Chile, Bolivia and Peru

Friday 16th April 2010

Cusco

0 Miles

Rest day today. We were going to see Machu Picchu today but after investigating it at various travel agents in town last night it is not possible. We would have had to leave at 3am to take a 4 hour train ride and possibly not return train available. Besides that it was going to cost up to $260! It’s only a pile of old bricks anyway.

Thursday 15th April 2010

Copacabana to Cusco

325 Miles

After a fuel fill up and a short ride out of town we were at the border with Peru. This process took about two and a half hours with a bribe of 20 Peruvian soles (about £5) involved because I didn’t have insurance for Peru. At 10.30am we were on our way. The first part of the journey was up the eastern side of Lake Titicaca. To give you an idea of how big the lake is it took about an hour and a half to reach the top of the lake. The road went through several small towns which were full of activity. Vehicle repairs were being carried out by the roadside in the dirt and there was livestock and dogs everywhere. All along the route you could see people working in the fields, mainly women tending their crops and animals.

The road surfaces varied allot from perfect smooth tarmac to a very bumpy pot holed surface. One section involved road works which consisted of the road surface being covered in loose soil with ruts where vehicles had driven. I proceeded to drive in one of the ruts but not quickly enough and the front wheel washed out. I tried to hold the bike but it fell to the ground in slow motion. I managed to lift it up with the help of two people in a car behind me. Luckily I just managed to stay upright for the rest of this section which was only about 100 meters long. . The last part of the journey into Cusco was another crazy ride similar to the one into La Paz. With the sun just going down and right in my face it was difficult to see anything. After filling with fuel and getting some money from the ATM the sun had gone down a little more making riding easier. It was very busy with cars, buses, trucks and taxis all fighting for space on the road. There is no lane discipline here and the roads are in a shocking state. After getting near the centre Martin, Nigel and I asked a local man on a small motorbike for directions, he kindly led us to the hotel (Hotel El Rosal). On reaching the hotel we had to ride up a plank of wood over some steps outside and into the foyer of the hotel and then park the bikes outside in the courtyard/garden.


After getting cleaned up we went out for a meal. This is a tourist city and you are harassed frequently on the streets by people trying to sell you stuff you just can’t carry on a motorbike. Whilst eating our meal we were approached by a couple of young girls of about 7 years old trying to sell us dolls and small knitted bags. Tim gave in and bought one. I’m sharing a room again with Martin and Nigel, unfortunately Nigel snores but last night I didn’t hear him but Martin did.

Wednesday 14th April 2010

La Paz to Copacabana

96 Miles

From the hotel in La Paz we followed a taxi which was leading us out of the city. La Paz is a crazy place that stretches right up the hillside. Some of the streets were cobbled and quite steep, I don’t know what we would have done if it had been raining. It took us an hour and a half to get out into the countryside. It was a relief to leave the city and the choking fumes from all the vehicles which clearly don’t have and emissions checks. Allot of the vehicles were belching out thick black smoke.

The ride around Lake Titicaca to Copacabana was stunning. We took a small ferry across part of the lake; this consisted of a deck of wooden planks of which there were allot of gaps and rotten wood. Getting on and off was a bit tricky, especially having to reverse off with the help of others. Copacabana is a small lakeside tourist spot, but at the moment it looks like it’s the end of the season.

Tuesday 13th April 2010

Arica to La Paz

330 Miles

Monday 12th April 2010

San Pedro de Atacama to Arica

450 Miles



Sunday 11th April 2010

Tilcara to San Pedro de Atacama

270 Miles



Saturday 10th April 2010

Cafayate to Tilcara

220 Miles



Friday 9th April 2010

Catamarca to Cafayate

220 Miles

A nice easy day today through some wonderful mountain scenery.



Thursday 8th April 2010

San Jose de Jackal to Catamarca

360 Miles

Another nightmare day as far as towns are concerned. Sign posts here are few and far between, along the main roads there are signs with town names and mileages but when you get to the towns there are no signs! The locals are very friendly but when you don’t understand much of the lingo it can be quite confusing.



Wednesday 7th April 2010

San Rafael to San Jose de Jackal

350 Miles