Main Info
OVERVIEW AND HIGHLIGHTS:
Outside of Cusco lies a truly magical landscape of painted-colored mountains and sweeping red valleys in the Andes. While Rainbow Mountain (Vinicunca) has gained fame on the traditional tourist circuit and become plagued by hundreds of daily visitors who hike up for a single photo, few travelers realize that nearby multiple rainbow mountains are dotting this other-worldly landscape. Being Palcoyo is the most viable option in case you want an off-the-beaten-path.
Enjoy the Picnic Lunch in the mountain Palcoyo with fantastic views. Palcoyo is very similar to the well-known mountain of 7 colors Vinicunca and that is why we know that for some travelers it is difficult to decide which mountain to go to on their tours when they are in Cusco. Palcoyo became known in 2018, it went all over Peru and continues worldwide. Thanks to its visitors, who increasingly recommended it as an alternative walk to the mountain of 7 colors.
INCLUDED:
- Professional Bilingual English-speaking tour guide
- Pre-Departure Briefing at your hotel 1 or 2 days before your trek.
- Pick up from your hotel and transportation to the start point of the trek
- Return transportation to your Cusco hotel.
- Picnic Lunch
- Emergency oxygen bottle and medical kit.
- Entrance fee to Palcoyo.
- 01 Trekking pole
- Vegetarian and Free gluten options are available.
NOT INCLUDED:
- Personals Snacks
- Tips – Gratuities
- Horses (Option to hire one if you’ll need it at the beginning of the trek) 35.00 USD
- Travel insurance from your side, strongly recommended.
WHAT TO BRING AND ADVICES:
- It is advisable and important that you arrive at Cusco at least 2 days before the trek to acclimate to the altitude.
- Just in case you can take personal medication for altitude sickness, you will find some drugstores locally on the main street of Av El Sol or near the main square of Cusco, or You can also chew some coca leaves like the people of the Andes do.
- Please make sure to inform us about your health/food/physical restrictions in advance so we can be aware.
- In case you need to pay the remaining balance, it is advisable to take some cash. You can get some money from the ATMs that are located in the center of the City of Cusco.
- Be always ready for rain and cold, take a rain poncho waterproof clothes and warm clothes. Proper hiking boots.
Itinerary
We will pick you up early from your Cusco hotel around 06:30 am and set out on a drive through the Southeast of Cusco Valley. The drive to the trailhead at 4,326 m (14,189 ft) is 03:30 hours long. We then start on our hike, following a lovely stream. Herds of alpacas and llamas will immediately surprise you. On this journey, we will hike for approximately 30 minutes, and we finally reach our destination, where we came to see the Rainbow Mountains of Palcoyo 5,020 m (16,466 ft). After getting over the shock of their beauty, you will have time to explore the area. You will have time to take pictures and soak in the environment. We will spend approximately 01 hour at the top so you will have time to see the lovely natural Rock formation in the area. At this point, it is time to go back down. We hike downhill the way we came. The hike will be another 30 min. Our transportation will be waiting for us to take us to the Picnic Lunch in the Panoramic views, we will enjoy the picnic lunch with delicious food, and we will embark on the 03 hours drive back to Cusco and drop you off at your Cusco hotel. The approximate arrival time is between 05:00 to 06:00 pm.
Meals: Picnic Lunch.
Night: Not included
ACTIVITY LEVEL: Moderate to hard.
WALKING DISTANCE: 03 km/1.86mi
WALKING TIME: 1.5 hours
MINIMUM ELEVATION: 3310m/10200 ft
MAXIMUM ELEVATION: 5,020 m /16,466 ft
