Sacred Valley of the Incas - Page 3

poolman · 07-08-2011, 08:38 AM

Despite enjoying our first indulgent evening of the trip, we were all up early and eager to begin our ride through the most remote territory yet. We would be traveling all day through the jungle with the goal of reaching the Lares Hot Springs. We had received conflicting reports from the locals about landslides and road conditions. The consensus was that the tracks would probably be passable by motorcycle, but not by car. Perfect!

Our route for the day:

The morning view from the hostal.

Ready to go.

Juan knew of a nice waterfall, so we decided to stop for a break.

Culin tries his best to lure monkeys out of the jungle, but to no avail.

We can’t reach the bananas.

Coffee grows naturally in this region.

We rejoined the main track.

The Giant Loop Coyote luggage has proven to be a good choice for this trip.

The confluence of two rivers contributing to the source waters of the Amazon.

Lots of water...

... and water crossings.

Coffee is dried by the side of the road.

We refueled and rehydrated again in San Cristobal.

Incense is constantly burned at many of the above-ground cemeteries.

After San Cristobal we were alone on the road. The locals in Quillabamba must be correct; we had seen no vehicular traffic in many hours. We were hoping their assertion that the roads "might" be passable by motorcycle is true. If not, we would certainly have fuel issues.

Did I mention there was lots of water?

The current was extremely swift in many of these rivers, and the consequences of a fall could be severe.

We emptied our boots and continued on.

We were climbing, and the vista was spectacular.

I stopped to view another roadside cemetery, and decisively concluded that incense burning is done for a reason.

We continued on the track toward Lares.

Despite the warnings, our mighty NX400 Falcons reached the remote Lares Hot Springs. Unfortunately, we appear to have arrived off season, and the gate is locked. After extensive negotiations with the guard, Juan was able to secure basic accommodations (no potable water, no heat, no food), and is charged double the advertized rate.

I had really looked forward to enjoying the Lares hot springs, but I cannot recommend it even though the property itself was quite interesting. Several natural hot springs have been tapped, and the water has been channeled to a series of pools ranging from warm to scalding hot. There are even geothermal outdoor hot mineral showers. The color of the water is somewhat disconcerting, but there is no foul odor. I soaked in a pool that was approximately 105 degrees F.

The problem is that the owners/operators clearly did not welcome foreign visitors, and preferred catering to the locals who enjoy the facility on a day basis. It was my impression that the proprietors loathed foreigners, and then loathed themselves for accepting the foreigner’s money out of necessity to keep the place operating. In all of our travels, this was the only negative encounter we had with anyone in Peru.

With no food available at the compound, we decided to ride in the dark to the town proper of Lares, about 10 KM away. We had missed lunch and were happy to find a woman offering food from a small cafe operated out of her home.

Again, we encounter curious, friendly, and welcoming people.

A tribal language was spoken, so I had no idea what I was served.

After dinner I went into the kitchen to thank the woman who stayed late to prepare our dinner. As I was leaving, a dog lifted his leg over the large basket of potatoes stored on the floor, marking his territory.

The overpriced accommodations were cold, dirty, and full of spiders. It was far more comfortable outside.

There was a nice view from my hammock in the morning.

More to follow...

sandalscout · 07-08-2011, 12:07 PM

Awesome ride, thanks for posting it up!

donnymoto · 07-08-2011, 05:04 PM

This is great, looks like the trip of a lifetime

Moto Psycho · 07-08-2011, 05:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by donnymoto

This is great, looks like the trip of a lifetime

Ditto. What an excellent RR. Looking forward to the next installment....

poolman · 07-08-2011, 08:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sandalscout

Awesome ride, thanks for posting it up!

Quote:

Originally Posted by donnymoto

This is great, looks like the trip of a lifetime

Quote:

Originally Posted by Moto Psycho

Ditto. What an excellent RR. Looking forward to the next installment....

Wow, I appreciate the words of encouragement; thank you for the positive remarks. In all honesty, taking time to go through the pictures and document the journey gives me a chance to re-experience the trip!

