Rainbow Mountain Tour Palcoyo

Wow. What an excursion! Where to begin. First, there are two separate ways getting to the rainbow mountains, but they aren’t connected. The closer to Cusco (1-1.5 hrs shorter) and older and better known one is Vinicunca.
It is considerably longer and a bit steeper then Palcoyo which at 16K (~4900m) makes a difference.
We took Diamox and Coca+mint tea prior to ascent with a decent breakfast (stopped in Combapata at Luigi’s - a rafting place) and had no problem besides the expected high altitude reduced stamina.
The drive from Combapata to Palcoyo feels long as it’s on a very bumpy dirt road. It’s beautiful though along massive, old and almost to the top of the mountains reaching Inca terraces and extended grassy, mossy meadows that are crowded by cute Alpacas and Llamas. You reach a parking lot that is right now in process of being properly built-out with restrooms (costs 1 Sol).
The hike is easy, cool to cold depending on wind condition and make sure you wear a hat and SPF - the sun at this vast altitude is a killer.
The views are stunning and out of this world from the getgo and it gets better as you proceed. It reaches a final ridge from which you can see the other (Vinicunia) visitation (crossing is not permitted) site and beyond that the massive Azungate glaciers and a 360 view of the impressive iron deposits and coloring for which the site is named for.
You have the. The option to climb up a bit further to a rugged site trail if you choose.
Palcoyo- per our guide - still sees way less tourists as it’s longer to get to and the cheaper touristic agencies in Cusco prefer Vinicuna since they can offer it as a half-day tour. Our guide was very experienced and his clear preference was Palcoyo.
I have been to five continents and 35 countries and this was one of the top excursions I have done in my life. it was only second to Machu Picchu.

Well worth the early start and the bumpy ride. Views were spectacular. Was a little worried about the walk up at that altitude, but took my time and admired the scenery one the way with a few stops. So glad I did it.

We arrived, the walk is easy, a place where you can visit quietly and without many people. And the spectacular mountain magical and beautiful colors.