Peru – Amazing Rainbow Mountain
Everyone talks about Machu Picchu when they goto Peru but my trip to Rainbow Mountain was equally as amazing. The colors are absolutely stunning and this should be your next destination right after Machu Picchu. Trust me, do THIS trip, you won’t be disappointed.
DT Tip: This is not an easy hike. The altitude at the peak is 17,060 feet and I was struggling to breathe the whole time. Make sure to get some medicine from a doctor before arriving and take it 2 days prior. I’ve also heard that you can chew or drink tea from coca leaves. The locals swear by it so give it a try.
When you begin the terrain is fairly flat. You won’t be amazed at first because the mountains look like any other mountain you’ve seen before. There will be sheep, llamas, and alpacas all grazing on the greenery while they watch you breathing heavily due to lack of oxygen. Ignore them. They’ll only distract you from your goal of reaching the top. Just focus and take it one step at a time. Periodically there will be sign posts that will detail your progress. You’ll usually find other travelers using it as resting stops before continuing on.
The guides will give you walking sticks. Take it because it will be your best friend for the next few hours. Until you break down and get a horse. Yes you heard right, you can give up the misery of walking to the top and rent your very own horse! You won’t be galloping up to the top because hey, the horse needs to breath in this high elevation too but its a welcome option for people (me). The price is reasonable from the beginning of the hike and drops like a rock once you get close to the peak. Just do it. No one is judging you, except maybe the horse.
When you reach the top it’ll be windy and freezing so either you dress warmly for this trip or you just stay for a few minutes. I think you should dress warmly. Because the views are amazing.
Your guide will be at the peak rushing you to take pictures. They do that because you have to hike all the way back to the van. Remember the hike to the top? Well its just as bad going back down. So just rent that horse again so you can spend more time at the top! I can’t believe a place like this exists!
This wraps up Peru, onward to Bolivia!