Departure begins early from Cusco, around 4:30 am, while the city remains quiet. The drive heads south, gradually leaving the valley and entering higher terrain. Along the way, small communities appear, with herds of alpacas and llamas moving across open fields.
A simple breakfast is taken near a local village, prepared in a modest setting. From here, the road continues toward Palcoyo, gaining altitude steadily.
Arrival at the trailhead comes mid-morning. The air is thin, the landscape wide and exposed. The walk begins slowly, following a gradual path across the plateau. The colored mountains appear in sequence—layers of red, yellow, and green tones shaped by mineral composition rather than a single viewpoint.
With fewer people on the trail, movement remains uninterrupted. There is time to stop, adjust, and observe without pressure. A short climb leads to a higher viewpoint, where the surrounding range becomes visible, including the presence of Ausangate in the distance when conditions are clear.
Lunch is taken outdoors, prepared by the team and shared in place. After time at the site, the return follows the same path back to the vehicle.
The drive back to Cusco retraces the route through the highlands, arriving in the late afternoon.
Details
• Difficulty: Easy to Moderate (altitude dependent)
• Maximum altitude: 4900 mt / 16,076 ft
• Walking time: 2 hrs
• Walking distance: 5 km / 3.1mi
• Return to Cusco: approx. 4:30 – 5:00 pm
