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Palccoyo mountain of colors
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Palcoyo Rainbow Mountain: tours, price and more

Have you ever heard of the Vinicunca, also called the Mountain of 7 Colors? This natural attraction located in Cusco grows in popularity every day. Today, there is another similar attraction called the Palcoyo Rainbow Mountain. What will you find in this tourist attraction? Learn more about this new attraction in the Peruvian Andes.


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Palcoyo
Palcoyo Rainbow Mountain

Palcoyo Rainbow Mountain: what is it?, where is it? and how to get there?

  • What is the Mountain of Colors of Palcoyo?

    The Palcoyo Mountain of Colors is a set of summits dyed in colors similar to Vinicunca (Rainbow Mountain), due to a mineralization process over millions of years.

The Mountain of the Seven Colors of Palcoyo is a great option if you don’t feel fit to take long walks but want to appreciate incredible landscapes. Unlike the route to Vinicunca, the walk is easy (only 30 minutes on flat roads). The visit to Palcoyo is allowed for people of any age: from children to the elderly. Older adults are advised not to have heart health problems.

  • What is the difference between the Vinicunca and the Rainbow Mountain of Palcoyo?

    Unlike the Vinicunca, the Palcoyo Rainbow Mountain is a little-known attraction and still receives few visitors per day. The way to get there is much easier because it includes a walk of only 1 hour. From its top you can see the snow-capped Ausangate like nowhere else. In addition, there is a stone forest and a unique landscape around.

    DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE MOUNTAIN OF THE 7 COLORS OF VINICUNCA AND PALCOYO
    DifferencesPalcoyo MountainVinicunca Mountain
    AttractionsMountain of the 7 Colors of Palcoyo.Mountain of the 7 Vinicunca Colors.
    Altitude4,900 m.s.n.m.5,200 m.s.n.m.
    DifficultyEasyDifficult
    Walking time1 hour (2 kilometers).3 hours (5 kilometers).
    Do you need a horse?NoYes (optional)
    Start of the tour4 in the morning7 in the morning
    End of tour6 p.m.6 p.m.
    Number of visitorsQuite a fewFew
    WeatherColdCold

  • Where it is located?

    The Mountain of Colors of Palcoyo is located south of Cusco, a short distance from the Ausangate mountain, in the Andes Mountains of Peru. It is currently located in the district of Checacupe, province of Canchis.

  • Location map


Route Cusco - Hidroelectrica

  • At what altitude is the Mountain of Colors of Palcoyo?

    Palcoyo is located at 4,900 meters above sea level (m.s.n.m.), 300 meters lower than the Mountain of the 7 Colors Vinicunca (5,200 m.s.n.m.).

  • How to get?

    The Cerro Colorado de Palcoyo is located almost 100 kilometers from the city of Cusco. To get there, you must follow the following route:

    • Travel by bus from the city of Cusco to the town of Checacupe (2 hours).
    • Trip from Checacupe to the town of Palcoyo. (30 minutes).
    • Walk from the town of Palcoyo to the Mountain of Colors of Palcoyo (1 hour).

Mountain of the Seven Colors of Palcoyo: tours and prices

  • Tours to the Mountain of Colors of Palcoyo

    The best way to get to the Rainbow Mountain in Palcoyo is with a tour through a tourism agency. The most usual services are those that last 1 full day (full day) and can be hired in the Historic Center of Cusco

    The weather in Palcoyo is cold with temperatures that, during the day (tourist visit), can reach a maximum of 19ºC. and a minimum of 5ºC. At all times there are currents of wind that cool the hands and face (recommended to wear gloves). Any day of the year, especially in January, February and March, rain and snow can cause the mountains to wake up covered in snow. For this reason, most tourists prefer to visit from April to October, when the rains are less frequent.

  • How much does a tour to the Rainbow Mountain of Palcoyo cost?

    The tour to Cerro Colorado de Palcoyo costs 30 to 50 dollars (USD). The price varies according to each travel agency and the quality of the service they provide.

  • How to visit the Mountain of Colors of Palcoyo without a tour?

    Visiting Cerro Colorado is also possible without a tour. To do this, you only have to make the trip on your own to the town of Checacupe. From there you can buy the entrance tickets directly. The visit without a tour is without a tour guide.

  • How much does the entrance ticket to the Rainbow Mountain of Palcoyo cost?

    To visit Cerro Colorado on your own, you must purchase the entrance ticket in the town of Palcoyo. The cost for foreigners is 10 soles (3 dollars). National tourists pay 5 soles (2 dollars).

  • What does a tour to the Rainbow Mountain of Palcoyo include?

    The tours to Cerro Colorado vary according to the tourism agency. In general, the tours include the following:

    • Tourist transport from Cusco to Cerro Colorado and vice versa.
    • Tour guide service.
    • Entrance to the Rainbow Mountain of Palcoyo and the surrounding attractions.
    • Lunch.
    • First aid implements.

