Day 1
| Iquique
Arrival to Iquique, collecting bikes. The city’s just started holidays. On the one hand the ocean, on the other a desert and a huge dune. If you worry about the weather – don’t. The average annual rainfall around here is….1mm.
Day 2
| Iquique – Arica, 300 km
You’ve probably seen the dune ending one of the Dakar sections in Chile, the one which is one kilometre high. We will climb it and cross the Atacama desert to reach the seacoast and Arica. On the way we will smake a stop for a photo session in deserted mining towns. Humberstone, located right next to Panamericana is probably the most famous one. There’s Santa Laura not much further away. The crash on the saltpeter market caused people to flee and that’s how those ghost towns were included in the UNESCO list.
Day 3
| Arica – Arequipa, 426 km
Only 15 km to the border. Long straight roads that led us through the desert start winding, volcanoes appear, and in the afternoon we reach today’s destination – Arequipa. The old town of this city is also on the UNESCO list. A beautiful example of colonial buildings. The architectural must-sees are definitely the Cathedral in the center and St. Catherine’s monastery.
Day 4
| Arequipa – Chivay, 163 km
Colca Canyon, together with Cotahuasi, is considered the deepest in the world (twice as deep as the Great Colorado Canyon). That’s where we’re heading.
Day 5
| Chivay – Cotahuasi 346 km
Since there are doubs whether the deepest canyon is Colca or Cotahuasi we will also visit the latter. We need to start our acclimatization before the altitudes ahead. Roads will become more and more winding. Just as the routes of condors soaring over our heads.
Day 6
| Cotahuasi – Abancay, 380 km
Beautiful start of the day – the Sipia waterfall first thing in the morning, before we head for the biggest Peruvian attractions. In the evening we reach Abancay. You’ll have a chance to find out that Peru is not only pisco, but also rum. This region is famous for its sugar cane production, so we have a good chance of success.
Day 7
| Abancay – Hydroelectrica, 220 km
We will take the Andean road for the adventurous, trying to keep away from the edge. Today’s destination – our base on Machu Picchu.
Day 8
| Machu Picchu
By train, bus or on foot? We’ve a whole previous evening to decide. Machu Pichhu is an icon of Peru and a definite must see. It will be like Zakopane on the May weekend, but we will make it. It really is worth it.
Day 9
| Hydroelectrica – Cuzco 231 km
Day 10
| Cuzco
Cuzco means the world’s belly button in the language of ketchua. After all, it is the ancient Incan capital. We will see the famous twelve-sided stone fitted into the wall of the Incan palace. And those who don’t want to waste time sleeping can go to the top of Seven Colours Mountain to see if it’s Photoshop that it owes its fame to.
Day 11
| Cuzco – Puno 386 km
Up the Ruta del Sol we go towards the highest lake in the world. To be totally honest we’ve seen some higher located ones, but we don’t want to pick up a fight with Wikipedia. A lot to see along the way too. For example the temples of Viracocha in Raqchi, which proves that Peru is not only Macchu Picchu.
Day 12
| Puno – La Paz, 290 km
Hola Bolivia. On the way to La Paz we take some time to marvel at Pumapunk. This is one of many unusual places in Bolivia. Better than Stonehange. How did they do it?
Day 13
| La Paz – Coroico – Inquisivi 280 km
For some it will be the most important day. To tell you the truth, we’re not really impressed by the Camina de la Muerte, especially after the Peruvian roads, but when you’re in La Paz, you have to drive through Coroico. Then it’ll get a bit more difficult.
Day 14
| Inquisivi – Uyuni 500 km
Farewell to the jungle and although the road is admittedly quite boring, it’s also pretty fast, which we appreciate. We’ll get to the south of Bolivia in no time.
Day 15
| Uyuni
While Uyuni won’t make the top of the list of the most beautiful cities it does have a certain appeal. Mainly, the train cemetery and the marvellous Salar de Uyuni – the flattest and most surrealistic place on planet.
Day 16
| Uyuni – San Vincente – San Antonio de Lipez 250 km
From Uyuni we head south towards San Vincente. More than a hundred years ago the famous American bandits Butch Cassidy and Sundance Kid died here. You can still find their graves in the local cemetery. Then we go west to San Antonio de Lipez. It is a real ghost-town, truly mystical. Located at an altitude of 4600 meters, the city was abandoned 50 years ago. There was no more silver. Unforgettable views remain though.
Day 17
| San Antonio de Lipez – Quetana Chico – Uturuncu 110 km
The next day on Bolivian altiplano and our goal rises on the horizon. Uturuncu volcano. It is the lowest six-thousand meter peak in America. But despite everything it is 6000 meters, so we’ll give it our best shot and in a truly alpine style. So far we’ve scored 100% of times. Let’s hope that our glorious average doesn’t take a major hit this time round.
Day 18
| Quetana Chico – Laguna Colorada 80 km
Ruta de lagunas is pure magic – each lake more beautiful than the previous one. Hot springs, flamingos and heavenly views. There will also be sand. Also unforgettable.
Day 19
| Laguna Colorada – Ollague 180 km
Get ready for the toughest day of the whole trip. So why are we going there? Because it will also be the most beautiful day. Difficult sandy section, not a living soul on the horizon.
Day 20
| Ollague – Iquique 320 km
It’s not just any liaison, but after the last day among the sands it’s be a nice, creamy piece of cake. And, after a three-week break there’s the ocean again! Life’s good!
