After our usual morning routine, we left the campsite to begin our slow but steady ascent up the steep slope back to the main road. With the sun fully blazing down on us the entire way up, we were happy and sweaty when we finally reached the top. We cycled for a few hours before turning in for a short break in a small village along the road. We had some fresh fruit drinks to quench our thirst and up our vitamin levels before continuing. Our plan was to cycle further along the river in the valley, up to the point where an extreme climb into the mountains awaited us. This climb would have usually taken us two days, but due to my frail condition and none of us liking those long stretches of climbing for multiple days (we’ve had more than enough of that in the first two weeks!), we wanted to try to hitch a ride with a pick-up truck. The weather had other plans for us though. It started pouring down, so we sat there at the small store a little longer until a pick-up stopped at the shop next to us. A pick-up truck with a big boot and that could seat five people. Perfect!

The driver was in a hurry to continue on his way to Cusco, so we had to get our bikes and bags loaded in record time. Unfortunately, he did not want us to sit in the booth of the car — although space could have been made despite his luggage stored there — he resolutely didn’t want us inside. So, with the quick pace at which we had to get ready, we had no time to dress against the cold that would await us the further up we went. We Tetris-ed ourselves into the back, our rain clothes on, and off the driver went. Unfortunately, it was still raining, but we enjoyed the cool ride. Although seating could have been more comfortable, we had a great view of the surrounding nature and fresh air. For me, it was also good against motion sickness. The driver was of the kind that can’t uphold a constant speed but instead always puts their foot on the gas, just to take it off again right thereafter, to subsequently put it on again. The resulting little shakes of the car got me carsick very quickly, but the fresh air made it more bearable.

The higher we went, the more impressive the view but the colder the air. By the time we reached the top, all of us were frozen through. Because I had packed my warm clothes to be accessible and quickly put on my down jacket before we started driving, I handed out my scarf, gloves, and wool hat to Jacques and gave Göran my fleece jacket. As a result, they were a bit warmer, but when we arrived at the top (I was freezing too), I only had wet gloves, a wet scarf, and a wet fleece jacket which would do no good in warming me. To warm up, we cycled to the closest café where we had a nice hot cup of tea/coffee and a delicious slice of home-baked cake to go with it.

That day, we cycled until the town of Anta (which is around 28–30 km from Cusco). Thanks to the iOverlander app, we found a really good hostel where we cooked pasta for dinner and headed to bed.

Distance cycled: 42 km
Elevation gain: 400 m
Actual altitude: 3736 m
Time cycled: 2h, 51 min