AZ_ADV_RIDER · 07-08-2011, 09:44 PM

Excellent RR Poolman! Great pics even with the blue hue - sucks having a crap camera when you're on a trip like that. Anyhow, looks like some wonderful and magical Inca countryside.

poolman · 07-09-2011, 07:55 AM

A video from our muddy ride into Santa Maria the previous day:

RockyRoads · 07-09-2011, 11:56 AM

Pat, this is such an excellent ride report! The salt pans, the small towns, the twisty roads, the water crossings . . . seems like you had an amazing adventure to celebrate your milestone birthday!

poolman · 07-09-2011, 01:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RockyRoads

Pat, this is such an excellent ride report! The salt pans, the small towns, the twisty roads, the water crossings . . . seems like you had an amazing adventure to celebrate your milestone birthday!

Thank you RockyRoads, but my trip was just a ride around the block compared to your Peruvian adventure! For those who haven't seen it, Rocky Roads and her husband Ben posted a fantastic ride report covering their travels in northern Peru:

http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=541194

Thanks,

poolman · 07-10-2011, 06:42 AM

Riding out of Quillabamba we encountered lots of trucks and bridges:

Smithhammer · 07-10-2011, 07:17 AM

Wow, this TR has been a great way to spend a Sunday morning. Well done and thanks, Poolman.

#1Fan · 07-10-2011, 08:00 AM

Great RR! Thanks for sharing!! :)

poolman · 07-10-2011, 11:21 AM

There had been landslides between San Cristobal and Lares, and we saw no other vehicles driving for the next six hours.

Moto Psycho · 07-11-2011, 02:39 AM

A couple of sweet videos Poolman....

Darryl625 · 07-11-2011, 06:36 AM

Excellent RR I was in Peru last year but didn't do the bike ride thing. After seeing your report I'm wishing I'd looked into it more. Next time for sure

I will get back to South America.

07-08-2011, 08:38 AM	#31
poolman ^OP Gnarly Poolside Adv. Joined: Feb 2010 Location: Darnestown, MD Oddometer: 412	Quillabamba to Lares Hot Springs Despite enjoying our first indulgent evening of the trip, we were all up early and eager to begin our ride through the most remote territory yet. We would be traveling all day through the jungle with the goal of reaching the Lares Hot Springs. We had received conflicting reports from the locals about landslides and road conditions. The consensus was that the tracks would probably be passable by motorcycle, but not by car. Perfect! Our route for the day: The morning view from the hostal. Ready to go. Juan knew of a nice waterfall, so we decided to stop for a break. Culin tries his best to lure monkeys out of the jungle, but to no avail. We can’t reach the bananas. Coffee grows naturally in this region. We rejoined the main track. The Giant Loop Coyote luggage has proven to be a good choice for this trip. The confluence of two rivers contributing to the source waters of the Amazon. Lots of water... ... and water crossings. Coffee is dried by the side of the road. We refueled and rehydrated again in San Cristobal. Incense is constantly burned at many of the above-ground cemeteries. After San Cristobal we were alone on the road. The locals in Quillabamba must be correct; we had seen no vehicular traffic in many hours. We were hoping their assertion that the roads "might" be passable by motorcycle is true. If not, we would certainly have fuel issues. Did I mention there was lots of water? The current was extremely swift in many of these rivers, and the consequences of a fall could be severe. We emptied our boots and continued on. We were climbing, and the vista was spectacular. I stopped to view another roadside cemetery, and decisively concluded that incense burning is done for a reason. We continued on the track toward Lares. Despite the warnings, our mighty NX400 Falcons reached the remote Lares Hot Springs. Unfortunately, we appear to have arrived off season, and the gate is locked. After extensive negotiations with the guard, Juan was able to secure basic accommodations (no potable water, no heat, no food), and is charged double the advertized rate. I had really looked forward to enjoying the Lares hot springs, but I cannot recommend it even though the property itself was quite interesting. Several natural hot springs have been tapped, and the water has been channeled to a series of pools ranging from warm to scalding hot. There are even geothermal outdoor hot mineral showers. The color of the water is somewhat disconcerting, but there is no foul odor. I soaked in a pool that was approximately 105 degrees F. The problem is that the owners/operators clearly did not welcome foreign visitors, and preferred catering to the locals who enjoy the facility on a day basis. It was my impression that the proprietors loathed foreigners, and then loathed themselves for accepting the foreigner’s money out of necessity to keep the place operating. In all of our travels, this was the only negative encounter we had with anyone in Peru. With no food available at the compound, we decided to ride in the dark to the town proper of Lares, about 10 KM away. We had missed lunch and were happy to find a woman offering food from a small cafe operated out of her home. Again, we encounter curious, friendly, and welcoming people. A tribal language was spoken, so I had no idea what I was served. After dinner I went into the kitchen to thank the woman who stayed late to prepare our dinner. As I was leaving, a dog lifted his leg over the large basket of potatoes stored on the floor, marking his territory. The overpriced accommodations were cold, dirty, and full of spiders. It was far more comfortable outside. There was a nice view from my hammock in the morning. More to follow... __________________ ~~~~~~ poolman Sacred Valley of the Incas Costa Rica Solo

