Cancelling the climb of Vulcan Sajama meant we had a day to explore the surrounding area. At first it looks uniformly barren, with some small, tough plants that sustain a surprisingly large llama population, which in turn supports a much smaller human population, and has done so for millennia.
The reality is a bit different, and the region is dotted with hot springs, ancient burial sites, small adobe churches and high altitude lakes with abundant bird life, including flamingoes. A stark, beautiful landscape that constantly surprises.
It’s a wonderfully beautiful landscape, one that is a photographer’s dreamscape. Welcome to the Sajama National Park…
Adobe church on the outskirts of a small village in the middle of the altiplano, BoliviaHigh altitude lake with a small population of flamingoes, BoliviaChullpas, Incan burial sites, that have survived thanks to the low rainfall in the region, BoliviaMore chullpas, restored to their original colours, BloiviaSalt marsh and mountains, Altiplano, BoliviaFlamingo lake, Altiplano BoliviaFlamingoes take flight, Altiplano, BoliviaThe view from a pre-Hispanic fort on a small hilltop, Altiplano, BoliviaRoad to somewhere? Altiplano, BoliviaAbandoned village, Altiplano, BoliviaWe even managed to enter Chile illegally, Altiplano, BoliviaAdobe church with Vulcan Sajama, Altiplano, BoliviaGraveyard in Sajama village, Altiplano, BoliviaGraveyard in Sajama village, Altiplano, Bolivia
Hi Paul, You have such a wonderful eye. I am working on an academic book on mural art in the Andes. May I have your approval to use the photograph of the chullpas with the geometric paintings? Do you happen to have a higher resolution photo than what is on the blog? Thanks for your consideration
Hi Lisa, apologies for the delay in responding, I’ve been on vacation and am only just checking messages now. Very happy for you to use the image, if you let me have your email I’ll send the originals. Best wishes, Paul
Notes from Camelid Country 
Hi Paul, You have such a wonderful eye. I am working on an academic book on mural art in the Andes. May I have your approval to use the photograph of the chullpas with the geometric paintings? Do you happen to have a higher resolution photo than what is on the blog? Thanks for your consideration
Hi Lisa, apologies for the delay in responding, I’ve been on vacation and am only just checking messages now. Very happy for you to use the image, if you let me have your email I’ll send the originals. Best wishes, Paul
Thank you! LT2731 at columbia dot edu
I’ve emailed the original photos. All best.