Cusco Travel Guide
Updated: October 2026 · By Machu Picchu Team, local tour operator in Cusco
Palcoyo Rainbow Mountain is the easy and quiet alternative to the famous Vinicunca. Instead of one striped peak at the end of a long climb, Palcoyo shows you three rainbow mountains and a Stone Forest after a short walk of about 2 km. In this guide, our local team explains how to get there, the altitude, the best season, what to bring and how much it costs.
Palcoyo Rainbow Mountain: Quick Facts
| Palcoyo | |
|---|---|
| Location | Province of Canchis, about 3 to 3.5 hours by road southeast of Cusco |
| Highest point | About 4,900 m (16,076 ft) |
| Hike | About 2 km round trip, 1 to 2 hours |
| Difficulty | Easy walk, but at high altitude |
| Highlights | Three rainbow mountains, Stone Forest, Ausangate views |
| Entrance fee | S/20 per person (S/10 for Peruvians), cash in soles |
| Best season | April to October (dry season) |
| Tour time | Full day: pickup around 4:15 am, back in Cusco around 4:00–4:30 pm |
What Is Palcoyo Rainbow Mountain?
Palcoyo is a range of striped mountains in the Andes south of Cusco. Over millions of years, layers of minerals such as iron oxide, sulfur and copper created red, yellow, green and purple bands across the slopes, the same natural process that colors Vinicunca.
What makes Palcoyo special is that you see three rainbow mountains from one trail, and the walk ends at the Stone Forest (Bosque de Piedras), a group of tall rock formations shaped by wind and erosion. On clear days you also see the snow-capped Ausangate, the highest mountain in the Cusco region.
Palcoyo vs Vinicunca: Which Rainbow Mountain Should You Choose?
| Palcoyo Rainbow Mountain | Vinicunca (Rainbow Mountain) | |
|---|---|---|
| Hike | About 2 km round trip | About 8 km round trip |
| Walking time | 1 to 2 hours | 4 to 5 hours |
| Highest point | About 4,900 m | About 5,100 m |
| Difficulty | Easy (high altitude) | Moderate to challenging |
| Crowds | Few visitors | Very busy, especially mornings |
| Main views | Three rainbow mountains and the Stone Forest | One iconic striped peak, optional Red Valley |
| Entrance | S/20 | S/30 (+ S/30 Red Valley) |
| Best for | Families, older travelers, first days in Cusco | Fit hikers who want the famous photo |
Choose Palcoyo if you want colorful mountains without a hard climb or big crowds. Choose Vinicunca if you are fit and want the world-famous view; see our Rainbow Mountain Tour.
A Day at Palcoyo Rainbow Mountain
| Time | What happens |
|---|---|
| 4:15–4:45 am | Pickup at your hotel in Cusco |
| About 6:30 am | Andean breakfast in Cusipata |
| About 9:00 am | Arrival at the Palcoyo community and start of the walk |
| 9:00–11:00 am | Walk to the three rainbow mountains and the Stone Forest, with time for photos |
| About 1:00 pm | Buffet lunch in Cusipata |
| 4:00–4:30 pm | Arrival back in Cusco |
Tours leave very early because the road is long and the mountains look best in the clear morning light, before clouds and wind arrive in the afternoon.
The Hike and Altitude
The trail is wide and well marked, with gentle slopes. Most travelers walk the 2 km in 1 to 2 hours, stopping often for photos. The challenge is the altitude: at almost 4,900 m there is about half the oxygen of sea level, so even an easy walk feels harder than usual.
- ✓Spend at least 2 days in Cusco (3,400 m) before visiting Palcoyo.
- ✓Walk slowly, breathe deeply and drink plenty of water.
- ✓Avoid alcohol and heavy meals the night before.
- ✓Tell your guide if you feel dizzy or have a strong headache. Our guides carry oxygen and a first aid kit.
Best Time to Visit Palcoyo
| Months | Season | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| April to October | Dry season | Clear skies and the brightest colors; cold mornings, especially June to August |
| November to March | Rainy season | Greener landscapes and fewer visitors; rain or snow can cover the colors |
The tour runs all year. In the rainy season, mornings are usually clearer than afternoons, and fresh snow can sometimes hide the stripes for a day or two.
What to Bring to Palcoyo
- ✓Warm layers: thermal shirt, fleece and a windproof jacket.
- ✓Beanie, gloves and a neck buff for the cold, windy summit.
- ✓Hiking shoes with good grip.
- ✓Sunscreen, sunglasses and a sun hat: the UV is very strong at altitude.
- ✓1.5 to 2 liters of water and energy snacks.
- ✓Rain poncho (November to March).
- ✓Cash in soles for the entrance fee, tips and souvenirs.
- ✓Toilet paper and hand sanitizer.
Palcoyo Entrance Fee and Tour Prices
- ✓Entrance fee: S/20 per foreign visitor and S/10 for Peruvians, paid in cash (soles) at the community checkpoint. It is not included in the Cusco Tourist Ticket.
- ✓Shared tour: our Palcoyo Tour Full Day costs from US$27 per person, with transport, guide, breakfast and buffet lunch.
- ✓Private tour: our Palcoyo Day Hike costs from US$204 per private group, with your own vehicle and guide, meals and the entrance fee included.
Going on your own is possible but complicated: there is little public transport to the community, and the road from Checacupe is narrow and unpaved. A tour is the easiest and safest option.
Tips From Our Guides
- ✓Visit Palcoyo after Cusco and the Sacred Valley, never on your first day.
- ✓Bring small bills in soles: change is hard to find in the mountains.
- ✓Ask before taking photos of local people and their llamas; a small tip is customary.
- ✓Walk to the Stone Forest last: it is the best place for panoramic photos.
- ✓Keep your rain jacket handy: weather can change quickly at 4,900 m.
Palcoyo Rainbow Mountain: FAQs
How high is Palcoyo Rainbow Mountain?
The highest point of the walk is about 4,900 m (16,076 ft), slightly lower than Vinicunca at about 5,100 m.
How long is the Palcoyo hike?
About 2 km round trip, which takes 1 to 2 hours at a relaxed pace.
Is Palcoyo easier than Rainbow Mountain?
Yes. The walk is much shorter and gentler than the 8 km hike to Vinicunca, although the altitude is similar.
How far is Palcoyo from Cusco?
About 3 to 3.5 hours by road, so tours leave around 4:15 am and return around 4:00–4:30 pm.
How much is the Palcoyo entrance fee?
S/20 per foreign visitor and S/10 for Peruvians, paid in cash in soles.
Can children visit Palcoyo?
Yes, if they are healthy and well acclimatized. It is one of the easiest high-altitude tours near Cusco for families.
Can I see Palcoyo and Vinicunca on the same day?
It is not practical: they are in different valleys and both tours take a full day. Choose the one that fits your fitness level.
Is there snow at Palcoyo?
Sometimes, mainly in the rainy season from November to March. Snow usually melts within a day or two.
Visit Palcoyo Rainbow Mountain With Us
Shared tours from US$27 or private trips for your group, with daily departures from Cusco.
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