Me and my brother went on a tour with John. He was very helpful. He was very knowledgeable and helpful. Not only did he give a great tour but he was able to give us good recommendations and was very accommodating Kim AOctober 24, 2024Verified An amazing experience! We are an American family from Evansville, Indiana. After doing much research we chose Machu Picchu Tours to make our dream come true of seeing Machu Picchu via the 4-day Inca Trail Trek.Planning this kind of trip is no small feat, but John Taqquere Villaneuva was there for us every step of the way! He always responded quickly to my MANY texts and provided excellent information to prepare us for the trek. Our amazing guide, Edwin, the Porters and Chef went way above and beyond to make sure we felt safe and that we were getting the best experience that was promised. I cannot emphasize how important hygiene and safe food is on a trip like this. We feel our Porters did an excellent job keeping the dining area clean and providing excellent, healthy and safe food. While it is common for foreigners to get sick when traveling to a new country, the crew kept us healthy, hydrated, and safe the entire trip. Our porters took care of every single detail from setting up our camp, refilling our water bottles, and feeding us delicious hot meals 3 times a day. The porters were always there to take care of us. Our bags were transported and waiting for us in our tents upon arrival. Hot drinks were ready for us upon arrival at each campsite, and hot soapy water and towels were provided to clean up after a long day’s hike. Their work ethic and attention to detail was impressive. The 4 day trek is strenuous. Our guide, Edwin, coached us along the way, helping us to set a pace that worked for us so that we would not burn out. He also handled all of our paperwork and entry tickets. There are checkpoints and everything must be in order and spelled correctly. Without these documents, there is no trek and there is no entry into Machu Picchu. Our guide always kept us informed of the daily itinerary and was always supportive and eager to help. His knowledge of the history of the Inca and the ruins was exceptional. We walked away feeling an immense appreciation and understanding of the Inca because of Edwin. If your dream of seeing Machu Picchu is through the Inca Trail, or want to arrange guided tours, then don’t let fear stand in your way. And if you are looking for an agency, we highly recommend John Taqquere Villaneuva with Machu Picchu Tours. These are good, honest, trustworthy and hard-working people that will help make your dream come true. We are so thankful to Machu Picchu Tours, our Guide, Edwin, and the amazing Porters and Chef for their hard work and efforts to help make our dream come true. HikeJunkieCarlosOctober 21, 2024Verified Very organized crew knowledgeable friendly and just plain awesome to have around every step of the way. Couldn’t have asked for a better crew chef porters tents and food for this 4 day Inca trail tripWas the best experience for all 8 of us in our friends group to enjoy every moment and have amazing time all the way through the trip in town and on the Inca trailVery organized crew knowledgeable friendly and just plain awesome to have around every step of the way. Highly recommend this company to solo and groups that plan to visit Peru SkyMiles KOctober 19, 2024Verified 1 of 2 top Bucket List items, Hike the INCA Trail to Machu Picchu Completed the INCA trail with our Hike Junkies family. The Machu Picchu tours were INCREDIBLE!!! A great big shout out to John Taqquere Villanueva & his team for providing us with their expertise & care before, during & after the 4-day backpacking hike. The porters had camp setup for Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner during our hiking adventure. Our chef, Carmelito "5-STARS," prepared meals that you should only find in a fine dining restaurant. We even had some Peruvian history lessons along the way. A few surprise discovery viewpoints along the trail. After completing 4-day Inca trail, we hiked the Humanatay Lake on 5th day & Rainbow Mtn on 6th day. We THANK YOU, John, Alberto, Berle, Aiwyn & drivers, porters for making this the adventure of the century!...so far Rebecca ROctober 19, 2024Verified 4 day Inca Trail with Hike Junkies We just completed the 4 day Inca Trail with Machu Picchu Tours. John Taqquere Villanueva went above and beyond to provide us with an amazing experience, with fun, knowledgeable guides to qn amazing chef and porters. Our tents were comfortable and kept us warm and dry from the elements. We were served four course meals, desert and happy hour on each day. Happy hour consisted of fresh hot popcorn, hot cocoa, coffee, cookies and bread. In addition to the 4 day Inca Trail we scored permits to hike Huayna Picchu ( Stairs of Death) which we conquered just having completed the last day of the Inca trail. Yes, our group is crazy! One member of our group was unable to hike the four day Inca trail due to severe health issues, John Taqquere and went above and beyond to give him an amazing Machu Picchu experience. Our trip consisted of City Walking Tour of Cusco, Alpaca Farm, Humantay Lake, Rainbow Mountain and other ruins. This was a humbling experience that will last a lifetime. Chalmers BOctober 9, 2024Verified Great experience! Our guide Edwin was excellent. The first day is very challenging but equally rewarding, and we were really glad that MPT arranged a pre-meeting the day before to go over logistics and make sure we were properly equipped -- renting poles is highly recommended, well worth the $10. Reaching the Sun Gate and getting the full vista of Machu Picchu felt like a life accomplishment. The second day is much less challenging, walking through the actual ruins of Machu Picchu, and we felt much less pressure because we'd gotten such great views and photos the day before.
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