What is Palcoyo and why is it a good alternative?
Palcoyo Mountain, also known as Palccoyo Rainbow Mountain, is a lesser-known alternative to Vinicunca, but with a wilder and more authentic essence. It's located in the Vilcanota mountain range, very close to the Red Valley, and surrounded by a landscape that looks hand-painted.
Many call it Vinicunca's "little brother," or simply the alternative rainbow mountain, and for good reason: here you don't have to fight for a spot for the photo, because there's space, freedom, and fresh air.
Unlike the traditional route, Palcoyo is much more accessible and body-friendly, thanks to its lower altitude and easy terrain to navigate. Instead of one mountain, here you'll find three colorful hills, and as soon as you set foot on the trail, you'll already be immersed in breathtaking landscapes (and not because of the altitude).
During the journey you'll also see alpacas grazing peacefully, a stone forest with unusual shapes that seem taken from Mars, and if you're lucky, a distant view of the majestic Ausangate watching from above.
Where is Palcoyo Mountain located?
Palcoyo is located in the district of Pitumarca, about 150 kilometers southeast of Cusco, and getting there is a little adventure in itself: the car journey takes about 3 hours, crossing deep valleys, Andean villages, and roads that seem forgotten by time.
Upon arrival, a short, picturesque walk full of surprises awaits you. Here you don't need to be an athlete. The trail is accessible, panoramic, and relaxed, perfect for enjoying the landscape without rush, without pressure, and with all the freedom in the world.
Key trekking data:
Altitude: 4,900 meters (16,070 feet)
Walk duration: Approximately 2 hours (round trip)
Difficulty: Moderate
How is Palcoyo different from Rainbow Mountain?
🧘♂️ Palcoyo - Peaceful
Space for everyone, without crowds
😰 Vinicunca - Crowded
Full of people, especially in high season
Lower altitude, less effort
Palcoyo is lower than Vinicunca, and that completely changes the experience. While Vinicunca demands a hard walk and a final climb that takes your breath away (literally), in Palcoyo the transport leaves you near the viewpoint, and from there you only have to walk through gentle hills surrounded by colors.
Vinicunca: 5,100 m
Palcoyo:
4,900 m
Three colored mountains instead of one
Here you don't come just to see one rainbow mountain, but three hills colored by natural minerals. The first is the largest and most striking, and a few minutes away two smaller ones await you, but equally fascinating.
Fewer people, more calm
This is the strong point: tranquility. In Palcoyo there's no single crowded viewpoint. Here you can walk freely, choose your favorite angle, take your time, and enjoy in silence. No pushing, no noise. Just you and the landscape.
The stone forest and the view of Ausangate
During the walk you can also venture towards a stone forest with pointed and elongated formations, which look like alien sculptures. And if the day is clear, from the top you can see Ausangate in the distance, one of the most sacred mountains of the Andes.
How to get to Palcoyo Mountain
🚐 With tour (the most comfortable way)
Most tours leave early, with pickups between 4:30 and 5:00 a.m. The journey takes 3 hours, with a stop for breakfast in towns like Cusipata or Checacupe.
Upon arrival, the guide gives you an explanation of the place and accompanies you during the walk. Unlike Vinicunca, groups are usually small and quieter. At the end, you have lunch with the group before returning to Cusco.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Departure | 4:30–5:00 a.m. |
| Return | 5:00 p.m. approx. |
| Group tour | 80 USD |
| Private tour | 200 USD |
💡 Check the tour details carefully: some agencies don't include breakfast or entrance fee.
🧭 On your own (more adventurous)
You can also get there on your own, although it requires a bit more planning. There's no direct public transport, so you'll have to arrange your own logistics:
• Take a collective from Cusco to Checacupe.
• From there, get a taxi or local transport to the trailhead (where the tours go).
• You can stop for breakfast in Cusipata or Checacupe.
💰 If you prefer comfort, you can rent a private van from Cusco for about 450–500 soles (~120 USD).
🎒 This option is perfect if you like to move at your own pace.
What to see in Palcoyo?
🥾 The hike
From the first step you're surrounded by spectacular landscapes. Unlike other routes, you don't need to walk for hours to see something beautiful. In just a few minutes you're facing the first colored hill. And from then on, the path only gets better.
There are no steep slopes or technical sections. Just gentle, panoramic trails where you can advance at your pace, stop to take photos, breathe deeply, and simply enjoy being there.
In total, the hike takes between 1 to 2 hours, depending on your pace and how much you explore.
🌋 The stone forest
After touring the mountains, you can continue upward to see the Stone Forest. It's a less visited part, but incredible.
These rock formations look like natural sculptures, pointed and silent, in the middle of a reddish earth that seems from another planet. From there, you have an impressive panoramic view.
📍 The return to the start from the forest takes about 40 minutes. Some tours include a picnic, but still bring something to eat and plenty of water.
🦙 The alpacas
Palcoyo wouldn't be the same without the alpacas. They're all along the path, peaceful, grazing as if stress didn't exist. Sometimes they're accompanied by local community members, who don't pressure you to pay for a photo.
Many adorn their animals with ribbons and handmade colorful textiles. If you take a photo with one of them, you'll do it with a genuine smile and without rush.
Best time to visit Palcoyo Rainbow Mountain
The best season is during the dry season (May to October). The skies are usually clearer, the colors more intense, and the weather more stable.
☀️ Dry Season (May-Oct)
Vibrant colors and clear skies
🌨️ Rainy Season (Jan-Mar)
Winter beauty but fewer colors
Avoid traveling between January and March:
• Heavy rains
• Slippery trails
• Cloudy skies or hills covered in snow
❄️ Sometimes snow covers the area, and although the colors disappear, the landscape's beauty is completely transformed.
Tips for your Palcoyo adventure
🎒 What to bring:
✅ Recommendations:
• Check the weather the day before
• Book with a reliable agency
• Leave early to enjoy the landscape with better light
• Bring a camera or phone with good battery: you'll want lots of photos
Is it worth visiting Palcoyo?
Yes! And not only is it worth it. It's worth the trip, the effort, and every minute of the day. If you're looking for an authentic adventure, without rush or crowds, surrounded by landscapes that seem taken from a painting... Palcoyo is for you.
I loved it more than Vinicunca. Because I walked without pressure, because I breathed better, because I took my time. And because, in that colorful corner of the Andes, I felt like the mountain was just for me.