07-08-2011, 12:07 PM	#32
sandalscout blah blah blah Joined: May 2010 Location: Clarksville, TN Oddometer: 1,374	Awesome ride, thanks for posting it up! __________________ 2001 Kawasaki KLR650 Looking less ugly every month! Matt's Trippin' in Peru

07-08-2011, 05:04 PM	#33
donnymoto Beastly Adventurer Joined: Oct 2008 Location: NOVA-VA-USA Oddometer: 1,255	This is great, looks like the trip of a lifetime __________________ Visions of Newfoundland & Nova Scotia James Bay Road / Quebec / New England Ride

07-08-2011, 09:44 PM	#36
AZ_ADV_RIDER Demons In My Helmet Joined: Feb 2010 Location: Land of Sun, Sand and Thorns Oddometer: 684	Excellent RR Poolman! Great pics even with the blue hue - sucks having a crap camera when you're on a trip like that. Anyhow, looks like some wonderful and magical Inca countryside. __________________ - Mark The road to enlightenment is not paved.

07-09-2011, 07:55 AM	#37
poolman ^OP Gnarly Poolside Adv. Joined: Feb 2010 Location: Darnestown, MD Oddometer: 412	A video from the previous day: A video from our muddy ride into Santa Maria the previous day: __________________ ~~~~~~ poolman Sacred Valley of the Incas Costa Rica Solo

07-09-2011, 11:56 AM	#38
RockyRoads RockyRoads Joined: Jun 2005 Location: Aptos, California Oddometer: 250	Pat, this is such an excellent ride report! The salt pans, the small towns, the twisty roads, the water crossings . . . seems like you had an amazing adventure to celebrate your milestone birthday! __________________ "You will do foolish things, but do them with enthusiasm!" Around the World, One Journey at a Time

07-10-2011, 06:42 AM	#40
poolman ^OP Gnarly Poolside Adv. Joined: Feb 2010 Location: Darnestown, MD Oddometer: 412	Leaving Quillabamba Riding out of Quillabamba we encountered lots of trucks and bridges: __________________ ~~~~~~ poolman Sacred Valley of the Incas Costa Rica Solo

07-10-2011, 07:17 AM	#41
Smithhammer Oompa Loompa Slayer Joined: Jun 2004 Location: Idaho Oddometer: 731	Wow, this TR has been a great way to spend a Sunday morning. Well done and thanks, Poolman. __________________ “I dream of a day when my children will live in a world without the shackles of cause and effect.” - Steven Colbert

07-10-2011, 11:21 AM	#43
poolman ^OP Gnarly Poolside Adv. Joined: Feb 2010 Location: Darnestown, MD Oddometer: 412	Some wet video from the San Cristobal to Lares segment. There had been landslides between San Cristobal and Lares, and we saw no other vehicles driving for the next six hours. __________________ ~~~~~~ poolman Sacred Valley of the Incas Costa Rica Solo

07-11-2011, 02:39 AM	#44
Moto Psycho Adventurer Joined: Feb 2007 Location: Far Nor-Cal Oddometer: 98	A couple of sweet videos Poolman.... __________________ If it has t*ts or tires, you're gonna have problems....

07-11-2011, 06:36 AM	#45
Darryl625 Adventurer Joined: Feb 2010 Location: Bunbury WA Oddometer: 48	Excellent RR I was in Peru last year but didn't do the bike ride thing. After seeing your report I'm wishing I'd looked into it more. Next time for sure I will get back to South America.

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