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Nowadays, the Vinicunca mountain in Peru has become one of Peru’s top Instagram spots, for tourists and locals alike. Since then, it has exploded in popularity. Its name comes from two Quechua words: wini, which means “little black stones” and kunca, which translates as “wind-gap”. In 2015 this geological spectacle was added to Peru’s list of must-see tourist destinations. Vinicunca: The Original Rainbow Mountain of Peru Additionally, the tour is the perfect opportunity to get a glimpse of Andean culture it is common to see locals in their everyday activities accompanied by alpacas and llamas. Compared to Vinicunca, the alternative tour of Palccoyo, is a less-crowed destination. Depending on climate conditions, it is possible to observe in the distance the tallest mountain in the Cusco region, Ausangate Mountain.īy contrast, the Palccoyo tour allows visitors to enjoy not just one, but three different colourful mountains along the route. However, if you find the right spot facing the mountain, you will witness its majestic beauty. In terms of landscape, the Vinicunca tour offers only one Rainbow Mountain. While Vinicunca Rainbow Mountainmay be considered a tour for expert hikers – with a difficult, steep climb up to the lookout point – the Palccoyo Mountain Tour, and its much more gentle climb at slightly lower altitude, can be a good option for beginners. If you’re trying to decide whether to hike to Rainbow Mountain or Palccoyo, you’ll need to understand the differences between them and think about what kind of experience you’re looking for.įirst of all, are you looking for a challenge or just want to take it easy and enjoy the view? The main difference between Palccoyo and Rainbow Mountain is the hike difficulty. Rainbow Mountain vs Palccoyo: What is the Difference? From there, it’s a much more gentle ascent until we reach this multicoloured cordillera, which is located at 5040m above sea level.
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After 2 ½ hours on the Puno road, passing the quaint village of Checacupe, we take a detour along a dirt road for another hour until reaching the Palccoyo Rainbow Mountain trailhead, located at 4900m (16,076 ft). A beautiful but less well-known mountain also found south of Cusco in Canchis province, in the district of Checacupe. The alternative Rainbow Mountain of Peru is Palccoyo. This rock formation with stunning colours is located at 5200 meters above sea level and about 60 miles south-east of the Inca city of Cusco, in the district of Pitumarca, province of Canchis. Vinicunca, Peru is the geographical name given to the classic Rainbow Mountain in Peru, which is also known as the Montaña de Los Siete Colores.
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From Cusco, we embark on a 3-hour drive across the altiplano in the direction of Puno until we reach Chillihuani (4700m / 15,419 ft), the trailhead for the hike to Vinicunca, the classic Rainbow Mountain in Peru. So, let’s dive into it!įirst things first: where is Rainbow Mountain located? If you want to visit Rainbow Mountain, Cusco is the place to start. But which one is better, Vinicunca Rainbow Mountain vs Palccoyo Rainbow Mountain? Stay tuned as we explain the pros and cons of each!įor all fellow travellers that want to know which tour is most suitable, this article will offer some insights to make the best decision. But what most people don’t know is that here in the Andes, there is an alternative Rainbow Mountain: Palccoyo.
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Among all the mountains to visit in Peru, there is one that calls special attention to all visitors because of its stunning and magnificent colours: Rainbow Mountain (Vinicunca).
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