The Great Journey

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[ Prayer at the Altitude of 5,000m ]

To this pilgrimage, 5 crosses in different colors, each representing one of the 5 counties around Cusco, are brought from each county. On the third day of the Pilgrimage, sturdy men called Ukuku (bears) carry these crosses out of the chapel and climb the glacier at the altitude of 5,000m. It's a steep slope without any man made trails. Ukukus climb up the wall of ice without climbing irons, just wearing ponchos with fur and ordinary shoes or sandals made with used tires. Some Ukukus don't even wear socks. They stick the crosses into the glacier and pray, kissing the crosses. Candles are lit. Some cry, becoming very emotional. At the valley 400 meters below them are 50,000 pilgrims who look as small as peas praying around the chapel.