Rainbow over the Inca Trail, Peru, a photo from Cusco, South

Photographer's Note

After ascending the highest pass on the Inca Trail (Dead Woman's Pass, or Warmiwañusa in Quechua) I was sitting at the ruins of Runkurakay temple when a light drizzle started.

It only lasted for about 10 minutes, but it left behind this enormously arching rainbow that covered the entire vista.

It sounds sort of silly, but it was a spine tingling, encouraging site after just completeling the most challening part of the Inca trail.

The dip in between the two mountains, in the top center of the photo, is the pass itself, situated at 3800 meters (13,780 feet). This is where you have to climb to on the second day of hiking the Inca trail. This is the second day's hike and the entire day is almost entirely uphill.

If you look just below the rainbows right side, you'll see the Inca trail itself. It's a descending diagonal line. The top portion looks green, the lower part leading to the campsite is brown. The camp site is one of the largest on the Inca trail, Paqaymayu.

Handheld, f/8 @ 1/200th.

Paolo, fayeulle, gren4, aferrao, pedrito13 has marked this note useful

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Paolo (41258) 2005-07-18 11:17

What a wonderful shot Todd!
the rainbow seems a bridge between the valley!!!
excellent POV, light and colors.
thanks, ciao

fayeulle (27827) 2005-07-18 11:23

Hi Tood
The rainbow increase the beauty of these amazing mountains. Nice colors.
Well captured.
Congratulations
JP

lucinka (9976) 2005-07-18 11:40

Todd, I am sure that it must have been spectacular view. To see rainbow that size is always breath taking. Beautiful shot. L.

alainh (33209) 2005-07-18 11:45

hello Tod.
a good note for this splendid shot. a colour touch in this mineral world.
have a good day
alain

mauricio_matos (417) 2005-07-18 12:01

The mountains are impressive and the rainbow does the rest. Very nice

gren4 (603) 2005-07-18 12:46

Its nice to see a rainbow from above.The rainbow really contributes to the beasuty of this view and the village below gives us an indication of scale.It must have been a wonderful sight

leonorkuhn (16237) 2005-07-18 12:49

Hi Todd,
Very nice shot. Beautiful lanscape and rainbow. I like the small city in the right corner. good colours, sharp and lightness.
Congratulations,
Leonor

aferrao (1145) 2005-07-18 12:56

That's one of those moments...
In the perfect place at the perfect time!
You've captured it very well!
Wonderful shot!
Greatings, Artur.

claudiaf (4438) 2005-07-18 16:25 [Comment]

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chaity (1539) 2005-07-19 1:24

Hai Todd, very beautiful looking rainbow especially from top. The photo is clear too.

Gdouble (0) 2005-07-25 6:06

Fantastic shot Todd! I like the little village that we can see at bottom right.
Great work
Guy

MiguelP (14470) 2005-12-07 12:11

Great one Todd, it could be equaly great without the rainbow but obviously gives an special touch to the all photo. You´ve portrait this landscape with all the greatness it has. Gracias.

Budapestman (82620) 2006-08-08 18:02

Hi Todd!
Beautiful natural photo! Marvelous impression! Splendid shot!Thank you, nice days,
George

pedrito13 (20) 2009-12-10 4:04

Hi Todd,

Thanks for sharing! The photo itself is spine-tingling so I can imagine how it must have felt to be there at that moment.