Palcoyo: Rainbow Mountain Range You Must Visit
At the moment, Palcoyo is an emerging destination that is beginning to capture the interest of those who initially planned to visit Vinicunca Mountain. Indeed, this is the question on everyone’s mind and likely the reason you are here: Why should we choose Palcoyo? What makes the Rainbow Mountain Range unique? Come! Let’s discover it together.
Where is Palcoyo located?
The famous Rainbow Mountain Range is situated within the expansive Andes Mountains, in the district of Checacupe, in the province of Canchis, in the department or region of Cusco. It stands impressively at an altitude of 4900 meters (16700 feets.) above sea level and is approximately 140 km from the historic center of Cusco. This area covers around 9000 hectares of an uniques Andean landscapes, uncommon even in the extensive Peruvian highlands. The appeal of this place lies in the colors of its three main mountains, which have a composition similar, if not identical, to the famous Vinicunca, located just 20 kilometers away in the same mountain range.
Weather, seansons, and Temperature:
As in the entire region and generally in the Peruvian highlands (with limited exceptions), Palcoyo experiences 02 distinct climatic seasons. Firts, there are the rainy months, starting in early November and continuing until usually the first week of April. On the other hand, there are the dry months, from April to November. Let’s delve into them with more detail:
Characteristics of the rainy season:
- During the rainy months in Palcoyo, there are occasional snowfalls, significantly altering the surrounding temperatures. It can range from 10°C to 18°C without snow to 0°C to 10°C during snowfall. Interestingly, this weather corresponds to summer in Cusco, and outside this season, it’s not possible to see the famous red river, another highlight of this fantastic place.
Characteristics of the dry season:
- In Palcoyo, the dry months are characterized by a scorching and incandescent sun, blue skies, with temperatures reaching up to 20°C (68 °F) on the hottest days. However, chilly breezes from surrounding glaciers, mainly Ausangate, can also be felt.
- Nights in Palcoyo are frigid and can easily fall to temperatures as low as -10°C (14°F),
therefore it could be not a good idea to get lost in the area, although this is highly improbable.
Difficulty of travel and accessibility:
It is necessary to mention that Palcoyo is slightly farther than Vinicunca, but this detail is offset by the accessibility of the attraction. In practice, transportation can take us directly to the site, where we can see the first of the three colored mountains as soon as we disembark the van. After a 45-minute walk, we can reach the summit and appreciate Palcoyo in all its splendor.
Technically, accessing Palcoyo is simple, as the pedestrian route is relatively flat with gentle slopes, and it’s only a 45-minute hike to the top. This is much easier compared to the hike to Vinicunca.
What can you see and visit in Palcoyo?
The Stone Forest:
This is one of the most prominent features in Palcoyo. These rock formations tell a story spanning millions of years; if you look closely at some of the rocks, you might see what appear to be fossilized marine creatures or formations of the same origin. This indicates that this place was once at the bottom of the sea, but geological processes (such as subduction) have elevated it to its current impressive height.
The Red River in Palcoyo:
Towards the end of the road leading to Palcoyo, you’ll find a waterway that, during the rainy season, increases its flow, carrying with it the reddish substrate characteristic of the area, creating the peculiar “Red River.”
The Rainbow Mountain Range:
Palcoyo isn’t just one mountain; it consists of three. The first one is visible at the beginning of the trail, and the next two are found at the final stop of the tour. The entire area is adorned with an extensive red carpet that can be seen even in the deepest valleys formed by the surrounding mountains.
Flora and Fauna:
Llamas, alpacas, and vicuñas: As you venture into Palcoyo, you’ll encounter various animals native to the high Andean regions of Peru. Llamas and alpacas are commonly seen along the way, belonging to the local communities. With some luck, you might spot small groups of vicuñas grazing in the distance or a vizcacha sunbathing among the rocky terrain.
Due to the extreme climatic conditions in Palcoyo, vegetation is not very abundant. Mostly, on the mountain slopes, you’ll find “paja brava” or “ichu” in Quechua, along with some cacti adapted to the harsh climatic conditions of the area.
How to get to Palcoyo:
On your own:
If your goal is to visit this beautiful place independently, you should take a bus to Combapata, which can be boarded near the Coliseum Casa de la Juventud, just 10 minutes from the historic center of Cusco. After about a 3-hour journey to the town of the same name, you’ll need to take transportation to the parking area of the attraction itself, which should take about 40 minutes from the station. You’ll pass through checkpoints where you’ll need to pay for admission to the attraction. After a few minutes, you can start the hike on the circuit and explore the entire attraction. A tip is to start this activity early in the morning (around 4 am), as the car rides are long.
Having your own private transportation makes everything much easier, but keep in mind that it’s easy to get lost among the various roads. If in doubt, don’t hesitate to ask locals for directions—they are very friendly.
Although highly unlikely, remember it wouldn’t be advisable to get lost among these mountains due to the extreme weather conditions.
With a travel agency:
Using the services of a travel agency allows you to make this journey comfortably, with all services included. There are many companies willing to provide this service, but we don’t recommend choosing solely based on a low price, as this could lead to issues.
Below is the itinerary we typically follow:
Description of the Palcoyo Visit Itinerary in 1 Day:
The journey towards this impressive landscape begins around 4:00 in the morning, with an approximate 2 hours and 30 minutes drive to the town of Cusipata, where food services will be provided. After a suitable time at the establishment, we will continue for another hour, passing through the town of Pitumarca, to finally reach the main attraction, the Colorful Mountain Ranges. There’s no need for extensive hiking to appreciate the scenery, as the transportation practically reaches the attraction itself. After spending a reasonable amount of time at the site, we’ll return on the same route, stopping for lunch along the way. Arrival back in the city is expected around 5:00 pm.
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Some Curiosities about Palcoyo:
How was it discovered?
Palcoyo emerged some time after the already famous Vinicunca became a popular route well-known among both national and international visitors. It was due to this situation that residents of nearby towns decided to showcase the beauty and uniqueness of their land to the world.
Between 2017 and 2018, Palcoyo began to be promoted with the support of DIRCETUR Cusco, and infrastructure was developed to facilitate access and comfort for its visitors.
What are its colors due to?
Being in the same geographical region as Rainbow Mountain, Palcoyo has a similar composition. The variety of its colors is due to:
– Pink or fuchsia: red clay, mudstones (mud), and arillitas (sand).
– Whitish: quartz sand and limestone.
– Purple or lavender: a mixture of clay with sodium carbonate and silicates.
– Red: clays and mudstones.
– Green: clays rich in ferromagnesian and copper.
– Yellowish browns: calcareous sandstones, limonites, and sulfide minerals.
Differences between Vinicunca, Palcoyo, and Pallay Punchu:
In the following table, we’ll highlight the most notable technical characteristics not only of Palcoyo but also in relation to Vinicunca and Pallay Punchu, places that could be considered its main competitors due to the similarity of landscapes.
