Fresh off our Inca trail hike, we opted to wake up later the next day and not at the suggested 0430 time to get more shut eye.
Cusco
We boarded our shuttle for the roughly three hour ride to our destination, sharing the road with sheep on the way.
Cusco
Our van traveling on the mountain road that goes into Red Valley.
Vinicunca
Deborah was sobbing that she didn’t get a alpaca poncho at 50% off. Or Matt was just trying to get blood flowing to her head due to the elevation at 15,460′.
Vinicunca
Our group elected to pay the extra money and take the seven minute motorcycle ride to the viewing spot rather than hike the half an hour or so needed. We are bikers and not hikers. Or is it the other way around?
Vinicunca
We dismounted from our bikes at 16,350′ and walked a short distance to the crowded viewing area.
Vinicunca
The seven colored mountain did not reveal itself until 2013 when glacier caps melted, revealing the colorful stripes of strata that owes its vibrancy due to the different types of minerals found in these mountains.
Vinicunca
Our guides took us to a slightly higher and less crowded position to take our photos. Every (wo)man must know their limitations and Deborah had reached her elevation ceiling.
Vinicunca
Matt paid the park official to be able to fly his drone to capture what National Geographic said was one of the 100 places to visit before you die.
Vinicunca
Jose suggested that Chico and myself climb to the highest point on the mountain. It was the hardest 150′ climb as it was step by step, breath by breath.
Vinicunca
We made it to the 16,500′ hill that overlooked the pink, white, red, green, brown, yellow and purple striped mountain. A shocked 20-year old Mexican kid was amazed to find out Chico’s age and the fact that he hauled himself up here to the top. Mind over matter.
Vinicunca
Our pictures on the unfinished hand that was on the backside as we left the summit.
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Walking down the trail to join the others that were taking photos on the finished hand in the front.
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The giant hand was built by the locals to offer tourists a different perspective of the mountain and make some extra sols. Ours was free as I guess it was still unfinished.
Vinicunca
Deborah must have still been suffering from altitude sickness as she thought she could drive the motorcycle back down.
Cusco
Idle hands are the devil’s workshop. Obviously somebody had too much time on their hands to catch people sleeping on the ride back.
Cusco
Sharing the road with a herd of llamas.
Meson Andino
Aren’t you supposed to tip the waiter? Chico giving Jose our collective tip in appreciation for his excellent service as our tour guide over lunch.
Cusco
We got dropped off back at our hotel to finish up shopping, massages and mailing postcards.
Kintaro
Our group traveled 6,294 miles from home to eat a bowl of ramen noodles. It’s not like we have them back in Hawaii.
Photos taken by Aida Gordon, Chico Cantu, Deborah Tom, Mari Saito, Matt Vidaurri, and yours truly. Not necessarily in order.
Note: I have been made aware that some hikers have been using my blog as a hiking guide and getting lost on the trails. Please note that this blog was made to document the hike for the crew(s) that did it. That is why some of my comments will seem to have no relevance or meaning to anybody outside of the crew(s) that hiked that trail. My blog was never meant as a hiking guide, so please do not treat it as such. If you find inspiration and entertainment from these hikes, that is more than enough. If you plan on replicating these hikes, do so in the knowledge that you should do your own research accordingly as trail conditions, access, legalities and so forth are constantly in flux. What was current today is most likely yesterdays news. Please be prepared to accept any risks and responsibilities on your own as you should know your own limitations, experience and abilities before you even set foot on a trail, as even the “simplest” or “easiest” of trails can present potential pitfalls for even the most “experienced” hikers. One should also always let somebody know of your hiking plans in case something doesn’t go as planned, better safe than sorry.
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