Palccoyo Rainbow Mountain The Alternative Rainbow Mountain
Palccoyo Rainbow Mountain is the alternative rainbow mountain near Cusco: the same striking multicoloured slopes as Vinicunca, but with a later start, a shorter drive to the trail and far fewer crowds. I chose it on a whim after a tip from a fellow traveller, and it turned out to be one of the highlights of my time in the Peruvian Andes.
Vinicunca vs Palccoyo Rainbow Mountain
Vinicunca Rainbow Mountain is one of the most popular attractions in Cusco. For many travellers it is second on the bucket list after the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu Tour. Its seven-coloured slopes stand out a mile in the Andes, and the colours come from mineral deposits such as iron, copper, dolomite, sulphur, lime, lead and hematite.
The classic Vinicunca tour
Most travel agencies in Cusco run a very similar full-day Apu Vinicunca Peru Tour. When I was there it usually cost S/.120 (USD 35), and it starts at an ungodly hour.
You are picked up at 4:00 am for a three-and-a-half-hour minivan ride to the base camp. From there it is a strenuous 15-kilometre hike from 4,326 m (14,189 ft) up to 5,020 m (16,466 ft) for the view of the colours striped across the mountain.
How I found Palccoyo instead
A flashpacker I met introduced me to the Palccoyo Rainbow Mountain tour run by Happy Gringo Tours, who operate it a little differently and in small groups.
What Makes the Palccoyo Rainbow Mountain Tour Different?
Unlike the Vinicunca trek, the full-day Cusco to Palccoyo Rainbow Mountain Tour starts at 7:00 am. It does not involve Vinicunca’s arduous three-hour hike, because the vehicle takes you much closer to the summit.
| Vinicunca | Palccoyo | |
|---|---|---|
| Pick-up | 4:00 am | 7:00 am |
| Hike | Strenuous, around three hours | Shorter; you are driven closer to the summit |
| Extras | – | Stone Forest (Bosque de Piedras) |
In a split second I made up my mind and booked the tour.
My Palccoyo Rainbow Mountain Experience
As the sun chased away the darkness, the journey began. The bus wound through the rural outskirts of Cusco, with glimpses of alpacas and llamas grazing on the natural terraces of the Andes. The scenic ride ended in a tiny settlement tucked into a mountain valley.
I was instantly absorbed by the view of the Andean range. Vicuñas grazed on one side and llamas on the other, with the valley and the colourful mountain spread out ahead. It was hard to put into words.
Our guide introduced our small group of five travellers to a cheerful local woman in a bright blue jacket and a floppy hat. She spoke not a word of Spanish, only Quechua. She led us along the dirt path between green peaks and startling red rock, offering us coca leaves at regular intervals to help with the altitude, which the tour puts at 5,020 m (16,466 ft).
The Stone Forest (Bosque de Piedras)
On the way up, as a bonus to the Palccoyo trip, we visited the Stone Forest (Bosque de Piedras). It is a unique sight: a cluster of spiky rocks jutting up into the sky.
It is a short, easy walk from the trail, with the snow-capped Salkantay Mountain in the distance. You can also climb on the rocks for a panoramic view of the valley.
Back on the Trail to the Summit
Struggling against buffeting winds, we reached the top, stopping often so I could photograph the stark grandeur of the mountains. The effort was quickly forgotten: I was rewarded with the serenity of the place and the long-awaited view of Palccoyo’s seven colours.
When Is the Best Time to Visit Palccoyo Rainbow Mountain?
Palccoyo Rainbow Mountain is part of the Andes, which have two seasons: dry and rainy. The best time to visit is the dry season, between April and November.
Spend 2–3 days in Cusco to acclimatise before the trip. Palccoyo is easier than Vinicunca, but it is still a high-altitude trek.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Palccoyo easier than Vinicunca?
Yes. The tour drives you closer to the summit, so you skip Vinicunca’s strenuous three-hour hike, although you are still walking at high altitude.
What time does the Palccoyo tour start?
The full-day Cusco to Palccoyo tour starts at 7:00 am, compared with a 4:00 am pick-up for Vinicunca.
Why are the mountains rainbow-coloured?
The stripes are mineral deposits, including iron, copper, dolomite, sulphur, lime, lead and hematite.
Do I need to acclimatise first?
Yes. Spend 2–3 days in Cusco before the trek, and chewing coca leaves on the trail, as our guide offered, is a common local remedy.
Conclusion
If you want the rainbow mountain experience without the 4:00 am start and the gruelling climb, Palccoyo is a brilliant alternative. With vicuñas and llamas along the way, the bonus Stone Forest and views of Salkantay, my trip to Palccoyo Rainbow Mountain was calmer, less crowded and every bit as colourful.
These landscapes are really nice. I want to see it too. Peru is definitely on my list.
Peru has a lot of unexplored places. Thank you for sharing your thoughts.
Amazing. Love going through your pictures as we did not have the time to go last summer 🙁 Had to go back to Rio for the Olympics, hope to go back to visit this!
I’ve never seen such a colourful mountain! I can imagine how breathtaking it must be just from reading this post, reminds me of the immense beauty and majesty of nature, thanks for sharing!
Great post on the Rainbow Mountains. We were in Peru a while ago but didn’t list those colourful mountains. That’s a pretty long trek up but those views are worth it.
There are fairly new. It was absolutely worth.
I love these sorts of multi coloured landscapes.
It reminds me very much of the valleys in the north of Argentina!
That exactly what came into my mind as well when I first heard about it. Humahuaca and Purmamarca in JuJuy Province of Argentina were simply ethereal.