the deputy
Well-known member
Can't remember if you've mentioned it...but is the guide optional or mandatory?
Enjoying your report, for sure!
Enjoying your report, for sure!
Yetti’s Pacific North West Exploration & Expeditions Picture heavy
- Thread starter Pacific Northwest yetti
- Start date
Pacific Northwest yetti
Expedition Medic
The Deputy:
It’s not mandatory, and usually I would not use one.
I was invited on this trip, it was not “my trip”. So, kind of part of the deal, if you do use one. Just do plenty of research beforehand, there are some good and not such great options out there.
+/-‘s to everything. Peru, especially the large sites that are well known. Are very tourist friendly. There are no shortage of tour companies in Cusco or Lima. Well traditionally not for me, (at this stage) I can understand the benefit of using a in country guide. I speak some Spanish and have some experience doing this stuff. So now I don’t hesitate or worry about it. But for my 1st, it was probably a different story. Experience, time, wisdom? All these changes how we see, fear, react to the world.
And I must recognize, for a 220ib, 5ft 9, white male. Who generally does not make himself an easy target. I don’t have the same risk as others, male, female or even locals.
If we look back on Halloween, I would have been game to hustle through the crowds to get back that night. But for those with me, it probably would have not been a good idea for a few reasons.
When Andi asked me to join her and her family, I did not even blink or hesitate I am pretty sure, I just instantly said” sure”.
And with tech where it is now, Google translate, ride share apps, vrbo/air bnb, cell phones, heck even ATM’s. For good and bad, its changed travel quite a bit.
Even on Machu Picchu it’s not required, but there I would recommend it. Just to get the history as there is no signage, and the current scholarly theories change often.
Glad you are enjoying the thread! Have you made it through the beginning yet? As I remember you mentioning you had started at page 1. And thanks for asking questions, please don’t hesitate to do so.
Ill get a few more days updates posted this week.
Pacific Northwest yetti
Expedition Medic
Nov 8, “Ride day” 5.
We would stay in Chivay again tonight. And head out to see Colca Canyon, and some condors. We all agreed this was one of our favorite stays. The rooms nice, The showers instant unlimited hot water. Town was cool, relaxed, not super touristy.
Had it been possible staying here for a week, would have made for some cool hub and spoke day trip options.
This was one of the 1st times since we got the moto’s we rode them with out our luggage. They felt sporty, and we enjoyed the curving pavement roads. And with yet again, a beautiful bluebird day.
Canyon De Colca: One of the deepest canyons in the world with a 14k/ft high to low point.
“Colca Canyon, a river canyon in southern Peru famed as one of the world's deepest, is a well-known trekking destination. It's a habitat for the giant Andean condor, on view from overlooks like Cruz del Condor. The canyon landscape comprises a green valley and remote traditional villages with terraced agriculture that predates the Incas. “
en.wikipedia.org
Mirador Achoma, On our way to the Condor's
Stonework, and just a cool entrance.
friendly guard dog….Possibly the police commissioner
We would stay in Chivay again tonight. And head out to see Colca Canyon, and some condors. We all agreed this was one of our favorite stays. The rooms nice, The showers instant unlimited hot water. Town was cool, relaxed, not super touristy.
Had it been possible staying here for a week, would have made for some cool hub and spoke day trip options.
This was one of the 1st times since we got the moto’s we rode them with out our luggage. They felt sporty, and we enjoyed the curving pavement roads. And with yet again, a beautiful bluebird day.
Canyon De Colca: One of the deepest canyons in the world with a 14k/ft high to low point.
“Colca Canyon, a river canyon in southern Peru famed as one of the world's deepest, is a well-known trekking destination. It's a habitat for the giant Andean condor, on view from overlooks like Cruz del Condor. The canyon landscape comprises a green valley and remote traditional villages with terraced agriculture that predates the Incas. “
Colca Canyon - Wikipedia
Mirador Achoma, On our way to the Condor's
Stonework, and just a cool entrance.
friendly guard dog….Possibly the police commissioner
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Pacific Northwest yetti
Expedition Medic
The road was a fun ride and had two long tunnels. With no lightning, or warning signs. Made me appreciate my helmet with the built-in sun shield as it pops up with one click. There was no where inside to safely stop and dump traditional sunglasses if you were wearing those under a helmet.
Condors are huge, I did not get any good pictures. They are large, and even from far away they looked huge. This is an instance, where having packed binoculars would have been an item I would have heavily considered. This was commercial with people in large condor costumes making noises and charging for pictures. Also, no shortage of vendors with snacks, drinks and the like.
