Day Six: Ausangate - The Mountain of 7 Colors

This morning we were picked up before 5am to go on a full day tour to see the Ausangate mountain of 7 colors also called The Rainbow Mountain. Around 7am we stopped and got some breakfast before going back into the mini van for another hour. We had arrived at a height of about 5.000m above sea level. Just to give you an idea: Cusco is located about 3.400m above sea level so while being in the mini van we kept going up and up and up. Once we reached the official entrance of the area of Vinicunca we got out of the car and started walking. Of course upwards. The view was breathtaking.

The air was so thin and with so little oxygen that I had to stop after every few meters in order to catch my breath. My heart was beating quickly and my head was getting more and more dizzy.

We had seen some while looking out of the mini van but now we were getting so close to them: alpakas!

Because most people are not used to the thin air, local people are ready with their horses to take anyone up who would like to take that service. One of the men smiled at us and asked: "Taxi?"

Then we started seeing the different colors on the mountains.

Once in a while I would still look back while taking a short break to see that this view was equally breathtaking!

These are the last few steps before reaching the destination.

This is a mountain! 

We made it all the way up there. More than once I thought I would lose consciousness and I had to hold on to my friend. 

Once we reached the top we were able to sit down, enjoy a cup of té de coca (coke leaves in hot water, also used for chewing while walking up that mountain which I tried but didn't like very much), watch one of the locals fry alpaka meat, and offer it to the tourists.

After about an hour enjoying the view, taking pictures, drinking tea, and thinking about the alpaka meat we had to start walking down which was so much easier than the trip up to the rainbow mountain.

Alpakas everywhere!

The "taxis" were also going down.