Discover Pallay Punchu: Peru’s Hidden Rainbow Mountain
Are you looking for one of the ultimate hidden gems in Peru? Well, this hidden rainbow mountain is truly a place that blew our minds, and should be on any adventurer's bucket list.
Located off-the-beaten-path from the famous Vinicuna Mountain, Pallay Punchu is hidden away from the crowds, but is even more beautiful than the other rainbow mountains of Peru!
In this guide we're going to share everything you need to know for visiting Pallay Punchu, whether you decide to go with a guide or adventure their on your own.
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Pallay Punchu: An Intro to the Hidden Rainbow Mountain in Peru
So, are you ready to learn all about the incredible hidden rainbow mountain? Before going over the hike, we're going to share some helpful facts about Pallay Punchu, and tell you why it's a great alternative to the more famous rainbow mountains of Peru.
Why Hike Pallay Punchu Instead of Vinicunca?
If you're looking for an off-the-beaten-path adventure in Peru, this hidden rainbow mountain of Pallay Punchu is an awesome alternative to the overcrowded Vinicunca (Classic Rainbow Mountain). Here’s why you might choose Pallay Punchu over Vinicunca:
- Fewer Crowds – Vinicunca attracts thousands of visitors daily, whereas Pallay Punchu remains relatively undiscovered. If you prefer a more peaceful, immersive experience with nature, Pallay Punchu is the best choice.
- Unique Views – While Vinicunca’s colors are more famous, Pallay Punchu offers sharper and more dramatic ridges with stunning hues that make it look like a giant painting. The views of the nearby Laguna Pomacanchi and Andean villages surrounding it also add to the charm, giving 360 degrees of epic views.
- Less Challenging – If you're able to drive or get a ride to the top of the trail, then there is only a short and rewarding hike from the base, making it much easier than Vinicunca.
- Cultural Significance – The area surrounding Pallay Punchu has strong ties to the local Quechua communities, offering a deeper cultural connection compared to the more touristy mountain of Vinicunca.
How High is Pallay Punchu?
Pallay Punchu sits at an incredible elevation of 4,700 meters (15,420 feet) above sea level.
Although it’s slightly lower than Vinicunca (which is at 5,200 meters), Pallay Punchu is still at a high altitude, and travelers should take precautions to avoid altitude sickness before attempting to visit.
Pallay Punchu sits at an impressive altitude of 4,700 meters.
How Long Does it Take to Hike Pallay Punchu?
The Pallay Punchu hike from the base (where we parked) is just 15-20 minutes to the top, and you can walk up from left to right across the ridge to enjoy the different viewpoints.
If you decide to hike from the start of the official trail (at the bottom of the mountain) then you should expect to spend 60-80 minutes hiking on top of that.
You can drive through most of the trail to Pallay Punchu.
Where is Pallay Punchu Located?
Pallay Punchu is located in the Layo District of the Canas Province in the Cusco Region of southern Peru.
It’s about a 3 1/2- 4 hour drive from Cusco to the trailhead near the village of Layo, and the drive is really scenic.
While the journey to Pallay Punchu is slightly longer than Vinicunca or Palcoyo, it offers an authentic, off-the-beaten-path experience in the Peruvian Andes.
How to Get to Pallay Punchu
Despite being a hidden Rainbow Mountain, there are a number of ways to get to Pallay Punchu! The different options for visiting are the following:
- Hiring a private guide/joining a tour (the easiest option)
- Renting a car and adventuring on your own (the most fun option)
- Taking public transportation (the cheapest option)
Tours to Pallay Punchu
The majority of tours to the rainbow mountains of Peru go primarily to Vinicunca, and there are quite a few that go to Palcoyo Rainbow Mountain.
However, Pallay Punchu is still up and coming and has just a few companies that run tours there.
Here are a few of the tours to Pallay Punchu that we've found for you:
Driving to Pallay Punchu
Driving to Pallay Punchu was the option we chose, and we were so happy that we did so. We truly spent a lot more time than we anticipated, and would have stayed even longer in the area if we didn't have a flight back to Lima later that day.
The drive is actually really easy from Cusco, and takes about 3 1/2-4 hours depending on traffic.
Simply take highway 3S all the way from Cusco to Sicuani, and then you'll take Highway 34G on your right after the town down to Langui.
Drive along the beautiful lake on your right side until you get to Layo. Then you'll take the dirt road on the left before leaving town, which is what leads all the way to the trail head.
