About this experience

Discover the hidden beauty of the Andes on this full-day tour to Palccoyo Rainbow Mountain, a quieter alternative to Vinicunca Rainbow Mountain.

Enjoy a short and easy 40–45 minute hike, perfect for all fitness levels, surrounded by colorful mountains, red valleys, and unique rock formations.

At the top, admire breathtaking views of Ausangate Mountain in a peaceful, less crowded setting.

Your experience includes breakfast and buffet lunch in Cusipata, combining comfort, culture, and stunning scenery in one unforgettable day.

Highlights
Full-day Palccoyo Rainbow Mountain tour from Cusco
Easy hike (40–45 minutes), suitable for all travelers
Fewer crowds than Vinicunca
Spectacular views of Ausangate Mountain
Breakfast and buffet lunch included

At a glance

Duration: 11 hr–12 hr

Choose your tour option

Select a date and travellers to compare current prices and departure times.

Palcoyo Rainbow Mountain Full Day Tour from Cusco

Pickup included

Plan your experience

Time on the tour11 hr–12 hr

Getting therePickup offeredSee pickup details

Guide languagesEnglish (live guide), Spanish (live guide)

Set aside 11 hr–12 hr for the experience itself, with additional time to reach your meeting or pickup point.

Before you go

Suitable for all physical fitness levels

Local guides to help you plan

Rainbow Mountain Day Trip From Cusco

Plan a Rainbow Mountain day trip from Cusco with practical guidance on altitude, tour options, costs, access, packing, and the demanding full-day schedule.

Machu Picchu Mountain Guide

Plan Machu Picchu Mountain with the correct Ruta 1-A ticket, clear Circuit 1 comparisons, arrival rules, packing restrictions, and live-status checks.

What is included

Trekking poles
First aid kit and safety equipment
Buffet lunch
Buffet breakfast
Private tourist transportation
Entrance ticket to Palccoyo Rainbow Mountain
Professional multilingual guide (English, Spanish & Portuguese)

Not included

Horse rental (available on-site at an additional cost)
Entrance fee to Checacupe bridges (paid on site)
Personal expenses such as tips or souvenirs

Itinerary and highlights

Cusco – Breakfast – Checacupe
Your Palccoyo Rainbow Mountain Tour begins early at approximately 5:00 AM with pickup from Cusco’s main square (Plaza de Armas).

Enjoy a scenic drive through beautiful Andean landscapes, surrounded by valleys, mountains, and traditional farming communities.

Along the way, we will stop to enjoy a local breakfast, giving you energy for the day ahead.

After approximately 2.5 hours, we arrive in Checacupe (3,400 m / 11,155 ft), where you will visit three historic bridges:

Inca Bridge
Colonial Bridge
Republican Bridge

Checacupe – Palccoyo Rainbow Mountain (Hike Start):
We continue the journey for about 1.5 hours to reach the Palccoyo trailhead (4,900 m / 16,076 ft), surrounded by breathtaking high-altitude scenery.

From here, begin a short and easy hike (approximately 40 minutes) along a gentle trail suitable for all fitness levels.

During the walk, you will observe:

Rainbow-colored mountains with mineral layers
Red valleys
Eroded glacial landscapes
The Stone Forest of Ccacca Loma

Palccoyo Viewpoint – Ausangate Mountain (Exploration):
At the top, enjoy spectacular panoramic views of Ausangate Mountain and the surrounding Andes.

You will also see the nearby high-altitude lagoons:
Acopia
Pomacanchis
Posposqo Cocha
Misky Cocha

Free time to explore, take photos, and enjoy the natural environment.

Palccoyo – Cusipata – Cusco (Lunch & Return):
After the visit, return to the vehicle and head to Cusipata, where you will enjoy a buffet lunch with traditional Andean dishes.

Finally, return to Cusco, arriving at approximately 5:00 PM at Plaza Regocijo, concluding an unforgettable experience in the Peruvian Andes.

Meeting and pickup information

Pickup is available from hotels located in Cusco’s Historic Center. If your accommodation is outside the pickup area or located on streets with limited vehicle access, you will be assigned a nearby meeting point within walking distance. Please provide your hotel name and exact address at the time of booking. The exact pickup time will be confirmed one day before the tour via WhatsApp or Viator message (between 4:30 AM and 5:00 AM). Kindly wait in your hotel lobby 10 minutes before your scheduled pickup time. If you do not see the vehicle, please contact us immediately using the provided emergency number.

Languages and tickets

English — Guide
Spanish — Guide
Mobile Only

Tour operator

Machu Picchu Tour

Accessibility and practical details

Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Suitable for all physical fitness levels

Cancellation policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Questions about this experience

How long is this experience?

The supplier lists a duration of 11 hr–12 hr.

What are the pickup arrangements?

Pickup is available from hotels located in Cusco’s Historic Center. If your accommodation is outside the pickup area or located on streets with limited vehicle access, you will be assigned a nearby meeting point within walking distance.

Please provide your hotel name and exact address at the time of booking. The exact pickup time will be confirmed one day before the tour via WhatsApp or Viator message (between 4:30 AM and 5:00 AM).

Kindly wait in your hotel lobby 10 minutes before your scheduled pickup time. If you do not see the vehicle, please contact us immediately using the provided emergency number.

Which guide languages are listed?

English (live guide), Spanish (live guide).

What ticket format is listed?

Mobile ticket.

What ticket age bands are listed?

Adult tickets: age 5+. Check the practical details for participation requirements.

What is the cancellation policy?