The itinerary of our Machu Picchu & Uyuni Salt Flat Tour largely unwinds on the Peruvian high plateau where, at the highest point of the journey, we reach 4800 metres. This is a considerable height, and it often happens that our clients are not only curious but also a little worried, fearing that at this height there could be problems with breathing. In reality, there truly is nothing to fear: reaching this altitude is an experience of extreme beauty, which can be faced with complete tranquillity.
But what characterizes riding at high altitude??
The climb rides along the PE30, through a landscape of lonely beauty, where the predominant vegetation is that of the high plateau: with the dry and windy climate, the low rainfall and the height, the predominating plants are perennials, with low shrubs and cushions of grass. The colours range from yellow ochre to clear orange, grey, and sand-coloured, and the sky is almost always clear, of an intense and brilliant blue.
In this area there are few inhabitants and it feels as if crossing an alien and surreal landscape. The few people we meet along the road have an especial attraction: they are peasants who have always lived in the vastness of the deserted high plateau, inside the characteristic stone houses that can be seen from afar. Their occupation is the raising of alpaca for their wool and of guanacos for meat: they are happy to be photographed and to tell of their history, and the animals, accustomed to human presence, allow one to approach close without fear.
Obviously, dismounting from the motorbike and climbing to above 4500 metres on foot would be a little more tiring than at an average height, although the climb to this height is gradual, allowing us to become steadily more accustomed to the change in altitude. The roads, very beautiful, have been recently asphalted, the traffic is virtually non-existent and allows us to race ahead on the motorbikes in complete freedom and safety.
In the evening, once we have arrived at the hotel, which we have selected from among the best in terms of welcome and comfort, we are served with maté of coca leaves: this is a local infusion of the finest taste, available to the travellers at any time, and is particularly useful for dispelling any light discomfort due to the altitude.
We therefore invite all those enthusiasts of motorcycling, of travel, of evocative landscapes and great excitement, to climb to 4800 metres with us, to live through an extraordinary experience before passing a relaxing and pleasant evening.
