Excursion to Rainbow Mountain Palcoyo from Cusco
Recommended by 92% of travelers
Badge of Excellence
Cusco, Peru
- 13 hours (approx.)
- Pickup offered
- Group discounts
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
Explore our promoted experiences
Overview
Opt for a less strenuous alternative to Vinicunca on a day trip to Palyoco, a 7-colored peak that provides exceptional photo opportunities, from Cusco. Rather than having to trek for five hours, you’ll take a short 1-hour walk before enjoying views of the Rainbow Mountain—plus, you’ll hike at a more relaxed pace in a small group limited to 15 people.
- Enjoy a more gentle hike than traditional treks on a day trip to Palyoco from Cusco
- Your guide leads the way so you don't have to navigate
- Let someone else take the wheel so you can enjoy the stunning Cusco scenery
- Stress-free hotel pickup and drop-off are included
What's Included
- Pick up from the Hotel city center
- Professional tour guide (ENG/ESP)
- walk sticks
- oxygen assistance
- Air-conditioned vehicle
- Lunch
- Breakfast
- horses rent
- Meals not mentioned
- Entrance
- Gratuities
Meeting and Pickup
Pickup points
Select a pickup point
Pickup details
Pick up from the hotel. in the city center
Itinerary
Cusco (Pass By)
1
Palccoyo Rainbow Mountain
4 hours • Admission Ticket Not Included
Cusco (Pass By)
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Not recommended for travelers with back problems
- No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level
- Vegetarian option is available, please advise at time of booking if required
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 15 travelers
Supplied by
Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Featured review
CLAREANN_J
Spectacular scenery and a great guide. Well worth the money and much quieter than Vinicuna (the original rainbow mountain). I would definitely recommend
Reviews
4.7
based on 186 reviews
Sort by: Most insightful
Ales_S, Mar 2026
Alex took care for our well beeing, he is very attentitive. I liked that he was talking slowly and I could understand everything he said.
Breakfast and lunch were buffet style, tasty and plenty.
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Thank you very much for sharing your experience! We’re very happy to hear that Alex took great care of your well-being and that his explanations were clear and easy to understand.
It’s also wonderful to know that you enjoyed the buffet-style breakfast and lunch and found the food tasty and plentiful.
Nynne_R, Nov 2025
Nice trip to the lesser known but equally spectacular (if not more) rainbow mountains. Only negative feedback is will give is that the trip promised to pick us up at our hotel and told us the evening in advance that we had to meet them somewhere else. This was poorly managed and at 4.30 in the morning you dont want to be running around trying to find out which bus is yours. Other than that, good value for money.
Clemence_C, Oct 2025
Pick started later than expected! Communications about the delay wasn’t great as the person texted did not speak English, I had people from my hotel called few times to get information on what time I ll get picked up as they were late and did not communicate first.
It is a very long ride to the mountain, breakfast was included and standard.
When we arrived the mountain was covered of snow, we still hike it, but rainbow color couldn’t been seen, I wish they would have mentioned it or give option to rebook for another day if cover of snow.
Once we arrived at the mountain, 5 or 6 others tour group were there, everyone hikes together, all group got mixed up and climb at there own pace.
Our guide was really accommodating and kind, because of the snow, we asked if we could make a stop in the way back to a very nice spot we saw to get other kind of picture with lamas, and they did it. We were the only group that stopped and were able to make picture with lamas.
CLAREANN_J, Aug 2025
Spectacular scenery and a great guide. Well worth the money and much quieter than Vinicuna (the original rainbow mountain). I would definitely recommend
Emmanuel_H, Aug 2025
In fact, it was a very disappointing experience, even we can be satisfied at the end of the day... We book this tour 3 months in advance to be sure to do it. One day before, the agency confirm by WhatsApp our pick up time. But at the right time (4.40am), the guide told us that the van had a problem and cancelled the tour!!!!
We are not sure about that, but as we were the only person on the WhatsApp talk ( not like usually with guide and all the customers) and only our hotel as a pickup (not the list with pick up order), we think that we were the only customers and they cancel because of that... and not because of a van trouble. After that, why giving 2 stars and not 0? We ask if other tour available (yes, at 4.40am!) on WhatsApp and they propose us the classic rainbow mountains. It was not our choice, as we been to this place 8 years ago and would like to discover other area of Cusco. But as we already wake up, and not in a good mood to come back sleeping, we accept the proposal. The guide was nice and we can visit (again) rainbow mountain and for the first time red valley as we didn't went there 8 years ago(nice place). So, the 2 stars are not for the tour we did, but because of the cancellation at 4.40 and doing a tour that we not bought (even if it was a nice tour).
Eva_K, Apr 2025
This was a great experience! Our guide took care of us so well. The bus ride is long and bumpy but well worth the views.
Jacob, Jan 2025
Had a really great time on the trip to rainbow mountain. The guide was very knowledgeable and ensured the tour ran smoothly.
