Difference Between Humantay Lake & Rainbow Mountain

If you want to visit my country and you’re wondering which place do you want to visit, Rainbow Mountain or Humantay Lake, you’re in luck. In this guide, we’ll explore both destinations and help you choose the one that’s right for you. From iconic views to differences between them and tips for a great visit, this guide has everything you need to know about these magical places!

Difference between Rainbow Mountain & Humantay Lake – Weather

When it comes the weather between the Rainbow Mountain and Humantay lake are totally different.

Rainbow Mountain is much drier and can be hot during the day. It’s best to visit early in the morning or late in the afternoon to avoid the hottest parts of the day when temperatures can soar over 40 degrees Celsius (104 Fahrenheit). You can visit this place during the dry season which is from May to October

Humantay Lake stays cooler due to its higher elevation and is standing very close to the Glacier with temperatures closer to 25-30 Celsius (77-86 Fahrenheit). The terrain can also be quite muddy after a rainstorm, so plan accordingly. I recommend to visit this place in the dry season too

Humantay Lake Overview

Humantay Lake is a glacial lake located near the Salkantay Mountain in the Andes Mountains. It is famous for its turquoise blue waters and stunning views of the surrounding peaks. Visitors to Humantay Lake typically take a day hike to reach the lake, making it a relatively easy and accessible destination for outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers and this hike takes a full day hike.

Why you should Choose Humantay Lake?

• Completly amazing view. The turquoise, blue water set in front of the white, snow-covered mountains is like a view from a dream. It looks unbelievable and there’s not much chance you’ll see anything else like it in your existence.
• You will hike part of Salkantay trek. After the Inca Trail the Salkantay hike is the second most popular trek to Machu Picchu. Soraypampa, the trailhead of the hike, sits in front of the imposing Humantay  
• You will get The positive energy. the lake is surrounded by a lot of mountain deities that look as if they are almost keeping watch over it. You are going to feel their power and energy when you are on the viewpoint of the lake.
• Peacefulness, It’s a cool feeling you are in the middle of nowhere and surrounded by huge Mountains, and hear nothing but only birds sounds.

Cons

• It is long drive, 4 hours one way and 8 hours round trip.
• the road to Humantay is both bumpy and windy, often with intense switchbacks to traverse the rugged mountain terrain. So the van ride might give you severe motion sickness.

Rainbow Mountain Overview

Located in the heart of Peru’s breathtaking Andes Mountains, Rainbow Mountain, or Vinicunca mountain as it is also known, stands at an altitude of 5, 034 meters above sea level and is renowned for its spectacular multicolored slopes. The mountain is made up of sedimentary rocks that were formed over millions of years ago, giving it its unique and vibrant hues. It has become a popular attraction in the region due to its extraordinary beauty and dramatic landscape.

Why you should choose Rainbow Mountain?

• The unique mountain. There are Rainbow Mountains in Argentina, China and United states. However the one in Peru is completly different. There are not many places in our world where you can observe such a change in the colours of the earth in just one location.
• Unparalleled landscapes. The road and hike to the summit will take you through some amazing landscapes where you will see glacier, lagooons, Rolling hills, streams, llamas and a lot of alpacas.
• Top destination. Rainbow Mountain is the second most visited tourist attraction in all Peru. If you love to get pictures in some of the most famous world tourist attraction, then this mountain should be on your bucket list.
• Rural Villages. It’s amazing to see how people live so far in the middle of the mountain. Along the road, you’ll see secluded communities with people wearing their typical cloths.

Cons

• Hiking to Rainbow Mountain in the rain and snow can be more of a nightmare! Because you wont see the colors, most of the the time the mountain is covered with snow and mist.
• On rainy season, the trail to the Rainbow Mountain turn into one big slippery mud slick. The trail becomes nearly impossible to hike. Even the most surefooted hiker will ultimately fall at some point.
• Hiking at 5,034 meters is no joke. Travellers start feeling symptoms of altitude sickness at about 2,400 meters. Vinicunca Mountain is more than double that!. Terrible headaches and nausea are both habitual symptoms people experience hiking to Rainbow Mountain. Some people begin vomiting just on the drive up to the trailhead, before the hike to Rainbow Mountain even start.
• Tons of people flock from Cusco to Rainbow Mountain in the many tourist vans. Expect to share the mountain with up to 4000 people per day in high season( May – August). To take the classical picture, you have to make long line.

Which one do we recommend to you?

Both tourist atractions offer unique and beautiful natural wonders, but Humantay Lake could be a better choice for those looking for an easier, more accessible experience, while Rainbow Mountain could be a better choice for those searching a more challenging adventure. Ultimately, the choice between the two, we recommend the Rainbow Moutain because you can see much better lakes but the Rainbow Mountain never.

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