A very precarious bridge that is still being used

The bridge is very warped: a pillar has been dislodged by a flood

A chance to fill our bottles. The river water is too muddy to filter

The road somehow finds its way between the walls of the cañon

...and finally makes it to a more open confluence

Some giant in love carved a heart on the cliff

Mules and donkeys are traditional transport in the mountains...

Bicycles are quite rare in comparison. Almost there, Alain

The thermal baths with the local donkeys (view from tent)

Across the valley, many hairpins could take us to the most remote places

Setting off the next morning. We briefy see the higher peaks before the usual clouding over

The bridge supports could happily swallow a bicycle and rider

Just look at the wonderful hats. Peruvian ladies dress well.

Looking back. The thermal baths are way below

Little orchard in the middle of the cliffs

Now out of the canyon, and back to fields

Warm moments and thermal baths.

5 oktober 2025, Peru ☁️ 22 °C

It lovely and warm at the bottom of the canyon. We are back to 1500m of altitude! In fact, its a bit hot for sleeping. We have another problem - the cactii. Despite carefully checking our tyres we have both got punctures. Many of them slow punctures. We fix the most serious one. But it will be several days before we have found all the others - some extra morning pumping exercises for us both!

We have four days of climbing ahead and we are not in a rush. We descend just a little more and then cross a river to head up the next valley. The bridge is extremely precarious and lop-sided and in need of repair - luckily there is almost no traffic - but it looks like the occasional minibus (local transport) is still using it.

Today we climb to some natural hot baths where we are allowed to camp nearby. For just over a euro we can access a private bath (hot tub sized) and soak in fabulously warm water. More of a problem is to find any cold (drinking) water- so instead of our normal filtering routine, we resort to buying bottled water.

Unfortunately Alain is unwell in the night so we have an enforced but much needed rest day. Then its a good day of climbing up to the mountain town of Cajatambo at 3400m. Back to chilly hotels and nights once more.Läs mer

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