Pamela_M, Dec 2024
What an adventure! Although Palcoyo is indeed a "shorter" hike than Rainbow Mountain, you still need to be of really GOOD physical fitness as it is still a high elevation. The views were spectacular, you don't need to be high up to appreciate the different colors of the mountain, but of course nothing beats being up close to it. Be sure to drink coca tea and acclimatize for at least a couple of days because it is HIGH up. Our guide was professional, helpful and I appreciate his kindness as he assisted me down. It started raining (thus hailing/snowing) as we trekked down and he was so patient! I highly recommend this tour, book it, you won't regret it!
Jacqueline_M, Sep 2024
Beautiful breathtaking mountains! and not with a crazy amount of tourists. The hike felt a bit hard with the altitude but manageable. Totally worth it. Breakfast wasn’t too good, lunch wasn’t bad.
Archit_M, Sep 2024
Rainbow mountain is good to visit but this tour was not a good experience. I booked an English speaking tour but the guide did not speak any English at all, and ignored requests from the English speaking group members to translate important information. The van ride was incredibly uncomfortable and despite it being super hot, the tour operators did not turn on the air conditioning until the tour members started begging from the back seats.
The breakfast and lunch was at a very mediocre and unhygienic restaurant, so I would recommend bringing your own food.
Positives include that they provided coca leaves to chew at rainbow mountain, which helped with the altitude.
The rainbow mountains themselves are also quite nice to look at and take pictures of.
If you really want to visit rainbow mountain, I'd suggest booking with a different company.
SaraEster_R, Aug 2024
Nice trip but could be a bit less crowded with slightly better food. The organisation for pickups seemed very well done, we got a text the day before and the morning of pickup, our guide, Luz, was super friendly and calm, making sure everyone felt okay and such, however, the ride was super crowded and if you are picked up last, you get stuck with the corner seats which are horrible as the ride is absolutely rocky for a good two hours and so hot, it was really difficult dealing with the strenuousness of having been 5k high and how uncomfortable, bumpy and hot the long ride was. Food was pretty much just to fill a hole and have the energy to do the walk.
Brandon_H, Aug 2024
The tour operator on the page was Chullos Travel but at the day of arrival another tour operator was sent. The bus was not on time to pick up from hotel. The breakfast and lunch buffet option was very mediocre. The tour guide for the outsourced agency was nice as could be but did not speak English. The bus ride back was terrible, it was so hot even though we had requested the air conditioning to be turned on.
Response from Host, Jan 2025
Thank you for sharing your comment. However, we have carefully reviewed our passenger list and found no record of your trip with our agency.
We believe this may be a mix-up with another company. We would greatly appreciate it if you could verify this information as our good reputation is affected and, if it is an error, consider correcting or deleting your comment.
CLAREANN_J, Aug 2024
The landscape was spectacular which made the shortcomings of the tour bearable. I booked an English speaking tour and the guide only spoke Spanish. My Spanish is reasonable but I found her extremely difficult to understand and whilst she was a very pleasant person, I missed doing part of the walk because I was unclear which track was dangerous and which was the safe route for the petrified forest. The other thing worth mentioning is that the food provided on the trip was extremely poor and I was not alone in eating just bread and plain pasta. Go to Polcoyo for the scenery but maybe use a different company.
Response from Host, Jan 2025
Thank you for sharing your comment. However, we have carefully reviewed our passenger list and found no record of your trip with our agency.
We believe this may be a mix-up with another company. We would greatly appreciate it if you could verify this information as our good reputation is affected and, if it is an error, consider correcting or deleting your comment.
Jessica_B, Aug 2024
Highly recommend this tour as this location is much less crowded than the other rainbow mountain. The guide was very friendly, knowledgeable and spoke good clear English. We were given a good amount of time to enjoy the place and take photos as well as allowed to do the short hike at our own pace. We were provided with hiking sticks though frankly you don't really need them. The breakfast and lunch provided was more than adequate. The tour was great value and an enjoyable experience. Highly recommend.
Evan_D, Jun 2024
Jose was a phenomenal guide. He was knowledgeable and super friendly. The hike and the sights of the mountains were beautiful and worth the ride outside Cuzco. The breakfast and lunch meals were amazing as well. There was a group of 8 in our party and everyone thoroughly enjoyed the trip. We highly recommend booking this tour.
Emily_W, May 2024
Yusmer was a fantastic guide! Palccoyo is definitely not the easiest hike in the world, but it felt manageable even at that altitude with asthma. The views were stunning, and not really any crowds
Jay_H, Mar 2024
What an amazing and different landscape! Roland was a great guide, and the pace was just right considering the elevation. Definitely worth the bumpy ride and early wake up.
Kim_S, Oct 2023
Making it to the top. What a good feeling! It wasn’t easy but we did it.
Our guide was awesome. Checked on us the whole way up.
Breakfast and lunch were good. Driver made sure we always arrived first.
The countryside is beautiful. Loved seeing the Llamas roaming free..
Highly recommend this trip
Stephanie_H, Oct 2023
The hike itself was wonderful. Be aware that the ride getting there is rough. I’m not often carsick but the ride home was awful and I vomited twice. It’s not the fault of the tour company, the roads are just not in good condition. We enjoyed the rest of the experience and our guide Ronal was great.
