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CYCLETOURING: Lunahuaná
March 2007
Lunahuaná, Cañete valley
posted by Aníbal
CYCLETOURING: Lunahuaná
February 24th, 2007
TRIP REPORT
Photos here: http://es.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/anibpm/my_photos
Hi all:
Last february 24th and 25th my wife and me went to Lunahuaná for cycling, relaxing, fun and something else…
For those days it was programmed to take place the Festival Internacional de Deportes de Aventura, at San jerónimo, a village 4 km awat from Lunahuaná.
Originally we planned to leave from Lima on friday evening but unexpected job duties delayed the trip until saturday afternooon.
With bus Soyuz we left at 17:00 pm to Cañete, arriving at 19:00, it was already dark, but Cañete and the road until Imperial and further on is quiet well illuminated. Anyhow we fixed and turned on our headlights on our helmets and the night ride was pleasant and easy under bright moonlight.
At the beginning the road is a bit busy around the town but as we were getting away cars traffic became escarse and sporadic.
The road in in good condition, all paved, passing by quiet towns and villages along the way.
The first part of the road crosses a desertic land among dry hills and mountains, most of this section of the way goes in ascent, until a long and fast slope leaded us down to the shore of the Cañete river flowing toward the ocean whispering softly.
The road to Lunahuaná goes upstream along the valley for 35 km., after few stops on the way to rest, eat and drink Gatorade, we reached San Jerónimo, at about 12:30 am. We found the town awake, fully illuminated and music in the air from two main sources: one was the local party called “Yunsa” a traditional dance common in Perú during February, they dance around a tree loaded with gifts and prizes, hitting the trunk with an axe. one in turn. until it falls, then the prizes are distributed among the dancers, the one that broke the tree down asumes the mission of organize and effort the celebration next year.
The other source of music came from the party of the Festival Internacional de Deportes de Aventura, at a facility Called Camping San Jerónimo. This was the headquarter of the event, featuring: river rafting, kayaking, mountain bike, and artificial rock climbing. The organizers offered to all assistants free camping area in the ample garden besides the river, bathrooms and party. This lasted until dawn, considering that following mornig competitions were scheduled, probaly the alcoholized competitors didn’t make a good performance at all.
We asked for accomodation different than camping and found a basic hotel, with private bath and hot water. Price S/. 25.00. Tired as we were, a shower and a clean bed was a golden prize for us.
The morning came with hunger. After a short search we found the place right in front of the Festival place. While planning where to go this morning, for breakfast we had “chicharrones” with coffee and bread. A vist to Lunahuaná and a search for home made wine and pisco were our inmediate plans.
Talking to the lady attending our breakfast we were told that for lunch they would prepare “sopa seca” a delicious meal typical of the towns around the near south of Lima. From town to town this dish varies a little. In this case they made it including shrimps and raisins. To ensure our order we paid it in advance, just in case we return late for lunch and considering the limited cooking capacity of the place and the amount of people congregated by the Ferstival. Later we found we did it right.
Under a bright, hot sun and coveniently sunscreened we rode to near Lunahuaná. Along the way many facilities exist: varied hotels, from basic to first class, restaurants, shops, etc. The view of hanging grapes and apples in their own home plants is interesting because they are everywhere, not only in the farming lands. The Cañete valley is rich in fruit agriculture and wine and pisco industry.
Lunahuaná is an interesting town. Sunday is the most active day of the week due to the number of tourists (native and foreigners). The main plaza is rounded by a colourful fair offering varied products: wine, pisco, pisco sour, fruits, food, handcrafts, etc., etc., etc., In the surrounding streets, river rafting, kayaking and mountain bike tours are offered to everyone passing their front doors. Prices are all negotiable.
After listening a covincent girl offering us river rafting experience, decided to take it. According with her there are three different levels of rafting: experts, intemediate and beginers. Prices vary accordingly. We took the beginners level, since never before we have ever ride one of those boats. Price S/. 25.00 each. Includes: boat master, livesavers, helmets, oars and transfer to the boarding place and back to the departure place.
The boat ride was really exciting. The funniest thing we ever made. At the very beginning the boat entered rapids that shaked and made us and the other six people aboard scream and shout as crazies. It seemed that the boat was going to be sunked and devorated by huge waves ahead of us, but it passed through anyhow. A worth, unforgetable experience, that lasted about half hour. The boat ride ended some kilometers downstream from where we were picked up and transferred by car to the departing place in Lunahuaná. Of course we ended the ride 100% wet, we were not prepared for this, so no way to solve this in that moment, just going ahead.
The return bike ride was easy along the slope road. Hunger was at top level. Arriving the restaurant at San Jerónimo they told us evrything was sold, except our prepaid “sopa seca”, what a banquet!!
After our late lunch, we went back to the hotel, to pick up our stuff and to get ready for departure back to Cañete by bus, we were too tired to make it riding. Before taking the bus, bought wine and pisco from the most recommended local maker: Felipe Lira, a nice gentle person, christian, hospitable and a bit drunk, that sold us the best of his production at very low prices.
So, already laoded and ready to go, we rode the minibus that for S/. 3.00 brought us down to Cañete, to the Soyuz bus station.
From there to Lima a 2 hours bus ride took us back to the end of the trip.
RECOMMENDED TIPS:
· Bus: SOYUZ, S/. 20.00. Bikes 15.00 each
· At San Jerónimo
o Hostal San Jerónimo
o Bodega Felipe Lira: best home made wine and pisco in town
· At Lunahuaná
o River rafting: Sol y Río.
Aníbal & María Elena
Visita nuestra web: www.geocities.com/anibpm
Hospedaje en Lima: www.geocities.com/montblancgranhotel
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