The Pallay Punchu Tour invites you to experience a newly-discovered natural wonder in Peru, a colorful mountain formation that has recently been dubbed the “Woven Mountain of the Andes.” Tucked away in the remote district of Layo, in the province of Canas, Pallay Punchu is a gem of geology where the mountain’s natural stripes mimic the Andean textiles worn by local communities. Pallay Punchu specifically sits alongside the immense and peaceful Langui-Layo Lake, forming one of the more striking sceneries of the southern region of Peru.
Join us as we provide you a genuine off-the-beaten-path experience, while also being completely untouched by the crowds of Vinicunca and Palcoyo, but certainly just as incredible. This journey is marked by stunning vistas, bound to be enjoyed while being immersed in andean culture, and crowned with a rewarding hike through pristine terrain. Along the way, travelers will have likely sight llamas and alpacas grazing freely in open pastures, experience members of rural communities, and see a true glimpse of every day life in the highlands. Pallay Punchu is an ideal experience for those travelers looking to truly experience a natural wonder that is less-visited, and enjoy an experience that is was full of color, tranquility, and moments of connection to culture a perfect tease of balance between nature and tradition, which highlights the beauty and spirit of Peru’s living Andes.
Group Services
Pallay Punchu is an ideal experience for those travelers
Experience the real Andes with the Pallay Punchu Tour a delightful combination of color, culture, and adventure. This full-day experience departing from Cusco will take you through some of the least traveled Andean valleys to reach Woven Mountain, one of Peru’s newest natural wonders. Pallay Punchu is an optimal choice for travelers wanting an alternative hike to Rainbow Mountain with far more realistic, untouched scenery and fewer visitors.
- Location: Layo District, Canas Province; about a 4 hour drive south of Cusco.
- Highest Elevation: 4,790 meters (15,715 feet) above sea level.
- Distance: About 6 km, (round trip).
- Duration: 3-4 hours total hiking time (at a comfortable pace).
- Difficulty: Easy to moderate hiking; Most travelers will feel comfortable.
- Best time of year to travel: April – November (Best season, dry conditions, and greatest visibility)
- Climate: Evenings and mornings will be cold with sunny weather in the daytime. Avgerage temperature is about 5°C-18°C (41°F-64°F)
- Acclimatization recommendation: Minimum of 1-2 days in Cusco before hike.
- Tour highlights include:
- The colorful naturally stranded Pallay Punchu Mountain.
- The peaceful Langui-Layo Lake.
- Amazing panoramic viewpoints in southern Andes.
- Authentic Andean culture and villages.
- What to pack: Comfortable layeres of clothing, hiking boots, sun protection, light poncho for rain, camera, reusable water bottle, and extra snacks.
Itinerary
Cusco - Cusipata - Marangani - Pallay Punchu
The journey starts very early in the morning with hotel pickups in Cusco. Once you meet your guide, you will travel south through beautiful Andean valleys with scenic small farming villages and herds of alpacas grazing on the high plains. The trip to Layo District will take about four hours and include short stops along the way to stretch your legs, take pictures, and enjoy the very beautiful changing scenery of the mountains. Upon arriving at the trailhead, you will have time to get ready, adjust your equipment, and listen to a brief safety introduction before you start walking.
The hike starts on level dirt path among open country and mountain peaks in the distance. As you begin to gain elevation, the colorful slopes of Pallay Punchu will start to appear ahead, with vivid colored reds, yellows, and greens with patterns designed like woven Andean textiles. The trail begins to get steep, leading you to the main viewpoint a little less than one mile high at a viewpoint. From the viewpoint, sit back and enjoy the incredible panoramic views of the mountain and LanguiLayo Lake glistening far below. After a bit of free time and photos to rest your legs, you will complete the return hike, join a vehicle, and return to Cusco by the scenic route
Prices
Travel Info - Pallay Punchu Tour
Type of Hike – Moderate Adventure to Pallay Punchu Mountain
The Pallay Punchu Tour is a moderately difficult hike in the heart of the Peruvian Andes. Due to its unique set of colors and incredible patterns, Pallay Punchu is becoming known as the “Woven Mountain” and is one of Peru’s new natural attractions and least crowded. The Pallay Punchu trail provides adventure, cultural immersion, and beautiful scenery, making it ideal for more seasoned travelers who are less interested in the touristy options of Vinicunca or Palcoyo.
