Arequipa

Arequipa is the second largest city in Peru after Lima and is home to a few active volcanos. This town was the start of our altitude places, preparing us for the Inca Trail in a few days time. The 2 highlights of the town are the "Juanita" mummy and the Sainta Catalina convent. The mummy was found in the 90´s and is believed to be more than 500 years old. Due to one of the volcanos erupting, the ice on the nearby mountain defrosted and the mummy was exposed for an archaeologist to find her (this was above 6000m in height). We saw her in the museum, unbelievable as she still had skin and hair (and all her organs are in tact) due to the mummification process and being protected in the ice for so long. Truly amazing. No photos of her unfortunately though to protect it.

 View of the volcano from the restaurant roof terrace.

The next day we left for a 1 night stop in the Colca Canyon - the highest canyon in the world. This was the start of where we saw the inca angricultural terraces - they were incredibly bright people and its unbelievable the structures and buildings they built, especially at the high altitude.

On the way to the canyon we stopped to see the local llamas, alpacas and vicunas (all part of the llama family but more rare). It was freezing and I had to buy a beanie to keep me warm. I was just supporting the local community :)

 We stopped at the highest point - 4910m above sea level! The highest i have ever been. Luckily no altitude sickness but we werent doing any exercise or over exerting ourselves at all.

The local communities are very friendly and they often have lambs or baby llamas with them. I know its a tourist trap but we still found the babies very cute and landed up buying something from them or giving them money anyway!

 The typical Inca agricultural terraces alongside the start of the canyon which runs for 129km

Another view of the canyon - we saw an Andean Condor flying around here. There are only 55 in Peru along this canyon, and probably 200 in South America in total. They are massive birds (3.5m wing span) and soar above the canyon in the thermals looking for food in the canyon. They look like a mix of a vulture and an eagle.