TAKE THE ROAD LESS TRAVELED
PACE tours are perfect for the cyclist looking to experience a once in a lifetime adventure. We curated our tours from our team of thrill seekers and adventurous cyclists that love what Peru has to offer.
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We provide taylor made tours to satisfy your calling. From 15,000 feet mountain tops to river crossings, PACE has the adventure you’ve been longing for. Come with us on a journey and prepare to be changed forever.
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Cycling adventures designed by cyclists, for cyclists
From various different cycling adventures, PACE is the tour company to use. PACE is run by the Peru Women's Cycling Team. Not only are our guides effective in giving you the best journey, we’re locals and knowledgeable about the areas we venture out into. One of our goals is to support the Iquitos community, which means engaging with the local culture and sourcing natural ingredients. Come explore the nations most beautiful and scenic areas with us, we’re certain you’ll be wanting more.
The PACE Cycling Team has developed three different tours to a variety of regions in Peru. Each of these tours have totally different weather, fitness and bicycle possibilities. See the following guidelines for each tour:
Cycling Fitness
Each of these tour require a good fitness base. A “rule of thumb” is that 1 kilometer in Perù is equal to 1 mile in the United States because of elevation, road conditions and the general weirdness of the adventure of traveling in a new country. The days of all these tours have been planned to fit into a 5-8 hour cycling day. The tour "Over the Andes” is the most extreme because of the elevation and weather changes and is only suggested for riders who routinely can ride 100 miles per day. This tour is level 9 on a scale of 1 to 10 for cycling effort.
The "Andes to the Amazon" and "Inca Highlands Tour” are more moderated and recommended for riders who can ride 60 miles per day. They are level 7 and 6 9 on a scale of 1 to 10 for cycling effort.
Weather
*Andes to the Amazon Tour: Tarapoto to Iquitos
Daily temperatures will range from 25-35 C (75-95 F). It does rain in the rain forest, but an occasional rain shower actually feels good while bringing cooler conditions. Most of the hotels have air conditioning and the jungle does cool down at night. The afternoon sun can be intense, so sun screen and long sleeve shirts are helpful.
*Over the Andes: Puerto Maldonado to Nazca
This is the most extreme tour, as it goes from low jungles to over 15,000 foot elevations. Weather conditions range from hot jungles to snow flurries. Everyone is required to always carry a rain jacket, arm warmers, tights, gloves and a warm hat.
*Inca Highlands Tour: Trujillo to Caramarca and Back
This tour mainly travels in the dry highlands of the eastern slopes of the Andes. Temperatures tend to be similar to San Diego with comfortable 60F-80F degree days. The terrain is arid and rain is rare. The highest elevation is 11,000 feet and a light jacket could be needed.
Bikes
*Andes to the Amazon Tour: Tarapoto to Iquitos
We have revised this tour from past years as the road conditions have improved. Our route mainly travels on good paved roads. Road bikes with 25mm or 28mm tires would work fine. There are a few 7 mile climbs and a low gear of 30 tooth chainring and 30 tooth rear cog would be helpful.
*Over the Andes: Puerto Maldonado to Nazca
Most of these roads have good pavement except for road construction or avalanche zones. A good racing bike with low gears works well. The higher elevations above 12,000 feet require much lower gears than 9,000 foot grades in the United States. Most riders need one more tooth on the cassette for every 1,000 feet above 10,000 foot elevation. If you normally climb mountain grades in a 25 tooth cog, you will need a 30 tooth cog for this tour.
*Inca Highlands Tour: Trujillo to Caramarca and Back
Because of the variety of road conditions during this tour, tires of at least 40mm are recommended for the gravel roads with a smooth tread for the paved sections. 75% of the roads have good pavement, so a hybrid or mountain bike with 26 x 1.5 tires is a good choice. Low gears with 30 x 46 chainrings and 12 x 30 rear cog would work well on the climbs and downhill sections.
Bring a Bike to Donate
If you have an old bike in good condition you would like to ride during the tour and then leave in Peru, your old bike will be put to good use. Also if you have any extra cycling jerseys, shorts, helmets, tires or tools, those are always useful items for the cycling projects. Lon Haldeman has a variety of bikes that have been donated to PAC Tour to be used for tours in Perú and Africa. If you would like to take one of these bikes to Perú, you can contact Lon ([email protected]) to determine sizes and availability. Lon will send you the bike several months before your tour so you can ride and train on your bike. You are responsible for bringing your bike to Peru on the airlines.
Support and Services
All of these tours are supported by one or two vans that will carry the luggage and snacks during the day. Bottled water and packaged food are always supplied to prevent stomach illness. Also, rest stops are planned every 2 hours where riders can regroup. Several english speaking Peruvian riders from the Cycling Team will be spread-out to ride with everyone during the day. They are a good source of local knowledge and customs.
Hotels and Restaurants
We will be staying at a variety of hotels. Most of the hotels have air conditioning, private bathrooms and hot water showers, however, some of them are more basic “Road Houses” with simple accommodations and a bathroom down the hall. Most rooms have 2 beds, but we will try to offer riders single private rooms when possible.
There is usually a nearby restaurant where we will eat evening dinners together. Sometimes our crew will help prepare breakfast in the hotel to offer additional French Toast, eggs and oatmeal. During the day some of our lunches will be at roadside restaurants that offer chicken, fish, rice and soup. When there is not a restaurant during the day, our support van will supply additional filling food.
ADVENTURE CALLS
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See our services page for our upcoming rides. Modify an existing trip or choose a ready- to book itinerary or create your own with the help of our team.