Crossing the Atacama Desert

We travelled from Lake Titicaca to the Colca Canyon. ( Before we visited Arequipa)
The trip was over high plateaus and mountains. There were Vicunas,Pink Flamingoes, and the domesticated animals of the high Andes.

The high Lake Lagunillas at 4,413 metres. Later we crossed over the high pass at about 5,000 metres. This is just below the level of the Everest Base Camp. We have crossed Everest off the list of places to visit. Simply not enough oxygen!

 

                           Pink Flamingoes. Who would expect to find them in the High Andes!

                                             A Vicuna grazing. This is a protected species.

                                                     Vicunas of the Atacama desert.

Alpacas, Andean Geese and Flamingos on a desert soak fed by melting snow and ice from the high Andes.

                      Gail and Rob holding each other up at the top. About 5,000 metres.

                                                               Volcanic ash cliffs

                                                    Worshipping the Mountain Gods

                              Where there is moisture and grass you will see Alpacas. 

The Atacama is a land of stark contrast, harsh conditions and beauty. We drove on to the Colca Canyon.