PRIVATE Palccoyo Rainbow Mountain tour
Traveler rating
5.0/5
Based on 67 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is PRIVATE Palccoyo Rainbow Mountain tour worth booking?
PRIVATE Palccoyo Rainbow Mountain tour is a 11-hour experience in Cusco, Peru, from $159 per person. It scores 75 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Strongly Recommended”, based on a 5/5 rating across 67 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 75 / 100
- Rating
- 5/5 (67)
- Duration
- 11 hours
- From
- $159 per person
The Palcoyo Rainbow Mountain tour is ideal for anyone hoping to see the famous rainbow coloured mountains, but not wanting to trek for hours. It is far quieter and more untouched than the classic Vinicunca rainbow mounta
What you get
- Private transportation
- Hotel drop-off
- Professional guide
- Lunch made with local ingredients
- Hotel pickup
About this experience
The Palcoyo Rainbow Mountain tour is ideal for anyone hoping to see the famous rainbow coloured mountains, but not wanting to trek for hours. It is far quieter and more untouched than the classic Vinicunca rainbow mountain. This tour is suitable for all fitness levels, with as many breaks to catch your breath as you need! During this tour you will see 3 different, beautiful coloured mountains. On your way there you will be able to see alpacas and llamas in their natural habitat and afterwards visit a colonial bridge. This is one of the few places in the world that offers this landscape of stunning colourful mountains. The minimum number of people who can take this private tour is 2.
What's included
Included
- Private transportation
- Hotel drop-off
- Professional guide
- Lunch made with local ingredients
- Hotel pickup
Not included
- Breakfast
What you'll see and do
The Palcoyo Rainbow Mountain tour is ideal for anyone hoping to see the famous rainbow coloured mountains, but not wanting to trek for hours. It is far quieter and more untouched than the classic Vinicunca rainbow mountain. This tour is suitable for all fitness levels, with as many breaks to catch your breath as you need! During this tour you will see 3 different, beautiful coloured mountains. On your way there you will be able to see alpacas and llamas in their natural habitat and afterwards visit a colonial bridge.
10 minutes here
We will pick you up early from your Cusco hotel at around 5:30am. The drive to Palccoyo is approximately 3.5 hours until we make the first stop in Combapata. When we reach the Palccoyo pass, we will walk uphill for approximately 40-50 minutes (5000m/16,400ft). Here you will have spectacular panoramic views of three Rainbow Mountain Palccoyo peaks as well as the highest mountain in the Cusco region (Ausangate). We will spend approximately an hour here taking pictures, and enjoying the stunning view. After this, we will make our way back to our private transportation to head to Checacupe where we will visit its stunning colonial Bridge, (we will spend about 20 minutes here to take pictures and explore the area). After this, we will have time to enjoy a delicious lunch made by locals. We will then take our private transportation back to Cusco (approximately 2.5-hour drive). We will be back at Cusco at around 5:00 pm and will drop you at your hotel.
60 minutes here · Admission included
Cusco
It is important to mention that the route to go to Palccoyo is new as it is a relatively new attraction, therefore the roads can be very bumpy for about an hour each way as the government has not paved them yet.
Pass by without stopping
Where it starts and ends
Hotel pickup
Pickup is included for all travelers. Pickup begins about 15 minutes before departure.
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 10 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Into Peru
Know before you go
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Photos
What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 67 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
6 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Organization
6 mentionsPickup, timing, and logistics are described as running smoothly.
Pace and timing
4 mentionsSeveral reviewers comment on how the schedule is paced.
Photo opportunities
3 mentionsThe views and photo stops come up again and again.
Value for money
2 mentionsTravelers feel they got more than they paid for.
Food and drink
2 mentionsThe tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers.
Traveler reviews
67 verified traveler reviews for PRIVATE Palccoyo Rainbow Mountain tour. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Amazing Rainbow Mountain Experience!
