There was a slight shake of our tent, the sign it was time to get up. I could see my breath rising above me, meaning it was freezing out side my sleep bag, I heard a grone from the bag next to me, obviously BBboy was also thinking the same. It’s too cold get up 🫣

A couple of mins later our tent fly was unzipped and two steaming hot bowls of water were placed for us to wash away the morning grogginess. I still didn’t want to move but knew the water would cool off pretty quick so forced myself to move. And it was totally worth getting up! The view! Everything was touched with frost making it sparkle in the rising sun. The boys couldn’t believe there was ice on the outside of the tent. And double bonus middle man was feeling much better and running around with his brother.

Today’s mission was to make it through a valley pass, topping out at about 4600m. The total walk about 12km to our next stop, a local host family. Gaining 600m elevation or 12km are totally possible normally but as we were starting at just over 4000m I knew it wasn’t gonna be easy.

And it wasn’t… each step you feel like you’re not getting enough air and if the step is up then doubly so. We took it really steady, very aware middle man had used the emergency oxygen yesterday. Slow and steady the mantra. But as hard as the walking was, the views were mind blowing beautiful. Every rest was rewarded with another stunning vista. We literally felt on top of the world.

As the sun came up and warmed us up my heart became full with gratitude for such an experience. Here we were hiking through some of the most remote mountains in the world, in a country I have dreamed of visiting for a very long time.

About mid morning the altitude was starting to take its toll on the boys. They made full use of the emergency horse, which would carry them off into the distance and then return for another trip with the next flagging child. The horse and horseman must have covered the distance four times over. The horseman was absolutely excellent. Chatted to the boys and pointed out rock formations, lakes and even birds as he tirelessly assisted them.

I honestly didn’t think they would need the horse but I was wrong and having it meant they could really enjoy the experience. Every time we reached them they would be full of stories, interesting sights to share and ready to walk again.

We topped out just past midday with celebratory photos and adding our rock to the cairn there.

The top signaled the highest point of time in Peru but not the halfway point of the hike. We still had about 8km to walk today but it sure felt good knowing the air wasn’t gonna get thinner!

Time for quick pit stop for ylunch, the guides put out a few camping mats and we all instantly crashed out for a 20min Power Nap. The guide gently roused us in time for another yummy, healthy and filling lunch. Honestly don’t think I have ever eaten so well on a camping trip.

My boys are gonna have a really misguided idea of camping! Far cry form when hubby and I survived on noodles backpacking in Europe (about 22 years ago) or ketchup sandwiches when hitch hiking in Oz (about 21 years ago).

Next a Peru flat hike to a family home stay somewhere in these mountains.