Chasing the rainbow (mountain)

After years of gazing at rainbows high above, I jumped at the chance to climb the rainbow that fell to earth in Peru.

Climbing to 5,200m
This was the highest climb of my little life. Sherpa can claim credit for a 6,000m volcano climb while I was indulging in a pisco bender but I’m proud as punch to have done this one. Slow and steady was my motto and it was a winning strategy. While we saw many people taking a horsie up the track, there was no way I was going to do that - I am my father’s daughter. It turned out, hiking Rainbow Mountain wasn’t that hard - just continuous and about 20% less oxygen. No biggie. A positive mind-set, great company and keeping your eyes on the beautiful scenery got me easily to the top. Also, knowing there was some chocolate back in the car was a motivating factor.

Colours of Rainbow Mountain
This candy-striped mountain Vinicunca, affectionately known as Rainbow Mountain, is picture perfect and from the top reveals 360 degree views over the Cordillera Vilcanota including the impressive snow laden Ausangate mountain. In the local Quechuan language, Vinicunca means ‘seven colour mountain’ - a spot on description. Turquoise, lavender, terra cotta colours dance before your eyes. Thanks to erosion and oxidisation, the mountains minerals are revealed exposing millions of years of history of the Peruvian Andean mountain range.

The white snow of Ausengate mountain 6,450m

Llamas and alpaca’s on parade
Aka ‘The Locals’. These furry creatures are so cute and they never get boring.These ones don’t spit contrary to popular belief. At 5,000m, they’re in their element, able to walk for up to 3 months without rest unlike horses and donkey’s who can’t handle the altitude and need to rest every 5 days. Go team llama!

The 2017 Perivian Llama and Alpaca convention

A legendary guide, Hermo
At 32, Hermo, our guide and friend, is a Quechuan (local lad), single and ready to mingle ladies! He’s been a guide for over 7 years and his experience in leading made this an exceptional trip. From our 3am pickup to our 3pm drop off there were laughs, high fives, a pisco session and extensive local knowledge instilled upon us. Basically a dead-set legend.

Hermo has strong selfie game. As for me - it was all squinty, squinty.

Walking through the valley
This valley - no words necessary.

A neighbouring community lining up to sell their horses (not to tourists). LOVE their outfits so much.

Toilets on the trail - saving toilet paper from blowing in the wind

Drinking pisco at the top
Reaching the summit was a great feeling but made better when Hermo pulled out a hip flask of pisco. World’s Best Guide. But people - there are rules! First, you must spill a drop on the ground, an offering to Pacha Mama (mother earth). Then you must drink two shots not one - it keeps the world in balance. It definitely put an extra skip in my step on the way down.

Fast ascent, faster decent
Thanks to a brutal 3am pick up, we were one of the first people to arrive at the start of the trek. We passed people who had started earlier than us which landed us at the summit with only a few others. We dominated the descent - reaching the entrance hours before anyone else. Not that it’s a competition but we killed it, shocking both our guide and our driver who was enjoying his slumber.

See that trail of people - that's why you do it fast and early

Hiking is made better with friends
Good chat goes a long way to propel you up a mountain. Marky Mark, our Dutch friend came through with the goods. We love travelling with him! Bring on Salkantay.

Sweet Yanks loving the view from the top

DO IT
Salkantay Trekking offered a private tour for $80. We negotiated it down to $50 including our own guide who shared so much information with us, private car (no more bloody mini-buses), breakfast, lunch and snack packs. It was worth every cent and I highly recommend them. Ask for Hermo!