CUSCO

Palccoyo three colorful mountains

  • Full Day
  • Moderate difficulty
  • Max 12 people
DURATION
Full Day
MAX ALTITUDE
4,900 m
DISTANCE
4 km
BEST TIME
All year round

FROM $40 / person

THE EXPERIENCE

What makes it special to this trip

The calm alternative to Vinicunca: three hills of mineral stripes and a stone forest, with a short, gentle hike accessible to almost any traveler.

  • Three colorful viewpoints instead of one
  • Short hike with a gentle ascent
  • The red stone forest of the valley
  • Far less crowded than Vinicunca

DAY-BY-DAY PROGRAM

The route, step by step

This is how the day unfolds, hour by hour, with everything you'll do and where.

  1. DAY 1

    Palccoyo Rainbow Mountain

    04:20 – 04:50 am | Pickup from your hotel in CuscoOur adventure starts very early. The Peru America Tours team will pick you up from your accommodation in the city of Cusco. We will board our private transportation and head south through the Sacred Valley, ready for an unforgettable day. 06:30 am | Andean breakfast in CusipataAfter a journey of approximately 1 hour and 40 minutes, we will arrive at the picturesque town of Cusipata (3,310 m). Here we will welcome you with an exquisite buffet breakfast prepared with fresh local products. Take the chance to use the restrooms and get physically ready for the day. 08:00 am | Cultural visit to ChecacupeWe will continue our journey to the ancestral town of Checacupe (3,446 m). This place is a true living museum, famous for its centuries-old bridges crossing the Pitumarca river. You will admire three bridges from different eras (Inca, colonial and republican), true engineering gems that tell the story of the civilizations that inhabited the region. 09:30 am | Arrival at the Palccoyo communityAfter an hour of travel, we will reach the Palccoyo Community, the starting point of our hike. Here the landscape opens up to show us the daily life of the high-Andean communities and their herds of llamas and alpacas grazing freely on the slopes. 10:00 am | Hike to the Three Rainbow Mountains viewpointWe will start a gentle, uphill hike of about 40 minutes. Unlike other routes, the Palccoyo trek is accessible to most travelers, letting you enjoy the landscape without extreme physical exertion. Upon reaching the viewpoint (4,900 m), you will witness an unmatched natural spectacle: three mountains of vibrant colors (ochre, green, red and yellow) stretching out before you. You will have plenty of time to explore the area, climb to the highest point to visit the mysterious stone forest and, of course, take the most impressive photographs of your trip. 12:30 pm | Return and buffet lunch in CusipataWe will start the descent back to the vehicle to transfer again to Cusipata. There a delicious buffet lunch awaits you, with a wide variety of Peruvian cuisine specialties — the perfect fuel to recharge after the hike. 02:30 pm | Return to the city of CuscoAfter a well-deserved rest and with our hearts full of unforgettable images, we will begin the journey back to Cusco. 05:30 pm (approx.) | Arrival in CuscoWe will arrive in the city of Cusco, dropping you off at the Plaza de Armas or at a central point near your accommodation, ending a perfect day of cultural discoveries and scenic adventure.

    • 4 km
    • 4,900 m
    • Breakfast · Lunch

WHAT'S INCLUDED

Everything you need, no surprises

The tour includes

  • Pickup from your hotel in Cusco.
  • Tourist transportation (Cusco - Cusipata - Checacupe - Palccoyo - Cusco).
  • Professional bilingual guide (Spanish / English).
  • 01 buffet breakfast in Cusipata.
  • 01 buffet lunch in Cusipata.
  • First aid kit and portable oxygen tank.
  • Permanent assistance and coordination by Peru America Tours.

Not included

  • Entrance to Palccoyo Mountain (S/ 20.00 soles – mandatory, payable in cash).
  • Entrance to Checacupe Bridge (S/ 10.00 soles – optional, payable in cash).
  • Riding horse (local rental service in case you need support on the hike).
  • Bottled water, drinks or alcohol during meals.
  • Tips for the guide and driver (personal appreciation, optional).
  • Travel insurance (we recommend taking out one from your country of origin).
  • Additional expenses not specified in the program.

GALLERY

The tour in pictures

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

We solve all your doubts

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Talk to an advisor
Do I need previous experience?

It is not required, but a moderate level of fitness is recommended. It is a moderate-difficulty tour: there are sustained uphill sections and you walk for several hours at altitude.

What is the best time to do it?

It can be done all year round. Between November and March it rains more, so bring a raincoat; the rest of the year the weather is dry and stable.

How high do we go and how do I prepare?

The highest point of the route is at 4,900 m. We recommend spending at least two days in Cusco before leaving, drinking plenty of water, avoiding alcohol the night before and eating light. If you feel any discomfort from the altitude, let the guide know: the team carries oxygen.

How many people are in the group?

We work with small groups: Max 12 people. This way the guide can look after each traveler and the pace adjusts to the group.

What does the price include?

Check the «Everything you need, no surprises» section of this same page: there you will find the detail of what is included and what is not. If you have any doubts, write to us on WhatsApp.

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