Over the Andes and down to the Amazon Basin

After returning to Cusco, I took a couple days to get organized and to figure out where I was going next. I decided to head to Brazil and the Pantanal, and possibly Manaus. To break up the drive a little bit, I decided to first head to the town of Pacchanta and its hot springs and fabulous views of Ausangate, a spectacular 6,384 meter ( 21,000 ft) peak southeast of Cusco.

I arrived early enough in the afternoon to take a nice hike up the valley to a beautiful view of the peak. I wished I had more time since there is a nice hike to seven lakes below the mountains. I wandered back down and found my friends, Trefor and Coral. Trefor and Coral are a young, friendly, and interesting couple from England. They started in the United States and Mexico and then from Columbia down to Peru. I first met them at Coda Vista campground in Quito, then again at Camping Quinta Lala in Cusco. I enjoyed soaking in the hot springs and hanging out with them.

After warming up in the hot springs, it was time for bed. A cold night; it got below freezing. Sleeping at 4,300 m (14,100 ft), I was happy I did not have any altitude sickness.

I love mountains, and the Andes are among the most spectacular. But it was time to explore new landscapes, ecosystems, and cultures. So I get up early the next morning and headed over the Andes and descended down into the Amazon Basin of Peru and on to Brazil. I first went over a pass of 15,500 ft. Then it was a long and winding road down through the mountains, the cloud forests, and then the tropical forests to near the town of Puerto Maldanado (at about 183 m elevation).

On to Brazil...