Palcoyo Rainbow Mountain & Qeswachaka

(9 Reviews)
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From$190
Price
From$190
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6657
High Altitude

Ausangate’s 7 Lagoons (Full day)

  • 7 turquoise alpine lakes under glacial peaks
  • Healing thermal hot springs in Pacchanta
  • Private transport & certified high-altitude guide
From $90 USD
View Full Tour
Local and Direct Operator All your money directly supports families and communities in Cusco.
Expert and Safe Guides Passionate, bilingual, and certified in Wilderness First Aid.
Small Groups We guarantee an intimate, personalized experience away from the crowds.
Flexible and Secure Booking 24/7 assistance from our team, easy payment options, and clear policies.
1 day
Mar-Nov
Min Age : 12+
Max People : 24

Description

  • 🌈 Dual Highlight Experience: Palcoyo Rainbow Mountain Range (3 rainbow crests + rock forest) and the last handwoven Inca Rope Bridge Q’eswachaka (UNESCO).
  • 🚶 Easy & Accessible Trail: Only 45 minutes of gentle walking on flat terrain, ideal for families and travelers seeking low physical impact.
  • 🍳 Included Meals & Amenities: Energizing Andean breakfast, hot buffet lunch, entrance fees to Palcoyo and Q’eswachaka, plus emergency oxygen.
  • 🛡️ Safety & Guarantee: Professional licensed English-speaking guide | Modern climate-controlled bus | ⭐ 4.9 / 5.0 (39 Reviews).

The Palcoyo Rainbow Mountain & Q’eswachaka Inca Rope Bridge Day Tour blends Peru’s most vibrant mineral landscapes with living indigenous heritage. Unlike the strenuous trek of Vinicunca, Palcoyo features an effortless 45-minute stroll through rolling multicolored hills and towering geological stone formations, followed by an authentic walk across the last remaining handwoven Inca bridge over the Apurímac River.

For travelers wanting the classic challenging hike, see Vinicunca Rainbow Mountain or the standard Palcoyo Day Tour.

FEATURE PALCOYO & Q’ESWACHAKA (1D) CLASSIC VINICUNCA (1D)
Destinations Visited Palcoyo + Stone Forest + Q’eswachaka Bridge Single Vinicunca mountain crest
Physical Difficulty Easy (45 min gentle walk on flat trail) High (2 hours steep ascent to 5,036 m)
Cultural Heritage Living handwoven Inca rope bridge (UNESCO) Natural geological high-altitude scenery
Recommended For Families, seniors, photographers & leisure travelers Active hikers and seasoned trekkers

Itinerary

Day 1: Cusco - Palcoyo - Q'eswachaka - Cusco

🥾 Walking distance: 2 km / 1.2 miles (easy walk)
⏱️ Estimated time: 1 hour walk
⛰️ Maximum altitude: 4,900 m / 16,076 ft (Palcoyo)
🍽️ Meals: Traditional hot lunch included

The Palcoyo & Q’eswachaka tour starts around 4:30 AM with a pick-up in private tourist transport from your hotel or a central location in Cusco.

After a journey of approximately 3 and a half hours, during which we can see numerous alpacas and native populations living around these mountains, we will reach our destination. From here you can already appreciate the colorful mountains and the entire Palcoyo valley. Those who want to fully enjoy the view will take a short walk of about 30 minutes to reach the viewpoint, where the panoramic views are incredible. The view is worth the effort! You will see at least 3 colorful mountains and the colorful valley surrounding the famous Mount Ausangate.

After a couple of hours, we begin our descent (about 45 minutes) towards Chuquicahuana for a delicious hot lunch.

Q’ESWACHAKA SUSPENSION BRIDGE

After lunch, we will drive about an hour and a half to the Q’eswachaka Inca bridge. Thanks to the tradition and strong will of the one thousand local community members who participate in the annual bridge reconstruction, we can step out of the history books and enjoy an interactive experience of the Inca culture. Come experience Inca engineering in the 21st century and walk across the Q’eswachaka Bridge!

RETURN TO CUSCO

Afterward, we will drive approximately 3.5 hours back to Cusco, arriving around 7:30 PM in the city center.