Michael_A, Oct 2023
Our guide was really good, informative, helpful and patient. We are glad we went to Palcoyo rather than Rainbow Mountain, less stress and less tourists. We got to see three different mountains which was great. We heard Rainbow Mountain can be quite stressful due to the high number of tourists and the rush to get up and down.
Alexandria_D, May 2023
My friend and I had a great time on this tour. The tour picked us upand arrived exactly on time. The guide was very communicative throughout, keeping everyone updated on where we were headed and time to get there. The breakfast and lunch were both good and the group was given plenty of time to enjoy each meal and stretch our legs. We also enjoyed the brief detour to Chececupe. Our time at Palcoyo was excellent. The guide was very helpful and provided assistance to any that were struggling with the altitude. We were given plenty of time to take photos on the hike up as well as at the top.
Gloria_K, May 2022
The best part of the trip was being able to see all the beautiful sites! Our guide was very helpful and stayed back with us! The only downside of this trip was the 3:30 hour ride to and from our hotel.
Response from Host, Jul 2022
We thank you very much for sharing your experience on the platform, we are always eager to read what you liked, this helps in our performance as a travel agency, in this way we seek to improve day by day in our different tourist services, greetings and we hope to hear from you soon you.
Chullos Tarvel Peru.
Giorgio_C, Nov 2025
The tour is very nice and the guide Juanito prepared and nice.
I don't give it five stars because the organization of the tour operator seemed a bit lacking. Over half an hour late on the pick up time, the driver after half an hour left us (and it was up to the guide to also act as a driver), plus the minivan we traveled in would need more maintenance, so much so that we lost almost an hour for a tire to replace (but the others on sight looked old too).
Breakfast and lunch buffet, acceptable.
Auto-translated
Anick_S, Mar 2025
Wow! Quelle magnifique aventure! Paysage à couper le souffle. Notre guide, Juanito, était dynamique, à l'écoute et très professionnel. La randonnée n'est pas très longue (environ 4 km aller-retour) mais avec l'altitude, c'est quelque chose ! mais je crois que ça demeure tout de même une de mes plus belles randonnées à vie en raison des paysages qu'on ne retrouve nulle part ailleurs. Prévoyez de l'argent car on disait dans le courriel d'apporter 20 soles mais il nous en a coûté 50 soles pour deux personnes pour visiter les ponts et accéder à la montagne de Palcoyo. De plus, il faut avoir de la monnaie car les toilettes en chemin sont payantes (1 sol). Pour ce qui est des repas, le déjeuner et le diner étaient inclus dans un buffet. C'était quand même très bien pour un buffet. De plus, pour ceux qui avaient oublié des trucs, il y avait un magasin où on pouvait acheter tuque, foulard, gants ou encore bonbons de coca pour des pris très abordables (30 soles pour un foulard et 20 soles pour des gants). Le guide était ponctuel et a communiqué avec nous via courriel et appel téléphonique avant l'excursion pour confirmer l'heure de prise en charge, ce qui a été très apprécié.
Natalie_R, Apr 2024
Robinson fue excelente estuvo atento a cada detalle fue considerado con todos los integrantes del grupo, en fin excedió mis expectativas
Gabriela_S, Apr 2024
Lindísima experiencia . Lástima que la atención de chullos Travel antes del tour fue pésima y tuvimos que escribirles nosotros un día antes y rogarles porque nos enviaran información del tour
Angela_Z, Oct 2023
Excelente experiencia, guía y chofer muy amables y preocupados del grupo.
El tour se desarrolló en los tiempos programados. :)
HICHAM_b, Apr 2022
Nous avons passé une journée formidable.
La vue est à couper le souffle.
Les guides ainsi que le chauffeur sont d'un professionnalisme et d'une gentillesse irréprochable.
Je recommande sans hésitation.
Response from Host, Jul 2022
We thank you very much for sharing your experience on the platform, we are always eager to read what you liked, this helps in our performance as a travel agency, in this way we seek to improve day by day in our different tourist services, greetings and we hope to hear from you soon you.
Chullos Tarvel Peru.
From $33.04
per personup to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)
Compare Similar Experiences
Current
Excursion to Rainbow Mountain Palcoyo from Cusco
186
13 hours
Free Cancellation
From
$33.04
Customers Who Bought This Tour Also Bought
Attractions in Cusco, Peru
- Inca Trail Tours & Tickets
- Tambomachay Tours & Tickets
- Machu Picchu Tours & Tickets
- Tipon Tours & Tickets
- San Pedro de Andahuaylillas (Sistine Chapel of the Americas) Tours & Tickets
- Belmond Hiram Bingham Tours & Tickets
- ChocoMuseo Cusco Tours & Tickets
- Agricultural Terraces of Moray Tours & Tickets
- Qorikancha (Coricancha) Tours & Tickets
- Ausangate Trail Tours & Tickets
- Ollantaytambo Ruins Tours & Tickets
- Maras Salt Pools Tours & Tickets
- Inca Museum (Museo Inka) Tours & Tickets
- Planetarium Cusco Tours & Tickets
- Awana Kancha Tours & Tickets
- Aguas Calientes Tours & Tickets
- Cusco Cathedral (Catedral del Cuzco) Tours & Tickets