A little-known route, but very beautiful. The route sets off from the city of Piura and climbs east up to the small town of Canchaque. From there, the route starts a dramatic climb up to the 3.000 meter Cruz Blanca pass before zigzagging down to the village of Huancabamba, in the heart of the Piura highlands. Recommended for experienced bikers (B), and preferably from May to October. Bring warm clothing and water. Huancabamba has some restaurants and rustic lodgings.
The Colca Valley
Located three hours north of Arequipa, the Colca Valley is definitely a paradise for Eco-tourism and outdoors fans. The valley opens up at Chivay and is slashed by two roads that run from east to west. Both are ideal for mountain biking. However, the more demanding cycle routes (B or C) are to be found along the dozens of dirt tracks that run down to villages and farmlands in never-ending zig-zags that run down the valley. The most po-pular route is the one that links up Chivay with Cabanaconde and runs past the lookout point at Mirador de Condores. Best biked from May to October. Take warm clothing and spare parts.
The Sacred Valley
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At just an hour by road from the city of Cusco, the Vilcanota River Valley offers a wide range of routes for bikers. Located at an altitude of 2.500 masl, the area is riddled with picturesque villages and natural landscapes., make for unparalleled circuits of stunning beauty plus major cultural attractions. The valley also features some of Peru’s most spectacular pre-Hispanic ruins: Ollantaytambo,the Inca fortress and town; Pisac, the extraordinary complex of terracing; the pre-Colombian agricultural experimentation center of Moray, and many others. The dry season (May to October) is the best time to visit. Cusco features companies that run tours and rent the necessary equipment.
A route with a medium degree of difficulty (B or C), depending on the trails the biker wishes to cover. The circuit sets out from Cusco and crosses one of the most spectacular high-altitude areas on Earth: Andean inter valleys filled with colonial villages.The route takes 3-4 days and requires some complex logistics.
Best visited from May to October. It is advisable to bring warm clothing and camping gear.
Recommendations
Always wear a helmet, goggles, gloves and elbow and knee pads. Tours should be done in groups of at least three members, all of whom should take along water or re-hydrating liquids. A couple of spare inner tubes are necessary, as are some basic tools for changing flat tires. To choose the route, bear in mind your physical condition and do not demand more from yourself than realistically possible. Remember that biking, like any sport, should provide relaxation, and not massive injuries.
