Clouds are gathering over the snow capped mountains near Arequipa, Peru

Snow capped mountains in the highlands near Arequipa, Peru

Snow capped Andes mountains in the highlands near Arequipa, Peru

A vicuña, a non-domesticated species of camelids, grazing in the highlands of Pampa Canahuas National Reserve between Arequipa and Lake Titicaca, Peru. Vivuñas were hunted almost to extinction due to their extremely fine and very expensive wool.

A vicuña, a non-domesticated species of camelids, grazing in the highlands of Pampa Canahuas National Reserve between Arequipa and Lake Titicaca, Peru. Vivuñas were hunted almost to extinction due to their extremely fine and very expensive wool.

Vicuñas, a non-domesticated species of camelids, grazing in the highlands of Pampa Canahuas National Reserve between Arequipa and Lake Titicaca, Peru. Vivuñas were hunted almost to extinction due to their extremely fine and very expensive wool.

A group of Vicuñas in the high plains of Pampa Canahuas National Reserve, Peru

Vicuña in the high plains of Pampa Canahuas National Reserve, Peru

Vicuñas grazing in front of snow capped Andes mountains in the highlands near Arequipa, Peru

Vicuñas grazing in front of snow capped Andes mountains in the highlands near Arequipa, Peru

Vicuñas grazing in front of snow capped Andes mountains in the highlands near Arequipa, Peru

The 'back side' of the snow-capped volcano El Misti; The city of Arequipa, the second largest city in Peru, was buit on the front slope of this volcano.The stratovolcano stands at 5,822 m (19,101 ft) above sea level. The last eruption was in 1985.

El Misti (5,822 m or 19,101 ft above sea level), also known as Guagua-Putina is a stratovolcano located in southern Peru near the city of Arequipa

El Misti (5,822 m or 19,101 ft above sea level), also known as Guagua-Putina is a stratovolcano located in southern Peru near the city of Arequipa

Bizarre rock formations on a windswept ridge in the highlands of Pampa Canahuas National Reserve near Arequipa, Peru

Bizarre rock formations on a windswept ridge in the highlands of Pampa Canahuas National Reserve near Arequipa, Peru

A local woman, carrying a heavy bundle, walks the lone road in the high plains of Pampa Canahuas National Reserve near Arequipa, Peru. The majestic El Misti volcano (5,822 metres or 19,101 ft above sea level), covered with a seasonal snow cap dominates the background.

A small village in front of a volcanic mountain range in the high plains of Pampa Canahuas National Reserve near Arequipa, Peru.

A small village in front of a snow-capped volcanic mountain range in the high plains of Pampa Canahuas National Reserve near Arequipa, Peru.

Cone shaped rock formations on a windswept ridge in the highlands of Pampa Canahuas National Reserve near Arequipa, Peru

Llamas and Alpacas grazing in the highlands of Pampa Canahuas National Reserve between Arequipa and Lake Titicaca, Peru

Llamas and Alpacas grazing in the highlands of Pampa Canahuas National Reserve between Arequipa and Lake Titicaca, Peru