Palccoyo Rainbow Mountain: The Other Rainbow Mountain

Palccoyo Rainbow Mountain: The Other Rainbow Mountain

Traveling Black Women viewing the View of the Andes from the road to Palccoyo Rainbow Mountain with llamas grazing along the hillsides.

When you hear “Rainbow Mountain” in Peru, chances are you picture the vibrant stripes of Vinicunca, perched high in the Peruvian Andes at nearly 17,000 feet above sea level. It’s a breathtaking sight—but one that’s earned its reputation as a serious challenge for even the fittest of travelers.

But after hearing one too many stories about altitude sickness and the grueling 3-hour ascents, our group of adventurous Black women—ages 40 to 65—decided to do things differently.

We opted for the Palccoyo Rainbow Mountain tour, a stunning yet lesser-known trail that offers a shorter, more manageable hike without sacrificing that once-in-a-lifetime view of the Andes Mountains.

For us, it was the perfect balance between adventure, ease, fortitude, and perseverance. Since we weren’t avid hikers, and were relatively short on time, Palccoyo Rainbow Mountain was the perfect alternative to Vinicunca Rainbow Mountain.

“Climbing that mountain with the altitude was the hardest physical activity I’ve ever done in 30 degree (f) weather. But was it worth it?? Yesss!”

— Simone Duncan, School Psychologist, age 45
Travelers bundled in jackets and layers hiking the Palccoyo Rainbow Mountain. Traveling Black Women

Getting There: From Cusco to Palccoyo

Our morning started early. At 6AM, our driver picked us up from the Hilton Garden Inn Cusco, and we began the three-hour drive through winding Andean roads.

The scenery alone was worth the trip… Rural villages, llamas, snow-capped peaks, and valleys glowing gold in the morning light. It was beautiful.

Drive from cusco to Palccoyo Rainbow Mountain

Elevation: 16,076ft (4,900m) above sea level (approximately 700ft lower than the more popular Vinicunca Rainbow Mountains)

Drive time: 3 hours each way

Hike time: ~1 hour up / 1 hour down


The Climb

At the trailhead, our guide handed us walking sticks and reminded us to take it slow.

Checking out the vendors on Rainbow Mountain for gloves and alpaca scarves sold on the route
How it started….


The path was wide, clearly marked, and well maintained. There were quite a few local vendors selling alpaca hats, scarves, and souvenirs along the way. The mountain’s vivid reds, yellows, greens, and purples left us in awe between labored breaths.

At 16,000 feet above sea level, the air was definitely thin. I was breathing like I was running even though I was walking. Then to add to the adventure, the temp dropped and it began to hail about 30 minutes in. Still, we pressed on—laughing between deep breaths, wrapped in layers, determined to reach the top.

We moved steadily and slowly; pausing often while laughing and asking each other who signed us up for this. Nonetheless, each pause to catch our breath gave us another reason to look around and marvel at the Andes’ quiet beauty.

Listen… Looking around while surrounded by Andean mountains naturally painted in muted pastels and streaks of mineral color felt like we were witnessing something miraculous, something sacred. God’s workshop.

Snow-covered peaks of Palccoyo Rainbow Mountain after hail, with distant Andean ridges in view. The weather at Rainbow mountain changes fast.
How it ended…

By the time we descended, the hail had blanketed the mountain in white. The rainbow striations had vanished beneath a fresh coat of ice, but the scene was still otherworldly. The altitude had pushed us to our limits, but the reward was pure awe. Not to mention… we literally experienced two seasons in one day.


🌈 Palccoyo vs. Vinicunca: Which Rainbow Mountain Is Right for You?

Traveling Black Women in Peru at Rainbow Mountain Palccoyo - a gentler, less crowded alternative to Rainbow Mountain

Palccoyo gave us the same awe Vinicunca promises without the exhaustion, the crowds, or the altitude headaches. Here’s a quick chart to determine which option would work best for you.

FeaturePalccoyoVinicunca
Hike Duration~ 1 hour (mild incline)~ 3 hours (steep)
Elevation ~16,000 ft~17,000 ft
CrowdsMinimal (A few small groups and families)Heavy (Think multiple tour buses daily)
Road AccessPaved (up until the last 30 minutes)Bumpy for the final stretch
Experience LevelBeginner to IntermediateIntermediate to Advanced
Best for… Tourists with little hiking experience, families, first-timersMore experienced & fit hikers

All in all, if you’ve dreamed of seeing Peru’s Rainbow Mountain but worried about the physical demand of the Vinicunca Rainbow Mountain, Palccoyo Rainbow Mountain is the perfect alternative.

Book Your Preferred Rainbow Mountain Experience Here:


Taking a photo of the Palccoyo Rainbow Mountains

Palccoyo Rainbow Mountain Prep:

It’s all here on my Amazon Packing List!

What to Bring:

  • Layers, Layers, Layers (temperatures swing from 70°F to freezing)
  • Rain gear (poncho, raincoat, waterproof pants & shoes…. I would not recommend an umbrella at all.)
  • Coca tea, Coca candy, or coca leaves for altitude
  • Altitude Patch/Meds
  • Reusable Water Bottle
  • Sunscreen & gloves
  • Cash for local vendors

Final Tips:

  • Acclimate in Cusco for at least 2 days before hiking (Cusco is around 11,000ft)
  • Start early to avoid afternoon storms
  • Go with a local guide (ours was patient, kind, and incredibly knowledgeable)

Affiliate Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. If you purchase through these links, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thanks for supporting the Traveling Black Women Network!

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