Despite being a new tourist destination, thousands of people head to Vinicunca every day to experience its wide array of colors. But what many people don't know is that there are several Rainbow Mountains south of Cusco, and that visits to a second multi-colored mountain, Palcoyo, are already growing in popularity. Vinicunca and Palcoyo offer surprisingly similar views, but they are two attractions that have important differences that may make you prefer one over the other.
About 3 hours south of the city of Cusco, adjacent to the Vilcanota Mountain Range, there is a group of whimsical mountains of unique colors that never cease to attract the attention of travelers and tourists around the world. Here, ochres, reds, whites and blues emanate from the earth generating a spectacular effect.
Vinicunca was the first Rainbow Mountain to become a sought-after tourist attraction in Cusco, with thousands of tourists touring its colorful lands every day. Palcoyo, on the other hand, has become its most popular alternative in the last year, attracting attention not only for its kinship to Vinicunca, but because it is actually multiple rainbow mountains that coexist in the same mountain range. At Denomades we have a trek to Vinicunca and a trek to Palcoyo. Both excursions include lunch, entrance tickets, pick-up and drop-off at your accommodation in Cusco.
One of the most notable differences between both mountains is the physical demands to reach them. While Vinicunca consists of a 4-hour round-trip trek with a considerable slope, to reach Palcoyo it only takes 1.5 hours round-trip on a relatively flat stretch. Both excursions take place at 5,000 meters above sea level, so the risks of altitude sickness are high in either one. We recommend you read our article to avoid altitude sickness.
If you are excited by demanding stretches and are in good physical condition, then Vinicunca could be ideal for you, rewarding your effort with a privileged view of Ausangate, the fifth highest mountain in Peru at 6,372 meters. If you prefer a lighter hike, without demanding too much from your body, Palcoyo is the answer. In any case, in Vinicunca you can hire horseback riding services that take you to the top of the mountain.
For those who have climbed Vinicunca, you will know well that the trek is carried out by numerous groups of travelers every day. The popularity of this mountain is so high that it is visited by a thousand people daily, even putting the integrity of the environment at risk. If you are going to do this trek, you must take into consideration that you will share the trail with many others.
For some, this can take away a lot from the experience, especially if you are looking for a particular connection with the environment, to experience the immensity of nature and how small we humans are. In this sense, Palcoyo offers a beautiful isolation that is difficult to achieve in Vinicunca. So if you want more silence and fewer people around you, go for Palcoyo.
One of the advantages of hiring a tour is that the operators who carry them out know the roads, their quality and the correct accesses. However, if you plan to visit any of the Rainbow Mountains of Cusco on your own, you should know that vehicle access to Palcoyo is much more complicated than to Vinicunca. The roads are not in good condition (don't even think about doing it if you don't have a good 4×4) and it is very easy to get lost. Since Vinicunca is an already established destination in Cusco, the routes are better known and therefore involve less risk. Find out more information about how to get to Palcoyo and how to get to Vinicunca.
Vinicunca and Palcoyo are both Rainbow Mountains in Peru, but they differ in difficulty, altitude, and crowds.
| Feature | Vinicunca (Rainbow Mountain) | Palcoyo (Alternative Rainbow Mountain) |
|---|---|---|
| Altitude | 5,200 m (17,060 ft) | 4,900 m (16,076 ft) |
| Hiking Distance | 7 km round trip | 1.5 km round trip |
| Difficulty | Challenging, steep incline | Easy, gradual incline |
| Hiking Time | 3 hours (one way) | 30–45 minutes |
| Crowds | Very crowded | Fewer tourists |
| Scenery | One main Rainbow Mountain | Three colorful mountains + stone forest |
Choose Vinicunca if you want the most famous Rainbow Mountain experience and a challenging hike.
Choose Palcoyo if you prefer an easier trek with fewer crowds and multiple colorful peaks.
Both Vinicunca and Palcoyo offer stunning landscapes, making them top attractions near Cusco for travelers who love adventure and nature.
