Is it possible to rent a horse for the hike?

No, because the community does not allow horses or donkeys in this area. They want to protect the path and environment (the Vinicunca Rainbow Mountain is full of horse dung and the path lost its flora and fauna because everything was destroyed by the horses).

Can I take pictures with locals?

Please ask your guide first, so he can ask the locals if it is fine for them. Otherwise the local might ask for tips or they feel offended. We’d like to avoid that and always respect their privacy.

What about the weather, does it snow often?

Usually the probability of having bad weather or snow is rather low. Especially from April to November. In the remaining months, we have the rainy season and there might be rain or snow. Anyway, this is nature and even in the summertime it might snow or rain at this altitude. One advantage is that the Palccoyo Rainbow Mountain is farther away from the Ausangate mountain than the Vinicunca Rainbow Mountain. Snowy and bad weather usually comes from the Ausangate and thus affects Vinicunca first, while Palccoyo might remain unaffected.

Alternative Rainbow Mountain Palccoyo Tour

Name: Alternative Rainbow Mountain Palccoyo Tour
Brand: Cusco Day Tours
Availability: InStock

See 3 Rainbow Mountains without any crowds around

from $139

Group size

2 - 8

TripAdvisor

Top-rated

Departures

Daily

Why you'll love this tour

Crowds Can’t Catch You: Early start, peaceful Palccoyo views.
3 Rainbows, Easy Hike: Three stunning mountains in just 45 minutes.
Andean Moments: Hike with an alpaca through highland beauty.

Alternative Rainbow Mountain Palccoyo Tour

From

USD 139
p. person

Palccoyo Rainbow Mountain

Date

Time
Palccoyo Rainbow Mountain

Date

Time
Quantity

Itinerary

Alternative Rainbow Mountain Palccoyo Video

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Rainbow Mountain Palccoyo

Difficulty:

Easy

Easy
Hiking time:

45-60 minutes each way

45-60 minutes each way
Recommendations:

Wear hiking boots + layers of clothes

Wear hiking boots + layers of clothes

3:30 am	Pick-up from your hotel in Cusco. 2 hours later, we’ll have breakfast.
7:00 am	Stop for taking photos of alpacas.
7:45 am	Beginning of the 45 to 60-minute hike where you’ll see 3 rainbow mountains without the crowds around. If the community allows it, we’ll have an alpaca or a llama accompanying us.
11:45 am	Lunch in local restaurant
3:30 pm	Arrival in Cusco and drop-off at your hotel

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Included

Small-group tour of max. 8 travelers that arrives before the crowds.
Hotel pickup and drop-off by professional driver
Fluent English speaking licensed local guide
Breakfast and 3-course or buffet lunch in restaurant for small-groups (vegetarian and vegan food options available)
Hike with alpaca or llama (this depends on the community)
Trekking pole, first-aid kit and oxygen
Entrance tickets (for private tours only, contact us for more info)

Not Included

Beverages
Entrance ticket

Overview

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The Alternative Rainbow Mountain in Peru is one of the top places to visit in Cusco. This is not the typical tour to the Vinicunca Rainbow Mountain where you will be with hundreds of other tourists. In this Palccoyo tour, you’ll see 3 different rainbow mountains, be far away from the crowds and possibly hike with an alpaca/llama. With us, you will arrive first at the Alternative Rainbow Mountain!