Rainbow Mountain Range (Palccoyo) & Q’eswachaka
- 12 hours
- Free cancellation up to 24h before
- 2 languages
- Instant confirmation
Highlights
Despite receiving less attention than its more popular northern counterpart, Cusco’s southern valley contains its very own array of wondrous and impressive attractions. This end of the valley is irrigated by the Willkamayu River, which means sacred river in Quechua. Today, the river is better known as the Vilcanota or Urubamba, a powerful waterway that eventually turns into the Ucayali River, before travelling down into the jungle and giving way to the great Amazon River. The waters of this sacred river come from the Vilcanota Mountain range, some of the mountains in Peru that receive the most snow, and reach a maximum height of 6,372 meters above sea level with the revered Ausangate Mountain.
Inclusions
What's included
- Expert guide
- Lunch
- Hotel pickup & drop-off.Note: Some hotels are in areas where the access by vehicle is not permitted.
What's not
- Hiking gear and footwear
- Gratitudes
Itinerary
We will begin our journey early in the morning toward the Community of Palccoyo, located southeast of Cusco. Along the way, we’ll observe the evolution of the road system through three bridges: the Inca (15th century), the Colonial (17th–18th centuries), and the Modern (from 1895, made of railway lines). After a short stop for breakfast, we’ll arrive at Huallatakunka and start our hike. Just a few meters in, we’ll see the first of several colorful mountains, similar to the famous Rainbow Mountain (Vinicunca) but closer and more accessible. We’ll enjoy stunning views from three viewpoints, including sights of three rainbow mountains at once and a panoramic view of both Ausangate Mountain and the Vilcanota range. After the hike, we’ll travel to the district of Quehue in the Canas province to visit Q’eswachaka, the last Inca bridge. This handmade suspension bridge, rebuilt annually through a four-day ritual by local communities, spans 28 meters across the Apurímac River.
Cancellation
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the experience starts, for a full refund.
Reviews
4.8
- 55
- 41
- 30
- 20
- 10
Ratings come from 6 reviews collected by our booking partner. They are travellers' own words, in the order they were written — never reordered to flatter the experience.
Know before you go
- Pickup
- Pickup is included for everyone.
- Ticket type
- Mobile or paper ticket accepted
- Operated by
- VIPAC Travel
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
How it compares in Cusco
- Its from-price is 71% above the median of the 4460 experiences we list in Cusco.
- Its length is typical for the group.
- By number of reviews it ranks 1550 of 4460.
- The operator lists free cancellation on it.
About Cusco
Cusco, the old Inca capital high in the Peruvian Andes, blends massive stone walls with colonial churches and is the gateway to Machu Picchu.
The Plaza de Armas is the heart of the city, framed by the cathedral and the Jesuit church of La Compañía. Inca stonework survives throughout the centre, most famously at the Qorikancha, the sun temple on which the Spanish built a monastery, and in the twelve-angled stone on Hatun Rumiyoc street. San Blas, the artisans' quarter, climbs steeply with workshops and cafés.
Top-ranked sights in Cusco: Aguas Calientes, Machu Picchu, Ollantaytambo Ruins.
Special offers in Cusco
Was/now prices come from the operator, never from us.
