This is my ugly mug!

Volcanoes

Postcard album
Loze Genealogy
Photograph Album
Church album

Click here to return to the Roughwood Homepage

Mill Album
Garden Album
Ancestor album
Collins Genealogy

Google
 
Web www.roughwood.net

Alan Loze

Up Lima Arequipa Volcanoes Colca Canyon Cuzco Sacred Valley Ollantaytambo Sacsayhuaman Disaster Moray & Salinas Machu Picchu Altiplano Lake Titicaca Sillustani Homeward

Apart from historic photographs, unless otherwise stated, all photos on this site were taken by  members of my family. 

Please don't republish them without my permission.  Thanks.

© 2008 Mark Collins

10-06-2010

Peru 2004 - Day 3, Volcanoes


An all day drive led us through volcanic landscapes containing grazing vicunas to a lunch at Chivay.  A further hair-raising drive through Inca terraces and sheer drops in torrential rain deposited us at the Colca Lodge Hotel where we bathed in hot springs as the darkness gathered.

Bulls with locked horns, Arequipa, Peru - 5th April 2004 - MTCWe departed the hotel in a small four wheeled drive vehicle with rather basic (!) comfort.  Passing a monument depicting two bulls with locked horns we headed out towards the railway station and airport and on towards the mountains through a barren landscape.

The road followed the railway line for many miles, and for a large part of the journey it was un-metalled, so was very bumpy!

Vicunas, Peru - 5th April 2004 - MTCDuring our journey we saw many herds of vicunas.

There are two species of domesticated Andean cameloids that are the "llama" and the "alpaca", and two other non-domesticated ones that are the "guanaco" and the "vicuna".

The vicuna is the smallest of the Andean cameloids and can reach as high as 1.30 mts. (4'3") from the floor to its head.

 

Vicuna's have the finest hair of all the cameloids and they became an endangered species until the Peruvian government officially protected the animals, making hunting and capture of the creatures illegal.

There is another photograph of these lovely creatures in my photo album.

Vicunas, Peru - 5th April 2004 - MTC
Vicuna watching, Peru - 5th April 2004 - MTC

As we climbed higher, we stopped at an establishing offering refreshment, particularly coco-tea which is supposed to help with altitude sickness. 

Local handicrafts were on sale here and here is mum trying the latest in Peruvian headwear!

In order to earn a little money, the local people are often to be found around the tourist stops wearing traditional clothing and posing for pictures in exchange for a coin or two.

These lovely pictures were well worth the money!

Mum trying the native head wear, Peru - 5th April 2004 - MTCPeruvian Girl with lamb, Peru - 5th April 2004 - MTC
Children with Llama, Peru - 5th April 2004 - MTCChildren with lamb, Peru - 5th April 2004 - MTC
Interesting wind erosion, Peru - 5th April 2004 - MTCOpposite the café these rocks have been carved into interesting shapes by wind erosion.

As we climbed the landscape became wetter and greener, with lovely stretches of water and little farms scattered about.

We stopped briefly for some photographs at the highest point of the route - it was more than a little chilly!

 

First sight of Chivay, Peru - 5th April 2004 - MTCHighest point, Peru - 5th April 2004 - MTC
First sight of Chivay, Peru - 5th April 2004 - MTCAs we crossed the mountains the landscape became much greener, with cultivated terraces and amazing views.

Here is our first view of the town of Chivay as we descended the steep road towards our destination for lunch.

Here are pictures of the musicians who entertained us and the market where Alan purchased some lovely pottery dishes.

Musicians in Chivay, Peru - 5th April 2004 - MTCMarket in Chivay, Peru - 5th April 2004 - MTC

As we got back into our vehicle it began to rain.  As we navigated the narrow roads clinging to the mountain sides the rain turned into a torrential downpour.

 

The Church in Chivay, Peru - 5th April 2004 - MTC

Colca Valley, Peru - 5th April 2004 - MTC

However the weather couldn't dampen our excitement and enthusiasm for the scenery which opened out before us. 

Terraces in the Colca Valley, Peru - 5th April 2004 - MTCSteep mountainsides terraced almost to the top by the ancient Incas inspired a sense of awe - how could it be possible that the crops produced from such small spaces could justify such an enormous labour?

Our destination, Colca lodge, was like something straight from Lord of the Rings - delightful thatched cottages set on a slope by a river, small streams running in channels through the grounds and all set in an amazing landscape.  The picture below is of the little cottage we stayed in.

Colca Lodge, Peru - 5th April 2004 - MTCColca Lodge, Peru - 5th April 2004 - MTC

At the end of an amazing day, full of new sights and sounds, it was absolutely idyllic to lie back in the hot waters of the hot springs at Colca Lodge and absorb the atmosphere of a truly unique place.

Here I am with mum and Susan and Steve Garwood, a couple who became good friends on the trip.

Bathing in the hot springs, Colca Lodge, Peru - 5th April 2004 - MTC
Bathing in the hot springs, Colca Lodge, Peru - 5th April 2004 - MTCThere is another picture of us in the springs in my photo album.