We had to leave very early to get to the Cruz del Condor - on the 1am bus. This meant a fairly cold and intermittent night´s sleep. We sat and ate breakfast at the Cruz del Condor and waited for the birds. It was warming up and more and more people gathered. It was very peaceful sitting there, even if there were lots of people. Everyone was quiet and peaceful and it was lovely in the dawn just sitting there and waiting.
At first there were only a few birds - far away and very small. Everyone got out their cameras and started clicking but you needed a very good zoom to get good pictures! At first I was inclined to agree with what one girl had told us in Baños - the most overrated bird. However, as time went on the birds flew closer and closer to the Mirador (viewpoint) where we were standing and the numbers of them increased.
As they got closer you really got an idea of how big the birds were - they´re huge! The birds were different colours; some brown and some black and white. They seemed to be showing off for us. They circled around the Mirador and they really were beautiful to watch - not overrated at all. Of course, my pictures really don´t reflect how amazing they are.
After seeing the condors we then trekked in the Colca Canyon. I had been told my some-one in Lima that it was dry, but I hadn´t prepared for how dry it was. We first descended into the canyon and the pathway was nothing but dust. It was so thick in places that you really had to watch your step on the downhill, I think we all slipped at least once!
We stayed the night near the bottom of the canyon - we chose the place because of the hot springs and after a long day of walking they were more than welcome!
The next day we started early so we could get back that day. All the trekking I´ve down so far has been in the mountains and so by the time you´re heading back you´ve done the hardest part. Canyons, unsuprisingly are the other way round. After lunch we had the ascent out of the canyon. This was a 1,107m ascent.
Luckily, it turned out to be easier than I expected. I´m not saying that it was a walk in the park but I kept trudging up all the way to the top, and it was a beautiful sight when I got there. As I am already acclimatised I think it made it easier as I wasn´t struggling for breath so much.
There was definetely a well-earned dinner when we got to the town though!
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