(August 27 – written by Dave) Today we rode our last big pass for a while.  Or at least we think we did.  You never really know what the road ahead will hold.  We had a 40k climb right from the start but we only had to go up about 800 metres in that 40k … Continue reading The last pass (maybe) – Sicuani to Ayaviri (108k/19,492k, +3,300ft)

(August 26 – written by Dave) Wow, what a day!  No make that two days because it really was like two days.  Our first half day was all about getting to Rainbow Mountain.  The second half was a 52k spin up the Urubamba River. First to Rainbow Mountain.  We were up at 4:45 and ready … Continue reading Touch the rainbow – Camp Chuquicahuana to Sicuani (52k/19,384k, +1,000ft)

(August 25 – written by Dave) We were all up early at the hostel and enjoyed our last brekkie buffet.  The brekkie at Hostel Qolqampata was not amazing but it was good and all you can eat and they would make you eggs anyway you wanted them.  It was a big step up from most … Continue reading Heading south –Cusco to Camp Chuquicahuana (97k/19,333k, +3,100ft)

(August 24 – written by Dave) Tomorrow we depart Cusco.  We’ve really enjoyed our break here.  Cusco is a small but dynamic international city.  Of course, being close to Machu Picchu and the rest of the Inca story creates a lot of tourist traffic but the city itself is definitively worth spending time in.  Why … Continue reading Moving on from Cusco

(August 22 – written by Nancy) Today we took on the challenge of visiting the ancient Inca site of Machu Picchu.  It seems appropriate to call it a challenge, as getting there and sharing the site with 2000+ people requires a bit of fortitude, lots of patience and sometimes a sense of humour to keep … Continue reading Machu Picchu

(August 20 – written by Dave) Today our goal was visiting a Cusco local Inca site called Sacsayhuamán.  It’s a hard name to pronounce and many locals use the name “sexy woman”.  In fact, when a local pronounces the name correctly, it still sounds like they are saying “sexy woman”.  The trick in reaching the … Continue reading Cusco – Visiting sexy woman

(August 19 – written by Dave) Today our plan was to visit one of Cusco’s bigger local markets, the Mercado Central de San Pedro.  We made it to the market eventually but had to pass through the Plaza de Armas on the way there and guess what, there was another parade going on.  Peruvians love … Continue reading A market, a parade and a mystery solved in Cusco

(August 17 – written by Dave) We’ve settled into Cusco and made some progress on our list of things to do. Our bikes have been serviced and most importantly, our BBs have been fixed (I hope).  We had Nancy’s BB replaced and mine greased/adjusted.  We’ve been getting creaking sound the last few weeks from them.  … Continue reading Cusco update

(August 15 – written by Nancy) Well, our nice quiet night in the schoolyard was not to be – we should have never been so foolish to think that any night during a fiesta in a Peruvian town would be quiet.  The music in the town square started up just after 10pm and didn’t finish … Continue reading Into the big city – Limatambo to Cusco (77k/19,236k, +5,100ft)

(August 14 – written by Dave) We had a very short day planned today so we got to sleep in and have a proper brekkie at the cafe across the street from the hotel.  The cafe is really out of place in a small Peruvian town, fancy coffees, nice bread and even an American breakfast … Continue reading Mountains and a festival – Curahuasi to Limatambo (45k/19,159k, +3,100ft)