09.05.'06: Gabriel and I left Cusco, together with the French cyclists Lionel and Laurence and headed towards 'Lago Titicaca'. We had teamed up with them due to safety reasons along a specific stretch of the way. Numerous highway robberies on the remote altiplano had been reported and Lionel and Laurence had been robbed twice so far on their trip from Nicaragua down to Peru, so the French asked us if we would ride with them. We gladly accepted and we ended up having a great time for numerous days! The first stop that we had was at the Inca gate and wall which was used as a custom control post hundreds of years ago.
right: The 'carretera de sierra' highway leading from Cusco to Puno is exceptionally beautiful and the landscape changes constantly as the road rises up to the pass at 4335m.
11.05.'06: Laurence and Lionel at one of our rest stops as we rode on up towards the pass. Bananas and lots of fluids are typical for cyclists having a break!
... and another break, enjoying the view and great weather which had been lasting for about a month!
11.05.'06: Gabriel at 4100 ma.s.l. As one rides up towards the pass the 'tundra' vegetation begins and the snow capped peaks can be seen. The road has very little traffic and it is possible to cycle next to each other for ages. The Peruvians hoot at cyclists in anyway, so the warning of a car or bus is heard ahead of time!
(11.05.'06), On top of 'Abra La Raya' pass, (4335m). It was the last high Peruvian pass before cycling on to Lago Titicaca and on in to Bolivia. From left to right: Laurence, myself, Gabriel and Lionel
A traditional woman knitting a jersey for her son, high up on the Peruvian altiplano. Winter is approaching rapidly and warm clothes are essential up here, also for cyclists! The days are warm but the nights are ice cold and well below freezing!
right: typical 'altiplano' (highland)scenery. The road between Cusco and 'Lago Titicaca' is superb! No dirt road for a change...
...and llamas are seen grazing everywhere on the altiplano! Come to close and they give you a cute look but be aware, they spit!
12.05.'06: On the altiplano in Chuquibambilla there is a university research station for farming at high altitudes. We were fortunate enough to be able to sleep in their classroom which was more comfortable and warmer than in our tents! A good nights sleep and off we went again!
right: a typical 'altiplano' woman with her traditional hat, here in the village of Calapuja at 3900m.
13.05.'06: Lionel, Laurence and Gabriel outside the church kitchen in Calapuja. The previous evening 'Padre Juan' (father John) kindly allowed us to sleep in one of the church's rooms, which was safer than sleeping on the 'altiplano' in this region. The people in the village were extremely friendly and helpfull to us foreigners.
On the same day we reached Puno, the Peruvian city next to 'lago Titicaca'. We only spent 1/2 a rest day in Puno. We also departed from Laurence and Lionel (we had a great time cycling with them). We then headed on, cycling around the bottom part of 'Lago Titicaca'. The views of the lake were always incredible on this stretch and we were glad to be able to stop at any specific spot while the touristic buses roared past without a chance to give the tourists the opportunity to take pictures. Yes, a bicycle is slow but has many great advantages.
left: Cactus' on a wall, in the background 'Lago Titicaca' and the high mountains of the 'Cordillera Real' (The royal mountain range of Bolivia).
15.05.'06: ...a last rest stop in Peru before cycling to the Bolivian border. It was a time to think and let our minds remember what we had experienced in Peru. It was kind of sad to leave this beautiful country. It had been a challenging 3000km ride but of stunning beauty and a country of great people! we will miss it!
09.05.'06: Gabriel and I left Cusco, together with the French cyclists Lionel and Laurence and headed towards 'Lago Titicaca'. We had teamed up with them due to safety reasons along a specific stretch of the way. Numerous highway robberies on the remote altiplano had been reported and Lionel and Laurence had been robbed twice so far on their trip from Nicaragua down to Peru, so the French asked us if we would ride with them. We gladly accepted and we ended up having a great time for numerous days! The first stop that we had was at the Inca gate and wall which was used as a custom control post hundreds of years ago.
right: The 'carretera de sierra' highway leading from Cusco to Puno is exceptionally beautiful and the landscape changes constantly as the road rises up to the pass at 4335m. 
11.05.'06: Laurence and Lionel at one of our rest stops as we rode on up towards the pass. Bananas and lots of fluids are typical for cyclists having a break!
... and another break, enjoying the view and great weather which had been lasting for about a month!
11.05.'06: Gabriel at 4100 ma.s.l. As one rides up towards the pass the 'tundra' vegetation begins and the snow capped peaks can be seen. The road has very little traffic and it is possible to cycle next to each other for ages. The Peruvians hoot at cyclists in anyway, so the warning of a car or bus is heard ahead of time!
(11.05.'06), On top of 'Abra La Raya' pass, (4335m). It was the last high Peruvian pass before cycling on to Lago Titicaca and on in to Bolivia. From left to right: Laurence, myself, Gabriel and Lionel
A traditional woman knitting a jersey for her son, high up on the Peruvian altiplano. Winter is approaching rapidly and warm clothes are essential up here, also for cyclists! The days are warm but the nights are ice cold and well below freezing!
right: typical 'altiplano' (highland)scenery. The road between Cusco and 'Lago Titicaca' is superb! No dirt road for a change...
...and llamas are seen grazing everywhere on the altiplano! Come to close and they give you a cute look but be aware, they spit!
12.05.'06: On the altiplano in Chuquibambilla there is a university research station for farming at high altitudes. We were fortunate enough to be able to sleep in their classroom which was more comfortable and warmer than in our tents! A good nights sleep and off we went again!
right: a typical 'altiplano' woman with her traditional hat, here in the village of Calapuja at 3900m.
13.05.'06: Lionel, Laurence and Gabriel outside the church kitchen in Calapuja. The previous evening 'Padre Juan' (father John) kindly allowed us to sleep in one of the church's rooms, which was safer than sleeping on the 'altiplano' in this region. The people in the village were extremely friendly and helpfull to us foreigners.
On the same day we reached Puno, the Peruvian city next to 'lago Titicaca'. We only spent 1/2 a rest day in Puno. We also departed from Laurence and Lionel (we had a great time cycling with them). We then headed on, cycling around the bottom part of 'Lago Titicaca'. The views of the lake were always incredible on this stretch and we were glad to be able to stop at any specific spot while the touristic buses roared past without a chance to give the tourists the opportunity to take pictures. Yes, a bicycle is slow but has many great advantages. 
left: Cactus' on a wall, in the background 'Lago Titicaca' and the high mountains of the 'Cordillera Real' (The royal mountain range of Bolivia).
15.05.'06: ...a last rest stop in Peru before cycling to the Bolivian border. It was a time to think and let our minds remember what we had experienced in Peru. It was kind of sad to leave this beautiful country. It had been a challenging 3000km ride but of stunning beauty and a country of great people! we will miss it!