Rainbow Mountains of Peru: Comparing Each of The 4 Stunning Options
Peru is a land of breathtaking landscapes, and among its many wonders, are the Rainbow Mountains of Peru, which stand out as some of the most awe-inspiring.
While Vinicunca, the famous Rainbow Mountain, has long captured the spotlight, it’s not the only vibrant peak worth exploring. There are actually three stunning alternatives, each with its own unique charm, level of difficulty, and crowd levels.
In this guide, we’ll compare the four main Rainbow Mountains of Peru, so you can choose which one is right for you (or maybe all of them!). Whether you’re drawn to Vinicunca’s iconic status, Palcoyo’s accessible trails, or the untouched beauty of Pallay Punchu, you’ll discover which one is the best fit for your adventure. Let’s dive in and explore these colorful wonders!
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The Rainbow Mountains of Peru: a Quick Intro
The Rainbow Mountains of Peru are truly a unique phenomenon, and are some of the most beautiful places to see outside of Cusco.
Before going over the differences of each mountain though, let's go over a few of the basics you should know.
What Causes the Rainbow Mountains in Peru?
The stunning colors of the Rainbow Mountains of Peru are a result of unique geological processes that took place millions of years ago. The vibrant stripes of red, yellow, green, and blue are caused by mineral deposits that formed under different environmental conditions.
Over time, tectonic shifts pushed these layers to the surface, and erosion exposed the colorful patterns we see today. This rare combination of minerals, weathering, and elevation makes the Rainbow Mountains of Peru a truly unique natural wonder.
How Hard is it to Get the the Rainbow Mountains of Peru?
There are four different rainbow mountains in Peru, and each one has a slightly different difficulty level. However, overall they are pretty challenging to hike, and should only be done by people in good physical condition.
This is because all of the rainbow mountains of Peru have an extremely high elevation, making it particularly challenging due to high altitudes.
Where are the Rainbow Mountains in Peru?
The Rainbow Mountains of Peru are located in the Cusco region of southern Peru, all a couple of hours south of the city of Cusco, near the Andes Mountains. They are part of the Vilcanota mountain range, which stretches across the provinces of Canchis, Quispicanchi, and Espinar.
- Vinicunca (Classic Rainbow Mountain) is the most famous and is located about 3 hours southeast of Cusco by car.
- Palcoyo Rainbow Mountain is also in the same region, but it’s a bit closer to Cusco, requiring around 2.5 hours by car.
- Pallay Punchu is more remote and located in the Layo district, about 4 hours by car from Cusco.
- Wilcacunca (the newest Rainbow Mountain) is located nearby Vinicunca, and is about 30 minutes closer.
All four mountains offer stunning views of the Andes and are typically visited from the city of Cusco. The drives take you through picturesque villages and valleys, so despite the long distances, the rides are super scenic.
How to Get to the Rainbow Mountains of Peru
There are a few different ways that you can experience the rainbow mountains of Peru, which include:
- 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 the Rainbow Mountains of Peru
The most popular way to visit the rainbow mountains of Peru is by booking a tour.
For Vinicunca (the most famous rainbow mountain) you can easily book a tour online, at a local agency, or even at most hotels. Meanwhile, the lesser known ones you might need to hire a private guide for, or do a bit more research to find a tour (don't worry - we're here to help).
Here are some popular tours online to the different rainbow mountains:
Renting a Car in Cusco
Renting a car is the route we chose to go, and while it was a bit uncertain from lack on information across the web, we are so happy that this is the option we chose!
Being that the rainbow mountains of Peru have incredible landscapes around them, we were able to have much more flexibility with how long we spent, and we were able to dodge the crowds.
Renting a car in Cusco is easy, and we booked online to have a seamless process. We were able to drive to each Rainbow Mountain without any issues (yes, there are dirt roads, but they're totally doable with any kind of car), and if we were to do it again, this is absolutely the route we'd choose to go again.
All of the rainbow mountain trails can be driven to, but all require a bit of hiking.
Taking Public Transportation to the Rainbow Mountains of Peru
If you're not comfortable driving or want to save some money, you can choose to visit each of the rainbow mountains of Peru with public transportation.
