SEPTEMBER 19 - ABANCAY TO LIMATAMBO

This had the makings of a hard day - a 40 km climb out of Abancay (about 1600 meters vertical), then a 60 km downhill (yay), followed by another 17 km of climbing.  The total distance would be 117 km, 2450 ascent and 2150 descent.  Laura was still having problems with the altitude, so she took the lunch truck.

Off I go.  All the roads in Peru seem to be designed with gradients of 4 - 6% and this was no exception.  I didn't get a good picture of Abancay as I climbed out.   The town is perched on a flatter spot on the side of the valley, about half way up.


Part way up the hill, I was joined by Sven and the two of us cycled together for the day.  We worked our way up the hill for more than 3 hours and finally got to the top (just under 4000 meters).  We stopped and put on more clothes as it was getting cold and hailing.  A photo for Laura - a tree plantation at this elevation.  In BC we'd be well above the treeline at this height.









As soon as we started down - you guessed it: more crazy switchbacks.  But now it was raining / hailing lightly and the road was wet, so we took it easy.  Our fingers froze and we stopped a couple of times to thaw.  We passed other riders in coffee shops trying to warm up.  the views down the valley were spectacular.











We stopped at the lunch truck, partway down the hill, traded stories about being cold with the other riders, and continued onward.  The valley was much warmer and everybody was shedding layers.

This is mango growing country.  Laura and those in the truck had found a store selling Mango Helado (ice cream) and treated themselves.


A shot of the river and more stunning scenery.

We had been following the main river downstream.  At the bottom of our descent, we crossed over the river and started up a tributary.  Here's the old rickety bridge and the shiny new one.  the road has been rebuilt and improved, but there are still bits of the old road visible.






Onwards and upwards now, as we are climbing toward Limatambo.  The town looked similar to many of the small towns we passed through, although I did notice this display.  Sorry, I can't tell you anything about the pieces.

We are camping at the Tarawasi Archaeological site, apparently originated by the Incas.  What an interesting place in a fabulous setting.  the site itself consists of an Incan wall (circa 1000 AD) shown here (I'll explain the buildings on top in a moment.  

On top of that wall is another wall with coves.  Unfortunately, I can't add any further explanation (todo - check it out online).  The Incan stonework is fabulous - the individual stones fit together perfectly.








Oh yeah, the structures on top.  They were build recently and have fallen into disrepair.  I assume the owners were kicked out when the archaeological importance of the site was recognized.  Still, they are interesting Adobe structures.






















Some views of the surrounding landscape.  A beautiful setting.  We admired it a lot as we waited for dinner.

And, here are some of the staff cooking steak for dinner (a bit tough). Peter and Jason (riders) are supervising.









Finally, an 'artsy' shot of the corner of the site. 


This is our last night camping.  Tomorrow is our last bike ride as we head into Cuzco.  Suddenly, it is nearing an end and we realize how fast the time has gone.