Laguna de Chaxa is a small section of the Atacama Salt Lake and is protected by the National Reserve Los Flamencos. It's at an altitude of 2300 meters or about 7550ft. Altitude is important, so pay attention to the figures. You will see why later. I'll post a picture of a flamingo on my animal only section.
The next part of the tour had been cancelled the day before because of snow, but the tour company decided it was go for us. We drove quite a distance up into the mountains. We stopped when the driver could go no furthur because of snow, so we started walking. We slogged up a slippery snowy road for 4km. We gained about 275metres or 900 feet in that distance. That is a lot particulary when the driver dropped us off at 12900ft. Ever heard of altitude sickness or as they call it here puno. It is real. Lack of oxygen required us to stop 3 times on the way up. The picture of me looking pained and pointing down was near the top and I was pointing to our starting point. We did make it and to the altiplano lagoon and we took some amazing photos.
Stopped for dinner on the way down and the bus broke down, so I made a new friend. She's standing still for the picture, but she didn't stop moving while we played hide and go seek, run and jump and run and hug. The sun set on our way home, we stopped in town for an empanada and tea.
you are suppose to have coca leaves to munch on to stop the altitude sickness
ReplyDeleteTried that in the form of tea. Worked ok. We're bringing some home for you to use.
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