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Радужные горы Перу — как попасть и не потерять дыхание

I love wild landscapes - especially when I don’t have to share them with 500 tourists. And yes, I hate getting out of the car above 3,500 meters. But some places are worth the altitude struggle. Like Rainbow Mountain (Vinicunca). Here’s how to do it with minimal effort and maximum reward.

When to Go and How to Avoid the Tourist Flood

Tour buses drop people off early in the morning. But by 3 p.m., the mountain clears out. I turned off the highway around noon - perfect timing. If you don’t want to deal with minibus chaos on narrow switchbacks, get there early and on your own terms.

Hike or Horse? Choose Wisely at 5,000 Meters

Let’s be clear: 5,000 meters is brutal. After a few steps, your lungs are screaming and your brain wants oxygen tanks. The trail takes a couple of hours on foot - or you can ride a horse. Problem solved? Not quite. This is Latin America, my friends.

At a random checkpoint below the summit, your guides might say: “Get off. It’s dangerous from here.” “Qué carajo?” I reply in my finest Spanish. Turns out there’s a sheriff at the viewpoint handing out $10 fines to any horse that dares cross the final ridge. Environmental protection, thin air - take your pick. No horses were harmed on our trip, but I walked the last bit.

Learn Spanish — Seriously

While launching my drone, sheriffs showed up immediately. Apparently, there’s a fine for that too.

Moral of the story? In Latin America, speaking Spanish expands your options - and reduces your fines.

Enjoy the Views and the Chaos

Latin America is always a bit of an adventure - rules shift mid-game, but the scenery makes it all worth it.

Why Driving Is the Best Way to Explore Peru

Перу — небольшая высокогорная страна в Южной Америке. Как и в большинстве других стран региона, на авто здесь намного интереснее, чем пешком.

But — there are a few key things to know before you go. I’ll cover the wild places in the next post. Today’s all about the driving.

Peruvian Drivers — Worse Than in Indonesia

🚘 The drivers. If you’ve driven in Indonesia, you’ve got an idea. Now imagine that - three times worse. If not, do not attempt Peru without your own stunt team.

Funny how neighboring countries can have wildly different driving cultures. Chile, for example, has some of the calmest, most polite drivers in all of Latin America.

From Sea Level to 5,000 Meters — Yes, Really

🌋 Peru is about elevation. Lima and the coast sit at sea level. Cusco and the Sacred Valley? 2,700 meters. Between them — the Andes, with passes around 5,000 meters. Most routes will have you driving high-altitude serpentines or sleeping in remote mountain towns at some point.

My tip: spend a few days at 2,500 meters first - Arequipa is perfect - and bring some oxygen cans. If you run out, stop by any medical clinic for a refill.

Some Places You Just Can’t Drive To

😱 Not everything in Peru is road-trip friendly. Two highlights - Machu Picchu and Iquitos - are completely cut off by mountains or jungle. Machu Picchu also requires booking months in advance. Raise your hand if you plan trips six months ahead! Yeah, not me 😂

More Peru Highlights Coming Soon

Peru truly surprised me. I spent over a month driving through it and loved it. I’ll share my favorite places in the next posts. Stay tuned.