So our band of merry travellers set off from San Pedro, gaining altitude quick, as we ascended the altiplano, from 2600m to 3500m above sea level. Already the altitude was starting to take effect, but we were unfazed, chewing on mouthfulls of cocoa leaves (the only cure for altitude sickness available) and drinking mate, an Argentinian herbal tea. The panoramic vista was unbelievable, as the air is so clear, you feel like you´re looking at a massive painting, as you can easily see the detail miles away. Passing the towering volcanoes, one of which erupted a year ago, we ascended to 4000m and passed Laguna Verde, a clear, white mineral lagoon with pink flamingoes serenely eating in the shallows and llamas grazing at it´s shores. Obviously tough buggers, given that it was about 3 degrees during
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