Palcoyo Rainbow Mountain: How to Experience the Alternative Rainbow Mountain on Your Own
While Vinicunca steals the spotlight, Palcoyo Rainbow Mountain is the alterntive rainbow mountain that you really need to have on your bucket list.
Way less crowded and an easier hike than the more popular Rainbow Mountain, Palcoyo is traditionally sold as an excursion, and we found there to be little helpful information for doing it on our own.
After successfully visiting Palcoyo Rainbow Mountain in January 2025, we're now here to help you experience this wonderful gem as well.
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Palcoyo Rainbow Mountain: a Quick Intro
So, are you ready to learn all about the alternative rainbow mountain? Before going over the hike, we're going to share some helpful facts about Palcoyo Raimbow Mountain, and tell you why it can be a great alternative to the more famous rainbow mountain of Vinicunca.
Is Palcoyo the Same as Rainbow Mountain?
When people refer to "Rainbow Mountain" they are typically referring to Vinicunca. Even many times if you search Palcoyo, pictures and tours will pop saying "rainbow mountain" but will be of Vinicunca.
That being said, the two rainbow mountains are different places, and although in a similar area, there are two completely different routes to experience them.
Here is what Palcoyo Rainbow Mountains looks like:
What are the Colors of the Palcoyo Mountain?
The Palcoyo Rainbow Mountain is famous for its multi-colored stripes, created by mineral deposits over millions of years. The mountain displays shades of red, orange, yellow, green, purple, and gray.
Unlike Vinicunca, Palcoyo offers three rainbow-colored mountains in one location, making it a visually stunning (yet less crowded) alternative rainbow mountain to explore.
You'll also notice that there are green and red hills to enjoy at some of the viewpoints, adding a bit of flare to the area.
How High is Palcoyo Rainbow Mountain?
Palcoyo Rainbow Mountain sits at an impressive altitude of approximately 4,900 meters (16,076 feet) above sea level.
While it is slightly lower than Vinicunca, the high elevation still requires travelers to take precautions against altitude sickness. Make sure to acclimate to the altitude in Cusco for a few days before attempting to hike Palcoyo Rainbow Mountain.
How Hard is the Palcoyo Hike?
The Palcoyo hike is considered easy to moderate compared to the challenging trek to Vinicunca. The trail is approximately 1.5 kilometers (0.9 miles) each way and typically takes 45 minutes to an hour to complete. (It took us 20-25 minutes there, and just 15 minutes back).
The hike involves a very slight and gradual ascent with minimal steep sections, making it accessible for most fitness levels and families with children.
However, don't let this fool you! Due to the high altitude, each step can feel much more intense, and even 10 minutes of walking from viewpoint to viewpoint can leave you feeling winded, or even dizzy.
Palcoyo Mountain is not very steep, but the altitude makes it more difficult.
Where is Palcoyo Rainbow Mountain Located?
Palcoyo Rainbow Mountain is located in the Cusco Region of Peru, about 100 kilometers (62 miles) southeast of Cusco city.
The mountain is part of the Vilcanota Mountain Range in the Andes, and the drive from Cusco to Palcoyo takes around 3.5 hours each way, passing through remote villages and beautiful landscapes along the way.
How Do I Get to Palcoyo Rainbow Mountain?
There are a variety of ways to be able to visit the alternative rainbow mountain. Here are the different options for visiting Palcoyo Rainbow Mountain:
- 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 Palcoyo Rainbow Mountain
When looking up tours for Rainbow Mountain, about 90% of them will be to Vinicunca, which is much more famous than Palcoyo Rainbow Mountain.
That being said, there are actually quite a few tours out that that visit this alternative rainbow mountain!
This can definitely be the priciest option, but if you don't feel comfortable renting a car or don't want the hassle and long hours of public transportation, then this is an ideal option to choose, especially if you are traveling on your own.
Here are a some tours we found that go from Cusco to Palcoyo Rainbow Mountain:
Driving to Palcoyo Rainbow Mountain
Driving to Palcoyo was the option we chose, and we were so happy that we did so. We ended up spending a ton of time in surrounding area, and would have stayed even longer if we didn't have a tight schedule to get to the other rainbow mountains of Peru.
