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6 Mar
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Puno
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146
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Today we cross into Peru
at Yunguyo, 14km from Copacabana, and then continue on 2 hours
to Puno. Puno is located on the west short of Lago Titicaca and
the folklore center of Peru.
Tonight we'll drink aboard the Yavari, the oldest ship on Lago
Titicaca. The ship was built in England in 1862, shipped to Arica
in kit form, then by rail to Tacna and mule to the lake. It took
6 years, and the ship launched on Christmas 1870.
We'll try to stay at the hotel Libertador Isla Esteves (T 367780),
located on an island linked by causeway to the mainland 5km northeast
of Puno. A taxi into Puno costs approximately US$3.
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7 Mar
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Ayaviri
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140
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We'll stay overnight in one of the 3 hotels in
this little town to cut the stretch to Cuzco. Traveling at this
altitude has to be done in a way we can acclimatize to the environmental
conditions.
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8-9 Mar
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Cuzco
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249
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Today we complete the drive to Cuzco, in the Sacred
Valley of the Incas. We'll spend two days in Cuzco. We'll probably
stay in a hotel for security and comfort. Some possibilities for
places to stay are:
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Hostal Las Marqueses (23-2512) on Calle
Garcilaso 252, $18-$25.
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Hostal Loreto (22-6352) on Loreto 115,
$16-$22.
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10-12 Mar
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Machu Picchu
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100
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Today we'll climb northwest to Machu
Picchu ,
located at 2360 meters. Travellers can stay in a campground by
a river, about 200m from the train station and 6km from the ruins,
or they can stay at the Hotel Machu Picchu (21-1038 or 21-1052)
at $200 / night. If you wish to stay at the hotel, it's best to
make reservations in advance.
Because of the importance and scope of this site,
we'll spend over two full days here.
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13 Mar
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Cuzco
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100
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Today we'll return to Cuzco for a last visit to
this city.
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14 Mar
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Abancay
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198
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Located at the top of a glacial valley, this
town is supposed to be a fairly pleasant stop on the route from
Cuzco to Nazca. Today's trip will include an ascent to a mountain
pass and a subsequent descent, as well as numerous scenic spots.
In Abancay, we'll stop at the Hotel de Turismo Abancay
on Avenida Díaz Barcenas 500 (T 084-321017.) They allow
camping and supposedly have a secure car park.
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15 Mar
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Abra Huashuaccasa
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217
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Today we'll continue towards Nazca, crossing the
4,300m Abra Huashuaccasa pass. We'll camp alongside the road sometime
after the pass. We'll be in desolate
country,
so we'll need water.
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16 Mar
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Nazca
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244
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Today we'll arrive in Nazca, set in a green valley
at 619m. Overlooking the town is Cerro Blanco, at 2,078m the highest
sand dune in the world. It's popular for sandboarding!
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17 Mar
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Nazca
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A second day in Nazca will allow us to visit the
famous Nazca
lines
and stroll through the small town and nearby archaological sites.
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18 Mar
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Pisco
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215
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Leaving Nazca, we'll drive north to this seaside
city and try to stay at the nearby Parcas National Reserve. About
15km from Pisco, this reserve features birds and sea lions. We'll
try to stay at El Mirador (at the turn-off to El Chaco),
which has meals, hot water, and can arrange boat trips.
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19-20 Mar
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Lima
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220
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Continuing north we'll come to the capital (and
largest city.) We'll spend two days here to allow any necessary
maintenance to be performed on vehicles. We'll try to find a low-priced
hostel in the Miraflores suburb of Lima (which is safer), preferably
with parking. One possibility is the Hospedaje Atahualpa
on Atahualpa 646c (T4476601.)
South
American Explorers
members can stop by the clubhouse at Avenida Portugal 146, Brena
Casilla 3714.
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21 Mar
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Barranca
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205
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This small town is a popular stop on the Panamericana,
and provides good facilities for travellers. We'll stay at the
Hotel Chavín (T034-35-2358) and dance the night
away at the Disco Pub 'No Nerds'.
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22 Mar
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Huaraz
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208
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Today we'll continue north on the Panamericana
to just north of Pativilca, where we will turn inland. The road
climbs to a chilly pass at 4,080m (km 120). The road then crosses
a high plateau before dropping to the Callejón de Huaylas,
a valley of picturesque villages surrounded by high glaciated
peaks.
We'll stop for the night at Huarez, the heart of
the valley. This town was almost completely destroyed by an earthquake
in May of 1970.
We'll try to stay at the Hostal Colomba
on Francisco de Zela 210 (T721241) run by a German family and
offering safe car parking.
The Huascaran National Reserve in Huaraz is the
best place to see puyas,
the world's largest bromeliad. In Pachacoto, 20km before Catac,
go towards La Union. About 20km along this road you will see the
first puyas on the right.
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23 Mar
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Chimbote
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290
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Today we'll head down from the mountains via a
road which follows the path of the old Santa Corporation Railway.
This road goes through the narrow and spectacular Cañón
del Pato and then winds down through the Santa Valley, passing
through over 40 tunnels. Tonight we'll try to find 'wild' camping
somewhere north of Chimbote.
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24 Mar
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Huanchaco
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141
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Heading north again along the Panamericana, we'll
stop in the small fishing village of Huanchaco,
just north of Trujillo. This village is famous for its narrow
pointed fishing rafts, known as caballitos de totora, made
of tortora reeds, and ridden somewhat like surfboards. It's possible
to rent one of these and go for a ride. The SAH warns you to wear
lots of sunblock! We'll try to stay at the Caballito de Totora,
which has parking and a pool (caballito@trujillovirtual.com,
T461004). See this description
of the place on the South American Explorers site.
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25 Mar
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Chiclayo
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182
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Today's short drive brings us to this capital of
the Lambayeque department. On the way north we may make a side-trip
to the ghost-town of Saña, containing the ruins of 5 churches
and a convent. The town was ruined by floods in 1726 and raided
by pirates on several occasions.
Chiclayo is surrounded by several archaological
sites. See the South American Handbook for a description. The
SAH writes that it is difficult to find decent cheap accomodation
in Chiclayo... we may try to camp in a farmer's field outside
of town.
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26 Mar
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Piura
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211
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Continuing north along the Panamericana, we'll
come to this city founded by the Spanish in 1532. This is the
oldest colonial city in Peru. We'll try to stay at the Hostal
San Jorge, Jr Loreto 960 (T327514), about US$12-16 per room
including hot water.
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27 Mar
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Catacocha
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254
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Today we'll head north to Sullana and then head
northeast through the towns of El Papayo, Las Lomas, and Suyo
before crossing into Ecuador
via the more scenic route through Macará. We'll stop for
the night in Catacocha, a spectacularly-placed town built on a
rock with pre-Inca ruins all around the town. Local inns cost
about US$3, and the Guayaquil is supposed to be good.
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Total kilometers:
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3320
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