Tour Details

Below are the details, characteristics, and inclusions of our Palcoyo and Q’eswachaka Inca bridge tour:

Start & Return

Cusco

Start Time

To coordinate

Included

  • Hotel pick-up in Cusco
  • Private round-trip tourist transportation
  • Traditional hot lunch in Chuquicahuana
  • Professional bilingual guide (Spanish/English)
  • Official entrance fee to Palcoyo Mountain Range
  • Official entrance fee to Q'eswachaka Suspension Bridge
  • First aid kit and emergency oxygen tank

Not Included

  • Bottled water and personal snacks
  • Trekking poles ($10 USD optional)
  • Travel accident insurance
  • Tips and personal expenses

Recommendations

  • Very warm clothing (thermal jacket, gloves, beanie)
  • Comfortable hiking shoes and rain poncho
  • Hat, sunscreen, and sunglasses
  • Extra cash in soles for tips and local purchases
  • Original ID document or passport

Frequently Asked Questions

🧑‍🦰 Is this tour suitable for families with children or seniors?

Yes, this is Cusco’s most family-friendly rainbow mountain tour. Our bus reaches high elevations, leaving only a gentle 45-minute stroll along a flat path without steep climbs.

🌉 Is it safe to walk across the Q'eswachaka rope bridge?

Yes, crossing Q’eswachaka is completely safe. Four local Quechua communities rebuild the entire structure every year with woven ichu grass, keeping it extraordinarily sturdy.

🌄 What are the departure and return times for this tour?

Hotel pickup starts between 04:30 and 05:00 AM, with return arrival in Cusco city center scheduled around 06:30 PM after a full day of discovery.

🍽️ What meals are included on this journey?

An authentic breakfast and a hot buffet lunch are included at a countryside restaurant, featuring fresh local dishes with vegetarian selections available.

🧳 What clothing should I bring for high-altitude weather?

We recommend dressing in warm layers, including a windproof jacket, gloves, beanie, sunglasses, sunscreen, and sturdy walking shoes with good traction.

Tour Photos

Tour Video

9 Reviews
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Reseña verificada de viajero • Inka Jungle Tour

Maarten en Lieke

Couple Traveller

Wat een lange dag in het busje… De weg naar Q’eswachaka is echt hobbelig, ik werd er een beetje misselijk van. Maar wauw, de grasbrug is absoluut de rit waard! Het is onvoorstelbaar dat ze dit elk jaar opnieuw bouwen. Palcoyo was daarna perfect, veel minder druk dan Vinicunca en je hoeft maar een klein stukje te lopen voor een prachtig uitzicht op de gekleurde bergen. Zorg wel dat je warme kleren in laagjes draagt, de wind op 4900m is ijskoud! 🥶 Onze gids sprak gelukkig goed Engels en had coca thee voor ons.

9 July, 2025
Reseña verificada de viajero • Inka Jungle Tour

Familia Rossi

Family Traveller

Fuimos con los nenes (10 y 12) y re bien. Teníamos miedo por la altura en Palcoyo pero como se camina re poquito no hubo drama, igual fuimos despacito. Lo del puente Qeswachaka los dejó locos, no podían creer que esté hecho de pasto. Nos demoramos un poco al salir de Cusco porque otra pareja se quedó dormida, pero el guía manejó re bien los tiempos después para que no nos perdamos nada.

24 August, 2024
Reseña verificada de viajero • Inka Jungle Tour

Sofia

Group Traveller

RAGAZZE CHE SPETTACOLO!!! 😍 Non fate la montagna arcobaleno classica, andate a Palcoyo! Cammini pochissimo (meno male perché l’altitudine si sente tutta 😅) e hai ben 3 montagne colorate tutte per te!! Il bosco di pietre è pazzesco, sembra di stare su Marte. Il ponte inca fa un po’ impressione quando dondola ma è sicurissimo. L’autista guidava un po’ veloce per i miei gusti al ritorno, ma siamo arrivate sane e salve. Tour super consigliato!!

28 May, 2024
Reseña verificada de viajero • Inka Jungle Tour

LucieB

Couple Traveller

Une très belle journée. Q’eswachaka est fascinant, l’histoire de la reconstruction du pont chaque année par les communautés est incroyable. Palcoyo est magique avec ses trois montagnes de couleurs. Un peu de mal de tête à cause de l’altitude, the guide gave me some agua de florida to breathe and it helped a lot. Merci!

25 September, 2023
Reseña verificada de viajero • Inka Jungle Tour

Bruno Almeida

Solo Traveller

Gente, o Palcoyo é lindo demais e não precisa andar quase nada pra ver as montanhas coloridas. Faz MUITO frio lá em cima, levem casaco corta-vento. A ponte inca me deu vertigem kkkk mas passei. O café da manhã podia ter mais opções, mas o almoço compensou muito, comidinha caseira top. 🇵🇪✌🏼

24 July, 2019
1
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