You might know a little something about a Rainbow Mountain in Peru, captivating visitors with its vibrancy of colors and being a spectacle beyond one’s imagination. So much so it’s become an Instagram sensation, beckoning travelers from all over the world to witness its vivid stripes of color. However, what if I told you that there was another, equally stunning rainbow mountain, hidden just a stone’s throw away? Somewhere that is blissfully serene and allows you to escape the crowds whilst still immersing yourself within the jaw-dropping splendor that is the Andes?
Enter Palccoyo, a hidden gem that’s quickly becoming a favorite among adventurers looking for a more authentic and unspoken experience. In fact, you’ll find here not just one, but three rainbow mountains, each of which boast a palette of colors. Even better, you’ll enjoy these breathtaking hills without battling hordes of tourists.
The walk we took to reach Palccoyo was, quite literally, breathtaking. Mind you, the trail itself is relatively easy and, mostly, level. It’s the high altitude that took me by storm. Coming from a life at sea-level to about 16,000 feet altitude is no small feat for the lungs. However, the hike to the peak might just have been one of my favorite, if not my favorite, experiences during my visit to Peru. Not only do you experience the unique and vibrant colors of the mountain, but the trail takes you past llama filled valleys and under the shadows of looming jagged rocks.
Here’s everything you need to know about the Palccoyo hike.
The Stats
Distance: About 3.7 miles (6km) roundtrip, within 3-4 hours average
Elevation Gain: Roughly 656 feet (200m) gradually
Difficulty: Moderate (due to the altitude)
Summary: To get to Palcocoyo, I had to drive through an incredible valley on a dirt road for about an hour, if not a little longer. Once arriving, you immediately see the start of the hiking path and, looking around, will be able to already see the first signs of color. The walk to Palccoyo is well maintained, with a smooth and gradual ascent that is broken up with various lookouts along the way. The only thing that really prevents the walk from being an easy stroll is the altitude (check out my other post on acclimatization to the altitude).
Beginning the Trail
From the parking area you’ll walk up some stone stairs to the first initial lookout. It’s here that you’ll get a fantastic view of the first rainbow mountain. Afterwards, the trail bears left up some more steps prior to reaching the main track, which is now a well-maintained path with just a gradual incline. Right from the get-go the views will be stunning, only getting better as you go.
Under the Shadow of Mountains
Continuing along the path, the scenery was beyond my expectations and the whole setting setting is spectacular as is; the rainbow mountains only had to the spectacle. There’s endless layers of mountains with soaring rocky crags of the stone forest looming above. Even without the presence of rainbow mountains, this hike would be well worth the walk.
Eventually you’ll arrive at the first officially marked lookout, which is a good breathing spot; have a seat on the stone wall and take in the beauty of the mountains. Keep in mind that right near this lookout you’ll likely notice a path heading uphill away from the main trail, but that will lead up the mountain, not to Palccoyo.
Under the Shadow of Mountains
You’ll continue passing under the mammoth stone forest above as you proceed to the second marked lookout, with the scenery getting even more vibrant as you approach another, the second rainbow mountain. From here, prepare to traverse a more narrow part of the track, which I imagine could be slippery and muddy in the wet season; tread carefully. This leads to the final viewpoint that sits right at the base of Palccoyo.
Reaching Palccoyo
You’ll proceed to climb a still gradual, but slightly steeper incline, to reach the true height of Palccoyo. Once you reach this spot, you’ll find yourself standing at an impressive altitude of about 16070 feet (4900m), only about 700 feet less than its more famous cousin, Vinicunca, or the official Rainbow Mountain. This will be your best view of Palccoyo.
Keep in mind that from here you can veer off to add on the stone forest side track, or Bosque de Piedras. However, I did not do this as it added more altitude and climbing than I felt necessary, given what was already accomplished and the time remaining in the day. Therefore, you can simply turn around and retrace your steps back to the parking lot once finished at Palccoyo.
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