Home » Adventure Tours » Private Tour: Palcoyo Rainbow Mountain from Cusco: Unforgettable Palcoyo Experience
Discover the perfect tour from Cusco with our Private Tour to Palcoyo Rainbow Mountain. Located at 4,900 meters (16,076 feet) above sea level with a distance of 3.5 hours from Cusco, Palcoyo offers an impressive but gentle alternative for everybody. It offers an easy 1-hour hike, this excursion is ideal for all fitness levels. Enjoy the peace of nature without the crowds, privately guided and comfortable. Palcoyo is the ultimate scenic getaway in the high Andes of Peru.
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Looking for a day hike in the Andes without the crowds? Our private tour to Palcoyo Rainbow Mountain from Cusco offers a quiet, off-the-beaten-path alternative to the popular Vinicunca or Classic Rainbow Mountain hike. With three rainbow-colored mountains, panoramic views of the Ausangate Glacier and a gentle trail for all ages.
Book your private Palcoyo tour now and hike at your own pace!
Are you ready for a mind-blowing adventure that will take your breath away? Book your unforgettable experience with us and embark on a day-long journey that will leave an indelible mark on your soul.
The Rainbow Mountain of Palcoyo is a visual masterpiece located at (16,076 ft / 4900 masl.) in the Peruvian Andes. Its distinct geological formations create a unique landscape of layered mountains adorned with streaks of reds, yellows, greens and blues. Unlike the classic Rainbow Mountain, the Palcoyo Rainbow Mountain hike offers a more accessible hiking experience, making it a more accessible hike for a wider range of travelers with a shorter and less demanding hike. Along the way, you will have the chance to immerse yourself into the vibrant local culture.
Our carefully crafted tour offers an opportunity like no other to witness a breathtaking spectacle of colors that will leave you spellbound. Whether you are an experienced trekker or a casual traveler, our Palcoyo Mountain Rainbow hike is for people of all fitness levels. Our day trip to Palcoyo includes comfortable transportation, expert guides and a carefully designed itinerary to optimize your experience.

Palcoyo Rainbow Mountain Hike
Your Palcoyo adventure begins with an early pick-up at the hotel in Cusco. Around 4:00 a.m., you will board our private transportation exclusively for you and your group (family, friends etc). Our team will provide you with a blanket to keep you warm during the drive. Leaving Cusco, we head to our breakfast spot, where a hearty buffet awaits to fuel us for the upcoming trek.
After enjoying a delicious breakfast at a local restaurant, our journey continues as we embark on a scenic drive of approximately 1.5 hours. This scenic drive will take us through the breathtaking landscapes of the Andean highlands, offering beautiful vistas of the red valleys along the way. Upon getting to the starting point of the hike, we will get out of the vehicle and get ready for the real adventure that awaits us.
The Palcoyo hike is generally considered to be of moderate difficulty. Although the trail is relatively well-defined and not overly steep, visitors should be prepared for some uphill sections. The altitude of Palcoyo Rainbow Mountain, sits at about 4,900 meters (16,076 feet) above sea level, this may make things difficult specially for some visitors, who are not acclimated to fully high altitudes. To minimize the risk of altitude sickness, it is essential to pace yourself, hydrate and listen to your body during the hike.
This experience is only a 2 hour round trip hike (it covers a distance of approximately 5 kilometers (3.1 miles)) and has multiple overlooks where you can see several rainbow mountains. The elevation goes from 4326m/14,189ft to 5000m/16400ft. The duration of the trek may vary depending on some factors such as the pace, breaks and time spent exploring the area.
For the best experience, plan your visit to Palccoyo Mountain during dry season in Cusco, which runs from April to October. Peak tourist activity usually occurs in June, July and August. Therefore, the low seasons of the dry season offer ideal conditions for exploration. Although visiting Palcoyo during the dry season, it is advisable to carry a raincoat due to the unpredictable weather conditions in the high altitude areas in Cusco.
Breathtaking panoramic views of multiple colorful mountains.
Less crowds than on the classic Rainbow Mountain hike
Diverse landscapes with a variety of vibrant colors and geological formations.
