Cusco is recognized as the 'Archaeological Capital of America'.
Cusco, Cuzco or Qosqo are the names by which the ancient capital of the Inca Empire is known. It is a center for archaeological scholars from all over the world who come to Peru to discover the wonders of Machu Picchu and the other ruins scattered throughout the valley.
It was an important administrative center for the Spanish Empire (Viceroyalty of Peru), and can be seen in the large number of manifestations of colonial art and architecture that can be found throughout the city and especially its Plaza de Armas. Today, Cusco is the largest tourist center in the country, receiving more than one million visitors a year.
Cusco is the oldest urban settlement in all of the Americas, more than 3,000 years old, but pre-ceramic samples have been found as old as 5,000 years. The origins of the first inhabitants of the city are lost in legend. Inca legends say that the founders of the city were Manko Qhapaq and Pachakuteq.
At the top of the mountain, large and impressive stone blocks joined together, the most important political and religious center of the Inca empire: Machu Picchu.
Located in the heart of the Peruvian Andes, the sacred Inca citadel built around 1450 and discovered in 1911, still hides enigmas and mysteries about its real purpose that remain hidden to this day and arouse the interest of both visitors and archaeologists from around the world.
Due to its strategic location on top of a high mountain, there are several theories about what it could have meant to the Incas. Some argue that it was built as a great mausoleum for the Inca Pachacutec, while others claim that it was an important administrative and agricultural center whose cultivated areas were used for the sustenance of its inhabitants. However, it is also considered that it was used as a necessary link between the Andes and the Peruvian Amazon or as a resting place for the Inca governor.
The truth is that Machu Picchu is one of the greatest symbols behind the impressive architecture and engineering of the Inca Empire. Although its origin is still under study, the value and transcendence it represented in its time, as well as its imposing design, have earned it to be considered one of the seven wonders of the modern world.
The tour to the Sacred Valley of the Incas in Cusco, is one of the most classic and incredible tours, where you can explore small villages outside the city of Cusco and also its archaeological sites.
The Sacred Valley of the Incas is located 15 km (9 miles) north of the Inca capital of Cusco at 2,800 meters (9,186 feet). The Sacred Valley was once the Inca empire’s main point for the extraction of natural wealth, and one of the most important areas for corn production in Peru.
We have to admire the advanced agricultural techniques of the Incas and their system of andenería (terraces): system of platforms composed of small groups of farmland, arranged in the form of tiers on the hills, where crops are planted. The valleys were also a place of worship to the Pachamama (mother earth).
The Sacred Valley is a must-see destination in Peru and has become one of the most important tourist centers in the country. There are numerous impressive Inca ruins, such as Ollantaytambo, Pisaq and Moray. The Sacred Valley also has two of the most important handicraft markets in the Cusco region: Pisaq and Chinchero.
The Inca Trail is not the only route to Machu Picchu. The city of Machu Picchu was connected by a network of roads known as Qhapaq Ñan.
The great adventure of the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu is for those who live passionately, always looking for a new experience!
The Inca Trail is a fascinating dream to fulfill and is the most famous trek in all of South America. The beauty of the views and the archaeological sites surrounding the Inca Trail are unsurpassed.
This tour is ideal for those who are full of energy to hike to Machu Picchu on the trip of a lifetime with the Classic Inca Trail 4 days 3 nights.
The Inca Trail Peru is a well established trek that takes travelers from km. 82 (the starting point 40 minutes from the town of Ollantaytambo) to Machu Picchu through the Sun Gate (also called Inti Punku).
Se trata de la montaña de los Siete Colores, también conocida como Vinicunca o Arcoíris.
Also known as the “Hill of 7 colors”, vinicunca, and colorful mountain, gift of nature for the enjoyment of our eyes. This unique mountain is located more than 100 km from the Imperial City of Cusco, belonging to the town of Pitumarca, is one of the main tourist attractions of Peru recently discovered and made known in 2016.
Vinicunca means “mountain of colors”. It is also known as Rainbow Mountain, Cerro Colorado or in English as Rainbow Mountain. It is located at 5200 meters above sea level and belongs to the Ausangate snow-capped mountain in the Vilcanota mountain range, it is the fifth highest mountain in Peru.
Its coloration is natural due to the large amount of sedimentary stones in erosion, what makes it so beautiful and impressive is how these stones are formed to give it the appearance of a rainbow (7 colors).
Although it is commonly called Rainbow Mountain (Cerro Colorado or Seven Colors Mountain), its real name is Vinicunca, which comes from Quechua.
If you are looking for a hike out of the ordinary, here are the hikes you are looking for
In Cusco you will find countless activities and tourist routes that you can explore; many of them include a visit to Machu Picchu, whether you are looking for a quiet and classic tour or adventure experiences with a touch of immersion with the coexistence with local people.
Live exciting moments in real contact with nature that remains untouched by the hand of man, all well preserved; walk in contact with nature, and the local fauna; if you are patient you will see many animals that come out to walk trusting; since each one is prohibited.
Enjoy hikes of 2 to more days; enjoy good food along the route; professional local guides and discover the magic of visiting this beautiful country that awaits you.
Exciting adventures, all over Peru, wide variety of experiences.
Peru has become in recent years the most fashionable destination in South America. There is no shortage of reasons: an impressive variety of ecosystems, breathtaking landscapes, beautiful cities full of history, culture, traditions, beaches, fauna, flora… and, of course, its delicious and famous gastronomy.
