Pallay Punchu is the third Rainbow Mountain in Cusco, after Vinicunca and Palccoyo. It was discovered recently and has become very popular on social media. The mountain is formed by spectacular sharp ridges and is still relatively uncrowded, so don’t miss the chance to take at least one day to explore this new and exceptional destination in the southeast of the imperial city.
You’ll travel with our guide along the Southern highway toward Marangani, passing through beautiful pastures and rural roads until reaching the starting point of the trail. You’ll hike for approximately two hours to the summit, feeling the privilege of taking in the stunning views of the area as you walk along the mountain’s perfect lines in shades of cyan, brown, and magenta. Along the way, you’ll learn about authentic Andean traditions and local geology, surrounded by breathtaking red mountains and highland grasslands. Join us—and don’t forget to bring your Andean poncho for the best photo opportunities!
Pallay Punchu is the third Rainbow Mountain in Cusco, after Vinicunca and Palccoyo. It was discovered recently and has become very popular on social media. The mountain is formed by spectacular sharp ridges and is still relatively uncrowded, so don’t miss the chance to take at least one day to explore this new and exceptional destination in the southeast of the imperial city.
You’ll travel with our guide along the Southern highway toward Marangani, passing through beautiful pastures and rural roads until reaching the starting point of the trail. You’ll hike for approximately two hours to the summit, feeling the privilege of taking in the stunning views of the area as you walk along the mountain’s perfect lines in shades of cyan, brown, and magenta. Along the way, you’ll learn about authentic Andean traditions and local geology, surrounded by breathtaking red mountains and highland grasslands. Join us—and don’t forget to bring your Andean poncho for the best photo opportunities!
This fascinating adventure begins with an early pickup from your hotel and a two-and-a-half-hour drive to Cusipata, where you’ll enjoy an energizing breakfast. We’ll then continue toward Marangani and arrive at the starting point in Layo.
From there, we’ll begin a challenging two-hour uphill hike, passing through reddish landscapes and highland pastures, accompanied by llamas, alpacas, and—if we’re lucky—birds like the condor. Upon reaching Pallay Punchu Mountain, whose sharp ridges resemble a woven poncho, you’ll be amazed by its vibrant colors and the breathtaking views of Langui Lake and the Andes.
After reaching an altitude of 4,730 meters / 15,518 feet, we’ll return along the same path to Layo. There, we’ll enjoy a delicious buffet lunch at a countryside restaurant before heading back to Cusco, concluding this unforgettable experience.
This fascinating adventure begins with an early pickup from your hotel. We’ll take you on a two-and-a-half-hour drive to Cusipata, where you’ll enjoy an energizing breakfast. We’ll then continue by road toward Sicuani, passing through fields where large quantities of corn are grown.
Once we reach the starting point in Layo, we’ll begin a challenging uphill hike lasting approximately one hour and a half. The trail winds through highland grasslands and striking reddish terrain that creates a beautiful contrast of colors, always accompanied by the region’s typical wildlife—alpacas and llamas. If we’re lucky, we might spot birds such as kestrels, peregrine falcons, or even the famous condor soaring overhead.
Upon reaching Pallay Punchu—whose name in Quechua means “woven poncho”—you’ll understand the meaning behind the name. You’ll have the chance to climb along its ridges and marvel at the different colors that appear woven into the rock. It will feel as if you’re a bird flying over the surface of another planet.
This mountain stands out for its sharp lines, perfectly sculpted by nature over millions of years. You’ll be able to see a variety of colors such as red, brown, yellow, green, magenta, ochre, and more. As you take in this stunning natural palette, you can also peek over the edge to get a better view of the impressive Langui Lake—over 15 kilometers long—and part of the Andes mountain range.
You’ll reach an altitude of over 4,730 meters / 15,518 feet, so we recommend being well-acclimated to avoid altitude sickness during the journey. Later, we’ll return to Layo along the same path and stop by the lake for an outdoor lunch—or, if you prefer, you’ll have the option to eat at a countryside restaurant in Sicuani. Finally, we’ll head back to Cusco, bringing this amazing tour to a close.
We’ll start this adventure with a drive of about 4 hours from Cusco. You’ll pass through beautiful fields until you reach the town of Layo. From here, we’ll start our one-hour uphill hike through pastures and alongside diverse fauna of the area. Once we’re at Pallay Punchu, you’ll be able to climb up the sharp borders of the mountain to appreciate from close-up its many colors, as well as the views of the Langui lagoon and part of the Andes mountain range.
You’ll also learn about geology while you hike, and you can take amazing photos if you bring a woven poncho with you for the experience. After lunch, we’ll return to Cusco by private transportation, taking the best memories with us of this tour.
At Ausangate Peru, we specify the included and non-included services under all the tour itineraries listed on our website. We take care of all the logistics, but please pay attention to the details to avoid missing anything. Some items may differ for specific programs, so please read carefully before booking with us.
So you are planning to trek the famous Ausangate?
his Ausangate Packing List will help you to prepare for your outdoor adventure in one of the most stunning regions of South America.
In it we have provided as much detail on every piece of kit you will need for a safe and successful trekking. The packing list includes personal recommendations on gear that we own and use. We believe these recommended items of gear provide the best value for money and deliver the best performance.
The "Pallay Punchu Tour - 1 Day 1 day" can leave any day of the week, from March through January. We do not run this trek in February because rainy season & maintenance.
This small-group journey is guaranteed to operate with just two guests.
Notice that PayPal charges a fee of 8%, which we ask the client to cover since it's due to the use of its service. This tax is just for online deposits so that you will pay the remaining in cash (the briefing day in Cusco) without charges.
lease, after your deposit, send us the transfer number to info@ausangateperu.com; only after that, we'll be able to confirm your deposit and reservation.
Extensions & Offers
There are several extensions you can include to your Peru Adventure.
Additional Items
There are additional items you can include in this trip. Below is a quick list of prices.
Price Guarantee
Once your booking has been confirmed, we guarantee the price won’t increase, whatever the circumstances. So please, before booking, ensure you’ve read all our important tour information.
Our collection of the most fabulous hiking trails in Peru bring you up close and very personal with the region’s most jaw-dropping highlights: from the snow-peaked Andes to turquoise lakes, waterfalls, and glaciers that seem to hang as if by magic, as well as an abundance of wildlife spotting and a breathtaking, unforgettable adventure in nature.
We did the 2-day tour through Ausangate, the rainbow mountain, and the red valley. The tour was private, the guide Jimmy was very friendly and professional, the whole trip has well organized the food was delicious during the excursion.
I thank the travel agency for this beautiful experience, and I recommend it.
-- NICHOLAS A