This is an easy
excursion through the Sacred
Valley, ascending gently. We depart by van from the hotel and
head off to Huayllabamba. This town, which borders the Vilcanota
river, is called the Chocclo Capital, since it is said to produce
the best maize in the world.
Upon arrival
we mount our bikes and take off on a flat dirt road which borders
the river. This part of the river was turned into a canal by the
Incas and we can observe their methods of construction. Turning
away from the river we begin a slight ascent to a view of the snowcapped
mountains. We arrive in the small town of Urquillos where we rest
and have a snack at the old plaza.
We leave Urquillos
on a single track towards an old hacienda, which used to belong
to Mateo Pumacahua, an Inca descendant who was one of the initiators
of the revolution against the Spanish conquerers. After a visit,
we cycle from the hacienda on to a dirt road, which leads us down
to the river once again. Before crossing the bridge, we pass through
Huincho, a small community of farmers. In the afternoon they serve
chicha, the local corn beer. We might have a taste.
After we cross
the bridge, our van picks us up for the short ride back to the hotel.
