Have you ever heard about the Vinicunca, also called the Mountain of the 7 Colors? This natural attraction located in Cusco grows in popularity every day. Today, there is another similar attraction called the Mountain of the Seven Colors of Palccoyo.

 

Mountain of the Seven Colors of Palccoyo: what is it? Where is it? and how to get there?

 

What is the Mountain of the Seven Colors of Palccoyo?

The Mountain of the Seven Colors of Palccoyo is a set of peaks dyed in colors similar to the Vinicunca (Rainbow Mountain), due to a process of mineralization during millions of years.

The Mountain of the Seven Colors of Palccoyo is a great option if you do not feel fit for long walks but want to appreciate incredible landscapes.

What is the difference between the Vinicunca and the Mountain of the Seven Colors of Palccoyo?

Unlike the Vinicunca, the Mountain of the Seven Colors of Palccoyo is a little known attraction and still with few visitors a day.

The way to get there is much easier because it includes a walk of only 1 hour. From its top you can see the snowy Ausangate like nowhere else. In addition, there is a forest of stones and a unique landscape around.

DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE MOUNTAIN OF THE 7 COLORS OF VINICUNCA AND PALCCOYO
Differences	Palccoyo Mountain	Vinicunca Mountain
Attractions	Mountain of the 7 Colors of Palccoyo.	Mountain of the 7 Colors Vinicunca.
Height	4,900 meters above sea level	5,200 meters above sea level
Difficulty	Easy	Hard
Walking time	1 hour (2 kilometers).	3 hours (5 kilometers)
Start of the tour	4 am	7 in the morning
End of the tour	6 pm.	6 pm.
Number of visitors	Enough	Few
Weather	Cold	Cold

Where it is located?

The Mountain of the Seven Colors of Palccoyo is located south of Cusco, a short distance from the snowy Ausangate, in the Andes Mountains of Peru. It is currently located in the district of Checacupe, province of Canchis.

How high is the Mountain of the Seven Colors of Palccoyo?

Palccoyo is located at 4,900 meters above sea level (msnm), 300 meters at a lower altitude than the Mountain of the 7 Colors Vinicunca (5,200 meters above sea level).

How to get?

Cerro Colorado de Palccoyo is located almost 100 kilometers from the city of Cusco. To get there, you must follow the following route:

• Travel by bus from the city of Cusco to the town of Checacupe (2 hours).
• Travel from Checacupe to the town of Palccoyo. (30 minutes).
• Walk from the village of Palccoyo to the Mountain of the Seven Colors of Palccoyo (1 hour).

Mountain of the Seven Colors of Palccoyo: tours and prices

Tours to the Mountain of the Seven Colors of Palccoyo

The best way to get to the Mountain of the Seven Colors of Palccoyo is with a tour through a tourism agency. The most usual services are those that last 1 full day (full day) and can be hired in the Historical Center of Cusco.

The tours include a 1 hour walk to the Mountain of the Seven Colors of Palccoyo. In addition, there are other tours that include direct transportation to Cerro Colorado.

How much does a tour to the Mountain of the Seven Colors of Palccoyo cost?

The tour to the Cerro Colorado of Palccoyo costs 70 dollars (USD) approximately. The price varies according to each travel agency and the quality of the service they provide.

How to visit the Mountain of the Seven Colors of Palccoyo without tour?

Visiting Cerro Colorado is also possible without a tour. To do this, you only have to travel on your own to the town of Checacupe. From there, tickets are acquired directly. The visit without a tour is without a tour guide.

How much does the entrance ticket to the Mountain of the Seven Colors of Palccoyo cost?

To visit Cerro Colorado on your own, you must purchase the entrance ticket in the town of Palccoyo. The cost for foreigners is 10 soles (3 dollars). National tourists pay 5 soles (2 dollars).

What includes a tour to the Mountain of the Seven Colors of Palccoyo?

The tours to Cerro Colorado vary according to the tourism agency. In general, the tours include the following:

• Tourist transport from Cusco to Cerro Colorado and vice versa.
• Tour guide service.
• Entrance to the Mountain of the Seven Colors of Palccoyo and the attractions around.
• Lunch.
• First aid equipment.

What to take to a tour to Palccoyo?

• For a visit to the Mountain of the Seven Colors of Palccoyo it is advisable to bring the adequate utensils to combat the heat in the day and the cold at sunset:
• Cap and hat.
• Sunscreen.
• Water.
• Poncho for rain (in case it rains).
• Trekking sticks.
• Ideal shoes for hiking.
• Gloves and sunglasses.
• Waterproof warm clothes.
• Snacks.
• Ideal backpack for trekking.

Mountain of the Seven Colors of Palccoyo: climate, schedules and tips

How is the weather on the Mountain of the Seven Colors of Palccoyo?

The mountain of Palccoyo has a cold climate due to its proximity to the snowy Ausangate. The temperature may drop below 0 ° C. That is why, at certain times of the year, the slopes are covered with snow.

What to see in the Palccoyo mountain?

Besides being a natural attraction of incomparable beauty, the Mountain of the Seven Colors is a natural habitat for various types of animals such as llamas, alpacas, vizcachas, condors and more.

On the road that connects Cerro Colorado there is a forest of stones formed naturally millions of years ago. From there you can appreciate the beauty of Ausangate, the largest in Cusco.

What is the admission schedule?

Due to the cold weather, visits to the Mountain of the Seven Colors of Palccoyo are only in the mornings and part of the afternoons. The hours of operation are from 8 am to 3 pm.

When is the best time to visit the mountain?

The best time to visit the Mountain of the Seven Colors of Palccoyo is during the dry season (April to October). In those months, rains occur much less frequently, making the trip easy.

Tips for traveling to the Mountain of the Seven Colors of Palccoyo

• It is recommended to acclimatize to the climate of Cusco before visiting the Mountain of Palccoyo. Otherwise, the visitor may suffer the so-called altitude sickness.
• This mountain is a tourist attraction that receives few visitors every day. It is recommended to follow the indicated route and avoid looking for another different route.
• It is advised to find out how the weather in Palccoyo is located before booking a tour to the Mountain of the 7 Colors. The cold can cause the entire area to be covered in snow and the tour ruined.
• The trekking route to this mountain is not as challenging as the Vinicunca. That is why the Palccoyo is a great option for people who do not feel capable of making the difficult walk to the Mountain of the 7 Colors.