The drive is actually pretty easy from Cusco, and takes about 3 1/2 hours depending on traffic, and what kind of vehicle you have.
The Drive to Palcoyo
Simply take highway 3S all the way from Cusco to Combapata (this will take a little more than 2 hours, and is along a well-paved road).
Right before the town, you'll find an orange bridge. Instead of crossing the bridge, make sure you take the first road on the left hand side. Google Maps actually only recognizes a small part of this road, and doesn't even recognize the different villages along the way!
After 15-20 minutes you'll make it through one village and find a fork. Take a left, and you'll follow this road for about 45 minutes.
Stay to the left at the fork!
The road is super scenic, full of gorgeous landscapes, alpacas, and if you're lucky, you'll be able to see a bright red river on your right!
You'll pass through a village on your way (also not marked on the map at all- and about 15-20 minutes from the fork), and then come to a gate shortly after where you'll pay your entrance fee.
After the gate, it's just another 10 minutes up to the parking lot where the trailhead to Palcoyo Rainbow Mountain begins.
Taking Public Transportation to Palcoyo Rainbow Mountain
If you don't have the money to spend on a tour, but don't feel comfortable driving, there's no need to worry! Palcoyo Rainbow Mountain is actually accessible by public transportation from Cusco, and costs very little to get to.
First, you'll have to take a colectivo from Cusco to Combapata, and then from the town you can hire a tuk tuk, or see if you can get a ride from from someone heading that way.
We actually saw a big truck full of people going from the town of Palcoyo down to Combapata, so it's also worth seeing if a colectivo is heading there, which would be cheaper than hiring a taxi or tuk tuk.
The Palcoyo Rainbow Mountain Hike
Now that you know how to get to Palcoyo Rainbow Mountain, let's go over the details for what the full adventure looks like!
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After parking you'll find a small set of stairs, which is the beginning of the trailhead.
You'll find the first viewpoint after just 10 minutes of walking, and you'll be able to admire the bright red and green hues of the mountains in the back.
Next, you'll walk another 10 minutes to get to the second viewpoint. Here, you'll start to see more colors, and a small hill to get a nice view.
Finally, you just have a few more minutes of walking from the second viewpoint to the third and final viewpoint (this is the main one).
You'll find an old man waiting with two alpacas Jorgito and Champion. You can take photos with them and pet them, for a "collaboration". There is no set price, but you can give a small donation if you want to take some photos.
Typically we don't support using animals for tourism in this way, but as this village is so tiny, and the alpacas look very well taken care of, we wanted to contribute a bit of money.
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Palcoyo Rainbow Mountain Amenities
Palcoyo Rainbow Mountain does not have as many amenities as Vinicunca, but you can tell that they are also growing little by little. (We saw construction for some kiosks next to the trailhead).
There is a parking lot for cars, and there are bathrooms available for 1 sol. Other than that, as of January 2025 there isn't anyone selling anything, so it's important to bring your own food and snacks.
In the village before the gate (about 25-30 minutes from the trailhead) we saw some people selling fruit on the side of the road.
Other than that, it didn't look like there were any places to stay or have a meal. For restaurants and shops you can stop in Compata, which is the town right after the bridge on the main highway from Cusco.
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Palcoyo Rainbow Mountain Price & Timetable
The trail to Palcoyo Rainbow Mountain can be pretty much be reached at any time. Considering the locals wake up early and will most likely be there to lift the gate, you shouldn't have any issues, even if you decide to go first thing in the morning.
Worst case scenario? You can lift the gate yourself and simply pay the fee on your way out.
The ticket to Palcoyo is purchased right at the gate, and is 15 soles, only payable in cash. Bathrooms at the start of the trail are 1 sol, and they'll give you toilet paper to use.
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Safety & Rules at Palcoyo Rainbow Mountain
Palcoyo Rainbow Mountain is completely safe, and unlike Pallay Punchu, there are no sheer drops, and the trail is very clearly marked.
Can a Beginner Hike Palcoyo Rainbow Mountain?
With a pretty flat path, anyone can really hike Palcoyo Rainbow Mountain. That being said though, it's super important that you are acclimated to the altitude! This is what can make a big difference in your experience, so it's important to properly rest, stay hydrated, and take precautions against altitude sickness.
