Blog 4 9th – 12th March Sajama to Turco, Uyuni Total distance – 501km Originally I wrote this blog as a part of the previous blog, but then realised it was a bit too big, so I have cut it to make two blogs. Plan C There was always a risk that we could not […]
Bolivian Altiplano
Acotango & the Cholitas Escaladoras for International Women’s Day
Blog 3 6th – 8th March Acotango Climb, Sajama 6th – 8th March Day 7 we set aside for catching up on everything and organising our border crossing into Chile. Prior to starting the expedition, Rolando and I had done a lot of research to find out whether it would be possible to cross; I […]
Diving straight into Andean culture, past and present
Blog 2 28th February to 5th March La Paz to Sajama Village Total distance – 373km I apologise for not sending a blog sooner but we have been having trouble with the satellite communications device for now. To see where the places I mention are, please check the tracking map: https://kateleeming.maprogress.com/andes_altiplano_atacama El Alto – Tiawanaku […]
The Andes, the Altiplano & the Atacama 2022
Blog 1 The Andes, the Altiplano & the Atacama 2020 Exactly two years ago, I arrived in Cusco, Peru, ready to begin my South American altitude cycling expedition, The Andes, the Altiplano and the Atacama. The plan was to pedal a winding 3500km path from Cusco, Peru to Ojos del Salado, the world’s highest volcano, […]
Death Road and a temporary end to the expedition
Blog 6 12th – 16th March Total Distance – 1106km This is the last blog for the time being. It has been a long time coming because I have had to postpone the last two-thirds of the expedition until the COVID-19 virus is under control. La Paz Days 13 and 14 One of the best […]
Into Bolivia – unsupported
Blog 5 Tilali (Peru) to La Paz (Bolivia) !0th – 11th March Total Distance – 905km Day 11 Titali – Ancoraimes 80km I was up early still worried as to how I was going to fit everything onto the bike. The load was much heavier than I have ever carried before when cycling unsupported because […]
To Lake Titicaca and the border
Blog 4 6th – 9th March Total Distance – 701km Day 7 Checacupe – Santa Rosa Distance – 112km Abre de La Raya – 4338m The plan for the next four days was to reach Tilali near the Bolivian border beside Lake Titicaca, just less than 400km away. Javier was employed to film and drive until […]
Into the Peruvian Southern Highlands
Blog 3 3rd-5th March Total Distance – 327km Day 4 Quiquijana – Pampachiri Distance – 64km I was looking forward to turning off the main highway and heading into the mountains. I enjoyed playing the tourist and visiting Machu Picchu and the Sacred Valley, but now it was time to venture off the beaten track. […]
Machu Picchu and the Sacred Valley
Blog 2 1st and 2nd March Total Distance – 199km Day 2 1st March Machu Picchu Seeing Machu Picchu had been on my bucket list for many years. Recognised as is one of the seven New Wonders of the World, it attracts hoards of tourists all year round. These days, tourists are strictly controlled and […]
Cusco to Ollantaytambo
Day 1 February 29th Distance – 88km After spending two days in Cusco preparing for the journey ahead, I thought Javier, my camera operator and support driver for the Peruvian section of the expedition, were well-organised. However, by the time we’d filmed a few scenes around the city centre, packed, picked up the hire car […]