The route is accessible for hikers of all levels, with a moderate degree of difficulty.
Enriching cultural experiences, with expert local guides.
Photographic opportunities are abundant, capturing the natural beauty of landscapes.
This day trip to Placoyo’s Rainbow Mountain is an extraordinary opportunity to admire one of nature’s greatest masterpieces. Here is our plan, check it out carefully if you have any doubt please contact us at info@comeseeperutours.com.
You will be picked up from your hotel in Cusco at approximately 4 am. You will be further informed about the pick-up time during the briefing the night before the tour.
We begin the day with a delicious breakfast, which will energize us for the exciting journey ahead. From there, we will embark on a scenic drive, passing through Pitumarka, as we make our way to the Palcoyo Rainbow Mountain.
Upon arrival at Palcoyo Rainbow Mountain, prepare to be mesmerized by the breathtaking views that await you. This hidden gem offers a magnificent display of natural beauty, with vibrant layers of jaw-dropping colors.
After enjoying the majestic Palcoyo Rainbow Mountain, we will drive back to the lunch place.
Finally we will return to Cusco in a 2 hour drive, you will be dropped off at your hotel in Cusco at approximately 3 pm.
Our Palcoyo Rainbow Mountain itinerary offers a breathtaking adventure that will take you to one of Peru’s most impressive natural wonders. The itinerary includes a comfortable transportation service from Cusco, a scenic drive through the South Valley and plenty of time to enjoy the impressive views of Palcoyo. Get ready for a memorable adventure that highlights the beauty of Palcoyo’s Rainbow Mountain!
Our tour to Palcoyo starts with an early pick up from your hotel in Cusco. As we set off, prepare to enjoy a scenic drive through Cusco’s picturesque Southern Valley, driving though Cusco-Puno highway. Along the way, you will be captivated by the charm of numerous colonial towns that dot the landscape.
Once in Cusipata, we will have a delicious breakfast before reaching Palcoyo. After breakfast we will take a detour onto a dirt road, where we will drive for about 1 hour in our private transportation until we reach the trailhead for the trek to Palccoyo (4,900 meters/ 16,076 feet). Leaving our tranport behind, we’ll embark on an hour trek to Palcoyo through the impressive Peruvian Andes landscapes.
You will have an optional extra hike through the Palccoyo Rock Forest, in case you wish to explore more thoroughly. This is a great opportunity to get more classic photos of Palccoyo, and enjoy all that Mother Nature has to offer.
After enjoying Palcoyo’s fascinating scenery and taking many photos, we will head back to the local restaurant for a delicious buffet lunch.
After enjoying Palcoyo’s fascinating scenery and taking many photos, we will head back to the local restaurant for a delicious buffet lunch.
We will then return to Cusco, where you will be dropped off at your hotel around 3 pm.
Easy / Beginner
According to our itinerary our tour to Palcoyo starts at 4 am from Cusco, however as this is a private tour you can modify the starting time. We start early to arrive before everyone else and have the scenery all to ourselves. If you wish to leave earlier or later please contact us.
Don’t forget to pack light and take only what you need to enjoy a comfortable and pleasant hike to Palcoyo’s Rainbow Mountain. Here’s a list of essentials to bring for your Palcoyo Rainbow Mountain tour:
Extra items to consider:
This private tour is priced per person, with reduced rates for large groups. (the more participants in your group the less you pay). Secure your place with a $30, paying the rest in cash on the day of the tour.
Will was our guide and he was wonderful! The tour was everything we hoped for. The day was filled with so much and Will made sure we were having the best time we could. Ask for Will- he was wonderful!
My sister and I were referred to Come See Peru from a friend, and we are so grateful for the referral. We did the Sacred Valley Cultural Experience. Carlos (our guide) and Michael (our driver) were knowledgeable, flexible, and fun!
Here are a few specific aspects that I would like to mention:
1. Flexible. We really appreciated the flexibility that we were afforded. We did our half day Sacred Valley trip in between accommodation switches. So we were picked up in Ollantaytambo and dropped off in Cusco. Additionally, we had to be picked up a bit later than the original start time, and Carlos and Michael were happy to accommodate.
