Humantay Lake and Rainbow Mountain Tour: A Traveler’s Review
The Humantay Lake and Rainbow Mountain tour – it’s almost like a must-do for travelers hitting up Cusco, Peru. I mean, seriously, these places are splashed all over social media for a reason, is that right? The bright colors of Rainbow Mountain and the turquoise waters of Humantay Lake, too it’s just a spectacular sight you don’t soon forget. Very, there’s a lot more to the experience than what you see on Instagram, so you should know. So, I wanted to give my experience – a down-to-earth look at what the tour involves, what you should look out for, and if, possibly, it’s the best pick for you.
What the Humantay Lake and Rainbow Mountain Tour Is Really Like
So, these tours, you know, they frequently cram two incredible destinations into a single, very full day. Rainbow Mountain, apparently also called Vinicunca (if you want to sound local) and Humantay Lake, that’s actually fed by a glacier, are like postcard material come to life, could be true? The tours generally kick off super early, too it’s typically like 3 or 4 in the morning, in that case, so be ready for that. This start makes it easier to get to the mountains before the big crowds, which makes a whole world of difference when you’re hoping to enjoy these wonders.
For instance, you would often start by driving a few hours from Cusco. During that trip, is that right, they might halt for breakfast at some little town on the way. Usually, you get a basic breakfast here, sometimes some coffee or cocoa tea. From there, it’s very off to the trailheads for either Rainbow Mountain first or Humantay Lake first, just depends on the tour group. Both trails, anyway, go with some steep climbing at pretty significant altitudes.
The Rainbow Mountain Hike
Now, Rainbow Mountain, it’s more of a challenging trek than you expect. Often, you’ll find it’s a 3-4 hour total hike there and back. At times, people really battle the altitude because it’s that high up. Still, the views all the way up are amazing and you get this reward when you hit the summit. Apparently, everyone wants that picture showing all the colors: the reds, yellows, greens created by different minerals.
Some tour companies provide an option to rent a horse for part of the way, typically if you are concerned about the intensity of the hike. We felt that could be an appealing option for people that aren’t acclimated to high altitudes, or simply prefer a slightly less intensive experience. I am saying that just a little, it’s always a way to give your legs a rest while still appreciating the scenery, actually. Either way, make sure you have shoes suitable for hiking and very capable of gripping the terrain.
Humantay Lake’s Turquoise Beauty
Humantay Lake, more often than not, the hike to it is slightly shorter but sometimes steeper. I mean that water is really striking, possibly one of the bluest lakes you’ve seen. A lot of people even say that, still. A bit, you can typically take your time to wander around, snap photographs and just admire the glaciers cascading down the mountain faces surrounding it.
Very, the lake has such a spiritual vibe. Many pile rocks up to make small, so cute, little monuments to show their appreciation for the location, almost like little offerings to nature. Usually, remember to keep your distance. This helps preserve the serenity of the place, and that is how they prefer it. Basically, keep what nature gave, you know.
Choosing the Right Tour Group is Important
Not every tour outfit is, literally, made the same, if I’m being serious, right? Obviously, doing your homework makes it easier to pick out one that suits what you are hoping for from this experience. For example, is that right, what size groups are they doing, do they have meals that sound appealing to you, and what is their approach to supporting your well-being while you’re up at altitude?
Very, confirm that the operator possesses proper permits and licenses. Next, check out what others have written in past reviews. Often, those bits of info help prevent headaches and set expectations, usually. At times, ask directly about their safety procedures, like do they have oxygen available or how are guides trained to respond to altitude sickness? Very, taking that one quick little moment will help improve how you feel about traveling with people that have you feeling safe. We all want to believe that, very true.
Small Groups versus Big Bus Tours
This part really changes your experience a whole lot. Bigger groups, anyway, those are often less expensive but maybe it will seem impersonal and it becomes more complex. In that case, the trip can be slowed because many people just move a little more slowly in a bigger group, right? Groups that are smaller allow for, basically, flexibility, more personal time and for guides to pay more attention to people’s differing needs. More or less, paying slightly more might, in fact, give you the best possible experience in the mountains.
What’s Included (and What Isn’t)
Basically, really closely scrutinize the package deal so there aren’t some surprise expenditures you find, so I hear. Commonly, the regular Humantay Lake and Rainbow Mountain tour usually addresses, very important details like transportation from Cusco, plus things like your breakfast and, often, a simple lunch. Usually, entrance tickets need covering separately. We think it is usually tickets for, actually, both sites.
