In February, I started a sequence with the Mint weblog the place I documented my monetary planning journey to Peru. In an effort to economize (and take a look at one thing offbeat), I seemed to Instagram and Pinterest for secret Peruvian gems. And whereas it is probably not a secret, this lead me to find the attractive Rainbow Mountain.
What Is Rainbow Mountain?
Rainbow Mountain is a colourful mountainside close to Ausangate Mountain situated inside the Andes of Peru, sitting at an altitude of 17,060 ft (over half the peak of Mt. Everest!). Locals think about Ausangate Mountain to be one of many holiest lands in Peru and remains to be believed to be the deity of Cusco. To this present day, Ausangate Mountain is a web site of day by day worship and choices by native residents.
The identical stunning colours which have made Rainbow Mountain well-known on Instagram had been fashioned by sedimentary mineral layers that had been uncovered by erosion. These colours embody maroon, gold, royal purple, turquoise and forest inexperienced! It actually is a imaginative and prescient. For those who’re into nature and mountain climbing, this spectacle can’t be missed throughout your go to to Peru!
In accordance with our information, this trek has solely been open to the general public for 1-2 years, however you’d assume it has been open for much longer contemplating its recognition!
The place is Rainbow Mountain and How Do I Get There?
Rainbow Mountain is situated in Ausangate Mountain, probably the most magnificent geologic options in the world! Rainbow Mountain is just 50 miles away from Cusco. Nevertheless, the terrain between these two factors is what makes it so laborious to get to!
Rainbow Mountain is just accessibly by vehicle and takes 2.5-3 hours to get there. Most tour operators embody the roundtrip transportation within the value of their tour.
For those who’re searching for locations to remain in Cusco, these are the most effective accommodations in my view:
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Palacio del Inka, A Luxurious Assortment Lodge, Cusco ($$)
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Casa San Blas Boutique ($)
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Novotel Cusco ($$)
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Inkaterra La Casona Relais & Chateaux ($$$$)
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Belmond Lodge Monasterio ($$$$)
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Lodge Costa del Sol Ramada Cusco ($)
When Is the Finest Time to Go?
There are two seasons when visiting Peru generally: the moist season and the dry season. Clearly, the dry season will probably be a way more nice expertise once you go to Rainbow Mountain.
The dry season takes place between March to November, however the most effective time to go to is June-August. The skies will probably be blue, the temperature is comfy and the terrain is ideal. Simply understand it’s additionally essentially the most crowded time of 12 months! That is additionally Peru’s winter season, but it surely’s similar to California’s winter.
What Do I Put on Once I Hike Rainbow Mountain?
Whenever you first arrive at Rainbow Mountain, whatever the time of 12 months, you’ll be freezing. The altitude paired with the dearth of solar will make you bury your face within the nearest alpaca. For this trek, I like to recommend the next gear:
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Climbing footwear or athletic footwear
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Thick, mountain climbing socks
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Climbing pants or exercise pants
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Shirt or tank high
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Sweatshirt
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Climbing Jacket (ideally waterproof)
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Scarf
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Gloves
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Beanie
As you may see, it is a lot of layers. However layers are your finest buddy! Though we traveled through the winter, the temperature turned progressively hotter. About 1 hour into the hike, I ended up shedding my jacket and nearly took off my sweatshirt. Once we lastly reached the highest, the wind had me put again on my jacket.
Generally there may be snow, however for those who’re bringing sufficient thermals/layers, you ought to be ready. The one factor you may want from December to February is rain gear. A poncho, shell in your backpack, rainproof clothes and an umbrella ought to suffice!
How Lengthy Is The Rainbow Mountain Hike?
This reply is determined by two issues: your mountain climbing talents and your journey itinerary.
For those who’re merely taking a day journey from Cusco, your day will begin between 3 and 4 am. You’ll drive 2.5 hours to the summit (14,189 ft excessive) and hike to the highest. Locals are capable of hike this in about an hour to 2 hours. Nevertheless, it took us rookies about 3-4 hours to get to the highest. From there, you’ll chill and take footage on the high for about an hour. Getting down is clearly lots simpler and can take 1-2 hours. One other 2 hour drive + lunch and we acquired again round 5:30 pm. A complete of 13-14 hours.