2. Informative. Carlos expertly led us around the three sites we visited (Ollantaytambo ruins, The Salt Mines, The ruins of Moray). He actually took us in an order that allowed for there to be less tourists when we were present, which was really nice. He provided us with historical context and answered all of our questions.
3. Patient. Carlos and Michael gave us time to sit in the beauty that is these amazing locations. Carlos is a wonderful photographer as well and offered to take our picture at some really neat places in each location. When we did the Chicha tasting and salt demonstration, they waited while we shopped. We never felt rushed, which we appreciated.
4. Fun! Overall, we had a really good time with Carlos and Michael. We chatted and laughed about all sorts of things. We appreciated the private tour aspect so we could really go at our own flow and connect and just enjoy.
Thank you Carlos and Michael for a lovely exploration of the Sacred Valley! You will be at the top of our list when we return to see Pisac and Chinchero!
Wow! I booked a customizable 2-day tour to include all of the main Sacred Valley sights because I wanted to start the first day in Cusco and end in Ollantaytambo and use the tour as transportation as well. Come See Peru was so easy to work with, communicating extremely quickly via WhatsApp to design my perfect itinerary. They also suggested some stops that I did not know about.
Our guide Ruben was positively incredible and really made this tour amazing. He presented the history, culture, geography, & food information in such a compelling way! We learned SO MUCH because he is an incredible storyteller. None of the main sites (moray, maras, ollantaytambo, etc) have much signage and we wouldn’t have been able to appreciate them half as well without Ruben. He was also an amazing photographer, always choosing the best locations to take photos of my husband and I.
The vehicle was a comfortable van, which was private, and we had a driver who dropped off and picked up whenever we needed and also stayed with our luggage the day that it was in the car.
Overall, the price was fair for the value received and I would definitely recommend reaching out to Come See Peru to build a customized tour for your trip to the Sacred Valley!
My wife, and I actually took three tours in three dayswith Come See Peru. This were for Machu Picchu, Pisac / Llama farm and the half-day tour on the outskirts of Cusco. The company provided excellent tour guides and took care of every detail, so that our tours were totally stressed free.
Free cancellation up to 48 hours before the start of the activity. If you cancel less than this time or do not show up, you will not be refunded.
Come See Peru has earned TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence for consistently receiving 5-star reviews of our tours in Cusco, Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu tours. This recognition highlights our exceptional service and dedicated attention to our clients.
Posted on Heather RVerified Stunning Sacred Valley We had an outstanding time in our private tour with Carlos and Michael. Better than expected. Beautiful county and they took great care of us! Sacred Valley is a must!Posted on Teri GVerified Sacred Valley Lovely Day Will was our guide and he was wonderful! The tour was everything we hoped for. The day was filled with so much and Will made sure we were having the best time we could. Ask for Will- he was wonderful!Posted on Jaydina BVerified Been on many tours, would have to say this tour was one of best tours that we’ve been on for the last 25 years This company was quick to respond on setting up our tour to sacred valley from Ollantaytambo. The expert guide Carlos who accompanied us was outstanding informative, and entertaining. He knew his history and answered all of our questions on the ruins we visited. He brought us to the perfect spots for taking pictures and making our videos. The itinerary was very well thought out. Their attention to detail is second to none. I would highly recommend this company to anyone wanting an educational and fun tour. they will deliver! I would also like to add that I forgot my camera in the tours car. They found it and returned it back to me at my hotel.Posted on Marcelo CVerified Great Day Tour of Sacred Valley Scheduling the tour on-line was very easy. Communication from tour coordinator was excellent, he helped us plan an extended tour for the day out of Cusco. Our driver and tour guide were great. We had a wonderful day touring around, seeing the sites, learning the history of the area and stopping to get a local drink and purchase some nice souvenirs. I will recommend this tour group to my friends and family.Posted on Ginette PVerified Wonderful half-day tour from Ollantaytambo! Our half-day tour of the Moray Ruins & Salt Flats was amazing. From the time of booking to the completion of our tour, the communication was great. We were picked up at our hotel punctually as discussed (and dropped off