Cusco Pallay Punchu Full Day Rainbow Mountain Tour
Traveler rating
Not yet rated
No traveler reviews have been published for this experience yet.
Quick answer
Is Cusco Pallay Punchu Full Day Rainbow Mountain Tour worth booking?
Cusco Pallay Punchu Full Day Rainbow Mountain Tour is a 17-hour experience in Cusco, Peru, from $50 per person. It scores 60 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Solid Choice”. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 60 / 100
- Rating
- Not yet rated
- Duration
- 17 hours
- From
- $50 per person
Most rainbow mountain day trips from Cusco visit one mountain. This one visits three places. The first is Pallay Punchu, a ridge of sharp striped rock fins above the village of Layo, at 4,770 metres. The walk to the top
What you get
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Professional guide
- Guided visit to the Raqchi archaeological complex
- Panoramic stop at the three bridges of Checacupe
- Private transportation
- Buffet breakfast and buffet lunch
About this experience
Most rainbow mountain day trips from Cusco visit one mountain. This one visits three places. The first is Pallay Punchu, a ridge of sharp striped rock fins above the village of Layo, at 4,770 metres. The walk to the top takes about 45 minutes from the parking area. The better known Vinicunca stands 266 metres higher and takes around an hour and a half on foot. The second is Raqchi. The Temple of Wiracocha held the largest roofed building the Inca are known to have built. A central adobe wall still stands around twelve metres high, with more than a hundred round stone storehouses behind it. The third is Checacupe, where three bridges cross the same river within a few metres of one another. A modern road bridge, a colonial stone arch, and a rebuilt Inca rope bridge woven from grass. Visitor numbers at Pallay Punchu are still low. On most days only a few dozen people reach the ridge.
What's included
Included
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Professional guide
- Guided visit to the Raqchi archaeological complex
- Panoramic stop at the three bridges of Checacupe
- Private transportation
- Buffet breakfast and buffet lunch
Not included
- Entrance fees
What you'll see and do
Cusipata
A farming village in the Vilcanota valley, about two hours south of Cusco. The tour stops here for a buffet breakfast while it is still dark. Eat well at this stop. It is several hours until lunch, and food taken at a comfortable altitude helps more than anything you can do higher up. Toilets are available here.
45 minutes here
Layo
Layo is a community at 3,978 metres on the shore of Langui Layo, the largest lake in the Cusco region. Your guide gives an introduction here to the community, the lake and the mountain above it. There is free time for photographs before the tour continues to the trailhead.
30 minutes here
Pallay Poncho
Pallay Punchu is a ridge of sharp stone fins striped in ochre, red, blue and green. The colour runs vertically up the blades rather than in bands across a rounded hill. The name describes the shape. In Quechua a pallay punchu is the woven pattern of a ceremonial poncho, still made by hand in this part of Canas. From the parking area the walk to the top takes about 45 minutes. It is uphill throughout on uneven ground, but there is no scrambling and nothing exposed. The high point of the route is 4,770 metres. There is a guided explanation at the summit and free time for photographs. The altiplano runs flat to the horizon on one side and Langui Layo lies far below on the other. An entrance ticket is collected at the trailhead and must be paid in cash in local currency.
150 minutes here · Admission not included
Cusipata
A buffet lunch is served after the descent, at an altitude where eating is more comfortable than on the ridge.
60 minutes here
Parque Arqueologico De Raqchi
Raqchi held the largest roofed building the Inca are known to have constructed. What survives is its spine. A central adobe wall runs the length of the temple, still standing at around twelve metres, with the stone bases of the columns that once carried the roof ranged on either side. Behind the temple stand the colcas, more than a hundred round stone storehouses used to hold grain and dried food for the Inca state. Together they form one of the clearest surviving pictures of how the empire fed and organised itself. Your guide walks you through the site.
90 minutes here · Admission not included
Checacupe
A short panoramic stop where three bridges cross the same river within a few metres of each other. One is a modern road bridge. One is a colonial stone arch. One is a rebuilt Inca rope bridge, woven from grass and replaced by hand in the traditional way. Five hundred years of engineering in a single view.
20 minutes here
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, es
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 9 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Planet Odysseys
Know before you go
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Travelers should have a high level of physical fitness
Photos
Good to know
- Duration
- 17 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- 1+
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Hotel pickup
- Included for all travelers
- Booked in 30 days
- 0
- Verdict
- Solid Choice
Who runs this experience
Operated by Planet Odysseys, who run 7 experiences we rank across 2 cities, with an average Outty Ranking of 65.1.
See everything Planet Odysseys runsWhy this scores 60
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Cusco Pallay Punchu Full Day Rainbow Mountain Tour: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Cusco.
How much does Cusco Pallay Punchu Full Day Rainbow Mountain Tour cost?
+
Prices start at $50 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 Cusco Pallay Punchu Full Day Rainbow Mountain Tour take?
+
Plan for about 17 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 Cusco Pallay Punchu Full Day Rainbow Mountain Tour worth it?
+
It holds an Outty Ranking of 60 out of 100, which we label "Solid Choice". That score blends traveler sentiment (0/5 across 0 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 Cusco Pallay Punchu Full Day Rainbow Mountain Tour?
+
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 Cusco Pallay Punchu Full Day Rainbow Mountain Tour suitable for kids and families?
+
The operator sets a minimum age of 1. Older children generally do well here, and families should factor in the 17-hour running time when deciding.
How far in advance should I book Cusco Pallay Punchu Full Day Rainbow Mountain Tour?
+
Around 0 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?
+
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 17-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Cusco Pallay Punchu Full Day Rainbow Mountain Tour start and how do I get there?
+
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?
+
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?
+
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?
+
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?
+
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.
Ready to lock in your spot?
Pick a date, choose your group, and see the exact price for Cusco Pallay Punchu Full Day Rainbow Mountain Tour.
Pick your date
