This is just one of the activities to do in Arequipa, Peru. Fresh from Cuzco and a day trip to the ancient Incan ruins of Machu Picchu, I thought I would have no problems dealing with the altitude (which thankfully, turned out to be true). The mountain biking, however, was another matter. I love to bike but the most experience I ever had was a 3-day biking trip through the Italian countryside, on roads, not dirt trails covered with pebbles and rocks the size of your fist.
Needless to say, I was woefully underprepared for the intensity of the experience. Rushing headlong downhill on the edge of the Chachani volcano with extremely steep drops just next to me while being jolted so hard that I could hear my teeth rattling in my head gave me a very real appreciation for 1) the comforts of home 2) good paved asphalt roads. There were stretches of the trail where I thought I was never going to make it down unscathed. But when we arrived at the bottom a few hours later, we all agreed that it had been one of the best experiences of our lives. Now, anyone up for a 3-day mountain biking trip?
What’s the most dangerous activity you’ve ever done on vacation? Tell us @travefy