Introduction to today's journey
Today's journey takes us from Puno northward towards the high Andean pass of La Raya where we stop at a small very colourful market. From the pass we gradually descend through the valley farmland until eventually reaching the Incan capital city of Cuzco.
Today's Journey
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Departing Puno in the early morning to follow the Andes northwards towards Cusco. |
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It is a long climb up the hill behind the city above the lake to the Andean tablelands. |
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It is not long before we reach Juliaca, Puno's twin city at almost 4000 metres above sea level. |
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Passing the Rio Ramas after leaving Juliaca and heading into the barren farming wilderness. |
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Crossing the Pucara Mayu River just before Agaviri. |
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Passing grasslands under the spectacular peaks of the Andes. It is hard to believe we are well in the tropics, but here the snowline is about 5000 metres above sea level. The road gradually climbs, having started above the lake at 3950 metres above sea level when we reached the plain behind Puno. We are now at about 4100 metres above sea level and about to rise more moderately. |
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View of the mountains from the 4338 metre high La Raya Pass from where we stopped at a market. This is as high as we are going to get in the Andes. From here we are on the eastern side of the Andes, in the headwaters of the Urubamba River, one of the primary tributaries of the Amazon River. |
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Following the headwaters of the Urubamba River downstream as it quickly expands from a stream so a substantial river as others streams flow into it. From here it drains down towards Cusco before descending into the Sacred Valley passing Machu Picchu and draining into the Amazon Basin where it eventually drains into the Ucayali River, then meets the Maranon River to become the main Amazon River. |
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Continuing downstream through increasingly green landscape as the landscape very gradually morphs from the barren Atacama Desert to the Amazon Rainforest. |
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Reaching the outskirts of Cusco after heading up a side valley from the Urubamba River. Here we will be staying for two nights and exploring the city tomorrow. |
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