Palcoyo Mountain Tour from Cusco | Half Day & Easy Hike

Reserve your Palcoyo Tour and experience the authentic Palcoyo Experience exploring Cusco's secret Rainbow Mountain. Take in incredible scenery, short hikes, and the tranquility of the landscapes away from the crowds. The Palcoyo Tour is in perfect harmony with the idea of comfort, color, and unforgettable experiences in the Andes to travelers.

Overview

Tour Itinerary

1 - Transportation to Cusipata - Breakfast and stop at Checacupe

The adventure begins very early with our team picking you up from your hotel between 04:30 to 5:00 a.m. and heading to the small village of Cusipata where we will have a delicious breakfast. After that, we will continue and make a short stop at Checacupe Village to see and cross an Inca and a colonial bridge and also to grab some last-minute items like drinks, snacks, sunblock, rain poncho, etc.

Time: 04:30 - 06:30

2 - Explore the Palccoyo Rainbow Mountain

After the short stop, we continued one more hour to the base camp. Once we arrive there, we take a short and gradual uphill walk (30-45 minutes) to the Palcoyo Pass (4880m/16,000ft). Here you will have spectacular panoramic views of the 3 Rainbow Mountains and the spectacular Palccoyo peaks as well, as the highest mountain in the Cusco region (Ausangate) and the Stone Forest at the highest point. We will spend 1 hour at the pass taking pictures and enjoying the spectacular view.

Time: 09:00 - 11:30

3 - Return and Lunch in Cusipata

Once we are done enjoying the scenery we walk back down on the same way to the base camp, and after we will stop in the village called Cusipata to enjoy a delicious, freshly prepared, hot lunch.

Time: 12:00 - 14:00

4 - Cusipata - Return to Cusco

After lunch, we will catch our private van back to Cusco. We will drop you off at Regocijo Plaza at about 17:30.

Time: 15:00 - 17:30

Frequently Asked Questions

Commonly Asked Questions Regarding the Palcoyo TourThe Palcoyo Tour is rated as easy to moderate. The hike is an approximate 40 minute round trip, with easy inclines and great views. Perfect for travelers who want to take in the Andes beauty, and see the Palcoyo Rainbow Mountain, without the intense hike of Vinicunca.

Palcoyo is roughly 4900 meters (or 16,000 feet) above sea level. The hike is short, but we always recommend spending at least a day in just Cusco to acclimatize, and to help prevent altitude sickness during your Palcoyo Experience.

You need to bring warm clothing and a pair of comfortable shoes, sunscreen and sunglasses, a hat, and a refillable water bottle. It’s good to have some extra cash with you in small denominations for entrance fees, and buying small crafts back from the local communities along the route.

Yes. Your included Palcoyo Tour includes a buffet breakfast and a buffet lunch. We provide vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free options—just let us know when you reserve your Palcoyo Experience, and we will accommodate you.

The tour lasts about ten hours from pickup to drop-off. We will pick you up early in the morning around your hotel in Cusco, visit Checacupe and Palcoyo Rainbow Mountain, have breakfast and lunch, and return to Cusco sometime in the afternoon.