After the 13-hour overnight Cruz del Sur bus ride we determined that we didn’t need to do that again. We arrived to the bustling colonial city in the desert foothills of the Andes in the mid-morning and we all took a nap at our hostel. The roof-top patio had a splendid view of the three show-peaked volcanoes in the distance so we enjoyed eating meals up here. We spent the next day and a half wandering the narrow sidewalks admiring the white historic buildings, the Plaza des Armes (found in all cities) – the main square at the center of town where you will find the grand cathedral – remnants of the Spanish colonial era in Peru. We enjoyed the handicraft market where Lia continued her love of bartering for alpaca goods. We visited the museum where ‘Juanita, the Ice Maiden’ resides - a mummy of a young girl found on nearby peaks in the 1990’s, believed to be from Inca times when they sacrificed chosen children to the gods (the mountain) to stop it from being angry (volcano erupting). Quite fascinating, albeit a bit gruesome.
Thanks to recommendations, we then planned a 2-day excursion to Canyon del Colca. The 4-hour bus ride would take us into the highlands and snow-peaked mountains of the Andes up to an elevation of 4910m, where we would see llamas, alpacas, and vicuñas (a wild species in the llama family). We stopped for a break at 4000m where we drank coca tea – a staple for the people of the Andes that helps the body adapt to the high altitude. Kali and I were thankful for the alpaca hats we had bought as the temperature was chilly. We were starting to feel the affects of the high altitude – a bit of a headache and short of breath if we walked quickly or uphill. We wound along through the mountains and then began to descend up on a serene little town surrounded by the green terraces of the Inca. On the narrow brick streets women walked with llamas in traditional colorful skirts and hats, men worked with donkeys in the fields, and babies were carried on the backs of their mama’s in colorful blankets. It was gorgeous and real, and it felt like we had gone back in town. A wander through the town saw kids skipping in the Plaza de Armes – the main square in every city and town, beautiful churches, and valleys of the terraced fields for growing crops. At the end of the walk we were taken to a hot springs – a small pool in a small village, which was most welcome in the cool evening. The girls splashed around with some local kids. The evening meal was at a local pizzeria with traditional dances. Sadly, Kali and I had quite a headache – the affects of the altitude- so we stayed back at the hotel.
It was a cool night in the Andes, but thankfully the small hotel provided about 3 layers of alpaca blankets (a bit heavy to sleep under, but kept us warm!). It was an early start the next day as we drove along the canyon edge – with stunning views of the terraced mountainsides - to the area of the canyon where the condors make their homes in the caves of the canyons and can be spotted catching the morning drafts. We waited and waited. It was quite a sight when we spotted our first condor in the distance, then appreciated it’s size as it flew right above us. Indredible! Their wingspan can be up to 3m wide so to watch them glide through the air is quite a sight.
After this fabulous adventure it was back to Arequipa and onto the next stop on the early morning bus… to Puno.
Thanks to recommendations, we then planned a 2-day excursion to Canyon del Colca. The 4-hour bus ride would take us into the highlands and snow-peaked mountains of the Andes up to an elevation of 4910m, where we would see llamas, alpacas, and vicuñas (a wild species in the llama family). We stopped for a break at 4000m where we drank coca tea – a staple for the people of the Andes that helps the body adapt to the high altitude. Kali and I were thankful for the alpaca hats we had bought as the temperature was chilly. We were starting to feel the affects of the high altitude – a bit of a headache and short of breath if we walked quickly or uphill. We wound along through the mountains and then began to descend up on a serene little town surrounded by the green terraces of the Inca. On the narrow brick streets women walked with llamas in traditional colorful skirts and hats, men worked with donkeys in the fields, and babies were carried on the backs of their mama’s in colorful blankets. It was gorgeous and real, and it felt like we had gone back in town. A wander through the town saw kids skipping in the Plaza de Armes – the main square in every city and town, beautiful churches, and valleys of the terraced fields for growing crops. At the end of the walk we were taken to a hot springs – a small pool in a small village, which was most welcome in the cool evening. The girls splashed around with some local kids. The evening meal was at a local pizzeria with traditional dances. Sadly, Kali and I had quite a headache – the affects of the altitude- so we stayed back at the hotel.
It was a cool night in the Andes, but thankfully the small hotel provided about 3 layers of alpaca blankets (a bit heavy to sleep under, but kept us warm!). It was an early start the next day as we drove along the canyon edge – with stunning views of the terraced mountainsides - to the area of the canyon where the condors make their homes in the caves of the canyons and can be spotted catching the morning drafts. We waited and waited. It was quite a sight when we spotted our first condor in the distance, then appreciated it’s size as it flew right above us. Indredible! Their wingspan can be up to 3m wide so to watch them glide through the air is quite a sight.
After this fabulous adventure it was back to Arequipa and onto the next stop on the early morning bus… to Puno.