You don’t need to be a mountaineer to reach the summit. You can be an ordinary person, armed with enough motivation to conquer that mountain. This is the story of two friends seeking adrenaline-filled adventures—the kind that make you feel alive.
Sergio and Rigoberto, two good friends—or as they call themselves, "compadres"—came to us through Explorinka, looking for cycling experiences, but not just any. They wanted experiences that would leave a lasting memory. We knew, without a doubt, that the Ausangate mountain and its landscapes, with vibrant-colored lagoons, were perfect for them. To make it even better, we added a hike to the Rainbow Mountain, creating the ideal combination for their vacation.
On the first day of our excursion, we hiked towards the famous Rainbow Mountain, marveling at the stunning landscapes and, of course, capturing the best moments in photographs. The weather was on our side: sunny with few clouds, and thankfully, the cool temperature made the hike much more enjoyable.
After our visit to the mountain, our next destination was the village of Pajchanta, a small town located at the foot of Ausangate Mountain at 4,200 meters above sea level. In this peaceful spot, we took the opportunity to relax in its natural hot spring pools. With a beer in hand and the warm embrace of the waters, we admired the sky clearing up, revealing a few stars.
The following morning, we walked along one of Ausangate's trails, with our bicycles transported on horses guided by Santiago, the best muleteer in the region. We trekked around Ausangate Mountain, discovering its lagoons along the way. The plan was to circle the lagoons, reach the summit, and then let loose on our bicycles. Upon reaching the last lagoon, we descended, carried by the thrill of speed. Rigoberto, an audacious cyclist, amazed us with his skillful descent. Despite the pain in his foot, Sergio abandoned the horse that had initially helped him during the descent, grabbed his bike with conviction, and rode down with us all the way to the end of the trail. Neither exhaustion, lack of oxygen, nor a sore foot could stop these two friends from enjoying their cycling adventure through Ausangate. They will always hold a special place in our memories, and we hope to see them again next year...
