How I Missed Rainbow Mountain – A Review & Palccoyo Alternative
The Best Way to See Rainbow Mountain
During a March 2022 trip to Peru, I planned to visit the famous Rainbow Mountain through a tour with Inka Explorer Viajes. I was especially excited to take their ATV tour, which would bring us most of the way to Rainbow Mountain, leaving only the final kilometer to hike to the main viewpoint. Given the elevation of 16,000+ feet, I looked forward to the ease and adventure of exploring Rainbow Mountain by ATV. Unfortunately, due to road closures and some dishonest practices by the tour company, I missed out on seeing Rainbow Mountain.
How I Missed Rainbow Mountain – A Review & Palccoyo Alternative - Table of Contents
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A Review of Inka Explorer Viajes – The Rainbow Mountain ATV Tour
Communication and Pick-Up
The night before the Rainbow Mountain ATV Tour, I received a WhatsApp message from Arturo, our tour guide, who informed me that pickup would be at 4:10 am instead of the original 3:00 am. Arturo was friendly, reminded us to bring waterproof and warm clothes, and even answered any questions we had about the trip. He met us promptly the next morning, and we joined five other guests for the trip.
Breakfast and Lunch Stops
After a smooth, 75-minute drive from Cusco, we stopped at a restaurant for breakfast. Unfortunately, the breakfast was very minimal—a quarter of a pancake, a small portion of an omelet, and a fruit cup. It wasn’t the “hearty breakfast” we expected, especially considering the day’s altitude and activities.
Later, we returned to the same restaurant for lunch, which was buffet-style and offered dishes like braised beef, lo mein noodles, and salads. Despite the improved food, we had to eat outside on the rainy patio instead of the comfortable indoor seating.
Discovering the Road to Rainbow Mountain Was Closed
About 30 minutes after breakfast, we turned onto a dirt road toward Rainbow Mountain. We were soon stopped by protesting villagers blocking the road. Arturo explained that locals were protesting because tour companies were damaging village roads or because of conflicts over profit distribution from Rainbow Mountain tours. The newlywed couple in our group mentioned that Inka Explorer Viajes had warned them of a possible protest but assured them it wouldn’t impact the tour. The rest of us, however, were not informed of any protest risk.
After a 20-minute delay, Arturo returned and informed us that Rainbow Mountain was inaccessible due to the protest, offering Palccoyo Mountain as an alternative. Understandably, many of us were upset, especially when we learned from other local guides that the road to Rainbow Mountain had actually been closed for weeks. Some of us requested a refund due to the misleading information, but Arturo suggested a detour to Palccoyo Mountain at half price.
Why Inka Explorer Viajes’ Dishonesty was Disappointing
After speaking with other local guides, I found out that Rainbow Mountain had been blocked off for weeks, and there were ongoing protests regarding tourism profits. This confirmed our suspicion that Inka Explorer Viajes had likely known about the closures but continued the tour to avoid losing revenue.
Tip: When booking a Rainbow Mountain tour, it’s wise to check with the tour operator in advance about potential road closures or protests to ensure that the road to Rainbow Mountain is open.
Visiting Palccoyo as an Alternative to Rainbow Mountain
With little other choice, we headed to Palccoyo Mountain. The drive up the mountain was challenging, with switchbacks and rough dirt roads that took around 90 minutes. The high elevation caused some nausea, but the views at Palccoyo made the trip worthwhile.
Palccoyo: A Beautiful Alternative
Palccoyo Mountain offers a similar, though smaller, experience to Rainbow Mountain, with colorful, striped rock formations and spectacular views.
The hike up was relatively easy despite the high altitude, with multiple viewpoints to take in the scenery. The best view came from the final viewpoint, which involved a brief uphill climb.
Below are some of the photos from Palccoyo Mountain that have not been enhanced, showing the natural colors visitors can expect.
Note: Many photos of Rainbow Mountain and Palccoyo online are color-enhanced. While the colors are vivid, they may not appear as bright in person without photo adjustments.
Despite the detour, I enjoyed the hike and the breathtaking landscape at Palccoyo. Though it wasn’t Rainbow Mountain, I appreciated the experience, as well as the camaraderie with the two women from my hotel who joined me on the hike.
Tips for Booking Rainbow Mountain or Palccoyo Tours
In the end, my experience with Inka Explorer Viajes left much to be desired, but Viator was helpful in securing a full refund. For those planning a Rainbow Mountain tour or looking into a Palccoyo tour, here are a few recommendations:
- Confirm Road Conditions: Always check with the tour operator in advance to ensure that the route to Rainbow Mountain is open.
- Choose a Reputable Company: Research tour operators thoroughly and read recent reviews. Some companies, like Inka Explorer Viajes, may not be transparent about potential closures.
- Consider Palccoyo as a Backup: If Rainbow Mountain is inaccessible, Palccoyo Mountain is a beautiful alternative with a similar landscape and fewer crowds.
Rainbow Mountain and Palccoyo Tours and Packages
I booked my original Rainbow Mountain ATV tour through Viator, and they provided excellent support in helping me secure a refund. Below are a few trusted options for tours to both Rainbow Mountain and Palccoyo. None of these tours are affiliated with Inka Explorer Viajes. As an affiliate, I may receive a small commission if you book using one of these links, at no additional cost to you.
Video Highlights of My Trip to Palccoyo
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