Anyway, know whether you should pay extra for things like walking sticks, oxygen tanks, horse rides, is that right, the things that make those climbs bearable if the air is thin. Very, tip money’s generally never factored in either. Budget accordingly so you aren’t taken by surprise when, literally, the guides are expecting some kind of tip in the end, seriously. You might like to reward them.
Tips for Conquering the Altitude is so Important
Oh boy, altitude’s always, truly, the top thing people ought to stress over before setting off on one of these trips, anyway, you see. Typically, Cusco sits at an altitude. Usually it needs like three days for getting yourself acclimated prior to aiming even higher, sometimes it is better, right? Drinking plenty of liquids plus steering clear of those serious physical activities help the body change at a pace it likes.
Cocoa leaf tea – many swear, literally, that this herbal concoction makes fighting off the ill effects much simpler, seriously. Many hotels offer it; guides also regularly carry it. Obviously, think about chatting it up with the doctor prior to flying in. Obviously to have prescription altitude sickness meds ready just as another precaution to make certain a safe and lovely climb, in a way. Remember those factors: move steadily, deeply breathe often and really know how your own physical fitness levels usually trend under demanding stress factors to prevent issues as you get higher, arguably.
What to Pack: Clothing, Gear, and Essentials
Packing with smarts can actually really make a difference about, basically, how fun those travel experiences typically end up to really be. What would be the suggestion here: dress in layers simply because climates up where we’re heading might swap between sunburning temperatures down to cold when shadows darken. Have solid walking or hiking shoes along that supply sufficient ankle assistance due to ground levels commonly fluctuating somewhat; keep rainfall jackets because there might often prove rainfall showers here plus caps together to shut both rays during day along sharp chill, at certain moments. I want you to bring some sunglasses for the blinding sunshine up above also apply higher SPF onto your skin constantly simply, obviously that you’re safe against solar consequences for time outdoors in strong luminosity with rarefied atmospheric density protecting skins naturally up there where winds usually push around rather quick. So this is great!
A small rucksack comes actually almost, a help here allowing spaces enabling individual storage among things which could comprise snack stuff drinking liquid things needed as emergency medicine requirements possibly extra cellular charging gadget including maybe various electrical converters designed well adapted internationally; taking even something useful things sometimes means those moments tend getting more secured comfortable during various excursion moments like that basically, I hear.
The Best Time to Visit: Weather and Crowds
Planning one’s vacations, especially if high locations factor greatly with plans must always address meteorological information which directly causes experiences becoming memorable, seriously. Mostly the Cusco locations sees ideal periods occur mainly within monthly period spanning by summertime over onto late autumn usually found, typically across places as one thinks by drier durations alongside noticeably minimal moisture levels throughout day allowing excursions possibly being rather satisfying for various people wanting sights during excursions within such lands actually! Then again expect tourist fluxes especially amid seasonal heights. The amount tourists, then becomes much, much denser usually meaning roads around vistas get seriously jam-packed although those visiting locations during slow travel episodes could generally obtain much reduced people along certain individual solitude whenever discovering attractions like places that we may consider arguably.
Is the Humantay Lake and Rainbow Mountain Tour Worth It?
Okay now it should come up during considerations involving undertaking adventure like, for argument’s sake, journey along near where amazing geological features alongside possibly pristine freshwater resources merge perfectly especially amid possibly steep hills for various moments is likely becoming worthwhile regarding each person differently relying sometimes over everything from love from nature alongside health or usually merely wishing pictures worthy sharing all digital channels quickly. Even that factor always seems relevant honestly! Really the experience becomes quite demanding due intensity related due heights along hiking usually necessitating sufficient adjustment including good level being equipped properly even packing sensible garments allowing trips always appearing enjoyable but clearly definitely fulfilling while taking place finally as part a trip usually.
Some other, often Helpful Considerations
For instance, always buy local crafts through area merchants or shop while seeking eats locally or small restaurants when getting help benefiting community along possibly contributing locally generally helps when promoting possibly proper practices. You need think responsible while getting vacation that usually promotes culture generally benefits people around even respecting mother Earth also supporting economic aspects within various travel ventures!
- Acclimatize Slowly: Provide your bodies various phase adjustment toward upper heights over one little day minimum previously planning climb usually, in fact that matters alot!
- Engage ethically along vacationing thoughtfully through respectful customs that even support residents living round this terrain at destination for vacation even help possibly retain environment during excursions frequently basically so it may seem more convenient!
- Remain thoroughly hydrate; take more water throughout those ascents; also don various emergency necessities, typically even treat anything suddenly along trips which are normally well pre-emptives which seem important just in short generally helping trips be generally entertaining instead often making moments be truly something rather challenging.