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Brian McMorrow | profile | all galleries >> South America >> Peru >> Puno to Colca tree view | thumbnails | slideshow

Puno to Colca

I didn't want to backtrack to Juliaca to take the main road towards Arequipa and Colca...
I didn't want to backtrack to Juliaca to take the main road towards Arequipa and Colca...
...and my Hammond map dated 2007/2007 showed the road from Santa Luciato Imata passing south of Laguna Lagunillas
...and my Hammond map dated 2007/2007 showed the road from Santa Luciato Imata passing south of Laguna Lagunillas
...I thought we'd hit the main road shortly after Chuchuchune...but the map was wrong and the main road is north of the lake.
...I thought we'd hit the main road shortly after Chuchuchune...but the map was wrong and the main road is north of the lake.
From Puno we made good time to Tiquillaca
From Puno we made good time to Tiquillaca
Dusty Plaza de Armas, Tiquillaca, Peru (Puno Region)
Dusty Plaza de Armas, Tiquillaca, Peru (Puno Region)
Pack llamas outside Tiquillaca
Pack llamas outside Tiquillaca
Although slower than the main road, the scenery was pleasant ...
Although slower than the main road, the scenery was pleasant ...
... and no traffic
... and no traffic
Main street of Vilque (3939m) 32km down the dirt road
Main street of Vilque (3939m) 32km down the dirt road
Church of Vilque (Puno) Peru
Church of Vilque (Puno) Peru
House painted with traditional sympols, Vilque
House painted with traditional sympols, Vilque
Municipalidad de Vilque
Municipalidad de Vilque
Plaza de Armas, Vilque (Puno)
Plaza de Armas, Vilque (Puno)
Walled enclosure outside Vilque
Walled enclosure outside Vilque
House with donkeys
House with donkeys
We're not lost...yet...still en route to Maņazo (Puno)
We're not lost...yet...still en route to Maņazo (Puno)
...and the road is still pretty good
...and the road is still pretty good
Maņazo (Puno) Peru
Maņazo (Puno) Peru
Church, Maņazo (Puno)
Church, Maņazo (Puno)
Maņazo (Puno)
Maņazo (Puno)
Maņazo (Puno)
Maņazo (Puno)
PeruJun08 3201.jpg
PeruJun08 3201.jpg
Beyond Maņazo, the road deteriorated and the locals thought we were crazy to go on
Beyond Maņazo, the road deteriorated and the locals thought we were crazy to go on
But at least it was pretty
But at least it was pretty
Our next waypoint on the map was the village of Chuchuchune
Our next waypoint on the map was the village of Chuchuchune
Off the beaten path
Off the beaten path
...At least there was only one road to follow
...At least there was only one road to follow
The old road to Arequipa
The old road to Arequipa
The old Puno-Arequipa road
The old Puno-Arequipa road
Marcos, the guide, hadn't been this way before
Marcos, the guide, hadn't been this way before
The old Puno-Arequipa road
The old Puno-Arequipa road
The old Puno-Arequipa road
The old Puno-Arequipa road
Herd of Alpaca by a stream
Herd of Alpaca by a stream
Definitely alpaca
Definitely alpaca
We've seen more alpaca than people driving this way
We've seen more alpaca than people driving this way
Alpaca along the old Puno-Arequipa road
Alpaca along the old Puno-Arequipa road
Could that be our waypoint Chuchuchune?
Could that be our waypoint Chuchuchune?
The road continues on...nice thing is that there are km markers that are counting down
The road continues on...nice thing is that there are km markers that are counting down
Livestock enclosure
Livestock enclosure
The first of several small lakes we pass - S15.9/W70.5
The first of several small lakes we pass - S15.9/W70.5
A flock of Andean Geese (Chloephaga melanoptera)
A flock of Andean Geese (Chloephaga melanoptera)
The dirt road passes to the north of this small lake so it seems to be unmapped
The dirt road passes to the north of this small lake so it seems to be unmapped
Small lake in the high Andes (14,450ft)
Small lake in the high Andes (14,450ft)
A second lake in the distance (S15.9/W70.54) again, on the left
A second lake in the distance (S15.9/W70.54) again, on the left
Passage is very slow along this rough road...reminiscient of the road from Ayacucho to Andalhuaylas
Passage is very slow along this rough road...reminiscient of the road from Ayacucho to Andalhuaylas
...but a rewards...a real live smoking volcano!!!