  • What to take on a tour to the Palcoyo?

    To visit the Mountain of Colors in Palcoyo, it is advisable to bring the appropriate utensils to combat the heat during the day and the cold at sunset:

    • Cap and hat.
    • Sunscreen
    • Water.
    • Rain poncho (in case it rains).
    • Trekking sticks.
    • Ideal shoes for hiking.
    • Gloves and sunglasses.
    • Waterproof warm clothing.
    • Snacks.
    • Backpack ideal for trekking.


Mountain of the Seven Colors of Palcoyo: weather, schedules and tips

  • What is the weather like in the Rainbow Mountain of Palcoyo?

    The Palcoyo mountain has a cold climate due to its proximity to the snowy Ausangate. The temperature can drop below 0ºC. That is why, at certain times of the year, the slopes are covered with snow.

  • What to see in the Palcoyo mountain?

    In addition to being a natural attraction of incomparable beauty, the Mountain of Seven Colors is the natural habitat of various types of animals such as llamas, alpacas, vizcachas, condors, and more. On the route that connects Cerro Colorado there is a stone forest formed naturally millions of years ago. From there you can see up close the beauty of the snowy Ausangate, the largest in Cusco.

  • What is the entry time?

    Due to the cold weather, visits to the Rainbow Mountain in Palcoyo are only in the morning and part of the afternoon. Hours of operation are from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. to 3 p.m.

  • When is the best time to visit the mountain?

    The best time to visit the Palcoyo Rainbow Mountain is during the dry season (April to October). In those months, rains occur much less frequently, making the excursion easy.

  • Tips for traveling to the Rainbow Mountain of Palcoyo

    • It is recommended to acclimatize to the climate of Cusco before visiting the Mountain of Palcoyo .Otherwise, the visitor may suffer from the so-called altitude sickness.
    • This mountain is a tourist attraction that receives few visitors each day. It is recommended to follow the indicated route and avoid looking for a different path.
    • It is advisable to find out how the weather is in Palcoyo before booking a tour to the Mountain of 7 Colors. The cold can cause the entire enclosure to be covered in snow and ruin the tour.
    • The trekking route up this mountain is not as challenging as the Vinicunca. That is why the Palcoyo is a great option for people who do not feel capable of making the difficult trek to the Mountain of 7 Colors.


Photos Mountain of Colors Palcoyo


Palcoyo View

Palcoyo Viewpoint

Palcoyo Souvenir Photo

Palcoyo Red Valley

Palcoyo Road

Palcoyo Stone Forest

Palcoyo Llama stone

Questions and answers about the Mountain of Colors of Palcoyo

  1. What is Palcoyo?
    Palcoyo is a set of three mountains made up of different shades of colors as a result of the minerals in its soil. It has a resemblance to the famous mountain of the 7 colors, the Vinicunca.

  2. What other tourist attractions to see on the trip to Palcoyo?
    During the tour, in addition to the Rainbow Mountain of Palcoyo, you can visit the stone forest and the Inca bridge of Checacupe.

  3. How to get to Palcoyo from the city of Cusco?
    Palcoyo is approximately 125 kilometers from the city of Cusco. If you travel with a tour, the transportation will take you directly there (to the community of Palcoyo). If you are traveling on your own, you must take the southern highway to the Combapata turnoff. Then continue along the trail to the community of Palcoyo (3 hour 30 minute trip in total).

  4. How much does a tour to Palcoyo cost?
    The tour to Palcoyo has the same cost as the tour to the Vinicunca 7 Colors Mountain. The cost varies depending on the tourism agency you choose. It ranges from 30 to 50 dollars (USD) per tourist.

  5. Is the walk to Palcoyo difficult?
    No, the walk to Palcoyo is easy. The tour is 30 to 40 minutes, depending on the physical capacity of the visitor. The roads are flat. The only difficulty is the altitude of approximately 4,900 masl.

  6. When is the best time to visit Palcoyo?
    Palcoyo is open every day of the year. Any day is a good time to go. However, most tourists prefer to go from April to October, when the rains are less constant. These can cause the place to wake up covered in snow (preventing you from appreciating the beautiful landscape of colors).

  7. At what altitude is Palcoyo?
    The top of the Palcoyo Rainbow Mountain is at an average altitude of 4,900 meters above sea level.

Advice from people who have been there

Palcoyo

Carlos Y. By: Carlos Y.

“I recommend going with a good guide.“

“I am 60 years old and I did not think that I would be able to see this beautiful landscape. My advice is to use the trekking poles which really help during the only 1 hour walk. Palcoyo is beautiful!“


 

By Ticket Machu Picchu – Last updated, August 15, 2024

 

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