We arrived back at our AirBnb at 9pm after our trip to Machu Picchu. We were heading out for our next trek at 4am. We had enough time to shower and repack before falling into bed. Our 3:45 alarm came way too quickly.
Our drive to the start of the Ausangate 2-day trek was 3-1/2 hours. Luckily, we were the only people on the trek so we had the entire van to ourselves to stretch out in and try and get some sleep.
Our driver stopped at a small home where we were feed breakfast. What a different experience than our last trek. We saw no other people just a lot of alpaca and a few small homes on the hillsides.
After breakfast, we had a short drive to a wide spot in the dirt road where our driver stopped again and we all got out.
There was no trail insight. Our guide headed down the side of the road. We just wondered across the alpaca filled field.
Soon, we hit a trail and headed for a high pass to get full views of Ausangate Mountain.
The foothills here were a beautiful shade of red.
Though the scenery was amazing, I was having a difficult time enjoying myself. I had a major pounding headache. After trying a few altitude remedies, we decided to try oxygen. I had no other symptoms of altitude sickness but we all agreed I should try the oxygen just in case.
After 5 minutes and still a pounding headache, we determined it was not the altitude but probably the fact that my head bounced around in the van all morning while I was trying to sleep.
Good news was none of us were having any trouble with the altitude and we were over 16,000 feet. The bad news was I could not get rid of this killer headache.
When we hit the pass, my spirits rose. Nothing like a great mountain view to make me forget my troubles.
Below the mountain were several lakes. All flowing into each other.
When we left the pass, we followed a fabulous wide path marked with rocks on end.
Before long, we had our first view of the Ananta Camp. It was set on a high plateau, a little over 15,000 feet.
The camp was setup with tents inside of individual huts.
There was a small main hut for lounging and eating.
The views from this camp were spectacular.
Even the view from our tent was lovely.
We had several hours in the afternoon to relax which gave me time to get rid of my headache.
After a light dinner, we all turned in around 7:30pm. Our wake up call would be at 2:40am. Not sure I have ever gotten up this early for a hike… or ever will again.
Jim and I had no problem falling asleep but were rudely awaken a few hours later by a dog fight pretty much in our tent. My feet were hanging outside of the tent door and the fight happened on top of them. Just another thing to add to our Peruvian experience. I don’t think Jim fell back asleep the rest of the night.
2:40am came way too early. We were hiking by 3:45am. I don’t hike this early. The goal was to reach Rainbow Mountain before the crowds. I was looking forward to our big trek where there would be no crowds.
The hike to Rainbow Mountain would take us 3-1/2 hours. First, we needed to climb 1,300 feet to Warmisaya Pass at 16,355 feet.
The pass came sooner than expected and we arrived at 5am.
We dropped off the pass and started a lovely traverse over high alpine tundra. Then the sun began to rise.
Sunrise in the mountains is always special but usually I enjoy it from the comfort of my tent.
Before long we were cruising along in daylight. Sometime in the morning hours, a dog attached itself to Brooke. The dog didn’t know that Brooke was a cat person.
As we got closer to Rainbow Mountain, we could see a few people standing on top of the viewing knoll. At least it wasn’t a crowd.
Then Rainbow Mountain came into full view. It was worth the early morning hike.
We climbed the knoll and took several more pictures before the crowds began to arrive.
The sidehills are known as the red mountains. They had such beautiful texture.
Since the area was getting crowded and the winds were bitter cold, we dropped down the ridge to take a break and have a snack.
As we looked down the valley, we could see our van calling to us. It took us less than 30 minutes to reach the parking lot.
Not sure I will ever again hike 6-1/2 miles with 1,600 feet of gain before 8:30am. It was time to head back to Cusco and a nap.
————- Complete Photo Gallery (click to enlarge) ————