This time also can differ relying in your mountain climbing means. Word: altitude illness results everybody in a different way. It’s possible you’ll be tremendous match, however nonetheless wrestle with the dearth of oxygen. Our information instructed us that when, an excellent match rugby participant wanted to cease each 5 minutes to catch his breath through the hike. In the meantime, we noticed one extremely bold exhibit who went up and down the mountain 2 or 3 instances within the time it took us to make one full trek. My level is, your trek expertise will differ based mostly in your adjustment to the altitude.
(I didn’t endure altitude illness as badly as my husband due to the cures I used right here.)
When you have extra time in your schedule, I recommend you make this a multi-day journey. Not solely will you hike at your personal tempo, however you’ll have the ability to attain Rainbow Mountain earlier than the entire crowds (thus a greater image and extra time with “pachamama” or Mom Earth). This may in the end take 24-36 hours of your time.
Do I Want a Information to Hike Rainbow Mountain?
Sure. Sure, you need to get a information. In fact, you may hike this path with out one. We noticed fairly a couple of folks trekking alone or in small teams with no information. Nevertheless most of those hikers ranged from intermediate to superior. (Whilst a complicated hiker, you will see that this trek to be very intense!)
For those who’re a newbie, like us, I extremely recommend you get a information. A superb information will offer you some details about the hike, present instruments in case of an emergency (like their “magic potion”), deliver snacks you could’t carry, assist translate, and in the end haggle donkey costs in your behalf.
Our information throughout our go to to Rainbow Mountain was Salkantay Trekking. For $80 you get a roundtrip automobile experience out of your lodge to the summit, breakfast and lunch at a family-run restaurant, snacks and water, oxygen and an emergency equipment and a personal, English-speaking tour.
This value was fairly steep in comparison with different corporations, nevertheless as novice hikers, we needed to be ready with the most effective of the most effective. And now we have no regrets!
(This value doesn’t embody tip for the information or driver.)
How Laborious is the Rainbow Mountain Hike?
The path begins with a level-footed trek that takes roughly 20-40 minutes to hike. Throughout this flat a part of the trek, you’ll first see a sea of horses and their house owners. In case you can not deal with the altitude, you may lease a horse right here to go up Rainbow Mountain and again.
The house owners attempt to inform you it’ll price 120 soles roundtrip (roughly $40 USD) nevertheless our information managed to haggle it right down to 90 soles (roughly $30 USD). We opted to hike as an alternative, however in hindsight, we should always have taken the deal.
After you enter the ticketing space, your incline will begin to start.
That is the place you’ll start your 3-hour wrestle. On the way in which up, you’ll be surrounded by massive, snow-capped mountains. A whole lot of alpacas and sheep will create a soothing lull of bleats. And you may’t assist however discover the folks driving the horses go you, making you assume “Dammit, I ought to have paid for that horse at first.”
Midway up, there’s a snack and restroom cease. Run by a Peruvian household, you will see that sweet, quinoa bars, coca leaf cures and water. Additionally, you will discover port-a-potties which might be merely holes within the floor (a poop-filled gap the place I ALMOST dropped my digital camera lens.)
The second half of the trek is far worse. The incline is steeper, the terrain tougher and also you’re now resting each 5 minutes as an alternative of each 15. Even for those who take a horse up, the final 20 minutes (the ultimate incline up Rainbow Mountain) is so steep, you will need to hike alone. That is the place we noticed folks throwing up, crying or shaking from the altitude. TAKE YOUR TIME HERE, LADIES AND GENTS!
However once you lastly attain the floor, it should all have been price it. (Or not, based on my husband.)
As soon as once more, this reply relies upon for those who’re taking a tour or not.
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Roundtrip transportation (340 soles)
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Entrance ticket (10 soles)
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Roundtrip horse (90 soles-less for those who don’t use the horse all the way in which)
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Water and snacks (10-20 soles)
