The short answer
- Vinicunca summit
- About 5,000 m, 1.5 to 2 hrs up
- Palccoyo
- About 4,900 m, 30 to 60 min walk
- Drive from Cusco
- 3 to 4 hours each way
- Best months
- May to September
Rainbow Mountain, or Vinicunca, only became famous around 2015, when melting snow revealed its red, yellow and green mineral stripes. It is now one of the most visited sights near Cusco, with up to a couple of thousand visitors a day in the dry season.
Palccoyo, a few valleys away, has similar coloured hills and a gentler walk, and sees a small fraction of the visitors. Here is how they compare, and why altitude decides which one suits you.
The two hikes side by side
Vinicunca (Rainbow Mountain)
Busy- Walk
- 1.5 to 2 hrs up, 1 hr down
- Highest point
- About 5,036 m
- Entry
- About S/25 to 30, cash
- Visitors
- 1,000 to 2,000 a day
The famous single striped ridge, with views of snowy Ausangate. The last 20 minutes is steep and breathless; horses can be hired for most of the way up.
Palccoyo
Quiet- Walk
- 30 to 60 minutes
- Highest point
- About 4,900 m
- Entry
- About S/10 to 20
- Visitors
- Usually under 100 a day
Three striped hills and a rock forest, reached by a short, gentle path. The road in is rougher and takes a little longer, but the walk suits families and anyone worried about altitude.
Profiles are approximate and drawn to the same scale (4,400 to 5,200 m, a dotted line every 100 m), so a taller line means higher ground. The red dot is the highest point.
Which one should you choose?
What matters most to you?
Choose an answer to see what we recommend.
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- The famous photo: Vinicunca
- It is the one in the pictures. Leave Cusco at about 4 am to reach the top before the crowds, and allow the whole day.
- Avoiding crowds: Palccoyo
- You may share the hills with a few dozen people rather than a thousand or more, and the walk is short.
- Worried about altitude: Palccoyo
- You still reach about 4,900 m, but with a short, gentle walk. Vinicunca's steep final climb at 5,000 m is where most people struggle.
- Travelling with children: Palccoyo
- The easy walk makes it far more realistic for children and older travellers. Check with a doctor before taking young children this high.
- A bigger hike: Vinicunca, or the Ausangate trek
- Some 2 to 6 day Ausangate treks finish at Vinicunca, so you arrive on foot before the day trip crowds. Ask about the Red Valley side trip too.
A day at Rainbow Mountain
Both trips start from Cusco in the dark, around 3:30 to 4:30 am, with breakfast on the way and lunch afterwards. You are back in Cusco by late afternoon. The highest point of the day is far higher than anywhere you will sleep, which is why the timing in your trip matters.
Your altitude through the day (Vinicunca)
Tip: Do Rainbow Mountain near the end of your time in the Cusco region, never on your first or second day. Read our altitude guide.
Practical tips
- When to go: May to September for clear skies and colours. Snow can cover the stripes from December to March.
- What to bring: Warm layers, gloves, sun cream, sunglasses, water, snacks and cash for the entry fee, horses and toilets.
- Horses: Local families rent horses for most of the climb at Vinicunca. You still walk the last steep section.
- Red Valley: Some Vinicunca tours add a short extra walk to the Red Valley viewpoint for an extra fee. It adds time at high altitude, so only do it if you feel well.
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Frequently asked questions
How hard is the Rainbow Mountain hike?
The walk is only 4 to 5 km each way, but it is at 4,600 to 5,000 m, where there is roughly half the oxygen of sea level. Most people walk slowly with many stops. The final climb is steep.
Is Palccoyo as good as Rainbow Mountain?
Many visitors think it is better: more coloured hills, an easier walk and almost no crowds. Vinicunca's single ridge is more dramatic and is the famous photo.
Can I do Rainbow Mountain on my first day in Cusco?
We strongly advise against it. Spend at least three nights at altitude first, ideally including the Sacred Valley.
How much does a Rainbow Mountain tour cost?
Shared day tours from Cusco usually cost about US$30 to US$60 including transport and meals, plus the entry fee in cash. Private tours cost more.
Sources we checked
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