Paracas
This is the second most visited destination by tourists. But far from the classic points, there is a wide open space to see.
At the National Reserve of Paracas a big desert follows the coastline with beaches, cliffs and fishermen points.
As far as we ride we see that the coastline is not the same all the time and landscape changes.
The National Reserve of Paracas is an amazing place for riding.
Recommended for:
Any level but don´t expect technical trails.
Season:
All the year. Best from October to May.
Riding time:
3-8 hours approx. depending the route.
About the Place:
Paracas is one of the most important protected natural areas along the coast, so one important thing is to have a respectful behaviour with environment and follow the instructions of sustainable visit in a natural area using the marked trails.
At the National Reserve of Paracas, you will enjoy the amazing desert views, aside from the relax of the beaches. The route to take will depend on riders fitness, and basically will take you along beaches and cliffs and onto a ground of compact sand known here as conchales.
As the ride must be done very early in the morning, the recommendation is to travel the day before.
The Trails:
SHORT TRACK: 25 Km / Easy to Intermediate Level. Starting from your lodge, you can may start riding to Playa Roja, then turn south to connect Catedral, always following the marked trails.
THE MEDIUM FORMAT: 45-60 Km / Intermediate level, ride is done on easy and wide tracks and gravel road. The trail connects Supay, Playón, Mendieta beaches pointing south along the coastline, the way back is by the main road.
THE BIG SIZE: 85-100 Km / Intermediate level
This is an extension of the medium distance adding some kilometers to reach Laguna Grande, at Independence bay. Have to ride on paved road after crossing Mendieta Beach
Important:
Don´t try any ride without supplies and mechanic knowledge, at least the two longest, is possible that you may not found anyone on the route, so being helpless in the middle of nowhere is not the best experience.
Want to know more? Read the blog.
Available by request.
A four hours trip by the Panamerican Highway is needed to get to this amazing place.
Best choice is to get there in a private transportation to have some partial support during the ride or just to have an easier trip carrying bikes and all stuff. But it can be done using the public transportation.
The Trip:
Two days on a private van + One night at a hostel.
Day 1: Leaving Lima early to ride at Mala or Asia valleys. After lunch we continue the trip to Paracas (4 hours from the city). Hotel.
Day 2: Starting around 6am for a full morning ride. Back starting at noon. Lunch and trip back to Lima
Note: If you decide to do the classic boat ride to Ballestas Islands you must stay one more night.
Some travel notes:
Trip could be extended for a cuple of days, leaving Paracas in the afternoon going to Nasca, to ride at its dry valley to Cahuachi and Estaquería archaeological sites. From Nasca you may continue traveling by ground to Arequipa (10 hours) or Cusco (16 hours) or simply return to Lima on Day 4.
Rides start at 6:00 am
Better if before, sun gets strong from 10am and wind blows stronger from 11am and in the afternoon, if the plan is to ride south, the earliest we start we will profit of the wind on our way back.
What to bring:
Try to bring your own basic equipment: helmet, gloves.
Depending the level any ride is no less than three hours, so you must carry at least 1 Lt of water, some snacks and fruit
A windvest or a couple of layers in winter days and a lot of sunscreen in summer.
OUR CONDITIONS:
Any broken or damaged part of the bike
or equipment, made intentionally or not, caused by riders or terrain
issues must get paid back at commercial prices (ex: frame, levers,
gears, derrailleur, tyres, wheels, helmet, gloves, etc).
Any injury
caused by any reason during the ride is fully responsability of the
rider and any medical or transportation cost must be covered by the
rider. This is an adventure sport activity subject by its nature to any
kind of non expected events.
