At the very top of the climb, up at 3600m, lie yet more ruins (the name of which I can’t remember and isn’t on the map). Those Incans certainly knew how to build something to last the ages…
After my brief stop-off, it was another fun descent to Huancarama, where I found a hospedaje for the night. Despite limited space, it was a good opportunity to dry the tent!
After a brief climb the next morning in drizzly conditions, I arrived at the top of a 1600m descent to the valley below Abancay…
Popping in and out of the clouds, the road was steaming much of the way down…
Another sweaty climb, this time on a fairly busy road up to Abancay, deposited me in town in time for lunch. As usual, I quickly hunted down the nearest bakery and cleaned them out of bread and empanadas! The traffic of Abancay wasn’t much fun though…
…so I continued up the climb, eventually pulling over to buy some more water from a restaurant. The kind owner of ‘La Quinta Salome’ promptly suggested that I’d be welcome to camp there and, with the sun lowering and wild camping opportunities few and far between, I duly accepted…
Kicking back with a coffee, having pitched up…
Amazing!!! It looks like incredible scenery and an experience that only being on a bike could make even more unforgettable. Take care, Abby xx
Thanks Abby – yep, numerous Peruvians have asked me why I’m not using a motorbike! It’s actually tricky to answer that one! But there’s nothing like cycling for random encounters and to really ‘see’ the country…
I love the beer can stove – great to see a simple lightweight cheap solution, and an impeccable design. X
Yeah, it’s very satisfying! I’ve already given one to someone else. Was contemplating getting rid of my main stove and going super lightweight but apparently pure Alcohol can be a bit tricky to come by in some places so I’ll prob hang onto it! Cxxx
Really fantastic blog and great writing Campbell. Well done and great to see you with that big grin on your face too. Looking forward to the next instalment.
Thanks dude!
Just speechless with admiration at the sheer physical achievement of those rollercoaster rides, more great pics ( including Thomas’s – how very generous of him), and the ingenuity of that beer can stove (can’t stop smiling at that one!).
Thanks! Cxxx
Nice post Campbell. I’m in Huancavelica now. How many days cycling did it take you from here to Cusco?
Hey, I took the direct route on tarmac and it was 11 days. Could prob do it in 9 or 10 if in a hurry! First day out of Huancavelica wasn’t great with roadworks but the rest was all smooth sailing…
Thanks Campbell!
If you want my routes, feel free to follow me on Strava…
Thanks Campbell, will check them out. From the looks of it 11 days to Cusco sounds like a pretty reasonably speed looking at all the climbing. How many days did you take from Rio Blanco to Huancavelica? (Just to know roughly how fast you’re going).
(Feel free to email me directly if you prefer.)
I think I took 10, as I was taking it fairly easy and wasn’t acclimatised to begin with…
I’d say 10 is pretty reasonable with 43+kg and needing to acclimatise. Can’t imagine how biciclown did it with 60kg, must have been a tough!!
Hi Campbell, it was a real pleasure to meet you at the inofficial Casa de cyclista in Cusco and enjoy together great vegan food and all the talks, discussions and funny remarks! Best wishes and hope to see you again latest on the laguna route, Antonia
Hey,
Absolutely! I’m sure we’ll bump into each other sooner or later!
Safe travels…
Epic as always dude!! Love that black n white shot of you! Proper Adventurer!
Haha, thanks!
Oh yes totally agree on hat black and white pic of you, super rugged! Love the random classroom camping and all of your other tales, carry on the adventures for us XXx
Thanks Lorraine!