Andean Condor:
“With a maximum wingspan of 3.3 m (10 ft 10 in) and weight of 15 kg (33 lb), the Andean condor is one of the largest flying birds in the world and is generally considered to be the largest bird of prey in the world.”
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andean_condor
Condors are huge, I did not get any good pictures. They are large, and even from far away they looked huge. This is an instance, where having packed binoculars would have been an item I would have heavily considered. This was commercial with people in large condor costumes making noises and charging for pictures. Also, no shortage of vendors with snacks, drinks and the like.
Andean Condor:
“With a maximum wingspan of 3.3 m (10 ft 10 in) and weight of 15 kg (33 lb), the Andean condor is one of the largest flying birds in the world and is generally considered to be the largest bird of prey in the world.”
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andean_condor
Pacific Northwest yetti
Expedition Medic
We stayed here a few hours, after about 1hr, the crowds left, as the busses headed back to town for their next load. They seem to bus people in convoy, so getting here on our own was advantageous. As we could wait out the crowds, which is not always possible.
Two are in this picture, the second. ( We believed them to be a mated pair) above the 1st.
Condors mate for life.
Nap with a view
Two are in this picture, the second. ( We believed them to be a mated pair) above the 1st.
Condors mate for life.
Nap with a view
Pacific Northwest yetti
Expedition Medic
Once we left the condors, we headed out to a geyser, that was about 30km/ish away on rough dirt roads. Seemed like a great way to finish out the morning.
Geiser de Pinchollo
That is an “Extinct” volcano behind us: Hualca Hualca
Personally, as active as this region is. I don’t know how convinced I am its extinct, since this guizer 1k/ feet below is continuous. And there are multiple hot springs close. This road was actually probably one of the hardest, just deep gravel and mix. Reminded me a lot of the original Carretera Austral in Patagonia.
I do have a video of it, including other parts of this trip. And may upload those to YouTube, and add some links.
There was a guard shack, and it required checking in and out by the main road. This, and the now signs, buildings, and trail were all new. < 6 months from what we gathered. There was no cost, just a check in to ensure everyone made it back to the main road.
Geiser de Pinchollo
That is an “Extinct” volcano behind us: Hualca Hualca
Personally, as active as this region is. I don’t know how convinced I am its extinct, since this guizer 1k/ feet below is continuous. And there are multiple hot springs close. This road was actually probably one of the hardest, just deep gravel and mix. Reminded me a lot of the original Carretera Austral in Patagonia.
Loading…
www.alltrails.com
I do have a video of it, including other parts of this trip. And may upload those to YouTube, and add some links.
There was a guard shack, and it required checking in and out by the main road. This, and the now signs, buildings, and trail were all new. < 6 months from what we gathered. There was no cost, just a check in to ensure everyone made it back to the main road.
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Pacific Northwest yetti
Expedition Medic
Iglesia De Santa,Ana Maca,
Church in Mava Peru. Last town on the way to the condors.
This statue, I have no info on. It was in the Plaza Principal, de Maca Peru. And does not even show up, on google street view. Nor much info from a reverse google image search. I found it interesting none the less.
We made our way back to Chivay and enjoyed a lazy afternoon, wandered around town. Stopped at another pharmacy, ate. And repacked for the ride day tomorrow. ( Nov 9, ride day 6)
Church in Mava Peru. Last town on the way to the condors.
This statue, I have no info on. It was in the Plaza Principal, de Maca Peru. And does not even show up, on google street view. Nor much info from a reverse google image search. I found it interesting none the less.
We made our way back to Chivay and enjoyed a lazy afternoon, wandered around town. Stopped at another pharmacy, ate. And repacked for the ride day tomorrow. ( Nov 9, ride day 6)
Pacific Northwest yetti
Expedition Medic
Geyser, Video
Pacific Northwest yetti
Expedition Medic
Video is best on mute
November 8, 2024 Mirador Cruz del Cóndor Las Peras 4356, Lima 15311, Peru
Condors in flight,
November 8, 2024 Mirador Cruz del Cóndor Las Peras 4356, Lima 15311, Peru
Condors in flight,
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Pacific Northwest yetti
Expedition Medic
This was ride day 1, just a short video of the road examples. I don’t have a location for you, other than Peru. I did not take the video, so no meta data was with it.
