The Santa Cruz trek is, literally, breathtaking. With the highest point at 4,750m, the altitude left me a little breathless and very slow as I struggled uphill. Going downhill was fine, but the direction we trekked in (starting in Cashapampa) meant there was only one section that wasn’t an incline. I was constantly taking layers off and then putting them back on as the temperature fluctuated. At night I alternated between sleeping like a log and shivering wakefulness. It was all totally worth it though.
Strolling South America 
When I read the title, I thought you write about city I live – Santa Cruz de la Sierra, but we don’t have such beautiful snowy mountains here:)
Yes, Santa Cruz de la Sierra is very different!
Oh, I’m missing out. Absolutely breathtaking.
Wow! 4750 metres!! I was struggling at 3600…I can’t imagine. Looks absolutely stunning though.
I have been up to 5,000m before, but I only had to walk a very short distance over flat terrain. Trekking uphill is an entirely different matter!
I’ve been that high but I tend to fall asleep if I sit down! Last time it happened …in Colombia… Friends suggested I eat something and drink lots of water. That did the trick… The light.headedness went away.
It’s so strange how altitude sickness affects everyone differently. I thought I was pretty good with it – until this trek! I was one of the slowest people there as I just could not get my limbs to move forward…other than that though, I felt fine.
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