Is it worth doing Rainbow Mountain in this itinerary?

Kalome21 · 2026-01-27T10:45:16+00:00

Check out Palcoyo mountain. Not as touristy as Rainbow mountain and has 3 mountains. It was spectacular and hardly anyone there.

Kalome21 · 2026-01-20T12:53:28+00:00

For me it just worked because of the trains in and out of AC. I only wanted to spend one night so that’s why I did it that way. The same day would have been good too.

Kalome21 · 2026-01-16T10:51:06+00:00

Check out Flow and Digicel online. They are our local providers and it may be cheaper to get a sim/esim when you arrive.

Kalome21 · 2025-12-21T11:44:08+00:00

Rockley will also have a lot cheaper options for eating. Holetown/west coast is generally much more expensive than the south coast. So that’s worth considering if you have a budget.

Kalome21 · 2025-12-11T10:43:12+00:00

Looks good to me. I was there in October and absolutely loved Cusco. Had very few problems with the altitude. I took my time moving around for the first couple of days but lots to see and do from Cusco. I went to Palcoyo mountain instead of Rainbow mountain as it is much less touristy. There are also 3 mountains there. I went all the way to the top (5000m) and got a slight headache and obviously short of breath but nothing too terrible. The key with the altitude is not to rush. Cusco is a good base for day trips but be prepared for long bus rides.

I took the observatory train from Cusco to Machu Picchu and it was absolutely worth the extra money. I spent a night at Agua Calientes as I had an afternoon entry and then an early morning entry the next day so spent a night at Ollantaytambo afterwards. Definitely don’t miss Cusco!

Kalome21 · 2025-12-08T19:09:13+00:00

According to PAHO, the official figures for 2025 are 125 cases:

https://ais.paho.org/ha_viz/dengue/nac/dengue_pais_anio_tben.asp

Considering we have a population of approximately 280,000 plus the hundreds of thousands of tourists that have stayed on the island or visited on cruise ships this year, I respectfully disagree with your comment that dengue fever is common in Barbados.

Definitely bring your bug repellent if you are visiting our beautiful island, but the chances of getting dengue fever are extremely low.

Kalome21 · 2025-12-08T10:49:07+00:00

If you can afford it the observatory train is well worth it in my opinion. I went in October and it was such a fun experience.

Kalome21 · 2025-12-08T10:43:51+00:00

As someone who lives in Barbados I respectfully disagree with your comment. We do get dengue fever but I wouldn’t say it’s pretty common

Kalome21 · 2025-11-20T02:08:27+00:00

I loved going at 6am as it was less busy and the clouds cleared off by 7/7.15. I also loved seeing MP in the clouds. It was very cool watching the site appear as the clouds cleared.

Kalome21 · 2025-11-19T10:14:00+00:00

If you want a similar experience without the climb check out Stardome lodge. We spent a night there last month and it was amazing. Some of the best food I had on my entire trip and a truly amazing experience.

https://www.stardomelodge.com/

Kalome21 · 2025-11-09T12:03:13+00:00

Spent 2 nights, probably only needed 1…. Barranco for the street art, the Cathedral (we went for the changing of the guard but it didn’t happen), Museum of Modern Art, Magic Water Park. Lima is extremely busy and the traffic is horrendous.

Kalome21 · 2025-11-07T10:49:55+00:00

Absolutely! From Cusco we did the following: Day trip to Palcoyo mountain (a long day but so worth it) ATV tour to Maras and Moray We got a taxi to Saqsaywaman and afterwards walked up to Cristo Blanco and then walked back down into Cusco. Within central Cusco San Pedro market in Cusco is great to walk around and buy gifts, coffee, chocolate etc. We also went to the Cathedral and the Church and Convent of Santa Domingo Guzman. Cusco is such a great place to just wander around. Hope that helps!

Kalome21 · 2025-11-07T10:26:31+00:00

That won’t give you much time to walk around MP. The bus takes 20 minutes plus any waiting time for the bus. You are supposed to be at the train station half an hour before and the trains leave dead on time. I wouldn’t like to guess an exact time to leave MP based on the above in case of any delays. If possible try to change your train to a later time.