...but a rewards...a real live smoking volcano!!!
Most likely, Volcan Ticani (5408m) or Ubinas
Most likely, Volcan Ticani (5408m) or Ubinas
Sloooooow road! ...but still headed west
Sloooooow road! ...but still headed west
Passing to the south of a third lake that is not on the map...
Passing to the south of a third lake that is not on the map...
Third lake at S15.88/W70.56
Third lake at S15.88/W70.56
Somewhere around here was a tiny little track heading off to the left...which turned out to the the planned route
Somewhere around here was a tiny little track heading off to the left...which turned out to the the planned route
Another small lake, this one at S15.84/W70.6
Another small lake, this one at S15.84/W70.6
Now a lake to the west (S15.814/W70.62)
Now a lake to the west (S15.814/W70.62)
I'm a bit concerned since we're not headed generally north and the km markers are counting in the opposite direction
I'm a bit concerned since we're not headed generally north and the km markers are counting in the opposite direction
People here said the road to Arequipa is in the direction we're heading
People here said the road to Arequipa is in the direction we're heading
The road is following the west shore of this lake northbound...to Santa Lucia
The road is following the west shore of this lake northbound...to Santa Lucia
....according to the map, we want to be going the other way...but the new road to Arequipa was not on my 2006/2007 Hammond map
....according to the map, we want to be going the other way...but the new road to Arequipa was not on my 2006/2007 Hammond map
Marcos is sure that we'll hit the new road going this way
Marcos is sure that we'll hit the new road going this way
...and it turns out had we backtracked to the mapped route, we'd have never made Colca in one day
...and it turns out had we backtracked to the mapped route, we'd have never made Colca in one day
Alpaca
Alpaca
The Juliaca-Arequipa Railroad just south of Santa Lucia
The Juliaca-Arequipa Railroad just south of Santa Lucia
Large Llama herd, Santa Lucia
Large Llama herd, Santa Lucia
Approaching civilization, Santa Lucia
Approaching civilization, Santa Lucia
Municipalidad Distrital Santa Lucia
Municipalidad Distrital Santa Lucia
Our detour is over...the beautiful new road...which as of March 2009 isn't on Google Earth either
Our detour is over...the beautiful new road...which as of March 2009 isn't on Google Earth either
Laguna Lagunillas, Peru
Laguna Lagunillas, Peru
The new road from Juliaca to Arequipa on the north side of Laguna Lagunillas
The new road from Juliaca to Arequipa on the north side of Laguna Lagunillas
Now southbound on the western shore of Laguna Lagunillas headed to Imata
Now southbound on the western shore of Laguna Lagunillas headed to Imata
Mirador Laguna Lagunillas - 4410m
Mirador Laguna Lagunillas - 4410m
Laguna Lagunillas
Laguna Lagunillas
Llama crossing, Peru
Llama crossing, Peru
Flamingos in an Altiplano pond, Peru
Flamingos in an Altiplano pond, Peru
High pass - Crucero Alto - 4528m (14,855ft)
High pass - Crucero Alto - 4528m (14,855ft)
Crucero Alto, not quite as high as Abra Anticona
Crucero Alto, not quite as high as Abra Anticona
Mixed flock of sheep and alpaca
Mixed flock of sheep and alpaca
Peru route 30A, the new Juliaca-Arequipa road
Peru route 30A, the new Juliaca-Arequipa road
Crossing from the Puno Region to the Arequipa Region
Crossing from the Puno Region to the Arequipa Region
Reserva Nacional Salinas y Aguada Blanca, Peru
Reserva Nacional Salinas y Aguada Blanca, Peru
Straight road across the Altiplano, Salinas National Reserve
Straight road across the Altiplano, Salinas National Reserve
Leaving Imata behind us
Leaving Imata behind us
Reserva Nacional Salinas y Aguada Blanca
Reserva Nacional Salinas y Aguada Blanca
Vicuņa crossing sign, Peru
Vicuņa crossing sign, Peru
