PALCOYO MOUNTAIN HIKE INFORMATION

From Cusco you must travel by vehicle for about 3 hours towards the southeast in the direction of the District of Combapata. Before reaching the village, turn left, where the Checacupe bridge is, a suspension bridge made by the Quechuas to favor the connection of the Inca Empire. Then follow the dirt road for about 1 hour until you reach a parking lot.

From the parking you can already see the colorful mountains, but if you want a better view, at a slow pace you can reach the viewpoint of the Palcoyo mountain range in 45 minutes. In Denomades we have a tour to Palcoyo Rainbow Mountain that includes pickup at the hotel, shared transportation, guide in Spanish, lunch, entrance ticket and drop off in the center of Cusco. Be aware that the tour is available from April to November, because during the high plateau winter the hills are covered with snow and the rains make access difficult.

The colorful mountain range of Palcoyo.

As in Rainbow Mountain Vinicunca, an extraordinary geological process aligned the different strata of the earth in multicolour layers creating a unique effect. From the viewpoint of Palcoyo you can see the 3 colorful mountains in all their magnitude and lonely immensity. In the same place there is a curious forest of stones, which as its name suggests, it is about peaks of rock from the height of trees that look like a true geological labyrinth.
PALCOYO OR VINICUNCA?
Palcoyo Vinicunca
Duration of the walk. From 1 to 1.5 hours (round trip). From 4 to 6 hours, depending on the pace of the walk (round trip).
Technical Difficulty Low Average
Physical difficulty Low Medium high
Maximum height 4,900 masl approx. 5,000 meters above sea level approx.
Best time to make the route From April to November. From April to November.
Climate Height, with low temperatures Height, with low temperatures.
The physical effort and the time it takes to get to Palcoyo is much less than to get to Vinicunca, the latter also receives a large influx of tourists that detracts from the natural landscape. With this we do not mean that the trekking to the Rainbow Mountain Vinicunca is not worth it, is more, if what you are looking for is a physical challenge, perhaps visiting Vinicunca has more sense for you. The grace of the Cordillera de Colores Palcoyo is that it is an excellent alternative for those who can not or do not want to wear themselves physically to observe the same landscape that they would observe in Vinicunca.
RECOMMENDATIONS TO VISIT PALCOYO

Being located at 4,900 meters, the risk to suffer from puna is always present. In any case, because the walk is without slope and last one hour, most travelers (regardless of age) will not have problems. The recommendation is always to spend at least two days in Cusco before traveling to Palcoyo to acclimate the body. If you want more information on this topic, read our article on how to avoid altitude sickness. As for the cold weather, it is very important that you wear warm clothes due to the temperatures below zero in Palcoyo. A windbreak is also recommended.