Palcoyo (Rainbow) Mountain Day Hike

Q: What should I pack for the Palcoyo day hike?

Packing List for Your Visit to Palcoyo Mountain A light backpack Water Snacks Sunscreen A cap or hat Wool hat and scarves for the cold Sunglasses Rain poncho Extra money (recommended in Soles)

Info Palcoyo Rainbow Mountain Day Hike

Tour Availability
Every Day
Arrival City
Cusco
Group Size
10 - 15
Difficulty
Medium

OVERVIEW

The Rainbow Mountains of Palcoyo and the nearby Stone Forest are stunning natural geological formations located near the sacred Apu Ausangate. Nestled high in the Peruvian Andes, these breathtaking landscapes showcase a colorful world shaped by time, minerals, and wind. This makes the Palcoyo Mountain tour an unforgettable experience for every traveler.

It is one of those places where the entire journey is just as incredible as the destination itself. The scenery along the trail truly looks just like the photos: vivid, vast, and full of natural wonder.

Only a few hours from Cusco, experience the beauty of Palcoyo without the crowds of Vinicunca.

ITINERARY

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Day 1:

PALCOYO MOUNTAIN DAY EXCURSION

Very early in the morning, between 4:00 am and 4:30 am, we will pick you up from your hotel in Cusco. We will drive for around 2.5 hours to Cusipata, where we will enjoy a delicious breakfast and our professional guide will explain a bit more about the schedule and additional safety precautions.

Later, we will arrive at the starting point of our 45-minute hike up to the colorful Palcoyo Mountain. When we reach the top, we will admire the impressive colors of the landscapes of the 3 rainbow mountains and the Stone Forest at 4,900 meters (16,404 ft), as well as the beautiful snow-capped peak of Apu Ausangate (6,400 m / 21,000 ft).

We will spend enough time enjoying the place and taking unforgettable photos.

On our way back to Cusco, we will stop again at a local restaurant to enjoy a delicious lunch with our group.

We will arrive in Cusco between 5:00 pm and 6:00 pm and drop you off at your hotel or the main square of Cusco.

INCLUSIONS

📦 What Is Included?

🍽️ Meals:

Meals as indicated in the itinerary (1x Breakfast, 1x Lunch).
Meals can be accommodated for any dietary requirements, such as vegetarian or vegan. Please let us know in advance if you have certain preferences, so we can plan ahead.

🚗 Transportation:

Pick-up from your hotel in Cusco to the starting point of the trek.
Teturn transportation to Cusco (End of the tour at Plaza Regocijo).

👥 Local Guides & Team:

English/Spanish speaking professional guide
All our trekking guides have a minimum of 3 years of guiding experience and are certified. They carry a first aid kit with them, as well as an extra oxygen bottle in case of emergencies.

📝 Tickets & Briefing:

Briefing: You will have a meeting with your guide in our office to go over all the details regarding your tour. The orientation will be between 17:00, 18:00 or 19:00 at our office in Cusco the day before departure.
Entrance ticket to Palcoyo Mountain.

❌ What Is Not Included?

🍴 Meals and Drinks

Meals and drinks not mentioned in the program (dinner not included).

📝 Other Activities

Other activities or excursions that are indicated as optional or not mentioned in the itinerary.

FAQs

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What should I pack for the Palcoyo day hike?

Packing List for Your Visit to Palcoyo Mountain

A light backpack
Water
Snacks
Sunscreen
A cap or hat
Wool hat and scarves for the cold
Sunglasses
Rain poncho
Extra money (recommended in Soles)

How can I prepare for the hike and prevent altitude sickness?

To best prepare for your trekking experience, we recommend:

Acclimatization: Spend at least 2 to 3 days at a high-altitude place like Cusco to help your body adjust to the altitude. If you’ve already visited a high-altitude destination before arriving in Cusco, we still advise spending at least one full day there to rest, recuperate, and enjoy the beautiful views of the city.

Healthy Habits: Take good care of your body to deal with the extra pressures that altitude creates. We recommend:Eating healthy food

Drinking plenty of water

Staying away from alcohol

Coca Leaves & Tea: Chewing coca leaves and drinking coca tea can help alleviate any discomfort associated with altitude.

I’ve made my reservation, now what?

Adventure awaits you! We have sent you a confirmation email with more details about your trekking adventure.

The day before your departure at 17:00, 18:00 or 19:00, please stop by our office located at:

Portal Espinar Nro 163

There, you will receive an informative briefing from our professional guide, who will tell you everything about your trek and clarify any last questions you may have.

What are your cancellation and refund policies?

Please feel free to review our Terms & Conditions and let us know if you have any questions or requests regarding our cancellation policy, which is available on our website.