afterwards within the timeframe). From there, Carlos our guide provided us with a lot of interesting information and was always willing to take pictures of us or even make extra stops so that we can capture the beautiful landscapes around us. Enough time was allowed at every stop which was much appreciated. Our driver Christobal also assured that we were safe with his great driving skills. But the thing we appreciated the most was that the tour was available from Ollantaytambo (shorter drive than from Cusco) and that we were able to only have our small family group of 4 people for the tour. We would definitely recommend this tour to others.GinettePosted on Sun-Woong KVerified Get Carlos and Rene! Great experience Carlos was an exceptional tour guide with great insight, great English, and very accommodating. Also gave us tips for our other destinations. Tour was informative, not intense walk, and facts were fun. He recommended a great restaurant too which we all enjoyed. Would definitely recommend. Rene was the driver, ride was smooth, efficient, and he was very helpful with luggage.Posted on DubaigatewaysVerified Excellent Pisac guide and tour. A very entertaining and comprehensive tour ( from Cusco to Pisac to Ollantaytambo) excellently delivered by our guide Carlos. A fabulous day, and we cannot recommend him more highly!Posted on Judy HVerified Outstanding tour. Don't miss learning more about Sacred Valley with a pro guide/driver This was our second half-day tour with our guide Carlos and his sidekick (driver) Rene, who was an expert navigator through some very narrow roadways and along mountain trails. On this day we visited the ruins of Olantaytambo, Pisac, and the Pisac market. As we were passing through Calca, the town famous for cuy, Carlos allowed us to detour so that we could taste it in the most local restaurants where it is made traditionally. We were so grateful to have this experience, which for sure you would miss on a group tour. We are staying in Ollantaytambo, and while we could possibly have visited these ruins on our own, we would have missed so many nuances and history that only a seasoned guide like Carlos could give us. We were thrilled for everything we learned and saw here. I almost felt like nothing could have been better, but the Pisac ruins also are outstanding. Carlos taught us about the architecture and is a great storyteller about so many things we would have glossed over. He pointed out so much valuable information to us that we would have lost with a group tour or self-exploration. Also, you have to do a bit of climbing, and it was helpful to have Carlos's steady hand a time or two during the descent. HIGHLY recommend Come See Peru Tours if you really want to understand about these historic places, the culture of the people, and so much more. We are so glad we added these stops in Sacred Valley to our itinerary. We know they will enhance our time when we get to Machu Picchu.Posted on Judy HVerified Do this tour with Come See Peru Tours! Such a worthwhile experience! Our tour was from Ollantaytambo, not Urubamba, but Carlos (guide) and Rene (driver) provided an outstanding experience. We highly recommend you spend a few days acclimating in Sacred Valley and include the Moray ruins and salt flats on your itinerary. Carlos's English was impeccable and his knowledge of the ruins, the salt flats, and all the areas we were driving through—and more—is vast. We had two smaller stops throughout the day including for some local chocolate and vanilla bread, which was very delicious and also a visit to sample chicha and also learn all about how it is made, we tasted some delicious Peruvian chocolates that were enhanced with salt from Maras along with a few other salted seasoning mixes, which was actually a fun and interesting experience. There is so much more to Peru than Machu Picchu (although we certainly are including that in our trip). But understanding Sacred Valley really is enhancing our trip, and visiting from Ollantaytambo also means that we also were the first to arrive at the salt mines before all the visitors arriving from Cusco, which made our picture taking experience much better! We highly recommend Come See Peru if you are looking for an excellent and rich experience.Posted on Jason SVerified Exceeded Expectations The entire team exceeded our expectations from start to finish. Julio, Renee, Rose, and Rebecca are the best. Detail orientedFriendlyAccommodating ProfessionalThere are many controls in place to keep Machu Picchu special. This team navigated us through them with ease. The tour itself was amazing, and we learned a lot about the Inca civilization. It was truly a once in a lifetime experience. Thank you team. -Jason Sheffey-United StatesVerified by TrustindexTrustindex verified badge is the Universal Symbol of Trust. Only the greatest companies can get the verified badge who has a review score above 4.5, based on customer reviews over the past 12 months. Read more
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