---
title: Private Palccoyo Rainbow Hike Without the Crowds
lang: en
type: tour
city: Cusco
country: Peru
price: 181
currency: EUR
price_unit: per_person
availability: bookable
rating: 4.97
reviews: 90
duration_minutes: 720
languages: [en, es]
free_cancellation: "true"
rank_in_category: 12 of 34 (Rainbow Mountain Tours)
schedule_checked: 2026-11-08
data_updated: 2026-11-08
canonical: https://guidekin.com/peru/cusco/tours/private-palccoyo-rainbow-hike-without-the-crowds/
---

# Private Palccoyo Rainbow Hike Without the Crowds

**Guidekin's take:** Follow a flat path to Palccoyo Rainbow Mountain, with hiking poles and oxygen provided. Return hotel transfers, breakfast and lunch are included; the minimum age is twelve and mountain entry costs extra. 4.97 from 90 reviews at €181 per person for 12h.

In our comparison: #12 of 34 in Rainbow Mountain Tours, by rating weighted by review volume (table below).

## Overview

Escape the crowds: Be among the first to witness the captivating Palccoyo Rainbow Mountain and enjoy a leisurely 50-minute hike on a flat path, skipping the challenging and crowded 2-hour ascent of Vinicunca.

Intimate Group Setting: Immerse yourself in the adventure with like-minded travelers in a small group limited to a maximum of 8 participants, ensuring a personalized and engaging experience.

Llama Companionship: Experience a unique bond with the Andean landscape as you hike alongside delightful alpacas/llamas, an exclusive opportunity for our travelers in collaboration with the local community.

Seamless Comfort: Travel in style and comfort. We prioritize your ease with our top-notch transportation, ensuring your journey is as remarkable as the destination itself.

## Before you book

- Hotel pickup: no car needed
- Max 8 people: small group
- Min. 2 to book: not for solo travellers
- Starts 03:30: one departure a day
- Food included: Lunch, Breakfast
- Age rule: Minimum age is 12 years (due to the altitude)

**Pickup:** Hotel pickup included

## Key facts

- Price: from €181 per person
- Duration: 12h
- Rating: 4.97/5 from 90 reviews (collected from Guidekin & Viator & Tripadvisor)
- Free cancellation (see policy below)
- Operator: exploor
- Minimum booking: 2 travellers at this price
- Group: Shared, up to 8 travellers
- Guide languages: English, Spanish
- Start times: 03:30
- Booking: Instant confirmation, mobile ticket
- Price checked on Viator: 2026-11-08

## Reviews

4.97 from 90 ratings on Guidekin, Viator & Tripadvisor.
99% of ratings with a star breakdown are 4 or 5 stars: 89 of 90.

- 5 stars: 89 (99%)
- 4 stars: 0 (0%)
- 3 stars: 0 (0%)
- 2 stars: 1 (1%)
- 1 star: 0 (0%)

### What reviewers say

Reviewers value the quiet early visits and attentive guides; altitude can still make the walk tiring.

**Praised:**
- Early arrivals often leave trails and viewpoints almost empty
- Patient guides adjust the pace and check on hikers affected by altitude
- Guides help take photos and find viewpoints along the route
- Tasty breakfasts and lunches receive repeated praise
- Colourful mountains, the red valley and stone forest stand out

**Complaints:**
- High altitude leaves some hikers breathless and needing frequent breaks

Written by Guidekin from the 50 most recent English reviews on Tripadvisor & Viator (2021-09-28 to 2026-09-06); last checked 2026-11-08.

## What's included

- Modified transportation for a more comfortable experience to avoid any back problems
- Hiking poles, first-aid kit & oxygen
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Tour with private guide (only for tours booked after 3.11.2025; tours booked before are group tours)
- Lunch
- Breakfast
- Professional local tour guide
- Hike with alpaca or llama from the local community (depends on availability)

## Not included

- Palccoyo Rainbow Mountain
- Gratuities

## Itinerary

1. **Cusco** (1h) - 3:30 am: We'll pick you up at your hotel earlier than everyone else because of one reason - to be one of the first ones at Rainbow Mountain. 5:30 am: Energetic breakfast in one of the best restaurants in the area.
2. **7:30 am: Briefing at the parking lot, from where you can already see a rainbo...** (3h) - 7:30 am: Briefing at the parking lot, from where you can already see a rainbow mountain. 7:45 am: 'Walk the alpaca' while we're on our way to the main viewpoint. Once there, you'll see all three rainbow mountains. The hike to the stone forest with a spectacular panoramic view...
3. **Cusco** (20m) - 3:30 pm: Arrival in Cusco and drop-off at your accommodation. Note: All times are approximations.

## Schedule

- Runs: daily
- Departures: 03:30
- Schedule last checked: 2026-11-08
- These are published departures, not a live seat count; availability is confirmed at checkout.

## Cancellation

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

## Good to know

- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Minimum age is 12 years (due to the altitude)
- Bring your backpack, a rain cape and layers of clothes so you'll be warm and prepared for every kind of weather
- Take gloves, a hat, hiking shoes + an extra pair of socks with you (in case of snow) and if you want to you can bring hiking poles as well
- Bring sunscreen, sunglasses, some cash and snacks
- Be in Cusco min. 24 h before the start of the tour to get used to the altitude

## Compared with other Rainbow Mountain Tours

| Tour | Price | Duration | Rating | Group |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| **This tour · #12 of 34** | €181 | 12h | 4.97 (90) | shared, max 8 |
| [Private Rainbow Mountain Tour - 08 am departure Skip the Crowds](/peru/cusco/tours/private-rainbow-mountain-tour-08-am-departure-skip-the-crowds/?format=md) | €136 | 10h | 4.98 (350) | private |
| [2-Day Trek to Rainbow Mountain from Cusco with Exclusive Mountain Camps](/peru/cusco/tours/2-day-trek-to-rainbow-mountain-from-cusco-with-exclusive-mountain-camps/?format=md) | €433 | 2 days | 5.0 (93) | shared |
| [4 day - Bucketlist Cusco: Rainbow Mtn, Machu Picchu, Sacred Valley, Humantay](/peru/cusco/tours/4-day-bucketlist-cusco-rainbow-mtn-machu-picchu-sacred-valley-humantay/?format=md) | €888 | 4 days | 5.0 (55) | shared |

Ranked #12 of 34 in Rainbow Mountain Tours by Guidekin score (rating weighted by review volume). Prices here run from €90 to €1289, median €235; typical length 15h. 11 of 34 are private. Figures are live from the tour cards; the rubric is our handpicked set, not the whole market.

Full list: https://guidekin.com/peru/cusco/rainbow-mountain-tours/?format=md

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