If you’re looking to visit the most impressive attractions in Peru on your next vacation, you surely have heard of the rainbow mountains of Cusco, two beautiful sceneries located in the outstanding Vilcanota mountain range. So, if you still don’t know which one to visit on your adventure, here we have gathered the pros and cons of these colorful peaks.
Although these natural wonders have existed for millions of years, it wasn’t until 2015 that they launched the Vinicunca mountain to tourism, attracting hundreds of visitors for many years. Nowadays, other alternatives to this otherworldly scenery are available like the Palcoyo mountains.
Nevertheless, each of them comprises a distinctive natural scenery, where vivid red valleys, stone forests and snow-capped peaks guard the magical landscape of these regions. However, all of them are easily accessible from Cusco, though the altitude is a factor that can’t be simply ignored.
So, regardless of which one you choose, we highly recommend leaving it for the end of your Cusco trip itinerary so you can be fully acclimatized and don’t struggle during the hike. At the end of this blog you’ll find a whole section about tips and recommendations to prevent altitude sickness.
About the Vinicunca Mountain
The famously known Rainbow Mountain is one of the most popular attractions in Cusco, gathering around 1,500 travelers per day in spite of its high-altitude location. This beautiful natural setting sits at an elevation of 5,200 meters above sea level and you can easily visit it on a full-day trek, combining a car ride with a 2.5-hour hike.
As we mentioned above, it wasn’t until 2015 that the regional government decided to promote it as a tourist destination in Cusco. However, the Vinicunca mountain was hidden in plain sight for many years, covered in thick layers of ice and snow.
As global warming increased, Peru started to lose a great part of its glacier surface and that way the fantasy-like coloration of the mountain was unveiled to the world. Nowadays, the mountain is completely uncovered though it does get snowed during the rainy season peak in the Andes.
The trek up to its summit has a moderate to challenging difficulty, but mostly because of the altitude factor. The trail is mostly flat on the beginning though it becomes rugged and harder as you get closer to the viewpoint.
Most tour operators give 2.5 hours to complete the trek, which is plenty of time to do so. If you have a good physical condition and, most importantly, are properly acclimatized, you could reach the top in less than 2 hours.
Also, the Vinicunca peak isn’t the only attraction here since a beautiful red valley is located just behind it, and it takes only 25 minutes to get there from the rainbow mountain viewpoint. Some treks include the visit to this attraction though it is mostly optional and each traveler has to pay the entrance fee to the red valley (about S/. 10.00).
There are tons of travel operators offering this route, which is why it is always best to check the company’s reputation before purchasing a tour. Likewise, make sure to know what’s included in each itinerary so you can compare with other operators.
If you’d like to know more about this trail, check our Rainbow Mountain trek itinerary and learn everything about this hike. Remember, comfort and safety should be your #1 priority for this trek, it is not easy to walk over 5,000 meters of elevation, while being 3 hours away from Cusco.
About the Palcoyo Mountains
Although most travel blogs and tour operators advertise this attraction as a single rainbow mountain, it is actually composed of three colored peaks. The Palcoyo mountains are located at 4,900 meters above sea level and are surrounded by colorful valleys and stone forests.
Unlike the trek to the most famous rainbow mountain, Palcoyo has a shorter and easier trail, which is why it might be suitable for those looking for a less-challenging hike. However, that doesn’t mean that the high elevation won’t affect you since anyone can experience altitude sickness if not properly acclimatized.
Palcoyo is located 100 km from Cusco, so it only takes 3 hours to get to the trailhead by car. Afterwards, you’ll continue on a 1.5-hour trek towards the viewpoint though you might finish the hike in 45-60 minutes depending on your physical condition and how well you respond to the altitude.
The trail will take you through unique landscapes, where towering stone forests will also be the highlight of the route. Besides, this set of colored mountains aren’t as popular as Vinicunca, which will give you great photo opportunities without crowds.
So.. which one should you choose?
Here’s the tricky question since it will all depend on the type of experience you’d like to have. When it comes to the Vinicunca mountain, it is clearly the most popular since it has been promoted by many national and international travel agencies.
And though the trail is significantly more strenuous than Palcoyo’s, it does offer sweeping views of the surrounding valleys and snow-capped peaks. On the other hand, the Palcoyo trek is more diverse and changes drastically as you reach the top of the viewpoint.
Likewise, it is much easier to trek to Palcoyo since it is significantly shorter and less steep than Vinicunca’s trail. To compare both treks, check this table:
| Vinicunca | Palcoyo | |
| Difficulty (*) | Moderate/Challenging | Easy/Moderate |
| Walking Distance | 7km | 3km |
| Round Trip Hiking Time (*) | 3.5 hours | 2.5 hours |
| Trailhead Elevation | 4,700 m.a.s.l. | 4,770 m.a.s.l. |
| Maximum Altitude | 5,200 m.a.s.l. | 4,950 m.a.s.l. |
(*) Difficulty and hiking time are subject to your level of physical fitness and acclimatization.
So, regardless of which one you choose, you’ll visit a natural masterpiece that took millions of years to create. Each region offers different settings but both of them are certainly out of this world. If you’d like to book any of these alternatives, remember we are just a click away!
Altitude Sickness: How to Prevent and Deal With It
If you’re planning a trip to Peru, you surely have heard of the so-called “Soroche,” a condition that affects most tourists and residents that travel to places that surpass the 2,500 meters of elevation.
Therefore, some travelers may experience dizziness, tiredness, shortness of breath and headaches upon arrival to these high-altitude places, those are the most common symptoms of altitude sickness.
We’d like to highlight that this condition may affect anyone, including those who have lived over 1,000 meters above sea level. For that reason, we highly recommend taking things slowly on your first 2-3 days in Cusco before committing to a physically demanding activity.
Luckily for you, we have gathered some tips that will help you prevent and deal with altitude sickness:
- Keep yourself hydrated
The water will be your best ally to fight and prevent this condition, so make sure to drink enough liquid throughout your stay. Higher altitudes are associated with dehydration as a result of dryer air and more rapid breathing, causing a greater loss of bodily fluids. - Avoid alcohol and smoking at all costs
Yes, we know this is hard and even worse if you’re on vacation but trust us, it’s best to wait at least 48 hours before drinking alcohol or smoking. These could worsen dehydration and shortness of breath if ingested on your first days in Cusco. - Drink Coca tea or chew Coca leaves
The Coca plant is a medicinal herb used since pre-Columbian times. It is known for helping to ease any altitude sickness symptoms and improving acclimatization. You can either drink tea or just chew on the leaves. - Eat a light but high-calorie diet
Higher altitudes increase our need for fuel, which is why it is best to have a calorie-based diet. Make sure to eat healthy snacks including lots of whole grains in your meals. - Take it easy
The key to everything in life! Don’t rush yourself, take the necessary time to get used to the altitude and don’t do any physically demanding activities during your first days. In the meantime, you can take a walking tour through Cusco’s old town or visit the Sacred Valley of the Incas.
If you’re wondering if there are any medicines that can help you with the altitude sickness symptoms, you could buy Diamox or Soroche Pills from any drugstore in Peru. However, we recommend consulting with a doctor first before taking any of these medications.
As you can see, this is just a fraction of the many things to do in Cusco, so if you’re planning the perfect trip through Peru, make sure to check our travel packages or contact our team so we can put together a custom-made itinerary just for you!