On the 31st of August, one day before going back to Lima, we left Tarma where we stayed 6 consecutive nights for Paucartambo, 2500m (8202f).  As it takes 4 hours by car from Tarma to Paucartambo, we planned to have breakfast at the restaurant next to our hotel at 6.30 am before leaving.  Unfortunately we found the restaurant still closed then, we left Tarma without breakfast. 

Soon after leaving Tarma, the scenery changed to pure mountainous region.  Mountains after mountains and nothing else.  Just so vast that it is very difficult to think it is the region more than 3000m (9843f) above sea level.  It is just like normal plains.

We turned right at Las Vegas into a major road(3N) towards Huánuco 1910m (6266f), driving through San Pedro de Cajas and Junín.  Junín is the centre for the production of Maca.  “Look!  There is Maca field there!”, “Look!  There too!”, said Saul.

As far as the eye could see, there was nothing there but plateau, and occasional small towns appeared suddenly and disappeared into vast plateau again.

Another small town started to appear and we found this restaurant.  We decided to drop in for breakfast.  I ordered coca tea here as well. 

“What is the altitude around here?”  A surprising answer came back, “4125 m (13533 f)”  Wow!