Pacific Northwest yetti
Expedition Medic
Nov 9, ride day 6. Headed to Espinar, Peru
This was a ride day, just miles and smiles. About 5 hours of gravel, with hard packed dirt. The deeper washboards kept us standing for a lot of the ride. And as always friendly locals. It was not uncomon for folks to ask to take pictures with us, This primarily happened in places where they don’t see tourists.
Was another beautiful day to enjoy the ride.
The gentleman and his family flagged us down on a remote mountain pass, just to get the picture. They were all on that tiny moto next to them. We were teasing them, saying only 1 sole to take a picture with the gringos. He got a big kick out of this, as its common for locals to ask for 1 sole when we ask to take pictures of them.
They got pictures with each of us, and then continued on their way. * No, we did not actually charge them*
This young family, owned the stand behind them. Primarly to service the remote road and mine workers.
This was a ride day, just miles and smiles. About 5 hours of gravel, with hard packed dirt. The deeper washboards kept us standing for a lot of the ride. And as always friendly locals. It was not uncomon for folks to ask to take pictures with us, This primarily happened in places where they don’t see tourists.
Was another beautiful day to enjoy the ride.
The gentleman and his family flagged us down on a remote mountain pass, just to get the picture. They were all on that tiny moto next to them. We were teasing them, saying only 1 sole to take a picture with the gringos. He got a big kick out of this, as its common for locals to ask for 1 sole when we ask to take pictures of them.
They got pictures with each of us, and then continued on their way. * No, we did not actually charge them*
This young family, owned the stand behind them. Primarly to service the remote road and mine workers.
Pacific Northwest yetti
Expedition Medic
It was an uneventful ride, not always a bad thing.
This would also be our last night, “on the trail”. As the following day would end back in Cusco. And would spent a few days after the ride still in country, we * thought* we had our remaining days in country, post ride, all planned out….. A few surprises still waited to greet us.
Typical hot water heater in country.
This would also be our last night, “on the trail”. As the following day would end back in Cusco. And would spent a few days after the ride still in country, we * thought* we had our remaining days in country, post ride, all planned out….. A few surprises still waited to greet us.
Typical hot water heater in country.
Pacific Northwest yetti
Expedition Medic
Nov 10, ride day 7 (Last ride day)
Espinar-Cusco
We all awoke, and after breakfast picked up the moto’s and rode them to the front of the hotel and loaded them for the last time. None of us slept well, as all our rooms centered around an empty elevator shaft, so every noise echoed around all night.
Stopped on our way out of town at a sleepy little market and each picked up a few liters of water to stuff in our bags. The family running the market were super friendly and wanted to hear all about our trip so far. How we liked Peru, had the people been good to us, etc. This had us all pulling our phones in and out of pockets, as well as trying to get rid of a lot of our change.
We had one last stop on our (Motorcycle)tour, to see the hanging Inka bridge. And we were due back in Cusco to return the moto’s.
It takes an Inka work party, of about 1k/ppl, 3 days to rebuild the bridge. It is redone every year, created with woven grasses as well as animal hides bound together in places……it bounces a lot when one crosses it…. the 4th day they celebrate the completion. A very steep down and back canyon and multiple tight switch backs to get to it.
Espinar-Cusco
We all awoke, and after breakfast picked up the moto’s and rode them to the front of the hotel and loaded them for the last time. None of us slept well, as all our rooms centered around an empty elevator shaft, so every noise echoed around all night.
Stopped on our way out of town at a sleepy little market and each picked up a few liters of water to stuff in our bags. The family running the market were super friendly and wanted to hear all about our trip so far. How we liked Peru, had the people been good to us, etc. This had us all pulling our phones in and out of pockets, as well as trying to get rid of a lot of our change.
We had one last stop on our (Motorcycle)tour, to see the hanging Inka bridge. And we were due back in Cusco to return the moto’s.
It takes an Inka work party, of about 1k/ppl, 3 days to rebuild the bridge. It is redone every year, created with woven grasses as well as animal hides bound together in places……it bounces a lot when one crosses it…. the 4th day they celebrate the completion. A very steep down and back canyon and multiple tight switch backs to get to it.
Pacific Northwest yetti
Expedition Medic
Walking across,
youtube.com
Q’eswachaka Rope Bridge
JG98+FCR, Quehue 08280, Peru
Crossing the hanging inka bridge
A walk across Q’eswachaka Rope Bridge, November 10,2024JG98+FCR, Quehue 08280, Peru
youtube.com
Q’eswachaka Rope Bridge
JG98+FCR, Quehue 08280, Peru
Pacific Northwest yetti
Expedition Medic
No surprise here, still impressive engineering and weaving.
