Sorry - yes you are not going to Bolivia
Andes & Altiplano tour
- Thread starter Aidan1150
- Start date
Lunch stop at 4018m which is 13,182ft.
High enough to puff and pant. How’s the bike?
Looks like the stuff left over after my brake bleed
The wee Honda will light no fires Alastair but she's a sweet running wee thing.
Then we went higher, a lot higher....
So after lunch we set off again towards Colca, passing across the Pampas de Taccro which sits at 4300m 14,100ft.
On the way to one of the highest passes in South America I rode through a pretty decent shower of hail. I stopped for a couple of minutes at the top but didn't linger.
At 4910m 16,200ft this is the highest I have ever been on earth.
On the way down I stopped to take a few pictures and a couple of panoramic videos. The little lake you can see was frozen solid.
It was dry and starting to warm up as I descended into Colca and the wee Honda seemed to enjoy the thicker air.
After checking into our hotel we were picked up by a mini-bus and taken to local hot springs where we soaked for over an hour in waters which held a steady 37/38C. You could feel all the travels of the past few days slipping away.
We have an early, and cold start at 7am as we go to see if we can get lucky and spot a Condor.
On the way to one of the highest passes in South America I rode through a pretty decent shower of hail. I stopped for a couple of minutes at the top but didn't linger.
At 4910m 16,200ft this is the highest I have ever been on earth.
On the way down I stopped to take a few pictures and a couple of panoramic videos. The little lake you can see was frozen solid.
It was dry and starting to warm up as I descended into Colca and the wee Honda seemed to enjoy the thicker air.
After checking into our hotel we were picked up by a mini-bus and taken to local hot springs where we soaked for over an hour in waters which held a steady 37/38C. You could feel all the travels of the past few days slipping away.
We have an early, and cold start at 7am as we go to see if we can get lucky and spot a Condor.
I have seen the front of the tour company’s next year’s brochure:
Great report, thank you.
Great report, thank you.
Moobies "R" UsI have seen the front of the tour company’s next year’s brochure:
Great report, thank you.
Oops! But just the kind of stuff that makes for a memorable trip! This ain’t no all in package to Magaluf! 
amazing pictures and location. On the southern roof of the world - Los Andes!
How was the altitude sickness? Any issues?
We did a trip from Arica in Chile at sea level to the border crossing with Bolivia for a day trip. Lovely drive. Border Crossing was around 4600m if I recall. Locals were all selling coca leaves in bags to help with the altitude.
My mate needed a pee at the border stop so went out to look for a toilet. I stayed in the car as I wasn't doing too great. Next thing, he was being carried back by 2 Chilean border guards to the car...he´d passed out mid pee....got him back down to a lower level and all was well again. Amazing part of the world....
We did a trip from Arica in Chile at sea level to the border crossing with Bolivia for a day trip. Lovely drive. Border Crossing was around 4600m if I recall. Locals were all selling coca leaves in bags to help with the altitude.
My mate needed a pee at the border stop so went out to look for a toilet. I stayed in the car as I wasn't doing too great. Next thing, he was being carried back by 2 Chilean border guards to the car...he´d passed out mid pee....got him back down to a lower level and all was well again. Amazing part of the world....
the lost soul
Registered user
Safe travels Aidan
Great report but we need a piccy of you on the bike @Aidan1150 please
Enjoying this report. 
An early start on Tuesday morning saw us in the Colca Canyon before 8am in the hope of seeing some Condors. And man did we strike it lucky.
The photos can't convey the sheer majesty of these creatures and we were all delighted to have seen them.
On the way back down the canyon we stopped at a photo-point and spotted a Condor taking a bit of a rest.
The canyon is truly spectacular with lots of pre-Inca terraces still being worked.
We stopped at the Viewpoint of the Volcanoes where I stopped yesterday so I won't repeat the pictures.
On our way down we spotted an accumulation of ice alongside the road. In August.....
On our way back towards Arequipa we stopped at the same restaurant where we had lunch yesterday.
But before that we stopped at what looked like an alpaca prayer meeting.
The view of the scenery from the restaurant was infinitely better today though.
The photos can't convey the sheer majesty of these creatures and we were all delighted to have seen them.
On the way back down the canyon we stopped at a photo-point and spotted a Condor taking a bit of a rest.
The canyon is truly spectacular with lots of pre-Inca terraces still being worked.
We stopped at the Viewpoint of the Volcanoes where I stopped yesterday so I won't repeat the pictures.
On our way down we spotted an accumulation of ice alongside the road. In August.....
On our way back towards Arequipa we stopped at the same restaurant where we had lunch yesterday.
But before that we stopped at what looked like an alpaca prayer meeting.
The view of the scenery from the restaurant was infinitely better today though.
Heading on towards our overnight in Moquegua we stopped to take in a view of some of the Atacama desert, the scale of which is unbelievable and stretches as far as the eye can see.
The Peruvians I am told call this the Coastal Desert because the Chileans call it the Atacama.
We took in the view of the city of Moquegua before retiring to our hotel.
Where I enjoyed a very good Lomo Saltado followed by a delicious Pisco Sour.
We're on the road again at 8.30 in the morning and I'll update you when I can. Stay safe.
The Peruvians I am told call this the Coastal Desert because the Chileans call it the Atacama.
We took in the view of the city of Moquegua before retiring to our hotel.
Where I enjoyed a very good Lomo Saltado followed by a delicious Pisco Sour.
We're on the road again at 8.30 in the morning and I'll update you when I can. Stay safe.
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