From the Amazon to the desert, from the high peaks of the Andes to the Pacific, passing through the valleys and high plateaus, the country enchants with its incredible contrasts. Although the reasons to visit the country are really endless, we want to show you some compelling arguments for you to embark on the exciting adventure of discovering it. Are you up for it?
Every place on Earth is fascinating and unique, but Peru is one of those countries that manages to be above average. This place has so many natural and cultural treasures that have fascinated people for hundreds of years, and still fascinate them today. There are thousands of reasons to go to this great destination, here are just some of the reasons why you should visit Peru.
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Palcoyo Tour 1 Day
A new tourist attraction discovered in Cusco, Mount Palcoyo, became visible when the snow-capped mountains that covered these mountains melted. When you visit Palcoyo you will see 3 colorful hills, the native animals and the stone forest and you will have a spectacular view of the Andes and the snowy Ausangate. For more information, I invite you to continue reading the complete information about the visit to Palccoyo.
We start the Palcoyo tour picking up our passengers from their respective hotels between 4:40 am and 5:00 am. Once all the tourists leave, we will head to the city of Pitumarca for 2 hours. and 30 minutes in Pitumarca, we will enjoy a rich and nutritious breakfast that will give us strength to continue our visit to Palccoyo.
After breakfast, we continue to Combapata, we stop at the Combapata Colonial Bridge to take photos, relax and continue visiting Palccoyo. On the way we arrive at the municipality of Palcoyo at a height of 4,100 meters where we can observe beautiful natural landscapes accompanied by camelids such as alpacas; From this point you can see the Sierra de Palcoyo with its impressive three red hills.
We continue the visit to Palccoyo and begin the 40-minute walk. While walking you can see the local caravans, alpacas and mountains and most of all enjoy the fresh and clean air. In the 3 mountains of Palcoyo, enjoy the incredible colors that animate this area. Then we visit the stone forest of Palcoyo. Visiting time for the places described above is approximately 2 hours.
We return from Palcoyo with the mobile for about 30 minutes, we get on the mobile and we go to Pitumarca to enjoy the buffet lunch that awaits us. After lunch, we head to Cusco, where we arrive around 5:00 p.m.
The visit to Palcoyo is included and not included.
1, Easy
Frequently asked questions about hiking in Palccoyo
The visit costs 29 dollars and 110 nuevos soles in soles.
The visit lasts from 12:00 to 13:00.
Take a transport from the city of Cusco to the district of Cusipata (2 hours). Take the transport from Cusipata to the town of Palcoyo (2 hours), pay the entrance fee at the control gate and start the 30-minute climb.
The distance between the city of Cusco and the Rainbow Mountain of Palcoyo is 125 kilometers along the Cusco Sur – Sicuani – Puno road network.
The climate of Monte Palcoyo is cold with temperatures ranging from -2°C to 14°C.
The Palcoyo Rainbow Mountain is suitable for all ages, including children, since the mountain viewpoints are easily accessible, unlike the Vinincunca Rainbow Mountain, which requires a 2-minute walk. It is definitely your best choice.
It is best to eat snacks, chocolate and sweets. If you get sick while walking, it is not recommended to eat heavy food before you start walking.
If you want to eat local products, the municipality of Palcoyo is building a tourist restaurant at the entrance to the mountain that will open soon. (Write us to request updated information)
No, as the trip to the viewpoints of Monte Palcoyo is short, horses are not required.
Yes, the use of canes is an alternative to walking aids.
The best months to explore Palcoyo are without a doubt from March to October, the months of the dry season. This season, enjoy even more the natural beauty of the mountains and the magnificent views of the snow-capped Ausangate from the Montaña de Color viewpoints. Do not forget to join the guided tour during these recommended months to make the most of your visit and take the best photos at an incredible altitude of 5000 meters above sea level.
Of course you will find everything, snacks, soft drinks (coca tea), sweets, groceries, water, etc.
A particularity is that in the viewpoints of the mountain you can find sweets and snacks offered by the inhabitants of the municipality at convenient prices.
It will soon open a tourist restaurant in the area administered by the municipality of Palcoyo.
Yes, tourist travel agencies usually charge this service at the Rainbow Mountain access control gate. However, if you buy the whole circuit, you don’t have to pay anything.
Cerro Palcoyo is a natural attraction made up of 3 hills in the same area of the tourist route. The mountains have different shades like red, green, blue, white, and yellow that give the mountains a unique hue. In addition, it offers a stone forest, the place where most tourists take their best photos, with a unique environment and an altitude of 5000 meters above sea level, which can be easily reached with a 30-minute walk.
The Mountain of the 7 Colors of Vinicunca is a natural attraction already known by most tourists, which, like Cerro Palcoyo, has nuances in the mountains of different colors. What makes the difference is the walk of more than 2 hours from the village to the mountain of the same name, for which you can also rent horses and then take pictures on the mountain at 5200 meters. Must be in good physical condition.
In Cusco, I am your travel specialist, with more than 10 years of experience organizing adventure trips.
Thank you for your interest in having an adventure travel experience in Peru operated by South Winds Peru. Please take a moment to complete our short form so that one of our friendly adventure consultants can provide you with all the information for the best trip of your life in Peru.
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