Vicuņa (Vicugna vicugna) are one of four species of camelid (the others are llama, alpaca and guanaco)
Vicuņa (Vicugna vicugna) are one of four species of camelid (the others are llama, alpaca and guanaco)
Vicuņa crossing, Peru
Vicuņa crossing, Peru
Reserva Nacional Salinas y Aguada Blanca
Reserva Nacional Salinas y Aguada Blanca
Interesting rock formations along Highway 30A through the Salinas National Reserve
Interesting rock formations along Highway 30A through the Salinas National Reserve
The local people are still able to graze their flocks within the reserve boundaries
The local people are still able to graze their flocks within the reserve boundaries
Reserva Nacional Salinas y Aguada Blanca
Reserva Nacional Salinas y Aguada Blanca
Reserva Nacional Salinas y Aguada Blanca
Reserva Nacional Salinas y Aguada Blanca
Reserva Nacional Salinas y Aguada Blanca
Reserva Nacional Salinas y Aguada Blanca
Reserva Nacional Salinas y Aguada Blanca 4000m
Reserva Nacional Salinas y Aguada Blanca 4000m
Heading towards the volcanoes of Arequipa - Nevado Chachani 6057m (19,872ft)
Heading towards the volcanoes of Arequipa - Nevado Chachani 6057m (19,872ft)
Volcan Misti on the left and Nevado Chachani on the right
Volcan Misti on the left and Nevado Chachani on the right
El Misti, an impressive volcanic cone - 5822m (19,101ft)
El Misti, an impressive volcanic cone - 5822m (19,101ft)
El Misti
El Misti
Looking accross the Salinas y Aguada Blanca reserve to El Misti
Looking accross the Salinas y Aguada Blanca reserve to El Misti
Mirador Carlitos 4320m (14,173ft)
Mirador Carlitos 4320m (14,173ft)
El Misti
El Misti
Vicuņa wildlife sign with El Misti, Reserva Nacional Salinas y Aguada Blanca
Vicuņa wildlife sign with El Misti, Reserva Nacional Salinas y Aguada Blanca
Vicuņa wildlife sign with El Misti, Reserva Nacional Salinas y Aguada Blanca
Vicuņa wildlife sign with El Misti, Reserva Nacional Salinas y Aguada Blanca
The road headed straight for Nevado Chachani
The road headed straight for Nevado Chachani
Reserva Nacional Salinas y Aguada Blanca
Reserva Nacional Salinas y Aguada Blanca
Puente Sumbay, bridge over the Rio Chili, Peru
Puente Sumbay, bridge over the Rio Chili, Peru
Rio Chili, Peru
Rio Chili, Peru
Reserva Nacional Salinas y Aguada Blanca
Reserva Nacional Salinas y Aguada Blanca
Vicuņa (Vicugna vicugna) were hunted for their fine coat
Vicuņa (Vicugna vicugna) were hunted for their fine coat
Vicuņa (Vicugna vicugna)
Vicuņa (Vicugna vicugna)
Here, we turn north away from Arequipa heaed to Chivay and Colca Canyon
Here, we turn north away from Arequipa heaed to Chivay and Colca Canyon
We'll only be on the road to Cusco for a short time
We'll only be on the road to Cusco for a short time
Eroded stone formations
Eroded stone formations
Vicuņa (Vicugna vicugna)
Vicuņa (Vicugna vicugna)
The turn-off from the main road to Chivay and Colca Canyon
The turn-off from the main road to Chivay and Colca Canyon
Wetlands alongside the road
Wetlands alongside the road
Straight road across the Altiplano headed into the sun
Straight road across the Altiplano headed into the sun
The road to Chivay and Colca Canyon climbing
The road to Chivay and Colca Canyon climbing
Ice alongside the road
Ice alongside the road
Scenic drive to Chivay
Scenic drive to Chivay
Distant volcanoes
Distant volcanoes
Another distant volcano
Another distant volcano
Rocks piled at the high point on the road to Chivay at 4860m (15,944ft)
Rocks piled at the high point on the road to Chivay at 4860m (15,944ft)
Road to Chivay and Colca Canyon
Road to Chivay and Colca Canyon
Starting the long descent to Chivay
Starting the long descent to Chivay
Road winding down the mountain to Chivay
Road winding down the mountain to Chivay
The final decent to Chivay and Colca
The final decent to Chivay and Colca
The descent to Chivay
The descent to Chivay
Mountains along the road to Chivay
Mountains along the road to Chivay