We left Chivay at 0630 - it was very cold thanks to the clear blue skies, it also meant the overnight precipation had dusted the mountain tops with snow. The coach was freezing - and took a long time to warm up. 10minutes out of Chivay one of the bus drivers (we have two) realised he had left his wallet behind so jumped off the coach and was left to walk back then somehow link with us later - but thanks to a bus revolt we turned round picked him up and returned to Chivay to reunite him with his wallet - maximum we added to the trip was 30 minutes - of what turned out to be a long exhausting bus day but with some great stops and photograph opportunities along with some spectacular scenery. First stop was the highest point on the trip to see all the volcanoes, including the one currently active one Hulca Hulca which stands at 6025 metres (today's photo) - at 4900 metres the pass was particularly cold - one hardy local stall holder did a good trade in scarves. As we came down from the high point I did see one chinchilla, sitting on a rock, trying to warm itself in the sun and the tail of one as it scurried through the rocks. Next we stopped at a lagoon for excellent views of vicuña and flamingos. As we continued over the top we were enveloped by mist but you could still see the hardy farmers with their flocks of alpacas, sheep and llamas. The next stop we had fantastic views of a lake with mountains as a backdrop - there were the customary stall holders - this time we succumbed to an alpaca blanket that we can use as a throw on our setee. As we dropped into the high plains or antiplano the farming was more diverse with some crops being grown. As we went through a couple of villages and towns there were customary brass bands celebrating weddings - we even saw some men in dark suits dancing in a circle waving white hankies - best described as 'Andean men meets the Morris men'.
Just before the historical Inca and pre Inca burial sight of Sillustrani we stopped and picked up our guide for the next two days - David. As we continued we noticed the houses were now thatched mud brick houses with ceramic bulls on the roof for protection.
David was an excellent guide and gave us a very good understanding of Sillustrani (an Inca and pre Inca burial site) - it's amazing to think it was only found in 1971 and they continue to use the entrance fees to excavate further - finding more burial chambers over and underground. We also spent more sols taking pictures of a lady her son and baby vicuña and another girl, slightly grumpier, with her alpaca - she made sure everybody paid!!
Back on the coach it was still another hour to our hotel and we were all tired and starving only having eaten snacks since 0530 am. By the time we arrived and sat down it was 1730pm and we were starving - I ordered a starter and main thinking I would be ravenous but I only really managed the rather delicious onion soup and several cups of milo.
Back to our room for a shower and early night - an exhausting day -but I am getting a bit bus bound and need some real exercise!