We left Arequipa in the morning towards the altiplano, going first through the "cheese road" so called because it was cut through the hills, made a soft rock:

We reached the plateau behind the big volcanoes above Arequipa:

The big volcano is the misti, which has an altitude just under 6,000 meters  and which can be climbed in a couple of days from Arequipas; and in front of it you can see some vigognes, the fourth kind of llama-type animal and the only one not to have been domesticated. Their wool is supposed to be the nicest of all.

Yes, it is llama territory!

Llamas and alpagas are domesticated but seem to spend their days grazing in the endless spaces of the altiplano. Overall the area is surprisingly dry but there are some small wet areas, as shown above.

Lots of nice rocks and views, but this one I had to put as it is due to "erosion eolica

Long straight lines in relatively flat terrain...

... with, at the end, the "Eastern chain" - which is the border in Peru between the Atlantic water basin and the Pacific one.

Finally arriving in the Culco valley, and the town of Chivay, with its traditional central square and church (and additional decoration in the mountains in this case...)

And finally ending the day at a nice hotel in the canyon below the town, with its own thermal baths...