Short Itinerary

Day Trip: Cusco → Pallay Punchu → Cusco

Early hotel pickup in Cusco → ~5-hour scenic drive through the Andes to the Pallay Punchu trailhead (4,575 m / 15,009 ft).

Upon arrival, enjoy a box breakfast before beginning the short but rewarding hike. The trail ascends gently for about 30 minutes with stunning views over Langui Lake, leading to the summit of Pallay Punchu—a striking red-and-green mountain often called the “lesser-known Rainbow Mountain.”

Spend 30–60 minutes at the top taking photos and soaking in the dramatic high-altitude scenery.

Return to the trailhead in ~20 minutes, then board the van for a 1-hour drive to Cusipata (3,250 m / 11,000 ft) for a delicious hot lunch prepared by your chef.

Detail Itinerary

Pallay Punchu Mountain Full Day Tour

We will pick you up from your hotel around 03:00 am. Then, we begin a scenic drive of nearly five hours in a private van toward the Pallay Punchu trailhead. Upon arrival, we will provide you with a box breakfast to fuel up for the hike ahead.

After enjoying breakfast, we start hiking while enjoying impressive views of Langui Lake below us. The hike lasts approximately 30 minutes until we reach the top of Pallay Punchu Mountain, where you will have time to explore the area and take photos. Depending on weather conditions and your hiking pace, you will spend between 30 minutes to one hour at the summit.

After enjoying the mountain, we hike back down to the trailhead in about 20 minutes, where our private van will be waiting. We then drive for one additional hour to Cusipata (3,250 m / 11,000 ft), where you will enjoy a delicious lunch prepared by our professional chef.

  • After lunch, we return to Cusco, arriving at your hotel at approximately 04:00 pm.
  • Hike Information
  • Elevation Gain: 187 m / 613 ft
  • Elevation Loss: 189 m / 620 ft
  • Walking Distance: 2 km / 1.24 miles
  • Trailhead Elevation: 4,575 m / 15,009 ft
  • Highest Point: 4,735 m / 15,534 ft

  • Includes
  • English speaking guide.
  • First aid kit, including oxygen.
  • Breakfast and lunch prepared by our chef.
  • Snacks for the trek.
  • Private transportation to and from your hotel in Cusco.
  • Entrance fees to Pallay Punchu Mountain.
  • pick up and drop off from the hotel.
  • Not Included
  • Gratitudes for guides.
  • Personal riding horse. Additional horses may be rented according to the needs of the individual and group.

INFO IMPORTANT:

  • It is not recommended for people who have heart problem or other serious medical condition
  • Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately
  • Minimum age is 08 years old.
  • Not recommended for people over 60 years of age.
  • It is not recommended for pregnant travelers
  • Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level
  • Not wheelchair accessible
  • Higher elevation also means colder, nearly freezing temperatures, so be prepared. Whether you decide to take a one-day tour, make sure to wear very warm clothes. Also bring coca leaves to fight off altitude sickness and carry the minimum gear possible to ease the hike.
  • Try to go all the way to the viewpoint. You get a 360° view not just a rainbow Mountain, but of the nearby glacier and a gorgeous valley in the other direction. We think most people didn’t realize what they were missing by not going all the way up.
  • The best time to visit the Rainbow Mountain is going to be in the morning or evening hours, either right after sunrise, or right before sunset.
  • The hike to the top is no joke. Constantly changing weather conditions, combined with high altitude, can be a challenge for experienced hikers. But if done right it’s manageable even for those who don’t hike much.
  • Don’t go to the Rainbow Mountain in the afternoon in the rainy season because of lighting. Since the high concentration of mineral. There is a high chance to get stricken by lighting.

When you go to the Plaza de Armas in Cusco, you’ll find tons of agencies that offer this same tour “cheap” but remember: you get what you pay for. In many cases, some agencies may charge much less but will send you on a tour where the groups are 25, 35 more tourists and one guide. We offer our exclusive service tour where the minimum is 2 and the maximum is 8 people per group.

Dont forget Passport stamp on Rainbow mountain. It cost 2 soles. 

