La deuxième journée de notre trek est la plus longue et la plus difficile. Réveil à 5 heures et après le déjeuner, remplissage des bouteilles avec de l’eau bouillie et départ peu après 6h30. Et ça commence raide! Une montée rapide qui nous fait prendre 200m d’altitude assez rapidement. Le souffle est court et les jambes ne semblent pas vouloir suivre. On voit tout près le dernier village et tout en bas l’endroit où nous avions campé.
On continue à monter et après avoir atteint 4000m d’altitude, la végétation consiste en petites touffes d’herbe jaune. Marcher à cette altitude est réellement accablant. Chaque pas nous demande une énergie que nous ne croyons pas avoir. C’est après 3h30 de marche que le moment exaltant de la journée survient. Nous arrivons tout près du premier col, Puccagasa. Et soudain, en montant les derniers mètres qui mènent au sommet du col, on aperçoit le pic enneigé de Veronica. Réaction primale: Holy Shit! Le sommet apparaît comme une pyramide parfaite qui n’est pas s’en rappeler l’Everest. Le spectacle est sublime. Le temps est dégagé et permet de s’en mettre plein la vue.
Après le premier col, nous descendons quelque peu pour atteindre l’endroit où le dîner nous attend. Il n’y a pas à dire, l’organisation de ce trek est impeccable avec des repas très bons. Nous prenons une pause d’une heure et demie.
The second day of our trek was the longest and most difficult. We woke up at 5 a.m. and after breakfast and refill bottles with boiled water, we leave shortly after 6:30 a.m. And it starts with a steep ascent! A quick climb that takes us 200m in altitude. The breath is short and the legs don’t seem to want to follow. You can see the last village and at the bottom the place where we had camped.
We continue to climb and after reaching 4,000m altitude, the vegetation consists of small tufts of yellow grass. Walking at this altitude is truly overwhelming. Each step asks for an energy that we don’t believe we have. It is after 3h30 of walking that the exhilarating moment of the day occurs. We arrive very close to the first pass, Puccagasa. And suddenly, climbing the last metres that lead to the top of the pass, we see the snow-capped peak of Veronica. Primal reaction: Holy Shit! The summit appears as a perfect pyramid that remind us of the Everest. The spectacle is sublime. The weather is clear and allows you to be amazed.
After the first pass, we descend somewhat to reach the place where dinner awaits us. There is no denying that the organization of this trek is impeccable with very good meals. We take a one and a half hour break.
Premier col / First pass 
Campement pour le dîner / Lunch camp 
Toilette avec vue! / Toilet with a view! 
Inca Quarry Trail: 4 heures de marche, 650m de dénivelé, 5km, lunch at 4,400m / 4 hours of walking, 650m of elevation gain, 5km. Lunch at 4,400m
[Auteur/Author: Pierre & Suzanne]
Les voyages de Suzanne & Pierre 
Breath-taking, and I’m sitting in a chair and not in high altitude! 😉 Seriously, the snow-capped peak of Veronica is absolutely stunning, I can only imagine the exhilarating adrenaline you both felt reaching that point and seeing it on such a beautiful, clear day after such a difficult trek. ❤️
Thanks Donna. It was an amazing trek though I often asked myself why we had signed up for it but it was the right thing to do even if it was very difficult.
Amazing views, like being on top of the world. I feel for you every step and agonizing breath!
Thanks Eliza. I know you understand the feeling as you have done it. Walking at such high altitude is hard work but the scenery was amazing.
The views are spectacular. I really like the sunrise photo and photo #5. #5 looks like a veined hand on the left. I always think veining in skin is a sign of wisdom. I am sure the mountains are wise!
Thanks Jacqui. It was indeed spectacular and a nice way to think about the mountain.
My reaction was also Holy Shit when I got to that photo! Your big smiles say it all.
Thanks Anabel. Too funny that you had the same reaction. That mountain was truly spectacular.
An interesting post as usual. Fantastic views
Thanks Diana. Glad you enjoyed this series.
What absolutely stunning scenery! That snow capped peak of Veronica….how great that you saw it on bright, clear day
Thanks Sue. It was indeed and the weather was great throughout our trek.
Lucky you!
Beautiful views and such bright sun! I am surprised that there appear to be paths and marks of grazing animals or fields everywhere, at such high altitude. Did you see people herding animals or working in fields? I will never take a high at such high altitude, and I appreciate seeing this area through your travels/travails!
Thanks for your note. We didn’t see any grazing animals but maybe it was because it was winter. There could be some in the summer. Glad you enjoyed the scenery from your hike.