Alternative Rainbow Mountain Palccoyo Hike (6 Small Group) in Cusco
Cusco, Peru

Alternative Rainbow Mountain Palccoyo Hike (6 Small Group)

Outty Ranking 67 4.9 · 18 traveler reviews10 hoursFrom $85
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Outty Ranking

67/100

Solid Choice. Our proprietary evaluation. How we score

Traveler rating

4.9/5

Based on 18 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

Quick answer

Is Alternative Rainbow Mountain Palccoyo Hike (6 Small Group) worth booking?

Alternative Rainbow Mountain Palccoyo Hike (6 Small Group) is a 10-hour experience in Cusco, Peru, from $85 per person. It scores 67 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Solid Choice, based on a 4.9/5 rating across 18 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.

Outty Ranking
67 / 100
Rating
4.9/5 (18)
Duration
10 hours
From
$85 per person

Discover this unique and off-the-beaten-path tour that many are still unaware exists. A Private tour or 6 Small Group Avoiding the crowds and being one of the only hikers on the path exploring the beautiful landscape! Th

What you get

  • Private transportation
  • Breakfast
  • Bilingual Guide (English)
  • Snacks
  • Lunch
  • Oxygen Tank & First Aid Kit

About this experience

Discover this unique and off-the-beaten-path tour that many are still unaware exists. A Private tour or 6 Small Group Avoiding the crowds and being one of the only hikers on the path exploring the beautiful landscape! This is the perfect alternative to the Classic Rainbow Mountain (Vinicunca). Why Visit South America? -This tour is a private or 6 small group adventure. -We connect with the communities. -Enjoy local gastronomy! Peruvian Buffet lunch.

What's included

Included

  • Private transportation
  • Breakfast
  • Bilingual Guide (English)
  • Snacks
  • Lunch
  • Oxygen Tank & First Aid Kit
  • Tickets & Entrances to Palccoyo

Not included

  • Gratuities
  • No Accommodations included

What you'll see and do

  1. Palccoyo Rainbow Mountain

    We begin our day with pick-up from the hotel at 5:00am and begin our drive towards the Rainbow Mountain alternative trail head of Pallcoyo, with an altitude of 4900 m asl (16125 ). Located south of Cusco, we drive for approximantely 4hrs in a private transport. Along the way we see beautiul andes moutains as well as lush green valleys, and hundreds of alpacas and llamas. If we are lucky we will stop for vicuñas and observe them in their natural free state. When we get to Apacheta, we will have a small breakfast with tea and will begin our hike towards to Tres Rainbow Mountain. A er a 30 minute hike, we will reach the overlook and see the beautiful rainbow mountains. Here we will be able to observe the 360 panoramic views as well have opportunity to get closer to the mountains for about an hour making our way back to the transport. We return to Cusco by 3:00pm.

    720 minutes here · Admission included

Where it starts and ends

Hotel pickup

Pickup is included for all travelers.

Before you book

Cancellation
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Languages
en, fr, es
Ticket
Mobile Only
Runs on
Every day
Group size
Up to 6 travelers per booking
Operated by
Visit South America

Know before you go

  • Service animals allowed
  • Specialized infant seats are available
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • Prior acclimatization is required. the maximum altitude 4800m (15.700ft)
  • Bring warm clothes: gloves, hat, etc.. (extra pair of socks)
  • Bring waterproof clothing in case of weather changes (very frequent)
  • Sunglasses, Sunscreen, Lipstick, Buff-mask

Photos

Rocks Forest: extra hike of 30min. you can appreciate an amazing 360 vistas from here!Francisco, Jorgito and our friends from USAWho says Selfie Llama?Friends from Finland! Easy trek with kids (6yo in the pic)Friends from India! This is the first rainbow mountain of the circuitSecond Rainbow in the area! Jeff our Co-Founder scouting new routes

What travelers are saying

Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 18 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.

The guide

10 mentions

Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.

Photo opportunities

6 mentions

The views and photo stops come up again and again.

Physical effort

5 mentions

Expect real walking or climbing: reviewers mention the effort involved.

Knowledge and storytelling

3 mentions

Reviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.

Food and drink

2 mentions

The tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers.

Small groups

2 mentions

The group size is repeatedly described as intimate rather than packed.

