I was saved by a real-life Lassie: Brit hiker lost 15,000ft up in Peruvian mountains describes how stray dog led him along paths to safety after it 'appeared from the fog'

A British tourist lost 15,000ft up in Peruvian mountains has described how a stray dog 'appeared from the fog' and led him to his destination.

The man, known as 'El Güero Inglés' or The Blond Englishman on social media was hiking the the famous Santa Cruz circuit, near the city of Huaraz, when he became separated from his group on the second day of the trek.

He was hoping to reach the picturesque Punta Unión pass at 15,000ft above sea level but the route was covered in snow, ice and thick fog.

The hiker said, just at the moment he found himself on his own, a friendly dog approached him, wagging its tail in scenes evoking the actions of TV rescue collie dog Lassie.

'I decided to trust his knowledge of the mountain,' the man said according to Italian newspaper La Stampa.

He said he wondered what a dog could be doing so high up but was surprised how it seemed to know the routes around the mountain and led him to a sign pointing towards his destination - the Punta Unión.

The Brit explained that when the reached the top the pair waited in silence together for the other hikers to arrive.

And from that moment on, the stray dog remained close to the group of hikers as they continued on the trek.

He said that, incredibly, when they got back to the camp there was another dog waiting for them at the camp and the pair of them continued with the group for another 13 and a half miles.

A local later explained to the British tourist that dogs in the area often follow hikers up the mountains as if they were trained guides.

'El Güero Inglés' filmed his experience on the hike in a video he later posted on his Instagram account.

He can be heard in the video asking the dog: 'What on earth are you doing up here? How did you get here?'

He then points up the mountain saying: 'We need to go somewhere up there. Ok you lead the way. If we get lost I'm blaming you, you are in charge now.'