This
varied tour takes in both the northern and southern Peruvian Andes.
Our rewarding and challenging six day bike trip in the Cordillera
Blanca offers some of the most stunning mountain panoramas in the
Americas, while our time in the Cuzco area allows us to experience
the fascinating cultural and architectural legacy of the Incas
culminating in the world famous train journey to Machu Picchu.
Joining
the tour
On
booking, you will be sent the following information: name and
address of Lima hotel, advice on how to get there, time of
rendezvous with tour leader.
Itinerary details
Note: If
circumstances dictate, certain details, such as overnight stops may
vary from those shown in the day-by-day itinerary below.
Day 1
Join tour
in Lima. (1 night hotel)
Day 2
We leave
Lima early by public bus for a fascinating journey of contrasts that
will end amid the towering high Andes at the small highland city of
Huaraz. We head north through the coastal desert as far as Pativilca,
then turn inland and begin our climb north-eastward into the Andes.
We follow the Fortaleza valley, the fertile cultivated river banks
contrasting dramatically with the barren mountain sides. Cacti
gradually give way to denser vegetation and then puna grassland as
we ascend to the highest point on our journey, Conococha (4050
metres). We turn north into the Callejón de Huaylas and enter a
different world, the huge snowpeaks of the Cordillera Blanca
dominating the landscape. We arrive in Huaraz (3090 metres) late
afternoon and check into our hotel. (3 nights hotel)
Day 3-4
A bustling
town of 80 000 inhabitants, Huaraz lies amid the unsurpassed scenic
splendour of the Callejón de Huaylas and is the ideal base from
which to explore the region. Callejón de Huaylas is the name given
to the Santa Valley which separates the Cordillera Blanca from the
Cordillera Negra, and rates as one of the finest areas of South
America for its superb mountain panoramas. The Callejón is bordered
to the east by the Cordillera Blanca, a mountain range with the
greatest number of peaks over 6000 metres outside the Himalayas.
From Huaraz itself there is an awe-inspiring vista of Mount
Tocllaraju, Mounts Palcaraju (6034 metres) and Ranrapalca (6162
metres) towering over the city and, to the north, the gigantic forms
of Huascarán (6768 metres) and Huandoy (6395 metres).
Over the
next two days, while acclimatising to the altitude before our bike
ride, and on day 11, we will have ample opportunity to discover the
wonders of this fascinating region. Besides its magnificent scenery,
the area is renowned for its traditional villages with their lively
markets (easily reached by public bus or mountain bike), its thermal
springs, and pre-Inca history. One of the oldest and most remarkable
archaeological sites in all the Andes, the remote 3000 year old cult
centre of Chavín de Huántar, can be reached by bus, and the nearby
Huari-Tiahuanaco (pre-Inca) site of Wilkawain is within walking
distance of Huaraz. Another alternative is a journey north to the
high puna grasslands of the Pumapampa Valley to observe the
extraordinary, ten-metre-high Puya Raimondi, a giant species of high
altitude bromeliad unique to this area. White-water rafting on the
Santa river is yet another option. We will also have the opportunity
to get a feel for our mountain bikes in the environs of Huaraz.
Day 5-10
Today we
embark on our six-day mountain biking adventure. Loading bikes onto
our support vehicle, we head south along the Callejón de Huaylas to
Carhuaz (2650m). Here we get on the bikes and ride out of the
Callejón into the Ulta Valley at the start of a 250 km loop,
accompanied throughout by our support vehicle, which will take us to
the heart of the Cordillera and some of its most spectacular
panoramas.
Today's
stage (36km) takes us into the heart of the Cordillera and sees us
set up camp in the Ulta Valley (3700m) at the base of the Punta
Olimpica pass and several towering snowpeaks, among them
Contrahierbas (5960m) and Ulta (5875m). In the early stages of day
two, magical landscapes gradually unfold as, gear down, we ascend to
the Punta Olimpica pass (4890m). Contrahierbas to the east and, to
the north, the magnificent Chopicalqui (6354m) and Huascarán (6768m)
loom large. (Remember, the support vehicle is always available,
should you need a breather). After the pass come 15km of thrilling
downhill! Tonight we camp in the Cancaraca Grande Valley at 3800m
(38km total).
On day
three there are several downhills and gentle climbs as we pass
through the farming communities of the eastern Cordillera foothills.
Today we camp near the village of San Luis (3130m) having covered a
total of 42km.
We start day four with a descent to Llacma (2650m) before turning
west and beginning to ascend the Yurma Valley back towards the
Cordillera. Tonight we camp at Huamas (3210m) after a total of 37km.
Day five
involves a 36km ride and sees us approach the glaciated flanks of
Yanapaqcha and Chopicalqui. It's a good climb which takes us to
4310m and our camp amid the high puna grasslands of the Quebrada
Morococha. (5 nights camp, all meals)
Day 10
On day six
of the bike ride, we embark on our final climb: a 6km ascent to
reach the high pass of Llanganuco (4767m). The pass offers
outstanding views of awesome snowpeaks on all sides including
Huandoy (6395), Chacraraju (6112m) and the towering walls of
Huascarán. From here it's a 49km blast all the way back to the
Callejón de Huaylas and the city of Yungay (2500m). Here our bikes
go back into the support vehicle, and we return to Huaraz for a well
deserved shower and cold beer. (2 nights hotel)
Day 11
Free day
in Huaraz.