Layo is a the nearest town, which hugs the lake.
The Drive From Layo to Pallay Punchu
The GPS will only show you part of the road. After 10 minutes it will look like the end. However, this road is simply not registered in Google Maps, and you can continue taking it to zigzag up the mountain.
From Layo there is a dirt road that goes to Pallay Punchu Rainbow Mountain.
It was dark when we were driving, and it was narrow at bits, which made it a little scary, but our little car made it without any issues! The drive up to the parking area from the lodge took about 20-25 minutes, and just 15 minutes to come back down.
The trail that people walk is the exact trail that we drove, and it saved us over an hour of walking uphill! (which with the high altitude really is a lot).
The road ends on Google Maps, but you can continue up to the top.
Taking Public Transportation to Pallay Punchu
If you don't have the money to spend on a tour, but don't feel comfortable driving, then not to worry! Pallay Punchu is actually accessible by public transportation from Cusco, and costs next to nothing to get to.
First, you'll have to take a colectivo from Cusco to Sicuani, and then from Sicuani you can find colectivos for just 6 soles to Layo that take one hour.
From Layo you can hire a tuk tuk or taxi to take you to Pallay Punchu. Just make sure to carry cash on you, as you won't be able to pay for anything with a credit card.
What to Expect at Pallay Punchu
Now that you know how to get to Pallay Punchu, let's go over the details for what the full adventure looks like!
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Driving to Pallay Punchu
When we first arrived at our lodge the host told us the trailhead was right nearby. We did see that we would save at least 20 minutes driving until the end of the road, so we decided to go for it.
Well, we started to notice that although Google Maps had shown that the road had ended, the dirt road actually continued, so so did we.
Just continue on the dirt road, and don't mind Google Maps.
The dirt road slowly went up back and forth up the mountain, until we finally arrived to a big open area where we saw another van parked, and a sign for the trail.
Hiking Pallay Punchu
By taking this road we actually shaved off 90% of the hike! With high altitudes, strong winds, and cold temperatures this was a massive relief to us, and we can't recommend this enough.
The hike then simply zig zagged up the mountain along a loose gravel path.
There's no "summit" actually, as once you reach the ridge you'll be able to walk back and forth to several different viewpoints to admire the incredible colors, as well as the valley and the lake below.
You can walk all along the ridge of Pallay Punchu.
Enjoying Pallay Punchu
There are 360 degrees of stunning views at Pallay Punchu. But if you want a really awesome perspective, then don't miss out on flying your drone if you have one! Just be careful with the winds.
We encourage you to check out all of the different views from left to right, and don't forget to also enjoy all the beauty standing right behind you.
There are 360 degree views to enjoy at Pallay Punchu Rainbow Mountain.
The mountains were freshly covered in snow, and every step we took everything just became more impressive.
Our walk back down was easy-peasy, and took about 10 minutes. With the sun high up the drive down was much less scary, and we headed back to our lodge to shower, have some coffee, and hit the road back to Cusco.
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Amenities at Pallay Punchu
Unlike the other Rainbow Mountains in Peru, Pallay Punchu is a completely natural place, free of any kind of infrastructure.
There are no bathrooms, no restaurants, and no shops. So if you want to purchase some food, water, or necessities, you'll need to do it in Layo, which is the small town right near Pallay Punchu.
You'll have to go back to town for restaurants and shops.
Staying Near Pallay Punchu
There are a few lodges we found on the map near Pallay Punchu. As it was late, dark, and rainy we had no luck in the town of Layo, but luckily we were able to get in touch with Apu T'acllo Lodge, and were able to stay the night before we decided to do the hike.
It's located just between the town of Layo and the windy road that leads to the parking area of Pallay Punchu. It was clean, modern, comfortable, and had the loveliest hosts.
Many people actually start their hike here, but as we had our car we drove all the way to the base, cutting out at least an hour of painful hiking.
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Price & Timetable for Peru's Hidden Rainbow Mountain
Pallay Punchu is the only one of Peru's rainbow mountains that is actually free of charge to enter! The road going to the base of the mountain has no toll, and there is no one working at the trail head.
It's just you and some stunning nature, which really is our favorite part of this hidden rainbow mountain.
It's unspoiled by mass tourism, and able to be enjoyed at one's leisure, no matter what time they want to visit.
Pallay Punchu is completely free to visit!
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Safety at Pallay Punchu
While the other rainbow mountains of Peru have very safe summits, Pullu Punchu is a bit different.
