Visiting the Rainbow Mountains was like stepping into one of those picturesque scenes that frequently grace Microsoft Windows screensavers, where it’s perpetually sunny. However, the weather didn’t quite live up to those expectations when I actually visited—ironically.
The experience itself was rather peculiar. After spending a week trekking in the Andes, our second group guide mentioned the possibility of taking a small group of us to the Rainbow Mountains if we had enough time left at the end of the trek. Intrigued, myself and three others decided to take him up on the offer. I half-expected him not to show up, given the surprisingly affordable price he had quoted us. However, at the appointed time, he appeared, and to my surprise, it was in a brand new bus—quite an extravagant choice for just the three of us.
During the drive, we were informed that we would stop for breakfast. We pulled into a local dining house, where a room awaited us. Inside, several long wooden tables filled the space, but in one corner, there was a small table set with a tablecloth, plates, and cups—the only area in the room prepared this way. It became clear that this was reserved for us. As we started our breakfast, a large group arrived and had to settle for the wooden tables. I realized we were being treated like VIPs, receiving all the food and coffee before them. I distinctly remember an American visitor becoming quite vocal, expressing his discontent with the situation, but personally, I couldn’t complain.
Once we reached our destination, we began the four-hour trek to the top of the Rainbow Mountains. Looking back, it’s amusing to recall the sight of some people who had arrived ill-prepared, wearing shorts and trainers. While I wouldn’t label it a difficult trek, it certainly requires some preparation. On my way up, I noticed that the locals had cleverly capitalized on the situation. As the ill-prepared individuals began their ascent, the locals would sell them ponchos to keep warm. And further along the path, there were even donkeys available to carry those who struggled. It definitely wasn’t a cheap service, but it provided a lucrative income for the locals.
