Pallay Poncho Full Day Tour

USEFUL INFORMATION

Shuttle to Sicuani: 3½ hour by bus from Cusco.
Hiking distance: 5 km / 8.1 miles
Hiking time: 1½ to 2 hour approximately.
Activities: Trekking Adventure
Difficulty Levels: 3 of 5
Maximum Altitude: 4790 masl. / 15715 ft.
Departures Day: Daily Departures.
Starts: Pick up at your accommodation in Cusco around 4:00 AM
Ends: Drop-off at your accommodation in Cusco around 6:45 PM

Also known as the Filuda Mountain of colors, Pallay Punchu of Apu Tacllo or The mountain Pallay Poncho or Condor Sayana) is one of the new tourist destinations of Cusco that was discovered in full quarantine. It is located more than 194 kilometers and three hours from the city of Cusco, on a summit elevation located at 4,791 meters above sea level, is a large geological mountain formation dyed in various shades as a result of the complex combination of minerals. The slopes and the summit stand out in various colors, including red, reddish, purple, green, pink, white and others.

Day 1: Cusco – Pallay Poncho – Cusco

Early in the morning we will pick you up at your hotel and start our trip, which will take approximately two hours to reach the town of Cusipata. There we will enjoy a nutritious breakfast, continuing the trip we go to Sicuani, and then to the district of Layo, where the Pallay Mountain is located.

In Layo we will make a brief stop to know the town and its customs, then our unit will ascend for 30 minutes to reach the base of the mountain. Then we begin a walk of approximately two and a half hours, until we reach the sharp Pallay Punchu Mountain, whose pigments of the famous mountain of colors are due to a complex combination of minerals, marine, lake and river sediments.

Throughout history, these sediments were formed by layers of different lengths, as a result of the collision of tectonic plates in the area. These strips of different minerals ended up rising and transforming into the mountains that we can see today.

Subsequently, this mountain acquired its colors due to the oxidation of its minerals, caused by the humidity of the area and their erosion.

The weather in the Pallay Punchu mountain is cold and windy in the mornings, at noon you can appreciate a drier and sunny climate.

Throughout the trip you will be able to observe beautiful landscapes and animals of the area. In addition, very close to the mountain Paylla Punchu you can see the beautiful lagoon of Langui, this makes this mountain looks spectacular and is a very attractive destination, after the visit we descend from the place to take lunch in one of the local restaurants of Layo, where we will enjoy its varied cuisine based on trout and alpaca.

Finally we will be back to the city of Cusco, whose approximate return will be at 6 pm.

Includes

Official tour guide.
First aid kit, including oxygen.
Breakfast and lunch prepared by our chef.
Private transportation to and from your hotel in Cusco.
Blankets and pillows.
Entrance fees to the mountain.
Briefing prior to the hike the night before to meet with your guide.

Not Included

Staff incentives (optional).
Personal emergency horse.
We recommend to bring
1 ½ liter of water (per person, at least!).
Waterproof trekking shoes.
Warm clothing (thermals, fleece, hat, gloves and socks).
Waterproof clothing (waterproof jacket, poncho).
Sun hat, sunglasses.
Sun block
Reusable water bottles.
Personal medications.

What to Bring for this Tour?

Hiking shoes / hiking boots: A participant of the Rainbow Mountain hike should wear hiking shoes that offer support, slip-resistance, mesh and shock absorption so that he/she can concentrate on the beautiful scenery of the hike. Shoes should also be waterproof and have a tongue and ankles that provide comfort and protection. A rubber sole is also recommended for impact protection.
Small backpack to carry personal items during daily trips when large luggage is not necessary.
Jacket should be lightweight, waterproof, windproof, specially designed for adventure and preferably made of bright colors to make you visible from far away.
Trekking pants should be convertible (pants – shorts), have large capacity pockets and meet your comfort during weather changes. It is suitable to be made of resistant and waterproof fabrics.
Hiking poles allow you to walk with ease and provide support with every step. They should be light, compact, preferably made of aluminum alloy and have an anti-shock system that absorbs impacts before they reach the wrists.
Warm clothing such as jackets, fleece and alpaca sweaters.
Hat or cap as protection against the sun, rain and cold.
Sunglasses (very important)!
Sunscreen or sunblock.
After sun cream or moisturizer.
KN95 mask
Face Protector

The mountain Pallay Punchu is the new tourist destination of the city of Cusco. Pallay Punchu or also known as Pallya Puncho, Cerro de los colores con puntos afilados, Montaña filuda de colores or Pallay Poncho del Apu Taqllo Apacheta is a geological formation located 3 hours from the city of Cusco (194 Kilometers by car).

With this new discovery destination we would have 3 colorful mountains in Cusco: The mountain of 7 colors vinicunca, the rainbow mountain of palccoyo and the sharp mountain of colors of Pallay Punchu.

Pallay Punchu Mountain

The mountain of Pallay Punchu is characterized by its beautiful colors, its sharp peaks and its easy access to get there. The Filuda de Colores or Pallay Punchu Mountain is located in the district of Layo, approximately 3 hours from the city of Cusco.

The name Pallay Punchu Apu Tacllo comes from the multiple colors of the mountain that resembles the ponchos used in the Peruvian highlands, a very typical Peruvian garment.
The weather in the Pallay Punchu mountain is cold and windy in the mornings, at noon you can appreciate a drier and sunny climate.
The best season to visit the Pallay Punchu mountain is from March to October where the weather is dry and without rain. From November to February it is always advisable to bring a rain poncho and to dress warmly.
Remember that like all mountains it is very cold and if you have problems with altitude sickness it is always advisable to be a day before in Cusco acclimatizing. It is also ideal to take coca tea or a pill for soroche.
To reach the colorful mountain of Pallay Punchu requires a walk of 3 to 4 hours depending on the physical condition of each person. It is always advisable to carry a wooden pole to make the climb easier and not too tiring.

Throughout the trip you will be able to observe beautiful landscapes and animals of the area. Also very close to the mountain Paylla Punchu you can see a beautiful lagoon, this makes this mountain looks spectacular and is a very attractive destination.

Pallay Punchu of the Apu T’acllo Tour

Important facts

The visit to the Pallay Punchu Mountain can be done through a travel agency in Cusco (highly recommended), if you want to do it on your own always go with a person who knows the place well, because you can suffer altitude sickness and lack of oxygen.
Bring a jacket or warm clothes, sunscreen, sunglasses, hat, for rainy season a rain poncho, hiking shoes (hike / treeking) and water.