Visiting: Cusco · Cusipata · Palcoyo (three rainbow mountains) · the Stone Forest · views of the Ausangate glacier
Overview
Palcoyo is the quieter, gentler alternative to the famous Vinicunca Rainbow Mountain. On this full-day tour from Cusco you discover not one but three colourful rainbow mountains, reached by a short and easy walk — so you spend more time enjoying the scenery and less time on a demanding climb. It's the perfect off-the-beaten-path day for travellers who want the magic of the rainbow mountains with far fewer crowds.
A highlight of the day is the Stone Forest — a surreal landscape of towering rock formations right beside the coloured mountains, with sweeping views of the sacred Ausangate glacier. We run the trip as a direct local operator, with an expert bilingual guide (English & Spanish), comfortable round-trip transport, an Andean breakfast and a traditional buffet lunch — all included. We carry oxygen and a first-aid kit for the altitude.
🏔️ It's all about the altitude. The walk itself is short and gentle, but the trail sits at around 4,900 m, so we recommend spending at least one night (ideally 2–3) in Cusco to acclimatise first. Because Palcoyo has no daily visitor limit, you can book any date you like.
Your Day — Step by Step
-
1
Pre-dawn pick-up · Cusco → Cusipata
Your day begins with a comfortable pick-up directly from your hotel in Cusco between 4:30 and 5:00 am (or meet us at our office at 5:00 am). We then head south through the Sacred Valley as the sun begins to rise over the Andes, painting the sky in golden hues — a beautiful start to an unforgettable day.
From there we drive about two hours through the southern Sacred Valley, with sweeping Andean landscapes the whole way, until we reach the town of Cusipata — the perfect place to pause before the trek begins.
Good to know: The early start is worth it — you watch the sunrise paint the Andes gold on the way south, the most beautiful light of the day.
-
2
Breakfast in Cusipata → Palcoyo trailhead
In Cusipata we stop for a hearty Andean breakfast made with fresh local ingredients — the perfect chance to fuel up, relax and enjoy the peaceful surroundings before continuing towards the trailhead.
We then drive about another hour up to the Palcoyo community, the starting point of the trek. Along the way you're treated to stunning high-altitude landscapes and may spot alpacas and llamas grazing freely across the hillsides.
Good to know: Keep your camera handy on the drive up — the high-altitude pastures are where you're most likely to see alpacas and llamas grazing freely.
-
3
Three rainbow mountains + the Stone Forest
From the community we begin a gentle one-hour walk on scenic, well-marked trails to the heart of the Palcoyo range. Here you discover three spectacular rainbow-coloured mountains, each displaying vivid bands of colour created by millions of years of mineral oxidation — a natural wonder unique to this corner of the Andes.
Just a short walk away lies the extraordinary Stone Forest, a surreal landscape of towering rock formations right beside the coloured mountains, with panoramic views of all three peaks and the Ausangate glacier. Exploring the mountains and the Stone Forest takes about 1.5 to 2 hours with your bilingual guide, and the loop returns by a slightly different path.
Good to know: Take it slow — the walk is easy but you're near 4,900 m, so a relaxed pace leaves you more energy to enjoy the colours and the views.
-
4
Descent → buffet lunch → Cusco
After soaking in the scenery and capturing unforgettable photos, we make our way back down on foot along the same trail to the Palcoyo community, where our transport is waiting. We then drive back to Cusipata for a well-deserved traditional Andean buffet lunch, lovingly prepared with fresh local products — a wonderful moment to rest and share impressions of the day.
From there it's a scenic journey back to Cusco, once again passing the charming Andean villages and sweeping landscapes of the southern Sacred Valley. We arrive near the Main Square at around 6:00 pm, tired, fulfilled and carrying memories to last a lifetime.
Good to know: You return by the same trail to the community, so the buffet lunch back in Cusipata is the natural moment to relax and swap photos with your group.
Tour at a Glance
| Duration | Full day (no overnight) |
| Highest point | Palcoyo trail — ~4,900 m |
| On foot | Short & gentle — about 1.5–2 h total |
| Difficulty | Easy–moderate — easy walk, high altitude |
| Also visiting | Three rainbow mountains + the Stone Forest |
| Meals | 1 breakfast · 1 buffet lunch |
| Group size | Small group · max 18 |
| Good for | Families & all ages · no visitor limit |
What's Included
Tap any item to see the full details.
