Palccoyo: Why This Rainbow Mountain Is A Better Alternative
Rainbow Mountain in Peru is a popular day trip from Cusco, but the two biggest complaints are the amount of people and the hike can be intense. What if I told you there’s another Rainbow Mountain in Peru where you’ll see only a handful of people on the trail and the hike is easier? Enter Palccoyo: the “Alternative Rainbow Mountain.” This multi-colored hidden gem is a perfect day trip if you want the Rainbow Mountain experience without the crowds.
Jump to:
About Palccoyo: The Alternative Rainbow Mountain
How Difficult is the Palccoyo Hike?
The Best Way to Get to Palccoyo
What to Wear
Palccoyo Rainbow Mountain FAQs
Where to Stay
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About Palccoyo: The Alternative Rainbow Mountain
Palccoyo is about 3 hours south of Cusco in the Checacupe District. The word Palccoyo in Quechua means “colorful branch” or “division of colors”.
Palccoyo’s highest viewpoint is 4900 meters. That’s about 300 meters lower than Vinicunca. While the difference in elevation is minimal, the experience couldn’t be more different. For example, unlike it’s big, multi-colored relative, Palccoyo has three Rainbow Mountains.
Another feature Palccoyo has that Vinicunca doesn’t is the Stone Forest or Bosque de Piedras. The tour I went on had the option to walk through the Stone Forest, but due to the snowy conditions and even higher altitude, I returned to the bus the way I came.
The biggest difference, and why many people choose Palccoyo over Vinicunca, is the hike to the top.
How Difficult Is the Palccoyo Hike?
Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
Distance: 2 km/1.2 miles (1 km up, 1 km back)
Starting Elevation: 4700 meters
Elevation Gain: 100-200 meters
The Palccoyo Rainbow Mountain hike starts at 4700 meters. Once you get past the stairs from the parking lot, the trail is mostly flat and well-marked with no steep inclines. There is one part of the trail that’s very narrow, but I wouldn’t consider it treacherous.
Compared to Vinicunca, the Palccoyo hike is easier, but that doesn’t mean it’s easy. The altitude definitely makes it more challenging. Out of 19 people in our group, only 14 made it to the main viewpoint. (Don’t worry! No one perished or got hurt. The altitude got to them.)
The hardest part, in my opinion, is the walk from the parking lot to the start of the hike. Less than halfway up the stairs you feel the affects of the altitude. And by the time you reach the top of the stairs, you will question if this hike was a good idea. Just remember to go slow, inhale deeply and stop when you need to catch your breath.
If you decide to visit Palccoyo, I suggest acclimating in Cusco for at least 2 full days. Your lungs and body will thank you.
The Best Way to Get to Palccoyo
As with most day trips in Cusco, the most popular way to get to Palccoyo Rainbow Mountain is with a tour group. I booked this Palccoyo day trip through GetYourGuide. It only cost $40 and included a professional guide, hotel pick-up and drop off as well as breakfast and lunch. The entrance fee to Palccoyo wasn’t included, which cost an additional 15 soles.
This day trip also included a stop at the Checacupe bridge, an Inca suspension bridge that dates back to the 1400s. Like the Rainbow Mountain entrance fee, you had to pay an additional 10 soles to walk across it. (I heard some other guests on the tour complain about this stop. I thought it was cool.)
We had breakfast and lunch at Casa Ausangate. The vegan options were minimal for both breakfast and lunch. It also didn’t help that a lot of the food wasn’t labeled, and I wasn’t going to risk getting the trots mid-hike. This is exactly why I pack snacks.
Compared to other Palccoyo tours, this one was a bargain. I originally tried to book with another company that charged double. (If you’re traveling solo, most tour groups need 2 people to confirm the trip. You can always book a private tour, but they’re expensive.)
Our guide was not only friendly, but he did a great job telling us the history of the area and keeping us informed. He also made sure everyone felt OK during the hike.
In case you’re curious, here’s a complete itinerary for this guided Palccoyo day trip:
4:35 – Hotel pick-up
6:30 – Breakfast
7:30 – Checacupe Bridge
9:30 – Arrive at Palccoyo
9:45-11:45 – Hiking (we reached the top by 10:30)
1:00 – Lunch
2:00-4:30 – Drive back to Cusco
Palccoyo Tip
If you get car sick, bring motion sickness medication. The alpaca-lined roads that go through the Palccoyo community are very bumpy and feature a lot of switchbacks.
What to Wear to Palccoyo
If you plan to visit Palccoyo Rainbow Mountain, dress for any kind of weather. I went in mid-October and it snowed. I’m not talking about a light dusting of snow either. Thankfully it wasn’t too windy, but wearing layers and having warm accessories helped.
Even if snow isn’t in the forecast, the weather is much cooler at high altitudes. At the very least you should wear:
- Hiking boots or hiking shoes
- Puffer jacket or water-resistant jacket
- Sun hat or beanie
- Scarf and gloves
- Sunglasses
- Sunscreen
You’ll also want to bring a camera, Soles (for the entry fee, bridge and bathroom) lip balm, toilet paper, water and snacks.
For a complete list of what to pack for Peru, especially if you’re planning a trip in October, check out my 2-week Peru packing list.
Palccoyo Rainbow Mountains FAQs
You’ve got questions? I’ve got answers! Here’s what I wish I knew before I visited the Alternative Rainbow Mountain.
Are there bathrooms at Palccoyo?
Yes! And they’re nice ones (by Peruvian standards). The bathrooms are located at the base of the stairs before you start your ascent. The lady tried to stop me to pay for toilet paper, but I brought my own. There are no other bathrooms after that, so plan accordingly.
Are drones allowed at Palccoyo?
Yes, you can fly a drone at Palccoyo, but you have to pay a fee of 50 soles. Once you pay the fee at the base of the stairs (next to the bathroom), you will receive a voucher showing that you paid. Hold on to it! My tour guide told me not to lose it because people will ask for it if they see you flying a drone. (I brought my drone, and paid the fee. But because it was snowing, I didn’t want to risk crashing it.)
When’s the best time to visit Palccoyo?
If you want the best views, you want to go when there is minimal cloud cover. I found this Palccoyo weather forecast site during my research and it helped me decide which day to go.
That being said, weather is going to weather, especially in Cusco. I knew that there wasn’t going to be clear skies when I hiked Palccoyo. And despite the surprise snow dump, I’m still glad I did it.
Where to Stay in Cusco
As a solo traveler, the #1 thing I look for when booking a hotel is safety. I know I’ll always be in good hands at Marriott properties, which is why I booked the JW Marriott El Convento.
All of the day trips I booked, including this Palccoyo day trip, departed before the sun came up in the morning. And getting into a large van with a bunch of strangers that early can be a little unsettling in a foreign country. The JW Marriott El Convento always had staff in the lobby and common areas, which made me feel at ease.
The other thing I look for when booking a hotel is location. The JW Marriott El Convento is right in the middle of Cusco, and is in the pick-up area for 99% of all day trips and guided tours.
And the rooms? Absolutely luxurious. Every night I melted into the bed, never once waking up because the hotel was so quiet. I definitely took advantage of the large tub and pink bath salts from the Maras Salt Mines. It felt great to soak in a hot bath after a long day hiking in the cold.
So if you’re looking for the best hotel in Cusco, you can’t go wrong with the JW Marriott El Convento.
Is Palccoyo Rainbow Mountain Worth It?
No surprise here, but I would say yes! If you want a less demanding hike than Rainbow Mountain with a lot less crowds, you should add Palccoyo to your Cusco itinerary.
