The Ultimate Guide to Palccoyo Rainbow Mountain

The Ultimate Guide to Palccoyo Rainbow Mountain Hike

Palccoyo Mountain is a must-see in South America, so you can’t miss it on your Peru Itinerary.

Wondering how to visit Palccoyo Rainbow Mountain?

Cusco is the most popular destination in Peru and the perfect base for visiting the beautiful Rainbow Mountains.

Take a day trip from Cusco to Palccoyo Alternative Rainbow Mountain, and enjoy the magical scenery at 4,900 meters.

This ultimate guide to the Palccoyo Mountain tour includes the best time to visit, how to get there, what to expect on the trek, and some hiking tips.

Disclosure: This post contains a few affiliate links, which means we may receive a small commission, at no cost to you, if you make a purchase through our link. This is a free way to support us and allow us to continue to create inspiring travel guides.

Where is Palccoyo

The Palccoyo Mountain is located in Peru, south of Cusco, a 3-3.5 hours drive away.

Is it Worth Visiting Palccoyo Rainbow Mountain

Absolutely!

The Palccoyo Mountain, like Machu Picchu, Sacred Valley, and the Huacachina Desert Oasis, is a must-see attraction on your Peru trip.

When to Hike the Rainbow Mountain in Peru

The best time to visit Rainbow Mountain in Peru is during the dry season, from April to November.

June, July, and August are the busiest months for hiking. So avoid weekends and arrive as early as possible!

Palccoyo Mountain is located at 4,900 meters above sea level.

Therefore the weather is often unpredictable, and conditions can change rapidly (especially when hiking).

We don’t recommend hiking in the rainy season as the trail can be wet and muddy!

December, January, and February are usually the wettest months. If the weather is bad or it snows, the scenery may not be worth the effort!

Good to know
During the rainy season, mudslides can cause hiking trails to be closed, and therefore you may not be able to get to Rainbow Mountain.

Recommended post → Ultimate Peru Itinerary

How to Get to Palccoyo Rainbow Mountain, Peru

To get to Rainbow Mountain, you first need to get to Cusco. From Lima or Arequipa you can travel to Cusco by bus or plane.

TIP
Use Skyscanner to find cheap flights to Cusco, Peru.

From Cusco, you can visit the Vinicunca Rainbow Mountain or the Alternative Palccoyo Rainbow Mountain (or both if you have time).

There is no public transport to Rainbow Mountain, but you can join a group or a private tour. Book your Rainbow Mountain tour in Cusco or online.

You can also rent a car and drive yourself there, but this is not recommended as the roads are narrow and winding.

Depending on traffic, the journey time from Cusco to Palccoyo Mountain takes 3-3.5 hours.

Read our → Cusco Guide

Palccoyo Rainbow Mountain Altitude Sickness

Some people may experience mild symptoms of altitude sickness, such as headaches, dizziness, nausea, or heavy breathing.

Symptoms usually start at around 2,500 meters above sea level and get worse around 4,000-5,000 meters.

The Palccoyo Mountain trek is easy to moderate difficulty, but the biggest challenge is the altitude.

Did you know that Rainbow Mountain is the highest hike in Peru?

Because it is higher than Machu Picchu (2,430 meters) or the Sacred Valley (2,800 meters).

We recommend spending 1-2 days in Cusco (3,400 meters) before the Rainbow Mountain trek to acclimatize to the altitude.

Avoid altitude sickness in Peru! So drink plenty of water and coca tea, and avoid alcohol!

There are coca leaves in every hotel in Cusco, so make sure you have a cup of coca tea before your trek!

Good to know
Arequipa is the perfect place to get used to the altitude of 2,335 meters before heading to Machu Picchu and Rainbow Mountain.

See also → How to Visit Sacred Valley

Palccoyo Mountain vs Vinicunca Rainbow Mountain

In the past, the Peruvian Andes were always covered in snow and ice!

But due to climate change, the glaciers have melted, revealing the colorful Vinicunca underneath and becoming the most popular destination in South America.

It was first discovered around 10 years ago. These intense colors are the result of different types of minerals (iron, manganese, etc.).

There are two beautiful rainbow mountains in Peru, so if you’re in a limited time in Cusco, you’ll have to decide which one to visit. Both rainbow mountains can be reached on a day trip from Cusco.

One of the most frequently asked questions is which should I visit: Palccoyo Alternative Rainbow Mountain or Vinicunca Rainbow Mountain?

The most popular is Vinicunca Rainbow Mountain, which is always crowded.

