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Mountain Biking is a relatively new sport in Peru,
but new routes are rapidly being opened up, many of which offer
excellent opportunities. Although thousands of miles of trails and dirt
tracks exist, Peru suffers from lack of good maps to show you where to
go. There are some good adventure companies in Huaraz renting
equipment and offering organized tours with qualified guides. If you are
coming to Peru just for the biking then it is good idea to bring your
bike from home. You'll need to buy a bike box and bring plenty of
innertubes and brake blocks. Check with your airline first in case there
is an extra charge. If your plan to hire a bike then, as a basic rule,
you are likely to get what you pay for. Although cheap imitation bikes
are available from US$10-15 per day they are not likely to be up to the
rigors of off-roading. A quality bike with front shocks costs in the
region of US$20-25 per day. Make sure that you have gloves and a helmet,
a basic first aid kit, pump and a puncture repair kit.
El Callejon de Huaylas is the name given to the
valley that runs between the mountain ranges of the Cordillera Blanca
and the Cordillera Negra. The valley offers stunning snow-capped scenery
and great biking routes.
This part of Peru should be the number one
destination for serious mountain bikers. Peru's most professional and
experienced mountain bike tour operators can be found here, either in
the popular city of Huaraz or in the pleasant little town of Caraz.
Julio Olaza of
Mountain Bike Adventures (Huaraz) or Alberto Cafferata of
Pony
Expeditions (Caraz) are two of Peru's most knowledgeable experts and
are an excellent source of local information, equipment rental and offer
some good biking itineraries.
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