3 Lessons From Peru

It was mid-September. The sky was deep blue, and the landscape had turned into dry grassland. I cycled across the border of Bolivia and entered Peru. My first city in Peru was Puno. Earlier, someone had recommended to me that I should visit the nearby floating islands in Lake Titicaca. So in Puno, I went … Read more

A Flight At Gocta Waterfall

Gocta Waterfall plunged from a height of 771-m into the forest. From where I sat, the leaping waterfall appeared like a long lock of white hair draping over the shoulder of a mermaid. Beneath was thick amazon cloud forest; hot and humid. Gentle morning breeze caressed my sweaty skin as if blowing air on my … Read more

Dil Dil Pakistan

During my cycling trip from Argentina to Alaska, I met French cyclists Julien & Fabio on the road. They became very good friends. We cycled on and off together for about two months in Patagonia. I saw them again in Cusco, Peru and together we got to celebrate the Independence Day of Pakistan on 14th … Read more

International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples

Today is the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples! When the European colonizers arrived in the Americas, the indigenous population was diminished by 80–90% within the first few centuries mainly due to epidemic diseases the new settlers had brought with them. The colonizers destroyed indigenous empires and butchered natives to capture gold and land. … Read more

A Dream In Peru

Somewhere in Peru, after a long descent, I reached a narrow valley where it was hot like an oven. I had not experienced this kind of heat in the entire trip before. I crossed a tiny village Balsas after which the world started to blur in front of my eyes. I had been out in … Read more

Part 4—Peru Independence Day 28 July.

It was late morning. Somewhere in the Highlands of Peru, the sun had just emerged from the fog. I was huffing and puffing on a steep uphill when a voice hit my ears, “Hola, amigo! (Hello, friend!)” I turned around and saw a woman, carrying a white chicken in her hands and baby wrapped in … Read more

Part 3—Peru Independence

My cycling itinerary in Peru followed Peru’s great divide that is the part of the Continental Divide of South America. The Andes are the world’s longest continental mountain range (about 7000 km long) and have the world’s highest peaks outside of Asia. The Cordillera Blanca is part of the Cordillera of the Andes. It is … Read more

Part 2 of Peru Independence Day

Part 2 of Peru Independence Day July 28. Women of Peru, I saw them in many roles. Roaming the streets and mountains of Cusco with alpacas and baby sheep for some photo money. Pacing along with guide horses at 5000m altitudes, carrying babies wrapped in the shawls on their backs, wearing sandals made from recycled … Read more

A Letter To Peru

Dear Peru! you were my 4th country between Argentina and Alaska. Today, when people ask me, “what is your favourite country from the entire trip?” I struggle to name a country, but in my head, I see vivid images of your majestic mountains touching skies and the road twisting and looping in them. It was … Read more

Machu Picchu

The world is full of natural wonders but if there is truly a place on earth which belongs to heaven, then Machu Picchu in Peru should be the one! It has the most majestic setting which one can imagine for a city–set on top of a mountain with sheer vertical cliff drops, Huayna Picchu (translated … Read more

Different Shades Of Peru

As I write these lines from San Ignacio, my bicycle ride in Peru is almost over. I entered Peru 85 days ago and cycled over 3400 km and climbed over 43,900 meters following the great divide route of Peru. It is the most mountainous country I have ever cycled. Peru is an amazing country at … Read more

Bird over the waterfall

[stag_dropcap font_size=“120px” style=”normal”]F[/stag_dropcap]rom where he sat on the edge of a cliff, a panoramic view of the Gocta waterfall was in front of him. This was one of the highest waterfalls in the world–plunging from a height of 771-m deep into the forest below. Outside world didn’t know about this waterfall until 2005 because locals … Read more

10,000 km

Cycling along the Utcubamba river in North Peru today, my bicycle and I achieved a little milestone on this journey. We completed 10,000 km out of 25,000 km from Ushuaia to Alaska. It was hot today but the sun was behind the clouds, so I took a little break along the road and tried to … Read more

A Cockfight In Peru

After a long day of cycling today, I was about to reach Celendin when I passed through a small town with the name Bellavista. There, I saw a bunch of people gathered in a circle not far from the road. The curiosity to know what was happening overwhelmed me and I steered the bicycle towards … Read more