We'll go into details about the steps for each one, that way you can see if it's the option worth taking.
Taking public transportation is certainly the one that will be the most time-consuming, but it will allow you to dodge the crowds and spend a minimal amount to visit these natural wonders.
The Rainbow Mountains of Peru: Comparing Each Rainbow Mountain
Now that you know the different options for how to get to the rainbow mountains of Peru, let's quickly go over each mountain.
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Vinicunca Rainbow Mountain
Vinicunca is the "original" Rainbow Mountain, and is by far the most popular of the rainbow mountains in Peru.
This is the rainbow mountain that we chose to visit on our first trip to Peru back in 2019, and even back then it was crazy crowded with tour groups.
Most tours go at 3 am claiming to beat the crowds, but the reality is that this is when most tours go. If you choose to do Vinicunca Rainbow Mountain, then we'd recommend either going on your own, or choosing a tour group that goes later in the day so you can truly enjoy it.
How to Get to Vinicunca Mountain
- Driving: Take the dirt road from Checacupe and stay to the left at the fork (approx 1 hour 15 min)
- Tours: They can be booked online, at a local agency in Cusco, and at most hotels
- Public Transportation: Take the public bus to Checacupe, and then hire a tuk tuk or taxi
Palccoyo Rainbow Mountain
Palccoyo Rainbow Mountain is often referred to the "Alternative Rainbow Mountain" as this was the second rainbow mountain found after Vinicunca.
It is a much easier to hike than Vinicunca, as it is a relatively flat trail featuring 3 viewpoints. You'll be greeted by 2 alpaca friends at the top with a local offering photo opportunities for a donation.
While Palccoyo doesn't have as much of a "wow" factor as Vinicunca does, it's really beautiful, not too difficult, and has a really cool red river you can see along the way!
How to Get to Palccoyo Mountain
- Driving: Take the dirt road before the orange bridge in Combapata (approx. 1 hour)
- Tours: They can be booked online or at a local agency in Cusco
- Public Transportation: Take the public bus to Combapata, and then hire a tuk tuk or taxi
Pallay Punchu Rainbow Mountain
Pallay Punchu Rainbow Mountain was our final stop for our second trip to Cusco, and boy did it deliver.
This is our favorite out of all of the rainbow mountains of Peru, and we had the entire place to ourselves the full morning. It is the easiest to hike if you have a car, as the dirt road can bring you up to a lot that allows for a short hike. Alternatively, you can hike from one of the accommodation option at the bottom of the hill.
The best way to truly appreciate Pallay Punchu's beauty is by bringing a drone! The entire area is also covered with mountains, and there are scenic views of the lake below, making it truly a special and unique experience.
How to Get to Pallay Punchu Mountain
- Driving: Take the dirt road from Layo (approx. 35-40 min).
- Tours: They can be booked online, at a local agency in Cusco, and at most hotels.
- Public Transportation: Take the public bus from Cusco to Sicuani, and then a colectivo to Layo, and hire a tuk tuk or taxi to the trailhead.
Wilcacunca Rainbow Mountain
Wilcacunca is the newest addition to the list of rainbow mountains in Peru, and is unfortunately the only one we were unable to do because we ran out of time.
From the information that we've gathered, Wilcacunca is special because it's hardly explored, making it one of the most unique to conquer, and it is off the same road that Vinicunca is off of (although still an hour apart).
Wilcacunca features several color formations, and resembles a blend of Vinicunca and Palcoyo. This is an excellent option if you are looking for less crowds and to create some truly unique content.
How to Get to Wilcacunca Rainbow Mountain
- Driving: Take the dirt road from Checacupe and stay to the right at the fork (approx. 45 min)
- Tours: They can be booked online or by hiring a private guide in Cusco
- Public Transportation: Take the public bus to Checacupe, and then hire a tuk tuk or taxi
Note: The price for colectivos is usually between 10 to 15 soles per person, while the taxi fare in Checacupe can be around 150 soles.
