Palcoyo: Alternative rainbow mountain tour
- 10k reviews 13 h
The tour to Palccoyo is a new alternative route that includes a short walk over the reddish and colorful mountains of Palccoyo, additionally you will visit the stone forest (colorful rocky formations) and beautiful views over the glaciers of the Ausangate mountain.
Itineray
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4:30 Meeting point in Cusco: 3,400 m.a.s.l. (11,154 ft)
- We will pick you up from your hotel at about 4:30 – if applicable.
- You should read the Details and Notes tab so there are no misunderstandings at all.
Cusco to Cusipata
Cusco to Cusipata by vehicle: 2 hours — Cusipata is a small town located at 3,310 m.a.s.l. (10,859 ft).
6:30 Breakfast in Cusipata
Continental buffet breakfast: Fruit salad, cereals, bread, butter, jam, waffles, omelette, coffee, tea, etc.
7:10 Cusipata to inca Bridge
By vehicle.
7:30 Inca Bridge — optional
- The visit to this attraction is optional and will depend on the weather and the guide’s decision.
- At this location, you can see a bridge from the Inca period, a bridge with Roman arches from the Spanish colonial era, and a metal bridge from the Republican period.
- These three bridges encompass a thousand years of history.
- Also, note that the Inca bridge closes for a period during the year for maintenance conducted by the municipality of Checacupe.
- The visit to this place will last about 30 minutes.
- If you do not wish to visit this place, simply inform your guide.
Inca Bridge to Wallata Cunca
- 1.5 hours approx. in vehicle.
- Much of the route is on compacted dirt road.
9:30 Arrival at Wallata Cunca: 4,750 m.a.s.l. (15,583 ft)
- At this location, you will begin your walk.
- If you need trekking sticks, don’t forget to ask your guide.
- There are also restrooms available here.
- The walk is easy, with no uphill sections. The entire walk lasts 30 minutes, but due to the guide’s explanations, photo opportunities, and breaks you’ll take, it will likely take longer.
10:45 Arrival at Palccoyo: 4,900 m.a.s.l. (16,076 ft)
Take the best photos in this place.
Palccoyo to Stone Forest — optional
- This walk takes 20 minutes at a super slow pace, and the route includes some short uphill sections.
- The stone forest is filled with beautiful natural formations and also serves as a great viewpoint to see the entire Ausangate mountain range.
- If you prefer not to climb to the stone forest, you can simply return to the bus by using the same trek. Just let your guide know.
Return to Wallata Cunca
On foot.
12:15 Wallata Cunca to Cusipata
By vehicle.
14:00 Arrival in Cusipata and lunch
Buffet lunch with vegetarian options.
Cusipata to Cusco
By vehicle.
17:30 Ending place
This tour ends near the Plaza de Armas at 17:30 approx. If you book a private tour, we will drop you off at your hotel.
Price
The prices shown in the table are:
- Per person in US dollars ($).
- Pple. = people.
- Group = group service, shared.
| Pple. | Group | Private |
| 1 | $35 | $220 |
| 2 | $35 | $110 |
| 3 | $35 | $75 |
| 4 | $35 | $65 |
| 5 | $35 | $60 |
Details
| Details | Group | Private |
| Schedule | 4:30 to 17:30 | 5:00 to 17:00 |
| Days | Every day | Every day |
| Language | es/en simultaneously | es or en |
| Size | 15 to 20 pax. | You and your friends |
| Included | Group | Private |
| Pick up from your hotel | ✅ | ✅ |
| Buffet breakfast and lunch | ✅ | ✅ |
| Professional Guide | ✅ | ✅ |
| Driver | ✅ | ✅ |
| Tourist vehicle | ✅ | ✅ |
| Walking stick (on request) | ✅ | ✅ |
| Personalized service | ❌ | ✅ |
| First aid kit | ✅ | ✅ |
| Oxygen | ✅ | ✅ |
| Tickets for Palccoyo: 15 soles pp | ❌ | ❌ |
| Tickets for Inca Bridge (optional): 10 soles pp | ❌ | ❌ |
| Drop off at your hotel | ❌ | ✅ |
Restrictions:
- People with reduced mobility
- People with obesity and heart problems
- People who are not acclimatized to the altitude
- Seniors
- Minors unless you take the responsibility
What do I bring?
- Sweaters
- Rain ponchos
- Anti-slip shoes
- Caps or hats
- Sunglasses
- Sunscreen
- A bottle of water
- Tablets for high altitude sickness
- Drones (optional):
- They are allowed
- Pay directly to the indigenous people: 50 soles approx.
- Local currency in cash for your entrance tickets
- * Dollars, Euros and cards are not accepted
- * You can buy the entrance tickets the same day of your tour
WhatsApp:
Notes
Pick-ups and timings:
Group tours:
- Pick up times and tour ending times are approximate.
- Bus stop times to visit the attractions, to eat (if applicable) or other activities are always approximate, never exact.
- Arrival times to the attractions on foot are approximate.
- We will pick you up as long as you are in the historic center; otherwise, we will coordinate another meeting place.
- If your hotel doesn’t have a car access, the streets are one-way only or there is a lot of car traffic, then you will walk some blocks to get in the bus.
- We may not pick you up for some tours due to schedules, festivals and strikes.
- When being picked up, we will call for your name, lastname and tour destination; otherwise, don’t get on the bus.
- We will coordinate all pick-up time details one day prior your tour.
Private tours:
- Your pick up time is sharp on time.
- We will do our best to pick you up from your hotel regardless your hotel location.
- We will coordinate all pick-up time details one day prior your tour.
- Your tour ending time is still aproximate; however, we will do our best to end the tour on the scheduled time.
Meal:
- The tourism infrastructure for this tourist destination is basic.
- Both breakfast and lunch are simple and delicious.
- There aren’t many restaurants along this route.
- There are vegetarian options.
Vehicle type and seats:
Vehicle types — group tours and private tours:
- We implement vehicles authorized by the Ministry of Transportation of Peru.
- The type and size of vehicle will always depend on the group size.
- We implement modern vehicles with air conditioning: H1, Van, Renault and Sprinter.
Seats — group tours:
- You book a seat in the bus — you don’t necessarily book a specific number of seat.
- If you are picked up first from your hotel, then you can can choose some seats.
- Your pickup time will depend on your hotel location.
- Travel partners or couples seat together to 95%; however, we don’t warranty this will happen to 100%.
Road type:
- Much of the road is paved track.
- The last part of the road is a dirt road (compacted earth) with bumps, therefore:
- Dust comes in through the windows.
- The vehicle ride is sometimes bumpy.
Driver:
Group tours:
- Authorized by the Ministry of Transport and Communications.
- He drives fast due to distance and time issues.
- He sometimes listens to music while driving to stay awake.
Private tours:
- Authorized by the Ministry of Transport and Communications.
- He drives at a normal speed.
Guide:
Group tours:
- Authorized by the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Tourism.
- He goes as a companion, he is always behind the group to make sure that everyone reaches their destination.
- There is not much explanation either on the bus or on the attraction, the route is focused more on a short walk, not on history.
Private tours:
- Authorized by the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Tourism.
- He is always there to help you.
Operability and itinerary:
This tour is subject to variation without any prior notice, due to weather conditions, strikes and any other event that doesn’t allow the normal tour operation.
Cancellations
The cancellation is free as long as you do it 48 hours in advance; otherwise, a fee of 100% of the tour cost will apply.
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