At over 4,000 metres high, the Peruvian Altiplano both fascinates and challenges those who dare to venture there. The birthplace of the Inca Empire, this region of breathtaking landscapes attracts millions of tourists each year who come to admire the Machu Picchu or the salt mines of Maras. But at such extreme altitudes, the lack of oxygen can quickly turn a visit into a nightmare, as in Cusco, where some tourists end up on life support.
For those who choose to live in these extreme altitudes, the mountains of Altiplano hold hidden treasures. Around La Rinconada, the world’s highest city, perched at 5,300 meters, thousands of inhabitants endure a freezing climate and thin air. Some 40,000 people live there, drawn by an immense gold mine. Arnaldo is one of 10,000 miners who risk their lives daily in the tunnels to extract a few grams of the precious metal. It’s often a futile pursuit given the meager. But this gold rush has turned the city into a lawless zone. Under the leadership of Major Aranda, about sixty police officers patrol the terrain, seizing illegally sold explosives in an attempt to maintain order in this unforgiving environment.
On these high plateaus, another treasure sparks desire: the vicuña wool, one of the most valuable wools in the world. This precious fibre, valued up to 300 euros per kilogram, is highly sought after by luxury fashion houses. A protected species, vicuñas (a relative of the llama) cannot be raised in captivity. They live in total freedom and can only be sheared once a year, during the traditional “chakku”, a communal roundup organised by the local community. This ancestral ritual not only collects the precious wool, but also honours the land through offerings.
Our investigation takes place at the top of the Andes, where humans strive, against all odds, to conquer the heights.