The Milky Way, viewed from 11,000 feet
While visiting the Colca Canyon in Peru, we stayed at a hotel that was at elevation 11,000 feet--and had an amazing hot springs.
In the thin air, the view of the stars was amazing, especially as you floated in the warm waters of the hot springs late at night. This was the first time I was able to see the Milky Way in all its glory--and to be able to take a photograph of it. (This is a 30-second exposure.)
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The stars in Peru are so amazing! Lake Titicaca was just unreal. Cool photo.
GREAT photo! My wife and I spent a wonderful evening at those hot springs you mention, looking up at that same sky--have you read about the 'anti-constellations' the Inca catalogued--meaning, the sky is so full of stars that what stands out are the black spaces! An amazing place, the Colca--thanks for posting!
Glenn... great capture... amazing how the constellations we so know are lost in all those stars...
Hi, nice to meet you all. My husband and I are going to Arequipa and Colca the second week of April. Anyone knows if this is a good time of the year to see the milky way, or qhere can I find out? Also, may I know the name of the hotel you mentioned? thanks
Maria
Maria, not sure if it is a good time. We went in the Peruvian winter, which is a great time--nothing but sun and clear skies. We stayed at the Colca Lodge. Lovely place, with great hot springs (which is from where I took this picture). We got a great deal through our hotel in Arequipa (Los Tambos) which is what everyone does. You pay through the nose if you book with the Colca hotels directly. I also highly recommend Los Tambos--great location, wonderful service, rooms a bit small and plain but an amazing deal. It really is 5-star service and, like I said, we also got a good deal for the Colca Lodge.
Glenn thank you so much, what a brilliant idea! Funny thing is I am Peruvian living in London so some places of Peru have become like tourist destinations for me and my friends there are not very good when it comes to saving tips. I was looking at the Colca lodge and was going to book with them just for 2 nights cause it's expensive, so you are going to save me money. Will do it through Los Tambos. So I won't have expectations regarding the milky way, which will save me some dissapointment. I hope to see condors, I am going with my English husband who has never seen one.
By the way, we booked a private tour of the canyon through Los Tambos with a really terrific guide named Elena of Colonial Tours. She really knows the area and got us very close to the Condors, away from the crowds. Literally a private viewing experience for our family, which is why I got such good pictures. You should see if you can request her--she's amazing.
This sounds like a fantastic time. Peru has now gone on my "Travel To" list. Thanks for this!
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