floating islands are amazing. that's also a great application for their solar panels!
Barry
Aidan1150’s Andes & Altiplano tour
- Thread starter Aidan1150
- Start date
Barry
Dawn over Lake Titicaca
That’s not a phrase you’ll use often in life
6am is an early start any day, but we needed it today as we have a lot of ground to cover.
Geert, our guide has had to juggle the itinerary because of factors beyond his control, the landslides on the Pan America Highway, heavy rains in Arequipa and Cusco so he is using his 22 years worth of experience and contacts to give us the best trip possible.
Today we are going to the little town of Quince Mil located in the high jungle of Peru, just over four hours from the imperial city of Cusco, but deep within the Amazon rainforest. But first we have to ride through the Peruvian Altiplano.
Through the bustling little town of San Anton.
The pass at Abra Aquepuño takes us back up near 15,700ft again.
Before we start to descend towards the Amazon rainforest.
I had to include a bridge pic in tribute to @MikeO although it may be a bit modern for his taste.
Geert, our guide has had to juggle the itinerary because of factors beyond his control, the landslides on the Pan America Highway, heavy rains in Arequipa and Cusco so he is using his 22 years worth of experience and contacts to give us the best trip possible.
Today we are going to the little town of Quince Mil located in the high jungle of Peru, just over four hours from the imperial city of Cusco, but deep within the Amazon rainforest. But first we have to ride through the Peruvian Altiplano.
Through the bustling little town of San Anton.
The pass at Abra Aquepuño takes us back up near 15,700ft again.
Before we start to descend towards the Amazon rainforest.
I had to include a bridge pic in tribute to @MikeO although it may be a bit modern for his taste.
Attachments
And on we went noticing the change in scenery and temperature with every mile covered.
More climbing tomorrow as we make our way towards Cusco at 3400 (11,150ft).
More climbing tomorrow as we make our way towards Cusco at 3400 (11,150ft).
Looks great . Have you taken any pics of your bike ? 
Not very many Martin. I have been guilty of pretty much taking it for granted to be honest. But there again it is a Honda so you know that it is just going to be there.Looks great . Have you taken any pics of your bike ?
You can see it lurking in this one too.
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Good little bikes .
Had one for the day in Gran Canaria
A little underpowered in the very high altitudes but I can't hold that against her. But in every other respect she is a good little bike. 
Pah ! Try riding a Himmy 411 at 18000 feet !A little underpowered in the very high altitudes but I can't hold that against her. But in every other respect she is a good little bike.
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And me half as heavy again as you Martin.
are you fluent in the lingo now
wednesday was cool innit - the copper in the water :O
what was the deal with the arches next to the huts
how did you find the alpaca on the plate
sometimes the diversions make a trip even tho bet yer blood pressure was up
with all the beer at the beginning thought it was a @Doc trip
muoy bien gracias
wednesday was cool innit - the copper in the water :O
what was the deal with the arches next to the huts
how did you find the alpaca on the plate
sometimes the diversions make a trip even tho bet yer blood pressure was up
with all the beer at the beginning thought it was a @Doc trip
muoy bien gracias
Our Friday night accommodation was an eco-lodge set in the rainforest. The rooms had no windows, just mesh to keep the bugs out (or in) and all night and in the early morning we could hear parrots, macaws and monkeys doing their thing.
Saturday morning was set to be a fairly easy 250km spin to Cusco, ancient city of the Incas.
The ride started off with us running through lush rainforest with the promise of lots of climbing to come. I was riding at the back and as I rounded a slight right hand bend I saw a creature bound across the road in front of me. Unfortunately I wasn't able to get a picture of it but further investigation suggests that it was a Tayra.
About 30kms into the day we came upon some serious roadworks which was going to delay us by up to half an hour. The scenery was beautiful and there are worse places to be delayed. There was a lot of fruit growing by the wayside including papaya and bananas.
@Sgt Bilco would have enjoyed seeing these two old gents still plying their trade.
An N88 Volvo
And an F12 Globetrotter
The roadworks behind us, the climbing and the scenery became much more dramatic.
Can you spot the broken down truck?
There he is...
The sheer scale of the Andes mountains is completely unexplainable and the camera can only suggest what it is really like.
Saturday morning was set to be a fairly easy 250km spin to Cusco, ancient city of the Incas.
The ride started off with us running through lush rainforest with the promise of lots of climbing to come. I was riding at the back and as I rounded a slight right hand bend I saw a creature bound across the road in front of me. Unfortunately I wasn't able to get a picture of it but further investigation suggests that it was a Tayra.
About 30kms into the day we came upon some serious roadworks which was going to delay us by up to half an hour. The scenery was beautiful and there are worse places to be delayed. There was a lot of fruit growing by the wayside including papaya and bananas.
@Sgt Bilco would have enjoyed seeing these two old gents still plying their trade.
An N88 Volvo
And an F12 Globetrotter
The roadworks behind us, the climbing and the scenery became much more dramatic.
Can you spot the broken down truck?
There he is...
The sheer scale of the Andes mountains is completely unexplainable and the camera can only suggest what it is really like.
We kept on gaining elevation until we reached the third highest point of our tour at 15,500ft.
There's a glacier up there too.
The scenery changes again as you near Cusco, we are only 60kms or so from our destination at this point.
Once into Cusco we checked into our hotel and went out to get some well earned lunch.
Alpaca burger.
There's a glacier up there too.
The scenery changes again as you near Cusco, we are only 60kms or so from our destination at this point.
Once into Cusco we checked into our hotel and went out to get some well earned lunch.
Alpaca burger.
After that hearty lunch we set off on a walking tour of the old part of Cusco where many of the Inca building prowess is still to be seen.
Ordinarily, the first place I avoid in any city is the local Irish Bar but in this case I made an exception and dropped in for a wee Jameson.
True to form I suspect that I was the only Irishman in the bloody place, but nevermind the location made up for it.
Today, Sunday is a non-biking day so I have dropped the laundry off at a place down the street and am taking it easy.
We finish the trip next Sunday back in Arequipa, and there will be plenty to see and do before then so I beg your indulgence for another week in Peru.
True to form I suspect that I was the only Irishman in the bloody place, but nevermind the location made up for it.
Today, Sunday is a non-biking day so I have dropped the laundry off at a place down the street and am taking it easy.
We finish the trip next Sunday back in Arequipa, and there will be plenty to see and do before then so I beg your indulgence for another week in Peru.
Great RR, great photos too. Thanks Aidan
Looks a fascinating place
Looks a fascinating place
Loving this and while I have most of 2027 already planned, this is making me think again about a South American tour. Fantastic photos and the food looks amazing. Is this an all-inclusive tour with fuel, accommodation, meals included and are the extras proving expensive or reasonable? It sounds like your guide is doing you really proud at the moment, fair play to him. I’m also curious as to how good the alpaca tasted!
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