Palccoyo (Palcoyo) Rainbow Mountain Tour from Cusco: the Gentler Alternative
Full Day
Up to 12 travelers
4,935 m / 16,191 ft
Moderate
Overview
Palccoyo (also spelled Palcoyo) is a range of colored mountains south of Cusco, in Canchis province, where several mineral-striped ridges and a stone forest spread over more than 9,000 hectares, according to Peru’s state news agency Andina. The trail is shorter and gentler than the one to Vinicunca: about 4.5 km round trip, with a top point of 4,935 m (16,191 ft). This full-day tour includes a bilingual guide, transport, breakfast and lunch, from USD 85.
Highlights
- Open viewpoints over several colored ridges, all within a short walk.
- The Stone Forest, rock formations shaped over millions of years, conditions permitting.
- A scenic drive through Checacupe to the high trailhead.
- Far fewer visitors: Cusco’s regional tourism office counted up to 70 a day between Palccoyo and Pallay Punchu in April 2026, while Vinicunca’s Cusipata sector registered about 110,000 in 2025 (MINCETUR).
What's Included
Included 6
- Pre-tour coordination
- Professional bilingual guide
- Round-trip tourist transport from Cusco
- First-aid kit and emergency oxygen
- Small-group service
- Breakfast and lunch
Not Included 4
- Tourist entrance fees unless expressly stated
- Travel insurance
- Personal expenses and tips
- Services or activities not described in the itinerary
What Should You Bring? 7
- Passport or ID
- Water
- Sun protection
- Comfortable walking shoes
- Warm layers
- Rain jacket or poncho
- Small amount of cash
Itinerary
1
Drive to Palccoyo
Cusco – Checacupe – Palccoyo
Early pickup in Cusco, breakfast and a scenic drive south through Checacupe and up to the trailhead parking at the end of the road (4,770 m).
2
Rainbow range
Palccoyo viewpoints
Gradual guided walk between the colored ridges: the first viewpoint at km 1.3 (4,840 m) and the main viewpoint at km 2.1 (4,890 m), with time for photos and your guide's explanation.
3
Stone Forest and return
Stone Forest – Cusco
Optional extension to the Stone Forest (4,935 m) when conditions allow, descent to the trailhead (4.5 km round trip), lunch and drive back to Cusco.
Route & elevation profile
- 4.5 kmhiking distance (2.8 mi)
- 4,935 mhighest point on foot: Stone Forest (16,191 ft)
- +165 melevation gain from Palccoyo trailhead
- km 0 Palccoyo trailhead Parking at the end of the road
- km 1.3 First ridge viewpoint First view of the colored ridges
- km 2.1 Main viewpoint Main rainbow-mountain viewpoint
- km 2.4 Stone Forest Optional, conditions permitting
- km 4.5 Palccoyo trailhead Return for lunch
Good to know
Difficulty and altitude
The walk is rated moderate. You start higher than on the Vinicunca hike, so the climb is short. Our route profile:
- Trailhead, parking at the end of the road: 4,770 m (15,650 ft), km 0.
- First ridge viewpoint: 4,840 m, km 1.3.
- Main viewpoint: 4,890 m (16,043 ft), km 2.1.
- Stone Forest (optional): 4,935 m (16,191 ft), km 2.4.
The round trip is 4.5 km (2.8 mi) with about 165 m (541 ft) of climbing. The terrain is easy, but the altitude is still very high.
Who this tour is for
Travelers who want to see a rainbow mountain with less effort and fewer people than at Vinicunca. You still need to acclimatize: spend at least two nights in Cusco first (see our altitude sickness guide), and ask your doctor before the trip if you have a heart or lung condition or are pregnant.
Best time to go
Palccoyo shares the climate of the southern Cusco highlands. For nearby Vinicunca, MINCETUR recommends the dry season, April to October, when skies are clearer; the regional government promoted Palccoyo for the 2026 high season from May.
What to bring
Passport or ID, water, sun protection, comfortable walking shoes, warm layers, a rain jacket or poncho and a small amount of cash.
Good to know
- Included: professional bilingual guide, round-trip transport, breakfast and lunch, a first-aid kit and emergency oxygen.
- The Stone Forest extension depends on conditions on the day. Weather, roads and community access may change the order of the visit.
Which Rainbow Mountain tour should you choose?
| Rainbow Mountain on foot | Rainbow Mountain ATV | ATV + Red Valley | Palccoyo | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price from | USD 70 | USD 121 | USD 130 | USD 85 |
| How you go up | Hiking | ATV, then a 10-minute walk | ATV, 10-minute walk and Red Valley on foot | Hiking on a gentler trail |
| Hiking (round trip) | About 7.4 km | Short final section | Short final section plus Red Valley | About 4.5 km |
| Highest point | 5,036 m (Vinicunca) | 5,036 m (Vinicunca) | 5,036 m (Vinicunca) | 4,935 m (Stone Forest) |
| Best for | Fit hikers on a budget | Less walking at high altitude | Adding the Red Valley | Fewer crowds and an easier walk |
Full comparison with official altitudes, hikes and entrance fees: Rainbow Mountain vs Palccoyo vs Pallay Punchu.
Frequently Asked Questions
How hard is the Palccoyo hike?
It is rated moderate. Our route profile covers about 4.5 km (2.8 mi) round trip with roughly 165 m (541 ft) of climbing, from 4,770 m at the trailhead to 4,935 m at the Stone Forest. The trail is gradual, but you walk at very high altitude.
How high is Palccoyo?
The highest point on our route is the Stone Forest, at 4,935 m (16,191 ft); the main viewpoint is at 4,890 m. Andina gives about 4,900 m for the summit area.
Palccoyo or Rainbow Mountain (Vinicunca)?
Choose Palccoyo (USD 85) for a shorter, gentler walk (about 4.5 km round trip, around 165 m of climbing) and fewer people. Choose the Vinicunca hike (USD 70) for the most famous viewpoint, at 5,036 m, with about 7.4 km and 416 m of climbing. Our full comparison covers both, plus Pallay Punchu.
Is Palccoyo less crowded than Rainbow Mountain?
Yes. Cusco's regional tourism office reported up to 70 visitors a day between Palccoyo and Pallay Punchu (Andina, April 2026). MINCETUR registered about 110,000 visitors in 2025 on Vinicunca's Cusipata side alone.
Is there an entrance fee at Palccoyo?
Access is managed by the local community. We have not found an official published fee for 2026, so carry some cash in soles.
Do I need to acclimatize first?
Yes. Spend at least two nights in Cusco before this tour and avoid strenuous activity if you feel symptoms of altitude sickness. See our altitude sickness guide.
When is the best time to visit Palccoyo?
The dry months, April to October, usually bring clearer skies, as MINCETUR notes for nearby Vinicunca. In the rainy months clouds can hide the colors.
What should I bring?
Passport or ID, water, sun protection, comfortable walking shoes, warm layers, a rain jacket or poncho and a small amount of cash.
