Peru is located in Western South America, it is bordered by Ecuador and Columbia to the North, Chile to the South, and Brazil to the East. The entire western coast of Peru is bordered by the Pacific Ocean. Peru has a population of 30.4 million people, and covers an area spanning 1, 285, 216 square kilometers. Peru is home to over 21,000 species of plants and animals.
From a cycling standpoint, Peru has plenty to offer! From it’s capital city of Lima, where cycling is definitely encouraged, and easier than in most capital cities around the World. To the legendary Machu Picchu, and other mountainous regions of the country, where mountain biking trails are a-plenty, matching challenging climbs with incredible views of some of the most interesting landscape and architecture of Peru’s ancient civilizations.
Popular Bike Tour Destinations In Peru
Lima is the Peruvian capital, and although it is a capital city – it’s one of the more cycle-friendly cities in South America. There are several cycling routes that run throughout the city, suitable for all types of bikes, from mountain, to road and touring bicycles. The city boasts several major landmarks, including the Basilica Cathedral and the Saint Francis Monastery.
Machu Picchu is a legendary Inca ruin in Peru, it is located 80 kilometers northwest of Cusco. Machu Picchu was constructed by the Incas in 1450, and is one of Peru’s greatest tourist attractions, and indeed one of the world’s. While one cannot cycle upon the monument itself, one can stop at Cusco, and take one of the various hiking trails that lead up to Peru’s most sought-after peak.
Cusco is a city in Southern Peru. It’s also a UNESCO World Heritage site, and was the capital of the Inca Empire. One can enjoy the city mainly by mountain bike, and the same is true of many of the city’s ancient attractions.
Lake Titicaca is the world’s highest navigable lake (sitting at 3,800 meters above sea-level). Located eighty kilometers from Puno. Once again, mountain bikes are the order of the day as you traverse the trails surrounding the lake. You can also take a boat tour of the lake itself, and explore the floating Uros islands, and continue on to the one-kilometer-wide Taquile island. An island that, despite it’s small size, is full of natural beauty.
Nazca is the home of the infamous UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Nazca Lines – which are a series of anciently-crafted lines in the sands of the Nazca Desert. These “Lines” are a must see for any visitors to Peru. Touring bikes and mountain bikes can handle the flat, but uneven terrain of the Nazca Desert, but road bikes are not recommended.
This private tour gives the opportunity to observe many settings of the Peruvian country: from the busy city life of its capital, through the imposing figure of the Andes Mountains and the history that runs along its ancient paths, to finally be submerged into the lush vegetation of the jungle highlands.[/one_third] [one_third]
This is a great tour for mountain biking enthusiasts, as we have discovered routes available for each skill level, by dirt roads and trails along the coastal Sacred Valley. Our routes pass near archeological sites, such as Pampa Flores, Cardal, Tambo Inga, or Pueblo Viejo.[/one_third] [one_third_last]
The Red Spokes South American cycling holiday is a high adrenalin, high altitude cycling adventure and a unique way to discover Peru and Bolivia, two of South America’s most magnificent and diverse countries.
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Facts About Peru
Peru is the world’s sixth largest producer of gold.
Peruvians celebrate their independence from Spanish colonial rule on July 28th. The festival is known as “Festias Patrias”.
Two thirds of Peru is covered by the Amazon Rainforest.
Peru has three official languages – Spanish, Quechua and Aymara. However, east of the Amazon Jungle, the natives of the region speak a further thirteen different languages.
Peru is home to the world’s highest sand dune – Cerro Blanco, it measures a whopping 3,860 feet from the base to the summit.
Using a QWERTY keyboard, Peru is the only country in the world that can be typed using a single row.
In 1973, Peruvian prisoners were deprived of hot food and spices, as it was feared that the spicy food would arouse sexual desires.
The Alpaca comes from Peru – the wool from the Alpaca comes in 22 natural colours.
Peru is the world’s largest exporter of Asparagus. It exported 117,000 metric tonnes in 2012.
Peru is one of three countries which consists of four letters, that also has a capital city that is composed of four letters – the other being Fiji (Suva), and Togo (Tome).