The trip consisted of four passengers and four tour staff - the driver and three guides (one of the guides joined late and I assume she was only onboard for transport) - most tourists do this trip in the opposite direction. 

We were warned that delays caused by roadworks along the main highway might reduce the time we had at stops along the way.  In practice although we were held up briefly we were able to move on pretty promptly.

We had a rest stop at Lake Lagunillas and I took photos from the Mirador Lagunillas.

But I think this shot of me taking photos is better than the ones I took myself.

As the trip would take us quite high above sea level, at another rest stop I had a drink of Inca tea made with the usual coca leaves but also chochacoma and muna (Andean mint), reputedly an even better ward against altitude sickness than the usual coca tea. 

We also stopped at Abra Patapampa ("High Plain Pass"), the literal high point of the trip at an altitude of over 4.900 metres. 

Many apachetas (stone cairns) are stacked nearby.

A mirador provides views across the countryside to the mountains and volcanoes.

Chivay is a pleasant enough town but quite small.

It is significant mostly due to its proximity to the Colca Canyon but also features hot springs where I went for a bathe.