Rainbow Mountain, Peru

One of the best day trips from Cusco, Peru is the Rainbow Mountain which is about 90 miles. The tour group bus takes a little over three hours. There are many tour operators in Cusco that does these tours daily. Some tours may include breakfast and lunch which is very nice as there are no food places around there. The tour guide explains the process of what and how this is done during the journey.  

Breakfast Time

As a part of the tour we stopped for breakfast. Here we got to mingle with the group. This time there were not many Americans. 

They talk about altitude sickness and how chewing coco leaves will make it better. It did not help me at all. You are with the group hiking to the top. Along the way you will disperse and meet with the guide up at the top. It is  about 8 km one way. You don't see the mountain until you reach the top. 

There are locals with horses that will give rides for a small fee. The horses cannot take you to the top of the mountain. It is however fun for the breathing part. 

Indigenous people work so hard but yet they have a big smile. 

The rainbow mountain gets its colors from the different minerals found in the soil through oxidation and interaction with each other.  

Its a relief when you get to the top. In order to see the color layers  you turn around.  

Getting down is effortless as it goes down hill. The schedule is pretty good in terms of timing. You have time at the top to enjoy, take pictures, interact with your group and learn from the guides.  

There are vendors along the way selling souvenirs and water. Once you reach the top the view is breath taking. You have a lot of photo opportunities. There are local with llamas that you can take pictures too. It is a  struggled to get up there but it can be done if you take it slow.  It was an amazing experience.