Peru · Geological Wonders

1-Day Palccoyo Rainbow Mountains Tour with Ausangate Views

1 Day Round trip from Cusco Easy pace

The journey

Trip highlights
  • 01 Admire the imposing majesty of Ausangate from Palccoyo's viewpoints
  • 02 Take in a spectacular 360-degree view of multiple Rainbow Mountains
  • 03 Relish a camping-style breakfast surrounded by alpacas
  • 04 Learn how Palccoyo's eccentric colours were formed

Gaze upon unsurpassed views of multiple rainbow peaks and rolling curves that will take your breath away. The Palccoyo "mountain of colours" is a 200 million-year-old sedimentary rock formation, created through the friction of the Pacific and South American tectonic plates.

Gaze upon unsurpassed views of multiple rainbow peaks and rolling curves that will take your breath away.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 1 Day
Tour type Shared
Activity level Easy
Accommodation Not included
Transport Included
Wheelchair access Not applicable
Cities Cusco, Ausangate
Languages English

Day by day

The itinerary

1
Day 01

Palccoyo Rainbow Mountains and Ausangate Views

  • Meet your tour guide at your hotel at 4:00 am and begin the tour on private transport.

  • Drive to Palccoyo, 3 hours and 45 minutes south-east of Cusco, to the Chulloca community (4,400 meters - 14,435 feet above sea level).

  • Relish a camping-style breakfast, surrounded by alpacas, while admiring the colourful lifestyle and survival techniques of the local Andean people, who appreciate and live in harmony with Pacha Mama (Mother Earth). They have adapted to the cold temperatures, with a livelihood based on livestock (llamas, alpacas, and sheep) and the growing of tubers such as potatoes as their main food source.

  • Continue driving for 15 minutes to the start of Palccoyo (4,805 meters).

  • Walk for 30 minutes to the various viewpoints to appreciate the imposing majesty of Ausangate, which towers in the distance at 6,300 meters - 20,900 feet, and the beautiful red-coloured hills.

  • From the third viewpoint, located at 4,886 meters - 16,030 feet, you will have a spectacular 360-degree view of multiple Rainbow Mountains, glaciers, valleys, and picturesque mountains.

  • Enjoy the spectacular display of natural colour and awe-inspiring beauty. Your Palccoyo Rainbow Mountains guide will provide you with a history of the formation of these eccentric colours.

  • Begin your descent from the Palccoyo Rainbow Mountains at your leisure.

  • Drive down to the Chulloca community for lunch before returning to the city of Cusco, where the guide will take you to your hotel.

Palccoyo colourful slopes, Ausangate towering peak, Rainbow Mountains 360-degree viewpoints

Where this trip takes you

Palccoyo colourful slopes, Ausangate towering peak, Rainbow Mountains 360-degree viewpoints

The route

Where you'll travel

Tour route map
Round trip from Cusco 2 cities · 1 Day

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

  • Private transportation to and from your hotel in Cusco

  • Peruvian-style breakfast (boxed up)

  • Lunch

  • Entry ticket to the private land

  • Walking stick

  • Oxygen tank & first aid kit

  • English-speaking Palccoyo Rainbow Mountains guide

What's Not Included

  • Gratuity

  • Travel insurance

What to bring

  • Water
  • Extra money for expenses

Logistics

Meeting & route

Meeting point
Cusco, Peru
Tour start
Cusco, Peru
Tour ends at the same location as the start point.
End of the journey

Your 1 day finishes where it began, in Cusco.

Watch the tourHQ film Watch the film

Create your own adventure

Can't find the perfect tour? Tailor your dream trip.

  • Tell us your destination, dates and group size.
  • Our travel experts and local guides design a tailored itinerary, just for you.
  • Enjoy your trip with peace of mind, knowing everything is taken care of.
Plan my holiday

Say goodbye to travel stress.

Starting from

USD 100 /person
Book This Tour

When

Travellers

Total