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CORDILLERA DEL ARCO IRIS – PALCCOYO

This wonderful tour of Palccoyo or “Cordillera del Arco Iris” is one of the new routes that includes a short walk that is 30 to 40 minutes compared to the classic Rainbow Mountain (VININCUNCA), which lasts 6 hours round trip. The Rainbow Mountains are natural rock formations that are composed of stratified layers of sandstone, and these rock layers contain large amounts of iron and other minerals that give the mountains pigments for the various colored lines. It is a day tour and suitable for all levels of physical condition where we will enjoy a beautiful view of the Ausangate mountain which is the largest mountain in our region as well as home to some alpacas and llamas.

In Checacupe, the Inca rope bridge is one of the suspension bridges built on the Pitumayu River during the Inca period, these types of bridges formed a system of trail networks and an excellent example of Inca engineering innovation that were frequently used by the Chaskis (messengers), to be able to deliver the different types of messages throughout the empire and to the King. Since these bridges were very useful, and did not use the wheel transport, traffic was limited to pedestrians and cattle.

The Inca bridge of Queswachaca is one of the typical bridges that can still be seen as each year the different communities come together for reconstruction with an average of one thousand people participating annually. For this magical adventure to be unforgettable, Cusco Andes Adventure hopes to be part of this great visit to the Cordillera del Arco Iris (Palccoyo) and the Inca Bridge of Queswachaca.

Itinerary

CUSCO – CORDILLERA DEL ARCO IRIS DE PALCCOYO – QUESWACHACA – CUSCO

You will be picked up from your hotel at 05:00 am by your guide, then we will board our private bus and we will go by the Valley South of the city. This journey lasts about 3.5 to 4 hours where you can see some towns , valleys, rivers and beautiful scenery until you reach the beginning of the trail in Palccoyo then we will start with our gradual hike uphill of (30-40 minutes) depending your physical state to 5,000 m/16,400 ft to the Palccoyo steps. Here you will enjoy the spectacular panoramic views of the peaks of the mountain range of the Rainbow mountain, as well as the largest mountain of the Cusco

Region, Ausangate. We will stay here for a while, enjoying the spectacular view before going through the forest of stones that make it an even more admirable landscape, taking photos and a small snack. Then we will return to our private transport to the small village of Checacupe, where we will enjoy our box lunch and visit an Inca rope bridge in the area.
After lunch we will have a 1 and a half hour trip to the Inca bridge Queswachaca, where we will be able to see different communities gather for the annual restoration of this Inca bridge, where the secrets of the design and construction process for four Quechua communities are transmitted from generation to generation, and it aims to keep exactly the same style and materials that were used for more than 500 years by Inca engineers. After the visit to this fascinating inca bridge Queswachaca, we will return to the city of the Cusco arriving around 08.00-08.30 pm where we leave you at your hotel.

  • Meals: box lunch
  • Accommodation: none
  • maximum altitude: 5,000 m / 16,400 feet
  • distance: 5 km / 3.1 miles
  • approximate walking time: 1-2 hours
  • difficulty: easy
  • departures: everyday

INCLUDES

THE TOUR INCLUDES

  • Briefing a day before excursion
  • Admission Tickets to the Rainbow (Palccoyo) mountain range and Inca bridge trip
  • Private transportation and return to the hotel in Cusco
  • Guide (English – Spanish) during the entire trip
  • Box lunch, snacks (for the road).
  • First aid kit: ball of oxygen, first aid kit and emergency radios.
  • VEGETARIAN OPTION AT NO ADDITIONAL COST

NOT INCLUDED

NOT INCLUDED

  • Hinking Sticks for the hike, which can be rented from our office ($10) for the whole day
  • Dinner
  • Tips (guide – Driver)
  • Extra costs
  • Flights / Hotel

Note

WHEN TO GO AND LEVEL OF DIFFICULTY

From March to November, although you can tour all year. This trip is rated as an easy excursion to moderate considering the high altitude and the short hike. It is recommended to acclimatize in Cusco for at least 2-3 days before the hike.

WHAT WE SUGGEST YOU BRING

  • Waterproof jacket / ponchos for rain
  • Sunblock
  • Gloves, walking canes
  • Camera with extra battery to take the best photos.
  • Hat or Cap
  • Mineral water Hiking boots
  • Extra money

INFORMATION ABOUT THE TOUR

Detalles del Viaje

Alimentación: Desayuno, almuerzo, Lonche y Cena.
Alojamiento: Campamento.
Altitud máxima: 3.300 m / 10.824 pies.
Altitud mínima: 2.680 m / 8.790 pies.
Distancia recorrida: 12 km / 7.5 millas  aproximadamente.
Tiempo aproximado de caminata: 6 -7 horas.
Nivel de Dificultad: Moderada.
Disponible: Ducha fría en el camping.

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