This rainbow mountain is unlike the others because it has sheer drops, and no barriers stopping tourists from getting close to the edge. It's important to always keep a safe distance from the edge, and respect nature at all times.
Another thing to keep in mind is that although it's a short hike from the base where you park to the top, there is very little oxygen. In order to prevent yourself from getting sick or dizzy you'll need to take it slow, hydrate well, and not push yourself outside your comfort zone.
Make sure to take breaks as you need.
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Other Things to Keep in Mind for Visiting Pallay Punchu Hidden Rainbow Mountain
Now you know almost everything you need to properly prepare for an epic adventure to this unique and hidden rainbow mountain. But don't go just yet! We have a few other helpful things to share with you about visiting Pallay Punchu.
Weather Conditions at Pallay Punchu
The weather can be really deceiving in Cusco, because while it may be sunny and warm in the city, it actually will most likely be completely different over near Pallay Punchu.
The warmest it gets is about 22 degrees in town, and it's always much colder up on top of the mountains. From December to April is the rainy season, and May to November are the dry months, with the coldest months being June, July, and August.
We visited Pallay Punchu in summer and it snowed!
When is the Best Time of Year to Hike Pallay Punchu?
The best time to visit the Pallay Punchu is in the dry months that are not too cold, which is from September to November, and then from April to May.
We visited in January, it was absolutely pouring rain in the town when we arrived. Luckily instead of raining it snowed up in the mountains, just adding to the beauty. However, it's much more ideal to have sunny weather and clear skies, which is more probable on the shoulder months of the rainy season.
We got lucky, but it's more advisable to visit in the dry months.
When is the Best Time of Day to Hike Pallay Punchu?
The best time of day to visit Pallay Punchu is for sunrise or sunset. The golden glow against the bright colors of the mountains is just stunning and makes for fantastic photography opportunities.
The best time to enjoy Pallay Punchu is around golden hour.
How to Prepare for Hiking the Hidden Rainbow Mountain
Here are a few things you'll want to make sure to bring with you for hiking Pallay Punchu Rainbow Mountain:
- Sunglasses
- Insulated Water Bottle (to hold the temperature)
- Sneakers
- Jacket (it was just 2 degrees at the top!)
- Small Bag or Backpack - take a look at these backpacks for travelers!
- Power Bank (we use Anker power banks, as they are the best in the market and last super long)
- Flashlight or head lamp for hiking there before sunrise or back after sunset
- Camera - (we use the Sony A7Riii)
- Wide Lens to capture more in the frame (we use the Sony GM 14 mm)
- Standard Lens for a range of focal lengths (we use the Sony GM 24-70)
- Tripod to get pictures while no one is around (We use the Rangepod Tripod)
- Drone (We use the Mavic Mini 4 Pro because it's super light and has incredible quality)
- Action Camera (we use the Insta 360 with the extra long selfie stick for drone-like shots)
- Sweets, mints, or coca leaves to battle the altitude
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Is Pallay Punchu Worth It?
Pallay Punchu is currently a hidden gem, and we can't understand how it's not more popular.
Being just an hour further than the other rainbow mountains of Peru and being the easiest/shortest hike, we found Pallay Punchu to be hands-down the place most worth visiting (other than Machu Picchu of course).
If you're hesitating on visiting this hidden rainbow mountain then let us tell you that it is ABSOLUTELY worth the long journey to get there.
Pallay Punchu rainbow mountain is a hidden gem well worth visiting.
How Long Do I Need to Visit Pallay Punchu?
You can easily see Pallay Punchu in under a half hour, but honestly we could have spent an entire day there. With 360 degree views of rolling hills, bright colors, snow capped mountains, and a massive lake, it's impossible to get sick of the views at this hidden rainbow mountain paradise.
We spent a full two hours just taking pictures at every angle, and if you have a drone, you'll be in for a real treat.
As Pallay Punchu is pretty far from Cusco, we'd recommend planning to spend a night there. This way you can enjoy sunrise or sunset, and won't have to worry about driving in the mountains for hours in the dark.
You could easily spend hours enjoying Pallay Punchu's beauty.
Tips for Hiking Pallay Punchu Hidden Rainbow Mountain
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So are you ready to experience the hidden Rainbow Mountain? Pallay Punchu is really one of the most beautiful landscapes we've seen in the world, and it truly is a hidden gem worth venturing out for.
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