Palcoyo Rainbow Mountain & Qeswachaka

(9 Reviews)
Price
From$190
Price
From$190
Booking Form
Enquiry Form
Full Name*
Email*
Travel Date*
Message*
Confirm Fax
* I agree with Terms of Service and Privacy Statement.
Please agree to all the terms and conditions before proceeding to the next step
* Please select all required fields to proceed to the next step.

Proceed Booking

Save To Wish List

Adding item to wishlist requires an account

6254
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

The Palcoyo & Q’eswachaka (Full Day) tour allows you to explore the colorful mountain range of Palcoyo with an easy hike, perfect for families. You will also visit the Q’eswachaka suspension bridge, the last living Inca engineering vestige, UNESCO World Heritage. y senderismo Living Inca bridge crossing on foot.

The Palcoyo Rainbow Mountain & Q’eswachaka Bridge tour is the ideal option for tourists who do not have much time and want to enjoy two great attractions around Cusco: the stunning “color valley” and the last Inca suspension bridge, an important heritage of the Quechua culture.

Unlike the famous Vinicunca, the Palcoyo colorful mountain does not require long hikes or previous acclimatization because the transport takes you almost to the summit. It is highly recommended for family groups and people looking for attractions less crowded with tourists.

In addition, at Palcoyo you will have the chance to see the imposing Mount Ausangate from a different angle after a short 30-minute walk to the viewpoint. This tour requires a minimum of 2 participants per booking. If you love Andean landscapes, we suggest complementing your adventure by visiting the famous Rainbow Mountain Vinicunca Tour or taking the classic day trip to the Humantay Lake, two of the most popular natural wonders in Cusco.

Technical Sheet
Duration 1 day / ~14.5 hours
Difficulty Easy to moderate
Max Altitude 4,900 m.a.s.l. / 16,076 ft (Palcoyo)
Departures Daily

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

🥾 How difficult is the hike in Palcoyo?

The walk has an easy to moderate difficulty. Unlike Vinicunca, the path in Palcoyo is mostly flat and short, requiring only 30 to 45 minutes of gentle walking. It is ideal for families, children, and seniors.

⛰️ Do I need prior acclimatization for the Palcoyo & Q'eswachaka tour?

Yes, it is highly recommended. The Palcoyo mountain range is at 4,900 meters (16,076 ft) above sea level. We advise spending at least 2 days in Cusco or the Sacred Valley before the tour to avoid altitude sickness (soroche).

🌉 Is it safe to walk across the Q'eswachaka Inca Bridge?

Yes, it is completely safe. Although the bridge is built of natural fiber (ichu), it is rebuilt annually by local communities using ancestral Inca engineering techniques. The structure is extremely solid and reliable.

🌦️ When is the best time of the year to visit Palcoyo & Q'eswachaka?

The best season is during the dry season months, from April to November, when the skies are clear and there is a minimal chance of rain or snow, allowing the colors to be seen clearly.

🍽️ What kind of lunch is included in the tour?

Lunch is a traditional hot menu prepared with local ingredients at a tourist restaurant in the Chuquicahuana area. If you have any dietary restrictions or are vegetarian, please let us know at the time of booking.

Tour Photos

Tour Video

9 Reviews
Sort By:RatingDate

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

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

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

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

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

Proceed Booking