Duration of Hike – Approximately 3 to 4 hours round trip
The total hiking time for Pallay Punchu Tour is approximately three to four hours depending on your pace and acclimatization. The first part of the trail is gradual and easy, but the final section is steeper as you reach the summit. Once on top, you will have beautiful views of the colorful mountain ridges and the massive Langui-Layo Lake below.
Height – Elevation of 4,790 Meters Above Sea Level:
The highest point of the Pallay Punchu trek is 4,790 meters (15,715 feet) above sea level. Due to the elevation, it is wise to have a day or two in Cusco to acclimatize. The cool Andean air and expansive mountain views are a great reward.
Unforgettable – What You will see on the Pallay Punchu Tour:
This tour takes you to some stunning Andean scenery full of bright colours, finely formed mountain ridges reminiscent of woven textiles. You will see the Pallay Punchu Mountain’s tones of red, green and ochre, the multicolored Lago Langui-Layo, and the serene high-altitude communities that continue their Quechua traditions from their ancestors. You will also see herds of alpacas and llamas grazing freely on the hillsides. The combination of the red, green and ochre mountain and the deep blue lake creates one of the most photogenic landscapes in southern Peru.
Ideal Time to Visit – Dry Season for Good Views (April to November):
The best time to take the Pallay Punchu Tour would be in the dry season from April to November, when the sky is clear and the trails are not muddy. This is also the time of year that is best for hiking and taking photographs. In the months between December and March is rainy season where there are more clouds and the trails are muddy, however, the landscape will be evergreen and lush which will be another type of beauty.
What to take – What will you use for your Pallay Punchu mountain hike:
Since Pallay Punchu is in a high altitude Andes location, it is required to wear warm layered clothing to accommodate that it is likely cold in the morning and sunny warm in the afternoon. Wear comfortable trekking shoes or boots, plus you need a hat, sunglasses, gloves, sunscreen and possibly a light poncho or waterproof jacket for the rainy season months. Last but not least, it is important to bring a refillable water bottle, snacks or energy bars, and a camera or phone to take pictures of the spectacular views.
Time Required for the Entire Itinerary – Full Day Tour From Cusco:
The Pallay Punchu Tour is a full day tour leaving Cusco in the early morning and returning in the late afternoon. The travel time to reach the initiating point (Layo District, Canas Province) is approximately 4 hours in transit to get to the hike itself. All along the route, we will pass through well-preserved rural villages and lovely highland valleys. This travel experience is part of the overall experience, allowing visitors to view authentic Andean scenery in Peru.
Recommended Fitness Level – For Travelers with Moderate Fitness:
The level of hiking is moderate and should suit travelers with mostly basic fitness levels to average fitness levels. The altitude can make the trail feel longer and harder, so it is generally important to walk at a tolerable pace and take breaks as needed. Provided our travelers continue to stay hydrated and take small breaks along the hike, you will start to acclimatize and stay reasonably comfortable on the trail, despite how you’re feeling with the elevation.
More Travel Tips – Notes About Your Pallay Punchu Tour:
Spending one or two days in Cusco prior to the Pallay Punchu Mountain experience is suggested for the best outcomes to allow you to acclimate to altitude. Please avoid alcohol the night prior to your tour, sleep well, and have a light breakfast the morning of– if you get an upset stomach mild symptoms of altitude you should consider coca leaves or coca candies. Also, please respect the environment surrounding you and the communties that you visit. Pallay Punchu is both a magnificent geological site, but also a place of reverence for the people of the Andes.
Group Services
What our customers say on Tripadvisor
Similar Pallay Punchu Tour that you may like