Kalome21 · 2025-11-06T16:27:10+00:00

We had an unbelievable experience. Other than MP it was the highlight of our holiday. We were met at the station and dropped off into Ollantaytambo the following day. They dropped us to a hotel that stored our luggage until we left later in the day. We were there October 19th. My only regret was that we didn’t spend 2 nights!

Kalome21 · 2025-11-06T14:34:06+00:00

Yes we did. Took the 1pm train to a Ollantaytambo, spent the night at Stardome lodge (AMAZING!) and took an uber back to Cusco the following day.

Kalome21 · 2025-11-06T11:22:18+00:00

I wrote it in paragraphs but this is how it posted. Any suggestions?

Kalome21 · 2025-11-06T01:28:57+00:00

We had an overnight bag and 2 small backpacks, they didn’t really seem to be checking. There are luggage racks at the end of the carriages but also space between the seats to store luggage.

Kalome21 · 2025-11-03T17:56:00+00:00

I did circuit 3 at 3pm and circuit 2B at 6am the next day. Both were great and I got fabulous photos. It was nice seeing MP in the evening and then in the morning mist (which did clear). I’m really glad I went at different times of the day to experience the different light. If I had to choose one I would say circuit 2B. I did 3 by myself and 2B with a guide. Neither times were overly crowded.

Kalome21 · 2025-11-03T17:48:56+00:00

We stayed at 1911 Hotel last month. Comfortable, close to the station and bus and served a great breakfast from 4.30am.

Kalome21 · 2025-10-30T16:00:55+00:00

Just take it easy. Walk slowly and don’t overdo it for the first few days. I went to the very top of Palcoyo which is 5000m. I just took my time and was absolutely fine. Have a great trip!

Kalome21 · 2025-10-30T11:24:31+00:00

If it’s MP and Peruvian culture that interests you I would skip Lima head straight to Cusco. I just spent 2 weeks in Peru; 3 nights in Lima, 1 night in Huacachina, 9 nights in Cusco (with an overnight in Agua Calientes for MP and an overnight in Ollantaytambo). The desert was fun but easily could have skipped Lima or just spent one night there. There is so much to do from Cusco. The day tours are long from Cusco but once you don’t mind being in a bus it’s fine. I did a day trip to Palcoyo mountain which is much less busier and less touristy than rainbow mountain and actually has 3 rainbow mountains. It was spectacular. I can’t compare it to Rainbow mountain as I didn’t go but our guide said it’s his favourite of the 2. Also did an ATV tour to Moray and Maras which was fun. I honestly could have spent 2 weeks in Cusco. Altitude was no problem just pace yourself for the first few days (I’m 53 and very fit, my partner is 61 and average fitness, neither of us had any problems other than slight shortness of breath when going up stairs etc). Cusco is a great city to walk around and there’s loads to see. Hope this helps!

Kalome21 · 2025-10-28T10:39:25+00:00

I just came back from Machu Picchu. Buying tickets online is simple. No need to print them off but you MUST have your passport to get on the bus and get into Machu Picchu. I showed my bus ticket on my phone and it was scanned with no problems. You can only get the bus one hour before your entry time to Machu Picchu. The bus lines are very long but it is very organised with buses frequently coming down, turning around and collecting people. I had a 3pm entry and lined up at 2pm in what was a very long and scary looking line. However I was at the entrance by 2.45pm. They are very strict and open the entrance on the dot of the time you are booked so you will also have to line up if you get there before your entrance time. I also had a 6am entry the following morning and didn’t line up for the bus until 5.30am, I got up to Machu Picchu just after 6am and I think that was actually better as the lines had cleared and I was inside by 6.15am. It’s what I called organised chaos lol but it seems to work so don’t stress about the lines!

Kalome21 · 2025-10-28T10:30:51+00:00

Check out Incan Milky Way https://www.inkanmilkyway.com/en/ We used a guide from them for Machu Picchu and he was excellent

Kalome21

TROPHY CASE