Rainbow mountains – Palccoyo/ Vinicunca/ Pallay Punchu

 

2 or 3-day trip

Visits to the Rainbow Mountains are often offered as long and demanding one-day tours from Cusco. While undeniably impressive, these standard itineraries usually involve many hours of driving and only a short amount of time spent in the mountains.

At Casa LENA, we therefore choose a different approach. Instead of day trips, we only offer two- or three-day journeys, combining the visit with other remarkable sites in the region: Waqrapukara and/or the Seven Lakes of Ausangate. During our journeys, we stay in small local lodges, creating space for rest, acclimatization and time in the mountains.

This multi-day approach allows travelers to choose between three different Rainbow Mountain areas, each with its own character and landscape:

Vinicunca (5,200 m) – the closest to Cusco and therefore the most visited and photographed.


Pallcoyo (4,900 m) – slightly further away, with a shorter and less demanding hike, making it a good option for travelers concerned about altitude.


Pallay Punchu – the most recently discovered area, featuring steeper terrain and requiring a longer drive, but offering a more remote experience.

Because every group is different, we do not work with fixed standard itineraries. The route, starting point and pace depend on factors such as acclimatization, travel plans and personal interests.

Tours can start in Cusco or Curahuasi and can easily be combined with other experiences along the way, such as Humantay Lake or continuing towards the Manu region, without the need to return to Cusco in between.

For each group, we design a tailor-made program, carefully adapted to their situation, timing and wishes — always with attention to comfort, timing and the natural rhythm of the mountains.