X- Trail de los Dioses y Hombres de Huarochirí

April 21 - 23 2011
Adventure cycling ride along the ancient inka trail going on top of the mountains from
Santiago de Tuna down to Chaclacayo

Explore and discovery level cycle-trekking, an epic and unforgettable journey.

History.
Notes, posts, info and communications about this topic.

Year 2010 summary of CTP Club activities

Final 2010 Revelation, it was yesterday December 31st when inspired again by a simple
idea found it may be possible to go along an ancient Inka single track from Santiago de
Tuna down to Chaclacayo, this is a truly brave one, those are about 30k – 40k single track
on top of the mountains, brutal climbs and spectacular descends, a cycle-trek along the
way used by the Gods and Men from Huarochiri described in the book written in 1598 by
Francisco de Avila and translated to Spanish in 1966 by Jose María Arguedas. This trip is
planned to go as soon as rain season ends on early “Andean spring” by April 2011. This
has been named the X-Trail de los Dioses y Hombres de Huarochirí it is going to be and
epic and superb bike trip, for braves only. If going appeals to you, join this adventure.

…The explorer spirit comes with the person; it is on the genes, heritage from nomadic
ancestors. The descendants on present XXI century can´t avoid the instinctive impulse to
go, now equipped with modern technology, to explore new routes, follow forgotten trails
or simply create and discover his own way and live the unique experience.

On current days explore and discovery is easier than years ago, Google Earth, geography
charts, GPS navigator, Internet, etc., all these make easier access and gathering
information. What has not changed are the intrinsic factors of the explorer himself to go
on the trip, these are the physical and mental effort invested on each journey.
Imagination, energy, toughness, courage, enthusiasm, love for adventure and optimism
are elements that technology would never replace…
…This is a gift, the explorer’s mind illuminates with sparkling ideas about the routes that
are revealed from subtle hints or thanks to his experience he imagines a route that at the
end is found existing or simply was created by himself…

Facebook feeds and communications with user “Santiago de Tuna”

…The toughest trail used by the slaves escaping to the “palenques” (refuges) where they
lived hidden or by the bandits is the one from Cerro Suche to Chaymallan on the heights
of Cupiche, from there was the access to Chosica, Chaclacayo and to the rest of the valley
Lati or Ate…

… The trail on the Suche route is tough and the peasants prefer to go with donkeys to
carry the boxes with fruits instead of suffering on that steep slope. Perhaps there is
someone that would accept to go with you, it is just a matter of asking…

... Many years ago the “abigeos” (livestock robbers) used that route to go with the
robbed animals, but they reached just certain distance and used to kill the animals on the
way taking just part of the meat with them. If you look carefully on Google Earth will see
the enormous snake shaped stone with its head on Pampalomero, it is just by Masipa. It
was a spot for initiation of the ancient “ñamcas”, the Spaniards understood them as
wizards, reading the Checa oracle…

... In Tuna ask for Armando Encarnación or Marcelino Pomacaja they will help you…

Some preliminary data and facts.

Update: April 4th 2011

**On April 2nd and 3rd we did the outing on bikes to Santiago de Tuna from Cocachacra
as training and for recognition of the area and to make contact with the people going to
support us as muleteers and to hire the donkeys going to carry the supplies: water, food
and equipment of each participant. Everything was Ok.

**On March 27th we did the outing on bikes from California to Chontay and from the
summit where the trails crossing is it was possible to see the trail coming down from
Tuna.

Update: March 4th 2011

Confirmed the trail exists. It is not an illusion. It is on old maps, visible on Google Earth
and we heard the testimonial from a local. We go on this expedition anyway.

Update Feb 28th 2011

We have decided to do two prepping outings prior to the expedition**:

** On March 27th and April 2nd - 3rd

Update Jan 26th 2011

* IMPORTANT: Good MTB riding skills and good physical and mental condition are
required.  Admission may be subject to evaluation to make sure the participant fulfills the
requirements and counts with the basic appropriate equipment required

* REQUIRED EQUIPMENT: Full suspension bike. Body protection: helmet, gloves, googles,
elbow guards, knee guards. Replacements, tools and accesories. Sleeping bag, mat, tent
or tarp. Medical kit. Radiocommunication unit. Sunscreen. Head light. Batteries. Hydration
fluid 15l. Energy supplies: bars, jellies, gels, etc.

Update Jan 24th 2011

* Trail and level of difficulty unknown. From the maps studied we deduct this is a varied
trail with descends, plains and climbs. Rolling the hill tops and hillsides, trekking and
carrying the bike on some sections.

* Estimated duration: 3 DAYS / 2 NIGHTS

* Proposed dates: April 21st - 23rd. Easter days.

* We will go with logistical support: donkeys and muleteers to carry the supplies: water,
food and equipment.

