We spent a good portion of our summer in Peru and the Amazon. While there we had some life changing experiences and saw things that took our breath away. Literally, in the case of Rainbow Mountain that reached a peak of 17,000 feet.
The hike started at 2 am departing from the City of Cusco with 6 other hikers. A long jolting ride car ride of 2 hours to the base where we were already above the clouds. The Andes Mountains are truly stunning. They were covered in fresh snow and the sun had not even appeared yet.
We ate some warm quinoa porridge and used the bathroom in the hole in the ground.
I looked out over the blue cast of the morning and pick up my camera to photograph the cloud cover and snow capped peaks when a lone horse came riding up. It was majestic and magical.
Shivering and ready to warm up we began our climb. Only a few steps and I was short of breath. I looked at the ground and stopped with the group as we made the slow crawl to the summit. The sun was rising and everything had a pink glow.
It was probably a good thing it was so dark at first. It made the 7 mile trek to the top seem shorter since we could not see. It is worth it. If you are reading this because you are debating. There is no debate. If you love to hike and enjoy nature you cannot skip this one.
Our group was the first to the top that day an we had the Mountain to ourselves. I cannot explain the feeling in words, but know that tears welled up in my eyes.
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