Day 12
We return
to the Pacific coast and Lima, by bus. (1 night hotel)
Day 13
Tour Ends
Check our Books and Maps section where you will find a range of literature to help you get the most out of your South American adventure.
Practical
information
Small
groups mean flexibility and informality. Your tour leader will be on
hand to iron out any problems and give informed advice on things to
do, where to eat etc. In towns we use clean, comfortable hotels. In
little-visited wilderness areas, accommodation is sometimes more
simple. When camping we use two person lightweight tents. On the
ride, all equipment is transported for us and meals are prepared by
our local cook.
Fitness
and experience
In order
to get the most out of the tour you should be in good physical
condition. It is not easy to grade the fitness level required for
the biking expedition, since this is a subjective matter. However,
we recommend you get in plenty of biking time before departure. We
will be biking approximately six to eight hours per day, with
several long ascents and descents. NB The bike trip is fully
supported. We have a vehicle at our disposal should any riders wish
to sit out a tricky section.
Altitude
Shortness
of breath is normal when first arriving at altitude. Acclimatisation
time is built into the tour programme. The highest point on the bike
ride is 4890 metres, but we will be camping below that level.
Climate
Peru is
located entirely within the tropics, but the climate varies
significantly according to season and geographical zone.
Coast
May to October damp and misty but very little rain. (Average
day/night temperature in Lima 20C/13C) December to March warm and
sunny.
Highlands
May to October sunny days and chilly evenings. Best time for walking
in the mountains. (Average day/night temperature in Cusco 21C/3C)
(N.B. at higher altitudes temperatures can drop well below freezing
at night, and the sun is very strong).
December
to March rainy season.
Visas
Currently,
no visa is required by British citizens visiting Peru, but your
passport must be valid for at least six months after the date of
travel. Non-British passport holders should check visa requirements
with the Peruvian Embassy. All requirements are subject to change
and should be confirmed before departure.
Vaccinations
Please
check with your doctor or travel clinic for latest advice as
requirements are subject to change. Vaccinations for yellow fever,
typhoid, tetanus, hepatitis and polio are recommended and malaria
precautions are needed for visiting jungle areas.
Personal
expenses
We
recommend you carry funds in US dollars cash (mixed denomination,
unmarked and undamaged bank notes) and US dollar travellers cheques,
which can be changed in larger towns and typically incur a 3%
commission. Cash cards are also useful as ATM machines are available
in most large towns visited on this itinerary. Credit cards can be
used in some restaurants and for obtaining cash in certain banks.
The cost of the tour includes all meals while on the biking
expedition and all breakfasts elsewhere, but you will need money to
cover: other meals, snacks and drinks (approximately 30-50% cheaper
than Europe); handicrafts; airport tax ($25 international, $7
national); optional excursions (rafting $25); extra entrance fees;
tips; laundry etc.
International Flights
We can
arrange your international flights at competitive rates through our
ATOL-bonded agency. Approximate prices are shown on the Dates and
Prices sheet sent with the brochure.
Insurance
Your
insurance policy must cover you against medical expenses and
repatriation. If you do not purchase insurance from us, please
ensure it covers all activities you will be participating in,
including trekking, mountain biking and white-water rafting if
applicable. Please send us a copy of your policy as soon as possible
after booking.
Luggage &
Equipment
Bring a
main piece of lockable luggage to be left in the Huaraz hotel while
you are biking. For the ride, re-pack into a kit bag, holdall or
rucksack. This will contain your sleeping bag, torch, toiletries,
changes of clothes, spare footwear etc. It will be transported for
you by vehicle. You will also require a day-pack to carry items you
need to hand. For the biking expedition, bike and helmet are
provided. Bring your own cycling gloves and cycling shorts/trousers.
(Please let us know if you'd like to be sent a comprehensive
equipment list).
Optional
extensions
If you
would like to spend more time in Peru or neighbouring countries we
can arrange this for you. Just some of the extensions we offer are:
-
High
altitude train journey across the altiplano to Lake Titicaca.
-
Journey down the desert coast to the enigmatic Nazca lines.
-
Spanish and/or Quechua language courses in Cuzco year-round.
-
4 day Amazon rainforest expedition into the Tambopata Reserved Zone.
-
5-9 day jungle expedition into Manu National Park.
Facts and
figures: Peru
Population: 25 mill (50% indian, 32% mestizo, 12% white and 2%
black).
Capital
city: Lima, population approximately 7.5 million.
Geography:
Five times the size of the UK, Peru, the third largest country in
South America, covers 1.28 million sq km. It is bounded to the N by
Ecuador and Colombia, to the E by Brazil and Bolivia, to the S by
Chile, and to the W by the Pacific Ocean.
Economy:
Agriculture (33% of economically active popn), fishing and mining
are the traditional sectors of employment, with manufacturing (10%)
increasingly important. The service industry employs 27% of the
workers. Major food crops are rice, maize and potatoes, while the
major cash crops are coca and coffee. Important exports are copper,
zinc, gold, lead, silver and petrol. |
