We set off up into the Andes mountains this morning with strict instructions from our guide to try to reduce the effects of altitude sickness.
Basically we had no choice but to eat lots of the lovely local chocolate and wash it down with coca cola.
At first we were driving along the Pan American Highway which is the longest motorable road in the world.
It was only a single lane in either direction on our section, and it went relentlessly upwards.
We took a break at a café at about 3,600 metres above sea level, and we were all feeling good. Our eyes were peeled looking out for the wild vicúnas and there was great excitement when we saw one in the distance.
We all piled out of the coach, some with binoculars, and all I could see some brown blobs in the distance. However , we then started to see lots of them, in all directions.
This isn't the best picture, but you do also get to see a couple of Peruvian geese.
We did much better with the alpacas and llamas as these were domesticated and kept by the local people for their wool and also meat.
I was almost run over by one llama that decided it wanted to cross the road as I was taking it's picture.
We carried on upwards towards the highest point of just under 5,000 metres above sea level. By then our guide had given us coca leaves to chew on one side of our mouth only. It slightly numbed the area so it felt a bit like going to the dentist, and she also kept giving us essential oils that we had to inhale deeply.
After that the only way was down, with more' beautiful views and lots of camelids.
Not that far down though as we are staying overnight in Chivay, which is still at 3,600 metres.
We had a great beer and sandwich in the centre of town for lunch, but our hotel is about 1 kilometre out of the town up a steep hill.
We were keen to return to for dinner, but pulling my wheelie case up a short distance to the reception desk so totally wore me out that I had to have a lie down.
And the hotel restaurant was really rubbish and five times the price!!
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