We headed off out of Arequipa - where it was set for another hot dry day - and as we climbed through the Andes it got noticeably cooler and I changed from my shorts to trousers after our tea stop.
Our first stop was for snacks and water still on the outskirts of Arequipa; soon the landscape became bleaker with very little vegetation yet small herds of farmed alpaca, llama and sheep were finding enough to sustain them. Our next stop was was by a big pan with water in it and a gathering place for small herds of vicuna - with their prized wool which they only shear from the shoulders - the chest hairs being needed to keep them warm in the winter climate. The penalty for killing a vicuña is 10 years imprisonment or a hefty fine - good to see they are protecting them. ( today's photo is the Misti volcano in the background with a small herd of vicuñas in the foreground.) As we travelled to the Colca valley and stopped for views at 4000+ metres you could begin to feel the effects of the altitude; we then dropped to 3600m at Chivay where our hotel for the night was. Enroute we also saw Andean geese and an Andean caracara.
The planned trip to see the condors was postponed until tomorrow as some were ailing from the altitude and stomach bugs. It was definitely important to take things slowly and hydrate. In the evening we walked into the town where everything was decorated, fireworks ready to be let off at 11pm and singing on a stage outside the church - we had fallen on Chivay's founding celebrations which like Arequipa is tomorrow (15 August). We toured the street market looking at the range of street food and drinks offered for sale but decided not to risk any. We were able to admire the typical Andean dress which many were wearing. Instead of the street offerings we headed for a cafe on the square and had a hot chocolate - more like luke warm cocoa- and quinoa cake, finishing off with a coca tea which was hot. I then went with Alec, luckily we have our group Doctor ( an ear nose and throat specialist from Dublin) , to buy something for my cough, the remains of the sore throat etc I had pre leaving the UK - I am now feeling the congested effect at altitude and feel that's part of my breathlessness. We bought some tablets which apparently are like benalyn in a tablet .....and they seem to help.