* The cost will be divided between the ones going on the expedition: transport, donkey
hire, muleteers and the return trip on a truck for the animals and muleteers to Tuna.

The final cost of the expedition will be defined in the next days.
 TRIP PLAN
April 19th
This day is to deliver your luggage to be send by parcel to Tuna. Your stuff must be well
packed and sealed in a box or strong bag with your name on it

April 20th
8am all participant’s luggage will be send from Lima to Tuna by bus Transporte Pérez. Our
muleteers will collect to put them on the donkeys.

April 21st
6am meeting and departure from Lima to Tuna. Simultaneously the muleteers and the
donkeys loaded will depart from Tuna early leaving a trace on the trail for us.
After the experience of the previous trip we have concluded to go to Tuna as follows:
Lima – Chosica by station wagon public service. 2 bikes and 2 bikers per car from the
station located next to ex-Cine Orrantia, on the crossing of Javier Prado Ave. with
Arequipa Ave.
Chosica – Cocachacra by van public service. 6 bikes maximum, 4 on the top rack and 2
inside. 6 bikers per vehicle.
Cocachacra-Tuna by van public service. 6 bikes maximum, 4 on the top rack and 2 inside. 6
bikers per vehicle.

10am Arrive Tuna. Final setup and coordination.

11am Departure. Ride on the X-Trail until 5pm approx. Meeting with the muleteers. Rest,
dinner and camp.

April 22nd
7am. The ride continues down to where we can reach by 5pm. Encounter with the
muleteers. Rest, dinner and camp.

April 23rd
Arrive Chaclacayo down by dirt road on Quebrada California.
Departure of muleteers and donkeys back to Tuna by truck.
Lunch at Anibal’s
Return to Lima by car.
 * WHAT TO BRING / EQUIPMENT:

 Bicycle in perfect condition: brakes, chain, gears, tires, suspension, etc.

 Water bottles or hydration backpack
 Body protection: helmet, gloves, sunglasses, elbow and knee guards, sun screen,
hat, insect repellent.
 Spares: inner tubes, tube repair kit, air pump, tools, lubricant, brake shoes or
pads, brake cable, etc.
 Camp equipment: lightweight sleeping bag and pad, tent or tarp, medical kit,
radio-communication unit, head light, batteries, matches, antiseptic gel, 5m long
½” cord, Swiss army knife.
 Food. Energy bars, gel or gums, etc. Chocolate. Granola. Dry fruits mix. Fruits
(oranges, apples)
 Hydration: 15lt total. 5 lt per day approx. Half water, half Gatorade.
 Clothing: 2 cycling jerseys, 1 cargo type multipurpose shorts, 1 cycling shorts,
warm cloths (polar fleece sweater and pants), outer shell (windproof jacket and
pants), 2 underwear. Light trekking shoes.
 Max. luggage weight allowed per person 25kg.
 All things must go packed in one or two medium size backpacks or bags to be
properly loaded on the donkeys.

*RECOMMENDATIONS – IMPORTANT REQUIREMENT:

Good bike domain and MTB riding skills, adventure spirit, good health and physical
condition, good mental health (please no fear, phobia, vertigo, madness, paranoia,
schizophrenia, hysteria, etc.). Admission to the expedition could be subject to evaluation
to make sure applicant complies the basic requirements.

WEATHER
April is autumn on the southern hemisphere, on the highlands this is the end of the rain
season, some say this is the Andean spring because everywhere it is green and flowers
blooming. However it may rain in the afternoons above the 2,000 m.a.s.l.. During
daytime it is sunny and warm in the afternoons and nighttime temperature descends.
 ALTITUDE ON THE TRAIL
Max: 2890 m.a.s.l. on the Suche summit near Santiago de Tuna
Min : 1500 m.a.s.l. on top of Quebrada California in Chaclacayo, the end of the journey.

ROUTE.
This information is available for confirmed participants only

Deadline to confirm your registration: MONDAY APRIL 18TH 2011

PRICE PER PERSON *IN A SIX PEOPLE SIZE GROUP

S/.325 includes all transfers round trip from Lima. Baggage shipping to Tuna. Muleteers.
Donkeys. Guide with GPS support. Bike mechanics support. Medical kit and first aid.

BIKE RENTALS
Available fully equipped hardtail front suspension bikes.
See here: http://www.cicloturismoperu.com/bikerental.htm
 INFORMATION AND CONTACT

Aníbal Paredes

info@cicloturismoperu.com

Contact

Cellular: 990 128 105

Landline : 4971300

Nextel: 115*368

RPM: *530208

Info on the web: http://www.cicloturismoperu.com/nextrip.htm#X-Trail

Cicloturismo Perú

Adventure cycling and touring

We go to Adventure, not to luck…

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