27th - 29th September 2008: This morning we head to Coporaque, which is on the edge of the Colca Canyon. The views are amazing and we stop along the way to admire it. We see llamas, alapacas and vicuynas, whose wool is even more expensive and prized than that of the baby alapaca. Before we reach the highest point we stop to sample some coca leaves and drink some 'triple tea', which includes coca and mint, which are meant to help with altitude sickness and headaches. I buy a hat and mittens before we move on to Pata Pampa pass, which is located at 4,625 metres above sea level. There are lots and lots of piles of rocks which have been created by passing travellers as an offering before making a wish. We decide to create our own offerings but even walking a short distance up the hill leaves us feeling breathless from lack of oxygen. From Pata Pampa we head to our hotel which is beautiful and after a short rest we head out for a two hour hike. Luckily neither Naledi or I seem to badly affected by the altitude so we enjoy the walk up the hill. Our guide Alex, suggests that we can walk up to a nearby cross at a height of 3,900m. The walk is challenging and as we scramble up near the vertical path we all feel the effects of the lack of oxygen and struggle for breath until we reach the top and can have a well-earned rest! We get to the top just in time for sunset which is stunning, before we head back to the hotel for supper and bed. Unfortunately, I discover one downside of being at high altitude is that I can't sleep, so spend the night wide awake!

On our second day we head deeper into the canyon along very bumpy roads! We stop at the Cruz del Condor (Condor Cross) to see if we can spot any condors. It´s pretty busy and full of tourists and people selling their wares. We manage to spot some condors wheeling high above before heading off for a hike along the terraced edges of the canyon. The views are amazing and we see tiny villages deep in the canyon, one charmingly called ´nest´. After lunch five of us decide we haven´t yet had enough exercise and hike 10km to a nearby hotsprings. Naledi and I decide to reward ourselves with a Pisco Sour in the hotsprings, before we all go for dinner and watch some traditional dancing.

After another night of very little sleep we head back to Arequipa and I spend most of the bus ride asleep! We have an early start tomorrow for our flight to Cusco so spend the rest of our time in Arequipa relaxing.