Rules for Palcoyo Mountain
There are only two main rules for visiting Palcoyo Rainbow Mountain, which are to respect the place, and not to use drones.
We've seen a lot of pictures of people standing along the colorful stripes of the mountain, and this is actually prohibited! There is a line of rocks blocking people from standing on it, and this is to preserve the colors. For this reason it is super important not to stray the path, and to respect the boundaries.
(PS: In some of our pictures we photoshopped the rocks out for aesthetic purposes. However, we NEVER crossed the line, and also urge you not to.)
In the second picture we photoshopped the rocks out, but always remained behind the line.
Drones at Palcoyo Rainbow Mountain
Drones on the other hand, are prohibited for no real reason. We actually brought ours just in case, and asked the one local man that works there at the top. He didn't mind at all (especially since no one was around and it doesn't affect the wildlife that's there).
We gave him a tip for letting us use it, and for letting us play with the alpacas. Moral of the story? Support the locals and you can use it. Just be mindful of the boundaries, as this is important for the conservation of the area, which is the most important thing to keep in mind.
We recommend only using your drone if you ask permission, and also to make sure no one else is around while doing so.
Only use your drone if you get permission and no one is around.
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Other Things to Keep in Mind for Visiting Palcoyo Raimbow Mountain
Now you know almost everything you need to properly prepare for an epic adventure to this alternative rainbow mountain. But don't go just yet! We have a few other helpful things to share with you about visiting Palcoyo Rainbow Mountain.
Weather Conditions at Palcoyo Rainbow Mountain
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 Palcoyo.
Being up in the mountains, it was much cooler, cloudier, and windier up there, so you'll want to prepare accordingly.
When is the Best Time of Year to Hike Palcoyo Rainbow Mountain
The best time to visit the Palcoyo Rainbow Mountain is in the dry months which are not too cold, which is from September to November, and then from April to May.
We visited in January, and got pretty lucky with the weather, but it would have been even better after the rainy season.
What is the Best Time of Day to Visit Palcoyo Rainbow Mountain in Peru?
Palcoyo only gets about 80-90 people on a good day, so you can actually beat the crowds at any time! During the day it'll be easier to drive, and the sunshine will help bring out the colors of the mountain, as well as the bright red hue from the river.
Don't miss out on the red river near Palcoyo Rainbow Mountain!
How to Prepare for a Hike to Palcoyo Rainbow Mountain
Here are some of the things we'd recommend bringing with you to the alternative Rainbow Mountain:
- Sunglasses
- Insulated Water Bottle (to hold the temperature)
- Sneakers
- Jacket (it was pretty chilly and windy)
- 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)
- 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)
- Action Camera (we use the Insta 360 with the extra long selfie stick for drone-like shots)
- Lunch (such as a sandwich and some snacks)
- Sweets, mints, or coca leaves to battle the altitude
- Cash to pay for the entrance, toilets, and a tip for the man with the alpacas
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Is Palcoyo Worth it?
While Palcoyo Rainbow Mountain isn't as mind blowing as Vinicunca or Pallay Punchu, it's unique because it has three mountains in total in one place.
The drive itself and experiencing the red river made the trip to Palcoyo Rainbow Mountain so worth it, and a place we'd recommend to travelers looking to escape the crowds.
Palcoyo Rainbow Mountain is definitely worth the adevnture.
How Much Time Do I Need to Visit Palcoyo Rainbow Mountain?
We spent about an hour at Palcoyo Rainbow Mountain between stopping at the viewpoints, taking pictures, and petting the alpacas. If we had more time, we also would have stayed another hour or two to explore the different areas outside of the main trail.
We also spent another hour stopping at the red river and seeing the big groups of alpacas along the way. It would have been easy to spend several hours in the area, so we'd recommend giving yourself at least half a day to truly enjoy this alternative rainbow mountain and its surroundings.
Tips for Visiting Palcoyo Rainbow Mountain
So are you ready to experience the alternative Rainbow Mountain? Palcoyo is really beautiful, and is definitely an underrated location in the Cusco area that we're sure you're going to love.
Want to learn more about fun things to do in Cusco and around the area? We have plenty of other Peru travel guides, as well as a ton of other Cusco guides coming up, so make sure to subscribe to our newsletter for all of our updates, as well as exclusive content we give each week.
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