Included
Not included
Prices — 2026 Season
This is a small-group day tour to Palcoyo and the Stone Forest. We offer a standard rate, plus a special promotional rate for travelers who have already booked another tour with us (such as the Salkantay Trek or a Machu Picchu tour). The Palcoyo entrance fee is paid locally in soles and is not included.
| Rate | Price per person | Who it's for |
|---|---|---|
| Standard | $29 | Booking this tour on its own |
| Promotional | $27 | Already booked another tour with us (or 95 soles) |
Prices per person, group service. You can book online (a small card fee applies) or reserve at our Cusco office up to one day before the tour. Vegetarian, vegan and special diets are accommodated free on request.
Optional Extras (paid locally, in soles)
- Palcoyo entrance fee20 soles (~$6)
- Horse riding at the trailask locally
- Photo with llamas / alpacas (tip)~5 soles
Horse rental and photo tips are arranged with local families at the trail and paid in cash in soles; cards are not accepted at the site.
What to Pack
The trail reaches about 4,900 m, where weather changes fast and the sun is intense, so dress in layers and carry only a light daypack — there are no vendors on the trail.
- Always with you: cash in soles (entrance + extras), 1.5–2 L of water, high-energy snacks, high-SPF sunscreen and sunglasses.
- Clothing: warm layers and a fleece for the cold morning, a windproof/rain jacket or poncho, a wide-brimmed hat or cap, and sturdy hiking shoes with good grip (the path to the Stone Forest is short but steep).
- Extras: a small daypack, camera/phone and any personal medication (including altitude tablets if you use them).
How to Book
Book online or in person at our Cusco office (Portal Nuevo 270, Plaza Regocijo). There are daily departures year-round and you can reserve up to one day before (until 9:00 pm). Pay safely by debit or credit card online (a small processing fee applies), or in cash (USD, EUR or soles) at the office.
- Choose your date — daily departures, no visitor limit.
- Enter your details (name, nationality, hotel in Cusco, WhatsApp number for pick-up).
- Pay securely by card online, or reserve and pay at our office.
- Confirm — you'll get an instant confirmation email with pick-up details, and our team follows up by WhatsApp.
Free rescheduling: you can reschedule or switch to a similar tour (Rainbow Mountain, Humantay Lake, Sacred Valley or Ausangate 7 Lakes) at no extra cost until 7:00 pm the day before your tour, subject to availability.
Full refund: cancel at least 24 hours before the tour for 100% back.
Partial refund (50%): cancel within 24 hours but before 7:00 pm the day before.
No refund: cancellations after 7:00 pm the day before are non-refundable.
Agency cancellations: if we must cancel for weather, road blocks or other unforeseen reasons, you receive a 100% refund. To make changes, email info@machupicchuteam.com.
Frequently Asked Questions
Palcoyo is the quieter, easier alternative to Vinicunca. Instead of one mountain reached by a demanding climb, you see three rainbow mountains on a short, gentle walk, plus the unique Stone Forest. It's far less crowded, has no daily visitor limit, and is great for families and travellers who want the rainbow-mountain magic without a hard hike — though you're still at high altitude (~4,900 m).
It's easy to moderate and suitable for most fitness levels, including beginners and children. The walk from the community to the main viewpoint takes about an hour at a relaxed pace, with around 40 more minutes to explore the Stone Forest. The main challenge is the altitude — the trail reaches about 4,900 m — rather than the distance or terrain, so we recommend acclimatising in Cusco for at least one night (ideally a few days) first.
Yes — the Stone Forest is part of the tour and one of the day's highlights. It's about a 10-minute walk from the third rainbow mountain viewpoint, and it rewards you with sweeping panoramas of all three coloured mountains and the Ausangate glacier in the distance. It also turns the hike into a loop, so you return by a slightly different path rather than retracing your steps.
The dry season (April to November) is best, with clearer skies and the most vivid mineral colours. The colours are brightest on a sunny day. In the rainy season (December to March) the trail can be muddy, snow may briefly cover the mountains, and clouds can soften the colours — though tours run year-round and Palcoyo is beautiful in every season. Mornings are cold and the high-altitude sun is strong, so bring both warm layers and sun protection.
We pick you up from your hotel or Airbnb in Cusco between 4:30 and 5:00 am (or meet us at our office at 5:00 am), and the tour ends back near the Main Square at around 6:00 pm. Groups are usually 14–16 travellers (max 18) with a professional bilingual guide. A hearty breakfast and a traditional buffet lunch are included, with vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options at no extra cost — just let us know in advance. Free luggage storage is available at our office.
Very likely. On the drive up and along the trail you'll pass high-altitude pastures where alpacas and llamas roam freely, and you may meet local families in traditional Andean dress with their animals. There's no fixed fee, but if you take a photo with them it's customary to leave a small tip of around 5 soles (~$2) — a kind gesture that directly supports the local communities.