Our Recommendations

  • It is not recommended for people who have heart problem or other serious medical condition
  • Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately
  • Minimum age is 08 years old.
  • Not recommended for people over 60 years of age.
  • It is not recommended for pregnant travelers
  • Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level
  • Not wheelchair accessible

THINGS TO KNOW

Higher elevation also means colder, nearly freezing temperatures, so be prepared. Whether you decide to take a one-day tour, make sure to wear very warm clothes. Also bring coca leaves to fight off altitude sickness and carry the minimum gear possible to ease the hike.

Try to go all the way to the viewpoint. You get a 360° view not just a rainbow Mountain, but of the nearby lake and a gorgeous valley in the other direction. We think most people didn’t realize what they were missing by not going all the way up.

The best time to visit the Pallay Punchu Mountain is going to be in the morning or evening hours, either right after sunrise, or right before sunset.

The hike to the top is no joke. Constantly changing weather conditions, combined with high altitude, can be a challenge for experienced hikers. But if done right it’s manageable even for those who don’t hike much.

Don’t go to the Pallay Punchu Mountain in the afternoon in the rainy season because of lighting. Since the high concentration of mineral. There is a high chance to get stricken by lighting.

When you go to the Plaza de Armas in Cusco, you’ll find tons of agencies that offer this same tour “cheap” but remember: you get what you pay for. In many cases, some agencies may charge much less but will send you on a tour where the groups are 25, 35 more tourists and one guide. We offer our exclusive service tour where the minimum is 2 and the maximum is 8 people per group.

OUR RECOMMENDATIONS

  • Make sure you are acclimatized to Cusco’s altitude before you set off on your hike to the Pallay Punchu Mountain. This is by far the best insurance for a smooth and enjoyable trip. We recommend you spend at least 2 days in Cusco prior to the excursion.
  • Don’t forget wáter!. Drinking lots of water will help with the altitude. We advise bringing at least 2 liters per person on the hike with you and have an extra bottle to leave in the van for when you get back.
  • Go to sleep early and try to avoid drinking or partying the night before, because We will pick you up at 03:00 am and the physically challenging trek will be much more bearable without a hangover.
  • If you have altitude sickness symptoms, descend as quickly as you can. It’s nothing to mess around with.
  • If you are going to Machu Picchu the day before your trip to the Pallay Punchu Mountain, tell your travel company to book your return train ticket early.

FAQ´S

HOW ABOUT THE STUDENT DISCOUNT?

  • Unfortunatly there is not student discount
  • MAY I CHANGE DEPARTURE DATE?
  • Yes, it is possible. But you should let us know 48 hours in advance.

DO I NEED TO BRING MY ORIGINAL PASSPORT ON THE  PALLAY PUNCHU MOUNTAIN TOUR?

It is not mandatory to bring your Passport. But if you want to have a stamp on it, bring it. The stamp on your Passport costs 2 soles.

CAN I STAY IN THE SACRED VALLEY FOR MY PALLAY PUNCHU MOUNTAIN TRIP?

Not, beacuse our Rainbow Mountain tour groups leave from Cusco. If you stay in sacred valley, we can take you in private service and there will be an upgrade of $30 for the transport from the sacred valley.

HOW TO BOOK THE PALLAY PUNCHU MOUNTAIN 1 DAY TREK WITH PUREQ TRAVEL?

In order to book your Pallay Punchu Mountain with us, click on the BOOK NOW button, then select the day of your departure, then, fill out all your personal information of each participant and the last step is the payment of your deposit of $25 per person.

Once we get your deposit, we will send you a confirmation of your trip and the booking form to fill out. Here is all the detail that you need to send us.

  • Personal information (full name of each participant):
  • Name of the hotel:
  • Phone number:
  • Dietary restricion(Vegetarian?)

WHAT ABOUT THE OUTSTANDING BALANCE?

The Outstanding balance can be made in cash one day earlier your trip in USD or soles or if you prefer PayPal at least one week prior to your trip(7% service fee applies). Also, you can pay us with Credit card only Visa(5% service fee applies).  Please let us know what you prefer. Cash payment MUST be paid 1 day prior your trip.

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