Traverse the sharp, striking colors of the Rainbow Mountain of Pallay Punchu
Discovered during the COVID-19 lockdown, Pallay Punchu is the third rainbow mountain in Cusco, after Vinicunca and Palccoyo. Although it has gained popularity on social media, it still remains an unexplored destination. Its impressive silhouette of sharp ridges and intense colors makes it a truly unique place that is still rarely visited. If you’re looking for an off-the-beaten-path experience, don’t miss the chance to spend at least one day discovering this extraordinary spot.
To get there, you’ll head south of Cusco, to a remote area where only you and nature will be present. You’ll feel privileged as you admire the stunning views of the landscape with Langui Lake in the background. Let yourself be amazed as you walk along the perfect multicolored lines of the mountain, painted in shades of cyan, brown, and magenta. You’ll also learn about Andean traditions and the local geology, surrounded by majestic red mountains and wide grasslands.
Join this unique adventure—and don’t forget your Andean poncho to capture the best photo
Highlight of the day: Traverse the sharp borders of Pallay Punchu. The views from the top are surreal!
Pallay Punchu, the third Rainbow Mountain in the Peruvian Andes
This exciting adventure begins around 4:00 AM, when we pick you up from your hotel. We’ll take you by car two and a half hours away to Cusipata to eat an energizing breakfast. After that, you’ll continue down the road toward Sicuani, along the way taking in the beauty of the Blue Lagoon of Langui, which extends more than 15 km across. You’ll stop by the shores to enjoy the sights before continuing to Layo, where the hike begins.
Once there, this challenging hike is uphill for about one hour. You’ll walk on a trail leading through pastures and impressive red lands accompanied by typical fauna of the area: alpacas, llamas, and, if lucky watch kestrels, peregrine falcons, or the famous condor flying overhead. When we get to Pallay Punchu of the Apu Taqllo which, translated in Quechua, means “woven poncho,” you’ll have the opportunity to climb the sharp edges of the mountain and feel like you’re flying over the surface of another planet.
This mountain stands out because of its precise lines, perfectly sculpted by nature across millions of years. You’ll be able to distinguish diverse colors like red, brown, yellow, green, magenta, and ocher, among others. While you enjoy the wonderful pigmentation of various tonalities, you can also lean out across the edge to get an even better look at the impressive Langui lagoon and a part of the Andes mountain range.
You’ll reach an altitude of more than 4,730 m (15,518 ft), so we recommend that you are acclimatized before your tour to avoid any altitude sickness. We’ll return to Layo by the same trail, and find the perfect spot for lunch near the Lagoon shoreline. If you prefer, you can enjoy an optional and larger meal at a rural restaurant in Cusipata. Finally, we’ll go back to Cusco to end this immersive adventure.
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