It was such an amazing experience! The pick up and drop off were smooth, operation team also had quick and detailed communication prior to the tour. Our guide was very helpful, taking us to see the most amazing scenes, accomadating the pace we like, and took best pictures of us. Palccoyo Rainbow Mountain is even more breathtaking than we imagined, you don't just see one or two hills with rainbow colors, but every hill is covered with amazing colors! It is indeed one of the best nature scenes we have seen!
via Tripadvisor
Recommend
Was so impressive and I’m so happy we did it. our Guide , Roland was great. This mountain is not crowded at all so it’s easy to get bloop no no
Response from the operator: Thank you so much for the lovely review! We'll make sure to pass your kind words on to Roland, we're lucky to have him. And you're absolutely right that Palccoyo's quieter trails make it such a special experience. So glad you did it! We hope to see you back in Peru one day.
via Tripadvisor
Great place and great service!
Wow what a place! We did this as part of a long trip round Peru with Into Peru and this was one of the highlights. Everything was well planned, picked us up on time and the guide was great. Big thank you, will recommend you to all!
Response from the operator: Thank you so much, what a kind thing to say! Palccoyo being a highlight of a full Peru trip is such a lovely thing to hear. We're really glad everything ran smoothly and that your guide made the day special. We hope the rest of your Peru adventure was just as memorable, and we'd love to welcome you back one day!
via Tripadvisor
Palccoyo, the alternative Rainbow Mountain
It was a 3 hour drive one way, pick up at 6.30 am and then a hike from 15,600 to 16,000 feet. The rock formations and views were totally worth it! The guide carried oxygen if we needed it. We took a private tour which I recommend because of the long drive. We had about 1.5 hours to walk and then started the return. We stopped for lunch after 1.5 hours and then were returned to our hotel at around 5pm. The trail was not at all crowded and is a mild climb to the vista point. One just needs to go slowly! This mountain has only been visited for a couple years as it was covered by glaciers.
Response from the operator: Thank you for such a detailed and helpful review as it will help other travellers know what to expect! You've captured Palccoyo perfectly. The early start and long drive are all part of the adventure, and we always say that going slowly is the key to enjoying the altitude rather than fighting it. Having oxygen on hand gives people real peace of mind, and we're glad it was there if needed. We're so glad the views made every early morning minute worthwhile. Hope to see you back in Peru!
via Tripadvisor
Beeeautiful place and fantastic tour
Wow what a place! One of those pinch me moments when you see the beautiful mountains in all their glory. It was stunning to feel in the middle of nowhere and have such an incredible site almost to ourselves. Really well organised, good communication and tour guide was fantastic. We loved it so much we booked two other tours with Into Peru which were equally as great. Thanks!
Response from the operator: Thank you so much this review! Palccoyo is a beautiful place, and the fact that it's so much quieter than Rainbow Mountain makes those moments feel even more special. We're really glad the organisation and communication hit the mark, and that your guide made the day. And booking two more tours with us afterwards, that's the best compliment we could ask for. We hope to see you back in Peru one day!
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 11 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- 12+
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Price range
- $159 to $235
- Hotel pickup
- Included for all travelers
- Booked in 30 days
- 23
- Verdict
- Strongly Recommended
Why this scores 75
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
PRIVATE Palccoyo Rainbow Mountain tour: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Cusco.
How much does PRIVATE Palccoyo Rainbow Mountain tour cost?
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Prices start at $159 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 PRIVATE Palccoyo Rainbow Mountain tour take?
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Plan for about 11 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 PRIVATE Palccoyo Rainbow Mountain tour worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 75 out of 100, which we label "Strongly Recommended". That score blends traveler sentiment (5/5 across 67 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 PRIVATE Palccoyo Rainbow Mountain tour?
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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 PRIVATE Palccoyo Rainbow Mountain tour suitable for kids and families?
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The operator sets a minimum age of 12. Older children generally do well here, and families should factor in the 11-hour running time when deciding.
How far in advance should I book PRIVATE Palccoyo Rainbow Mountain tour?
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Around 23 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 11-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does PRIVATE Palccoyo Rainbow Mountain tour 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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