Peru: Life at 4,000 Metres

High in the Peruvian Altiplano, survival is a daily battle. At altitudes exceeding 4,000 meters, the breathtaking beauty of Machu Picchu and the Maras salt mines masks a brutal reality: extreme oxygen deprivation that can leave visitors fighting for their lives. Explore the world’s highest city, La Rinconada, where 40,000 residents endure freezing conditions at 5,300 meters. Follow miners like Arnaldo into dangerous gold tunnels and join Major Aranda’s police force as they struggle to maintain order in a lawless "gold rush" frontier. Beyond the mines, discover the Altiplano’s "soft gold" - vicuña wool. Witness the ancient Chakku ritual, a communal tradition where locals gather one of the world's rarest and most expensive fibers while honoring the spirits of the Andes. Director: Martin Fossati Watch more related documentaries in our playlist https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL0ynAwoyg_cAqnPho96OlnlwzoXC2SCV4