They discovered a new mountain of colors in Cusco with a very special feature! Meet the Pallay Poncho

A colorful Andean poncho seems to cover a mountain range in Cusco, Peru, which has become the most recent discovery for tourism. At the height of the pandemic, in April 2020, a local looking for herbs discovered the Pallay Poncho and the information went viral because of its beauty.

The formation consists of a chain of colored mountains with sharp points, from which you can see a beautiful landscape, characteristic of the Andean area of Peru.

The shades of the peaks range from white, to magenta, to brown, red, pink and beige tones.

From the Pallay Poncho the view is incredible. You can see the Langui lagoon and all the mountainous formations around it, in the Condor Sayana sector.

It took years for nature to create the beauty of Pallay Poncho

The formation of the sharp cliffs that characterize the Pallay Poncho, took place during hundreds of years of changes in the topography of the whole planet, when summits and chasms appeared in the terrestrial relief.

We also owe some of its spectacularity to global warming, although it seems incredible, since, as the snows that usually covered these geological formations melted, their full beauty could be appreciated.

Rich in minerals and color

The mountain of colors Pallay Poncho has a great richness in minerals, which are responsible for the peculiar shades it offers.

Pink in different intensities

It is formed by mud and sand that give rise to red clay, made up of mudstones and arylites.

Brown and purple

They are created by the richness in calcium carbonate of limonites and marls.

Amber yellow

It is a characteristic color of rocky formations in the Andean region, due to the calcareous sandstones and its richness in sulfur minerals.

White and beige tones

They are originated by the clear quartz sandstone.

Green

Clays rich in ferro-magnesium and phyllites create the green tones.

The two colors that we will detail below, give testimony of the longevity of the Pallay Poncho.

Red

It is created by clays that contain iron and by clays that correspond to the superior tertiary period in the formation of the earth.

Earthy brown

It originates in the manganese rock, which dates back to the Quaternary era.

This mineral wealth and its archaeological value make this colorful mountain an ideal site for sustainable tourism.

A typical climate of the Andean region deserves good shelter

The Pallay Poncho is located between 4,720 and 4,790 meters above sea level. Because it is located in one of the highest areas of Cusco, it has a cold climate, strong winds and the possibility of rain most of the year.

If among your plans for 2021 is to visit this place, a good coat is essential in your luggage.

At night, the temperature can drop below zero degrees, although during the day the sun’s rays can be harsh on your skin.

Altitude sickness, which the locals call soroche, or moor sickness, is something that usually occurs. The suggestion is to arrive one or two days before to Cusco, so that the organism adapts to the height and the walk to this mountain of colors is easier.

Being in good shape is a plus for this tour

Once you arrive in Cusco, you must leave for Layo, which is just over 5 kilometers away. Right there you start the ascent to Pallay Poncho, but the beauty of the mountain system and its colorfulness will not be appreciated immediately, but as you advance.

The time of the ascent walk can take from 2 to 3 hours. Comfortable sports shoes are required.

To be in good physical condition is the essential recommendation to climb the Pallay Punchu slope or to hike any of the best mountain trails in our continent.

Using a trekking stick will be useful to have more body balance in the ascent and descent.

Hat, UV-protected glasses and sunscreen are important to protect you from the sun’s rays.

Due to the height of the mountain system, it is advisable to use warm clothing such as ponchos, jackets, gloves, etc.

If you are in the wave of ecotourism, taking care of nature and looking after the planet that shelters us all, the Pallay Poncho can be part of your agenda for 2021.