Second day of the hike

I woke up at 1am and woke up several times until 2am. It was really cold. I then put on 2 long shirts under my jacket. Then it went. I didn't want to use the blanket. But I just couldn't get back to sleep. Then I started a series and then fell asleep again after an hour and woke up with the alarm clock at 4:40. Chilled out briefly and then got to the front entrance at 5 a.m. Everyone else was already there. Strangely enough, it wasn't that cold again. That's why I took off a long shirt. And since it was dark, you needed a headlamp. It started. The hike is 4km to the top. There are almost 1800 meters in altitude. And it gets tiring. Luckily it was dry and the path was strenuous and not as dangerous as yesterday. After 15 minutes we were all completely wet with sweat. Then I took off my long pants and jacket and shirt. And then we could hike alone again. And it was a really challenging hike. Although I'm experienced with heights from hiking on the Way of St. James, this was extreme. I took a quick break every now and then to get some air. I overtook a few people and then we also saw the mulas, the donkeys, which two of our group booked and rode up on. It was supposed to be nice, but the animals have a mind of their own and that meant you were afraid of slipping in some places. After almost 2 hours we were at the top and it was so nice to get to the top. First changed t-shirt upstairs. You could buy something in a kiosk there, but breakfast was served straight away. We took a break there for almost 40 minutes and then continued for 20 minutes, luckily without any elevation gain. Then we went to the restaurant, probably too early. Our guide had to help make breakfast and there were 2 rolls, a portion of scrambled eggs, butter, jam and tea. Sufficient, but nothing special in terms of taste. Then we had to wait a long time for our car before we could continue. Then he finally came and we went to the hot springs. The journey took almost an hour and when we arrived we were allowed to bathe in the hot springs for 1 hour for 15 soles (approx. €4). There were six different pools with different temperatures. One was just 73 degrees. I chilled out for 5 minutes in the hot pools at 36-37 degrees. The heat was good for the body, although a cold pool would have been cool too. At the end I chilled out in the sun for a quarter of an hour and then went to lunch. There was a Chinese buffet for 40 soles (10€), which had a lot, including vegetables, soups and ceviche. And also different dessert options. Drinks were extra. I thought it was a shame that lunch and the hot springs were not included in the price. The stupid thing is that you had no other choice, otherwise you could only have stood next to the restaurant or next to the springs. Then we went on to a viewing point and another place and we should be back in Arequipa around 5 p.m. The trio was really good, but I didn't think my group was that great. There was a group of four who were among themselves. Then two more from Serbia who were really cool and with whom I also exchanged numbers and then two girls who met on the way. They come from Paris and Freiburg. So it was ok, but I think I could have easily done the hike alone. I'll be in touch again this evening.