Traveler reviews

18 verified traveler reviews for Alternative Rainbow Mountain Palccoyo Hike (6 Small Group). Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

5 star
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Adrienne_P · April 2026

Great alternative to Rainbow Mountain

I am so glad I chose to visit Palccoyo Mountain instead of the famous Rainbow Mountain! The trail is much easier, and only a few other tourists are there. The whole 2 mile hike has beautiful views. Our guide Guillermo was fantastic. I highly recommend this tour if you are in Cusco!

via Viator

marciaelmore · September 2024

Great tour

This tour is extraordinary, Guillermo was our guide, we left at 5 am and arrived at 4 pm. We had breakfast and lunch at the same restaurant. Hiking wasn't that difficult however it's high and you need to go slowly to breathe, we went to the top where it's more difficult my husband was breathing heavily. The place is so beautiful, we saw three rainbow mountains, we didn't want to leave. Our guide took our photos and knows the best places to do so. We definitely recommend this tour.

via Tripadvisor

693linlinc · September 2024

Colorful mountains with great guide

The view is amazing, mountains and rocks have so many colors. There are Alpacas and llama around the area. Frank is amazing too, very professional and with a lot of knowledge. Highly recommend

via Tripadvisor

dario_r · April 2024

One of a kind magical place

Jose Soto was a great guide throughout the trip and the hike. He even saved my drone from a slingshot

via Viator

dianamc23 · October 2022

Fantastic tour, quality / price worth

Had a fantastic time in this tour, Jesus is a great tour guide, very patient, caring, shared a lot of great histories and a good photographer. The tour over all was great, pick up on time, good driver, small group and the food at lunch was absolutely fabulous. A plus we’re the amazing ladies from the US that made this even more fun and interesting. The place itself was amazing, really appreciated that it’s not crowded and the guide took us to different paths so we don’t clash with other groups. The best tour I took so far in South America, it’s worth to spend more money to get more quality and avoid crowds. Definitively recommended.

via Tripadvisor

Good to know

Duration
10 hours
Free cancellation
Up to 24h before
Minimum age to book
7+
Availability
Bookable today
Runs on
Every day
Price range
$85 to $250
Hotel pickup
Included for all travelers
Booked in 30 days
6
Verdict
Solid Choice

Who runs this experience

Operated by Visit South America, who run 5 experiences we rank across 2 cities, with an average Outty Ranking of 53.7.

See everything Visit South America runs

Why this scores 67

The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.

Traveler sentiment (30% weight)90
Review evidence (18% weight)43
Booking momentum (14% weight)33
Value for money (12% weight)58
Listing quality (10% weight)86
Local standing (8% weight)55
Booking flexibility (8% weight)100

Alternative Rainbow Mountain Palccoyo Hike (6 Small Group): questions travelers ask

Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Cusco.

How much does Alternative Rainbow Mountain Palccoyo Hike (6 Small Group) cost?

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Prices start at $85 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Cusco usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.

How long does Alternative Rainbow Mountain Palccoyo Hike (6 Small Group) take?

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Plan for about 10 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Cusco is not rushed.

Is Alternative Rainbow Mountain Palccoyo Hike (6 Small Group) worth it?

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It holds an Outty Ranking of 67 out of 100, which we label "Solid Choice". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.9/5 across 18 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Cusco, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.

Can I cancel or reschedule Alternative Rainbow Mountain Palccoyo Hike (6 Small Group)?

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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.

Is Alternative Rainbow Mountain Palccoyo Hike (6 Small Group) suitable for kids and families?

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The operator sets a minimum age of 7. Older children generally do well here, and families should factor in the 10-hour running time when deciding.

How far in advance should I book Alternative Rainbow Mountain Palccoyo Hike (6 Small Group)?

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Around 6 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Cusco can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.

What should I bring or wear?

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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Cusco and add a light layer if any part of the 10-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.

Where does Alternative Rainbow Mountain Palccoyo Hike (6 Small Group) start and how do I get there?

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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Cusco within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.

What are the best things to do in Cusco?

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On Outty we rank every Cusco experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Sacred Valley Full Day Tour, Peruvian Cooking Class Cocktails and Market Tour in Cusco, Cusco: Rainbow Mountain & Red Valley Premium Day Trip with Meals. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.

When is the best time to visit Cusco?

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Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.

How many days do you need in Cusco?

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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.

Do I book through Outty or through the operator?

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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.

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