Rainbow Mountain Polccoyo Peru
The Experience
Rainbow Mountain Polccoyo Peru
Not as well known as the Rainbow Mountain or Vinicunca, there is also the rainbow mountain Polccoyo. This location is also an early rise and a few hours drive from Cusco. With mountain peaks of 5000m you enter an area that seems hidden from the outside world. Once on location, the many colours and beautiful valleys become visible. From Cusco the first 2 hours are on the paved road, the last hour is unpaved. This is where the adventure really begins and you pass beautiful valleys, high mountains with snow peaks, water flowing through the valley and surrounded by Alpacas and small villages. It is a beautiful walk of 1.5 hours with 4 viewpoints. In addition to the beautiful views you also go through the ‘forest of stone’ formed by enormous rocks with surprising shapes that create an almost magical atmosphere.
NB 1: You start the walk at an altitude of 4326 meters and Polccoyo itself is at an altitude of just under 5000 meters. It is therefore important that you are well acclimatized to the altitude
before you make this excursion.
– In addition to being in good physical condition, it is important that you take the time to acclimatize sufficiently to the altitude.
Highlights of this excursion .
- Stunningly beautiful, colorful landscape.
- Walk past the small houses of the local inhabitants and encounter shepherds with their herds of llamas and alpacas.
- Not so popular yet, which makes it less touristy
What's Included
- Hotel pickup and drop-off in Cusco
- Professional bilingual guide (English/Spanish)
- Private transportation
- Breakfast in Checacupe
- Lunch after the hike
- Entry fee to Polccoyo
- Guided hike through the colored mountains and stone forest
- Emergency oxygen and first-aid kitv
What's Not Included
- Tips for guide or driver
- Snacks or extra drinks
- Horse rental (if needed, optional)
- Trekking poles (optional rental)
- Personal expenses
Day-by-Day Itinerary
At 05:00 in the morning you will be picked up by your guide from your hotel in Cusco. After a journey of 2 hours you will arrive at the town of Checacupa, where you will be served breakfast. Here is also a possibility to see the replica of the Inca bridge. After this stop it is another hour to the town of Polccoyo where the walk starts. Polccoyo is located at an altitude of 4300 meters. During the walk you will get an idea of how the local population lives in the mountains. Around you you will see beautiful mountain views, such as the Ausengate glacier.
During the walk you will see the beautiful views and the colored mountains around you. There are a total of 3 mountains that stand out with their colors. You can do this walk at your own pace and it takes about 1 hour. After the last viewpoint you go back through the stone forest. These enormous rocks have been eroded by the wind and have the most beautiful shapes. Eventually you will return to the parking lot where the return journey will start with a lunch on the way. In total the walk (there and back) takes about 2 hours. At the end of the afternoon you will be back in Cusco.