Palccoyo Rainbow Mountain: Full Day
Overview
Available languages
12 hours
Mobile ticket
This tour combines our love for nature and culture, its unique landscapes are breathtaking.
We offer a completely private tour with a flat rate small groups.
This alternative hike is less straining than the classic Rainbow mountain. It takes 1.5 hrs. total to complete the circuit. And we visit 3 Rainbow mountains + an enigmatic Rock forest.
The classic Rainbow Mountain is currently the second most visited attraction in Cuzco, thousands of tourist will be spotted every day, therefore landscape and environment are heavily impacted. With our alternative Palccoyo Rainbow Mountains tour, we guarantee you a private, enjoyable and sustainable experience, without crowds!
Additional Info
Service animals allowed
Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
Not recommended for pregnant travelers
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What To Expect
Duration:12 hours
Operating Schedule:Daily Departures: - 4:00 am: Pick-up from your hotel in Cusco - 5:30 am: Breakfast in local restaurant. - 8:00 am: Arrival at Palccoyo community - 9:30 am: Arrival to beginning of hike: view of the 1st Rainbow mountain. - 10:00 am: Visit of the 2nd rainbow mountain. -10:30 am: Visit of the 3rd Rainbow mountain + break with snacks. -11:00 am: Hike to the Rock Forest (optional, depending on your stamina) with spectacular views of the Cordillera. -1:30 pm: Return to our car and departure towards restaurant. - 1:50 pm: Lunch in local restaurant. Buffet with vegetarian options. - 3:30 pm: Arrival to Cusco and drop-off at your hotel.
The alternative Rainbow Mountain: less crowded, less straining, and perhaps even more spectacular.
What‘s Included
Lunch
Breakfast
Entrance ticket. (PEN 30.00)
Options
Palccoyo Rainbow Mountain: Full Day
Reviews
5 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
What an amazing surprise: 3 Rainbown Mountains!
Dreamer13386470583,May 21, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00The Palccoyo Mountains hike was another happy surprise in our Cusco visit. The hike is very gentle specially for those who prefer a relaxed pace. There are 3 viewing points and 3 Rainbow Mountains. The area is really pristine and the community of paccoyo villagers are very welcoming! The place feels like time stops and nature is all you feel. The stone forest is the best part sitting at the top of nearby mountain , this rock formation gives the impression of another place, the views to the area from the top are simply magical. We recommend this hike and the guide Fortunay Gracias!
3 Rainbow Mountains!
153rickye,May 20, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Palccoyo was an absolute surprise! We had spare days to explore Cusco and we decided to visit the 3 rainbow mountains of Palccoyo and the Rock forest. Absolutely stunning, the place is incredible, no crowds, the energy so peaceful and just next to an Andean village that runs a potatoes museum with hundreds of varieties, the shaped and colours are so rich we never imagined there were more potatoes than just good ol American fries. The potato culture is another world really, impressed on how this community preserves such a diversity and richness. Fantastic! the Palccoyo hike is definitely a unique cultural immersion and discovery of another ways of living and richness that is still present! Highly recommend Palccoyo for people willing to experience real Andean communities.
Peaceful and beautiful Apu Mountains 🙌
salvatoreh2026,May 14, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We were undecided about visiting the more touristy Rainbow Mountains, which are visited by most people because they're closer to Cusco, but we decided to hire Kontiki for a private tour. It was quite an adventure! Luckily, it didn't rain because it would have made the journey much more difficult. The road is unpaved with some gravel, an hour's drive on a zig zag track, but it was worth the effort. For me, it was the most special and energetic natural place I visited in all of Cusco, even more special than Machu Picchu. I can't describe everything I felt there; it seems like something out of Lord of the Rings. It's magical. We recommend this tour you can do in just 1 day, the energy from the mountains is very special! Ask for the guide Kevin!
What an amazing day!
r eds943,May 13, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Second full Day tour we did with Kontiki hikes, and it was a success as well! Booked a last minute day trip to Palccoyo. What an amazing day! We met with friends afterward, who had visited rainbow mountain (Vinicunca) that same day and compared experiences. Although the colours on rainbow mountain are more vibrant, there was about 10x more people at Vinicunca than Palccoyo. Palccoyo also offers a Stone Forest, which I don’t think exists at rainbow mountain. The Stone Forest was definitely a highlight of our day. The tour operator, Inca Highlands, was fantastic! They spoke Spanish and English, answered all questions in detail, and set reasonable expectations for the day. 100% recommend!
Beautiful Mountain! Amazing!
Beto MO,Apr 13, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Highly recommend this company. Very efficient and professional. Guide was very gentle and knowledgeable and delicicious food in Cusipata!
From US$65.00
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Operated by Kontiki Hikes