The day I’m dreaming of would kick off with a pre-dawn 4:00 a.m. start from my hotel in Cusco (11,152 ft / 3,399 m). From there, it’s a two-hour drive into the stunning South Valley, watching the local life and landscapes come alive with the morning sun. We’d arrive in Pitumarca, where a beautiful buffet breakfast will be waiting—the perfect fuel for the day.

After breakfast, the journey continues to the district of Checacupe, a place I’m particularly excited to see. It’s home to a trio of bridges, a living museum of architecture standing side-by-side, each from a different era.

• First, there’s the legendary Inca Bridge. I can’t wait to see its foundations, which have stood since 1448. It was ordered by the visionary Inca governor Wiracocha as part of the Qhapac Ñan road network, and its hand-woven straw structure is still replaced by locals, continuing a centuries-old tradition. These bridges were the key to the empire’s rapid movement and trade.
• Next, the robust Colonial Bridge. Built from stone in the 16th century, it showcases the strong influence of Spanish architecture and is impressively still in use.
• Finally, the Republican Bridge, a metal structure representing the modern era, built to support the region’s current infrastructure.

After getting some incredible photos of this picturesque spot, we’d head to our base in Ccairahuiri. This is where the real adventure begins. After a quick lesson on handling the ATV, it’s time to ride. Instead of a one-hour uphill hike, I’ll be piloting my own all-terrain vehicle for an exhilarating 20 minutes, climbing towards the main event: the incredible, jaw-dropping Vinicunca, the Mountain of 7 Colors, located at a staggering 5,036 meters (16,522.31 feet).

Declared a “Unique Natural Treasure of the World,” its slopes are striped with vibrant colors—red, purple, green, pink, and yellow—created by the oxides of different minerals in the earth. I can just imagine the guide’s explanation of the area’s unique orography and ecosystem. From this vantage point, I’ll have a stunning view of Apu Ausangate, the most powerful and tutelary mountain in the region, revered as the “creator of the waters.” Its meltwater flows into the Vilcanota River, fertilizing the Urubamba Valley before eventually making its way to the Amazon rainforest to form the world’s longest and most voluminous river. To put the altitude in perspective, Rainbow Mountain is nearly as high as the Everest Base Camp, which sits at 5,389 meters.

After soaking it all in, it’s another fun 20-minute ride back down to the base to drop off the ATVs. Then, we’ll head to a local restaurant for a well-deserved lunch, the perfect way to wind down an epic day. Finally, we’ll return to the hotel in Cusco around 4:00 p.m., full of memories of one of the world’s most dramatic landscapes.