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Amenities at the Rainbow Mountains of Peru
Most of the Rainbow Mountains of Peru have limited amenities on site, so you should definitely make sure to be prepared before visiting. Bring plenty of water, use the bathroom, and eat before you start hiking.
Here are the basic amenities you'll find at each of the Rainbow Mountains of Peru:
- Vinicunca: bathrooms at the entrance, snacks sold along the trail
- Palccoyo: bathrooms at the entrance, nothing sold at the entrance or along the trail - make sure to eat in Combapata
- Pallay Punchu: no amenities at all nearby - make sure to use the toilets and eat in Layo or one of the lodges near the trail
- Wilcacunca: no amenities listed (not enough information online) - we recommend eating and using the bathroom in Checacupe
Keep in mind these are the current amenities, and there seems to be more infrastructure being built to accommodate tourism, particularly at Palccoyo. All of the rainbow mountains of Peru are located near very tiny villages, and nowhere really accepts credit card.
We'd recommend bringing your own snacks, plenty of water, and your own toilet paper just in case.
Vinicunca has local women selling drinks and snacks to help you along the way.
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Other Things to Keep in Mind for Visiting the Rainbow Mountains of Peru
Now you know the differences between the different rainbow mountains of Peru. But don't go just yet! Here are a few things you'll want to keep in mind.
Weather at the Rainbow Mountains in Peru
The weather can be really deceiving in Cusco, because while it may be sunny and warm in the city, it can be completely different up in the mountains.
Even in the hottest months you'll find that the weather can be cloudy, windy, and cold, especially at the tops of the rainbow 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 had fresh snow in January, which is one of the warmer months.
The Best Time to Visit the Rainbow Mountains of Peru
The best time to visit the rainbow mountains of Peru are in the dry months that are not too cold from September to November, and then from April to May.
We visited in January, and we got really lucky to have dry weather with a bit of snow. However, when we tried to visit Humantay Lake it was pouring rain, as it was the height of the rainy season.
The one good thing about visiting in the rainy season though is that you can see a unique phenomenon at Palcoyo, where the river turns red! (January-April).
How to Prepare for Visiting the Rainbow Mountains of Peru
Here are a few things you'll want to make sure to bring with you for hiking the rainbow mountains of Peru:
- Sunscreen
- Sunglasses
- Insulated Water Bottle (to hold the temperature)
- Sneakers
- Light jacket or sweater for the top (and more layers if you visit in the cooler months)
- 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)
- Action Camera (we use the Insta 360 with the extra long selfie stick for drone-like shots)
- Drone (We use the Mavic Mini 4 Pro because it's super light and has incredible quality)
- Snacks and drinks to have along the way
- Sweets, mints, or coca leaves to battle the altitude
Make sure to bring a drone for unique perspectives!
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Is it Worth Going to Rainbow Mountain in Peru?
The rainbow mountains of Peru are so unique and incredible to witness. Despite their growing popularity and the big effort to get to them, every single one is absolutely worth it and special in its own way.
Don't miss out on adding at least one or two of these to your Peru bucket list!
Visiting the rainbow mountains of Peru is definitely worth it!
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Staying Safe While Hiking the Rainbow Mountains of Peru
While all of the rainbow mountains of Peru have pretty short trails, and none of them look very intense, it's important not to be decieved.
The rainbow mountains of Peru all lie at a very high elevation, therefore making hikes really intense, even if at the slightest incline.
It's really important to prepare yourself physically for hiking the rainbow mountains, and not to rush. Make sure to bring plenty of water, and anything you can to prevent altitude sickness.
Make sure to take breaks when you need - the altitude is intense!
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Tips for Visiting the Rainbow Mountains of Peru
So are you ready to experience the incredible Rainbow Mountains of Peru? We'd love to hear your thoughts, so let us know which one you would choose down in the comments!
Want to learn about other incredible things to do in Cusco and around the area? We have quite a few other Cusco travel guides, as well as a plenty of other Peru guides coming up. Make sure to subscribe to our newsletter for all of the updates, as well as to receive exclusive content we offer to our followers each week.
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Peru is on the list of places to go! Thanks for sharing!