Southern Peru-Bolivia Day 7

Day 07 - Saturday, November 1, 2014 - Depart the Colca Canyon; Introduction to the Vicuña, Llama, & Alpaca; Introduction to the Culture of Puno

We were able to sleep in this morning - our alarm went off at 7:00 AM. There was not a cloud in the sky, the temperature was 61 degrees and the humidity was 25%.

There was a spectacular view of the Sabancaya Volcano. It seemed to be emitting more steam and ash this morning.

We began our long day on the bus, at 8:30. Lino stopped for fuel and we went back to Wititi, our restaurant from lunch yesterday so Pepé could pick up our box lunches. By 9:00, we were climbing back out of Colca Canyon.

Pepé talked to us about his country and how Peru is so divided in wealth and discrimination between the indigenous peoples, the Spanish born, the Creoles (born in Peru of Spanish parents), the Mestizos (born of indigenous and Spanish) and Mulatto (Spanish and African Blacks).

He talked about the Shining Path, the presidents, the corruption in politics, and the privatization of the mineral rights. Pepé is very good about talking about controversial topics but remembers to offer both sides of the issues.

We had a photo stop at the highest point, Patapampa. Pepé took a picture of our group among the cairns, (man-made stack of stone) that other travelers had left as an offering to the mountain gods. Gennie built a stone sculpture and made a wish.

Back on the bus, we continued down the mountain. Pepé continued his discussion of the politics in Peru. The current president, Ollanta Humala was a good friend of Hugo Chavez from Venezuela. There are still many nationalism movements, and much corruption in Peru.

We made a morning rest stop at Patahuasi again as we have retraced our path out of Colca Canyon. There was time for a restroom break and a little shopping. At 11:20 we saw a movie about the mines of Bolivia, and the mountains that eat men.

In preparation for entering Bolivia soon, we learned about the Cerro Rico Mountain. The movie was called The Devil's Miner. The movie focused on two young boys who worked in the silver mines. It was hard to watch; but an accurate description of the lives of many children.

Driving through this flat high plain, our altitude was well above 14,600 feet. There was a heavy cloud cover and the wind was blowing with nothing to stop it.

Hundreds of alpaca were trying to graze on the rocky ground. Shepherds were minding their herds; one was driving the animals with an ATV.

We stopped at Lagunillas, a beautiful lake, where we had our box lunch. The wind was strong, but the sun was peeking through the clouds. The temperature was 68 degrees, the 30% was humidity, and the wind speed was 17.3 mph.

Several vendors were selling the classic Peruvian wares. We have some serious shoppers in our group and there was some creative negations going on!

Pepé began gathering people at 1:30 but it was fifteen minutes later when the wheels on the bus were going round and round. We had not gone far when we came upon a stand of Chilean flamingos.

Back on the road at 2:00, we saw another movie, this one about three Incan child mummies found high on the volcano tops. Forensic pathologists have learned much about Incan culture from these frozen children.

Very close to Puno, we stopped at a cemetery in Bilque, where we talked to a family who were cleaning and preparing the family grave plot for tomorrow's celebration of All Soul's Day. Today, November 1st is the Day of the Dead, the Feast of All Saints.

It was 4:30 when we arrived in Puno, a slender strip of land between the Andes and Lake Titicaca. Our hotel is beautiful, overlooking the lake.

The hotel is in a remote area, not in the city center, so we had dinner together at the hotel at 7:00. When we came back to the room, we posted the journal. The Internet here is faster, there were no problems!

Colca to Puno 8 hours - highest point 15,910 feet.

Puno – 3,830 meters – 12,556 feet

Accommodations: José Antonio Puno Hotel --- Meals: B, L, & D

To receive $50 per person off your first reservation with OAT, mention the following information when reserving your Overseas Adventure Travel Trip: Mr. Victor Garcia Customer #673062

Wow! Real live flamingos in the wild and not in the zoo or a garden at the Las Vegas Flamingo!

Definitely high adventures! Monument is definitely lowlands.

Day 9: Mediterranean Navigation

Kasbah Cuties

Ramadan Sweets

Trash pickup in the Kasbah

Furniture Maker

Wedding Dresses

Previous Next

Day 09 - Monday, March 10, 2025 – Day at Sea, Plan D

Our night was quite rough, so the Captain stayed relatively close to the safety of the shore making it possible to see lights of the shoreline cities during the night.

After breakfast,...

Continue Reading Day 9