Today we travelled to the Colca Canyon. An early departure was essential because of extensive road repairs and closures along the route. However, our driver had a cunning plan which was to head out onto the Altiplano on unmade roads, barely wide enough for two vehicles and large dust trails left in the air. The views and landscape were fantastic and passing wildlife that clearly didn’t see much traffic.
The highest point on our journey was at Paso de Patopampa at 4,910m. This is much higher than Mont Blanc and anywhere in the Rocky Mountains. Continuing along the high plain at around 4,300m, wildlife was abundant near the boggy and salt fringed pools. We saw llamas lower down then as we ascended we saw alpacas and on the top vicuña which are a protected species. They are much thinner and lighter than the other two. We also saw Andean geese. These were eaten like chicken prior to the introduction of chicken by the Spanish.
At the Mirador de los Volcanoes is a rare location with a 180 degree view of 7 volcanoes, dominated by El Misti (5,822m) and Sabancaya (5,976m). The former is at Arequipa which will be our final destination.
We descended to Chivay and our hotel on the banks of the river at 3,197m.