Having hit the Peruvian coast, it wasn’t long before we left the busy Pan American Highway to ride east into Peru’s central highlands and then north towards Ecuador. Exiting Lima, we experienced the worst traffic to date and we were relieved to get out of there unscathed. We spent the next two weeks exploring towns that were well off the tourist trail and were touched by the friendliness we encountered.

The true standouts of northern Peru are the lesser known archaeological treasures left behind by the pre-Inca civilisations that inhabited this region. We visited ancient townships, temples and museums showcasing the rich cultures of these peoples. Continue reading →