About Palcoyo Mountain
The Palccoyo Mountain trek is generally considered moderately easy compared to the more strenuous Vinicunca (Rainbow Mountain) hike. It’s a good alternative for those who want to experience the colorful mountains without the intense physical exertion of the more popular trek.
Here’s a more detailed breakdown:
• Altitude:
Palccoyo is at a lower altitude (4,900 meters/16,076 feet) than Vinicunca (5,200 meters/17,060 feet),
• Hiking Difficulty:
The Palccoyo hike is described as “gentler” and “less steep” than Vinicunca. Some sources say it’s a short, relatively flat hike, taking about 1 hour or less one way. Others note that while there are some steeper sections, the overall experience is less demanding than Vinicunca.
• Preparation:
Even though Palccoyo is less challenging, acclimatization to the altitude is still recommended, as it is for all treks in the Cusco region.
• Accessibility:
One blog post notes the trail is accessible with some dirt and stone paths, transitioning to more rocky terrain later.
• Views:
Palccoyo offers views of multiple rainbow mountains, the Red Valley, and Ausangate Mountain in the distance.
How hard is the Palcoyo hike?
The Palcoyo hike is considered easy to moderate. It is a short trail (2.4 miles/4km) with a gradual incline, reaching an altitude of 4,900m (16,000 ft). The hike is easier than the Rainbow Mountain trek to Vinicuna due to lower elevation gain and a well-maintained path
How high is Palccoyo?
16,070 feet: Palccoyo Mountain is 4,900 meters above sea level (16,070 feet), 300 meters lower than Vinicunca Rainbow Mountain, located 5,100 meters above sea level (16,732 feet).
Can a beginner hike the Rainbow Mountain?
The hike to Rainbow Mountain is a challenging but rewarding experience. Although it is not a long or technical trail, the high altitude (5,200 meters / 17,060 feet) makes it much more difficult than expected, especially for those who are not used to hiking at high altitudes.
Is Vinicunca or Palcoyo better?
Palccoyo offers a quieter, more personal experience away from the crowds at Vinicunca. The path to Palccoyo Rainbow Mountain is physically less demanding, making it more accessible to visitors. Beyond the colorful mountains, you’ll find unique rock formations and expansive views of the Red Valley.
The full Day Hike Details:
- Departure time : 4am (Try to be the first visitors and avoid crowding )
- Return time to Cusco : 4:30 – 5:00pm ( It depends a lot on the physical condition of each walker)
- WalKing distance : 3 and half hour / 5 Km – 3 miles
- Walking time : 45: minutes till the last viewpoint , with short breaks / 30 minutes to return to parking
- Driving distance from Cusco till the beginning : ( 125 Km / 76 Miles )
- Driving time from Cusc0 : 4 Hours approx / including the stops for breakfast and lunch even for wasthroom
- Road and Trail condition : Paved roads / dirty paths / snow-capped mountains / rocky terrain
- Base elevation : 4,900 m.a.s.l / 16,076 ft
- High or top elevation : 5.200 m.a.s.l / 17,060 ft
- Elevation gain during the hike : 200 m.a.s.l / 657 ft
- Adventure rating : Easy to moderate till the high altitude
- Duration trip : Full Day tour from 4 am til 5pm ( A ful, Day Adventure tour )
- Highlights during the tour : Off the beaten path / Palcoyo Mt ( Rainbow ) Ausangate Mt views
- Season to go : Year round from April to November , even from March
How difficult is the hike ?
The Palccoyo Mountain trek is generally considered moderately easy compared to the more strenuous Vinicunca (Rainbow Mountain) hike. It’s a good alternative for those who want to experience the colorful mountains without the intense physical exertion of the more popular trek. Palccoyo is at a lower altitude (4,900 meters/16,076 feet) than Vinicunca (5,200 meters/17,060 feet) This hike is accessible for all ages and hiking levels. The highest altitude on the tour is 5,200 meters/17,060 feet so we recommend a few days in Cusco prior to the tour to acclimatize. Please note the driving and walking times, time at each site, and departure/arrival time are approximate and depend upon many factors such as road conditions, weather, van size, group pace.
What weather is expected during the hike?
The weather varies a lot across Peru, having 28 climates and 84 of the worlds 104 ecosystems. Cusco is set high up (3,380 mts, 11,089 ft) in the Andean Mountain Range and the dry season (winter) is from March/April to October/November with the wettest part of the year (summer) being December through March. The weather for trekking is pretty much the same year round, with the main difference being the amount of rainfall. During the dry season, most days are dry and clear, but high-altitude mountains always have the potential for rain and/or snow so it is essential to come prepared for all types of weather regardless of the time of year.
The Three Rainbow (Palcoyo) Day Hike is very high altitude, therefore the weather can be quite cold, windy, and unpredictable. As you’ll arrive quite early in the morning it will be chilly then. During the day it can get quite warm if the sun is out; anywhere from 60-75F/15-24C. Keep in mind, if the weather is rainy, snowy, or cloudy it will be colder, and that the weather can change in an instant, particularly when up at the high-altitude passes. It is often quite windy at the top of the pass as well. As with any high-altitude hike you’ll need to bring plenty of layers to adjust to the fluctuating temperatures and conditions as well as appropriate sun/rain protection.
Cusco weather: Cusco is always very cold at night due to the high altitude. It is regularly around 40F/4.4C at night so bring a nice warm jacket for nighttime walking in town. It is warmer in Machu Picchu and the Sacred Valley and Aguas Calientes as these areas are lower altitudes than Cusco and the trek.
What to Bring / Carry :
- Sunscreen: the sun is very strong in Cusco
- Sun hat / Sunglasses / Lip balm
- Hiking shoes/boots with good, grippy tread
- Trekking poles (you can also get the bamboo sticks at the begging)
- Optional: microspikes in case of excessive snowfall (rare)
- Hiking pants and shirts (layers)
- Hand warmers if you wish / Warm hat, gloves, scarf
- Daypack and rain cover
- Rain gear – rain jacket and rain pants (optional for the pants), can buy an inexpensive poncho before the trek
- Cash for tipping the staff ( the ripped bills, damaged bills of any kind are NOT acceptable in Peru)
- Torch/flashlight/headlamp, and batteries
- Extra snacks if you wish
- Personal medication and toiletries you might want/need
- Camera, extra memory cards, batteries and solar panel/power bank
- Water bottle or water bladder to refill
- Passport, and it must be valid 6 months past your final travel dates for most countries
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