#1: [27-Apr-04]

#2: [16-Jan-04] (incomplete)

02-Jan-2009 -- This is the third confluence that we visited during our trip to Peru, Bolivia and Chile (map). The story starts from 12°S 77°W.

The confluence is located of 20 km south from Puno – a distance that would have been convenient for a bicycle ride. Unfortunately I was not able to find rental bikes. So I finally decided to take one of those colectivos (small busses) that cover the short and medium distances.

After a 20-minute ride, I got off at the archeological site Cutimbo, just 2.4 km from the confluence. Besides the Incan burial chullpas (grave-towers) the place consists just of a couple houses. The walk to the confluence turned out to be dangerous as mentioned by visit #2. There are dangerous dogs in the area, ready to scare away any trespasser. I was aware of that so I stayed away from houses by at least 200 m. However, I forgot that this rule is also valid for sheep herds. Suddenly I was confronted with two scary guarding dogs. I stood still for at least 2 minutes until a 13-year old boy called them back. We started talking and I explained to Yonh the idea of confluencing. Since this sounded exciting – a foreigner running around with a mysterious device – he accompanied me. I also was happy to have him, because with him in tow I felt save.

The confluence is located in the middle of a flood plain. There are a couple of ditches that had to be surrounded or jumped over. When we reached the confluence, I showed Yonh how a confluence is documented.

On the way back I came across some Alpacas. Shortly after I had reached the highway, I was picked up by another colectivo that was heading to Puno. The whole trip took me 3 hours.

CP Visit Details:

• Distance to an asphalt road: 1.7 km
• Distance to a road: 1.7 km
• Distance to a track: 700 m
• Distance to houses: 2400 m
• Time at the CP: 12:00 a.m.
• Hiking time (distance): 30 minutes (2.4 km)
• Measured height: 3901 m
• Minimal distance according to GPS: 0 m
• Position accuracy at the CP: 8 m
• Vegetation: Grassland, moss.
• Topography: flat but surrounded by mountains.
• Weather: cloudy, 17° C (felt temperature)
• Description of the CP: On Peru’s altiplano region. Close to lake Titicaca. In a valley, with pasture farming.
• Given Name: The Dogs and Alpacas Confluence

Story continues at 18°S 67°W.