The Vinicunca Rainbow Mountain hike is steep and difficult, and it takes about 3-3.5 hours and is higher than Palccoyo Mountain.

Book your Cusco Rainbow Mountain Tour.

Palccoyo is 4,900m above sea level, while Vinicunca is 5,200m above sea level.

The hike to Palccoyo Mountain is much easier, with only a short steep part, and takes about 1.5-2 hours.

At Vinicunca, you can see the iconic rainbow mountain, which is usually a more intense color. But at Palccoyo, you can see 3 different rainbow mountains and the surrounding mountains.

No matter which hike you choose, you will not be disappointed by the beauty of the rainbow mountains.

Are you spending limited time in Peru but want to make the most of your visit? Book a multi-day tour, including Machu Picchu.

Palccoyo Mountain Hike, Peru

Good morning! Get up early and take a day trip from Cusco to the colorful Rainbow Mountain of Palccoyo!

The pick-up time usually starts between 3-4 AM, but believe us it’s worth it! On the way, we stopped at a local restaurant for breakfast!

Depending on traffic, the journey time from Cusco to the Palccoyo Rainbow Mountain takes 3-4 hours.

Group tours usually don’t include the entrance fee! The entrance fee to Palccoyo Rainbow Mountain is 15 Soles (4 USD).

Don’t forget to buy travel insurance! We always choose SafetyWing for our travels.

See also → How to Visit Machu Picchu

You can already see the beautiful colors when you arrive in the car park. Then, you can start the tour with your guide or separately to the mountain top.

Be sure to take the hiking trail on the right side, the left path is much steeper, and the views are not better.

When you reach the peak, enjoy the different viewpoints, take some pictures with the alpacas, and then return to the car park.

The whole Palccoyo Rainbow Mountain hike will take about 1.5-2 hours. (It takes about 45-60 minutes to reach the top and 40-45 minutes to return to the car park.)

We hope you enjoyed your visit to Palccoyo Rainbow Mountain and are ready to travel back to Cusco.

On the way, we stopped again at the restaurant for a delicious buffet lunch.

You will arrive in Cusco around 4-5 PM, depending on traffic.

Good to know
Usually, the Palccoyo Mountain group tour price starts at 144 Soles (around 38 USD) per person. This includes pick-up and drop-off, transport by minibus, breakfast, and lunch.

Keep reading → Places to Visit in Peru

What Should You Bring to Rainbow Mountain Hike?

• Small backpack
• Light raincoat or poncho
• Pullover
• Warm layers of clothes
• Hiking shoes or boots & socks
• Gloves
• Hat or cap and sunglasses
• Sunscreen
• Camera gear
• Extra water
• Snacks
• Personal medication
• Local money
• Hiking poles

Tips for Visiting the Rainbow Mountain

• Visiting Palccoyo Mountain is safe, but everyone experiences different symptoms at altitude! So hike slowly and stay hydrated.
• Diamox altitude sickness tablets can help, but always talk to your doctor before starting a new medicine!
• The tour guides always have coca leaves and small oxygen tanks, so if you feel unwell, let them know immediately!
• Bring enough local cash (Soles)! You can only pay for entrance fees, toilets, horse rides, and snacks with cash!
• Before you start the hike, use the toilet! But take toilet paper and hand sanitizer with you.

• For a small tip, you can take pictures and videos with the alpacas.
• To fly a drone, you need to buy a permit at the entrance!
• The weather is always unpredictable! So wear layers!
• Don’t take unnecessary things with you!
• The Rainbow Mountain tour prices are not fixed in Cusco, so you can try to bargain!
• You can get a Rainbow Mountain stamp in your passport near the entrance!

Where to Stay near Palccoyo Mountain

If you are looking for where to stay to visit Rainbow Mountain, we recommend booking your hotel in Cusco.

The two best areas in Cusco are the historic center (Plaza de Armas) and the San Blas district.

The accommodation options are available for all budgets in Cusco.

Best hotels in Cusco, Peru

• Luxury: JW Marriott El Convento Cusco
• Mid-Range: Taypikala Hotel Cusco
• Budget: Wild Rover Cusco

We hope you found our guide to Palccoyo Rainbow Moutain helpful and will inspire you to visit. If you have any questions or thoughts, let us know in the comments below.

Hotels – Booking.com
Car Rentals – Discover Cars
Flights – Skyscanner
Travel Insurance – SafetyWing
Tours & Attractions – GetYourGuide
Bus/Transfer – Bookaway

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