• AliceAlainPeruTraveler
    Thatched mud houses on the high plateau
    Peruvian ladies in Lircay marketBright wools and atireOff on a charming little road in the valleyFollowing the river gorgeClimbing up out of the gorgeReaching the 4000m markA rare flower at this elevationLooking back to where we have climbedMine entrance at 4400m. The runoff water colors are a tell tale sign.Colours and mining go hand in handWe arrive near a set of beautiful lakesWe set our tent near the highest lakeInspecting the site for a good tent placePitched for the nightMoonrise at 4500mIn the morning descent in a grand "combe"We descend into a wide river valleyThis hill has a set of high grey organ pipes

    Last pass to Ayacucho

    October 21, 2025 in Peru ⋅ ⛅ 7 °C

    After a last visit to Lircay's market in the morning, we are off towards Ayacucho. The days program is to climb a small river valley, reach the high pastures and find a camping spot near a lake at 4500m,m.

    The weather, sun, clouds, wind and rain, plays games with our nerves. We keep putting waterproofs on and taking them off. This makes for nice views, especially around the pretty village of Buenavista (4000m) with its well preserved thatched roofs and walls, together with small herds of cows, sheep, alpacas and llamas.

    As we get closer to the top, signs of active mining are joined by intense colors. We camp near a very nice lake, "Laguna Bambamali" under the stars and moon, only to wake up in a thick fog, fortunately rapidly cleared by wind and sun.

    The descent is grand, through a broad valley and a couple of pretty villages, until we reach a large river that takes us to the suburbs of Ayacucho and the long, hot, smelly, noisy and rather steep climb to the center of this lively city.    Read more