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DAY TRIP TO SOURCE OF AMAZON RIVER AND DOWNHILL MOUNTAIN BIKE TO COLCA CANYON

Discover The Origin Of The Amazon River And Enjoy Scenic Bike Ride On The Andes

PERU ADVENTURE TOURS organise only day trip to see the highest mountain location where is the origin of Rio Amazonas, at the bottom of Nevado Mismi 5,597M (18,358ft) - The surrounding area of Nevado Mismi, the valle of Carhuasanta and Ranran offer great views of wild mountains and snow-peaks for variety level of multi-day trekking, camping, mountaneering and of course mountain bike ride in a quiet atmosphery, without traffic and spectacular scenery.
Our tour company designed a day trip itinerary from Chivay 3600M (11,808ft) for adventure travelers looking to discover the place where is the source of Amazon River 5200M (17,055ft) and practice nice downhill on good gravel road through the mountains, passing lagoon, observing wildlife as Pink Flamingos, Vicuñas, Condors, to the bottom of upper section of Colca canyon.
This day trip is suitable for all travelers has spend few nighst over 3000M (9,840ft) at high altitude (Cusco, Lake Titicaca or Chivay) for better performance at mountain bike time - We advise to ready to enjoy the unique day mountin bike tour in the Colca canyon.
Day Bike Tour Nevado Mismi

SHORT DESCRPTION OF NEVADO MISMI
Nevado Mismi is a 5,597m (18,358ft) mountain peak of volcanic origin located in the Andes mountain range of Arequipa, Peru. A glacial stream on the Mismi was firmly identified as the most distant source of the Amazon River in 1996 by scientist expeditions; this finding was confirmed in 2001 and again in 2007. The waters from Nevado Mismi flows into the Quebrada Carhuasanta and Apacheta, which flow into the Río Apurímac which is a tributary of the Ucayali which later joins the Marañon to form the Amazon proper. Nevado Mismi is about 160km west of Lake Titicaca and 700KM southeast of Peru's capital city, Lima, in the Arequipa Region. It is one of the highest points of Colca Canyon. There are several glaciers on the peak as Quehuisha, Huilcayo and Choquecorao. Their defrosting forms a small lagoon near the summit which is known as Laguna Inti Cocha (in ancient Quechua language meaning “sun lagoon”).
In the summit of Mismi it happens a "Divortium aquarium": The waters of their defrostings are divided and take two-way traffic: On the one hand they go away towards the Pacific Ocean (Through river Colca, Majes and Camaná) and by the other side towards the Atlantic Ocean (Through river Apurimac, Ene, Ucayali and Amazonas).
Quebrada Carhuasanta is at 4.900 meters high (16,072 ft.); in the beginning the small river is called Lloqueta, then Challamayo and finally Hornillos River (This we can see it in the road to Caylloma); after few kilometers Hornillos join its waters in “La Ang Zostura” with Apurimac River (or Caylloma that comes from Vilafro lagoon. In its route the Apurimac receives waters of many tributary rivers that contribute to increase considerably their volume more and more impressive. When joining itself with the Apurimac in La Angostura and being a greater river goes towards Cusco, soon will cross the departments of Apurimac, Ayacucho, and part of Junin until arriving in Loreto to continue his fabulous trip towards Brazil.

Day Trip To Amazon River Source From Chivay - Bike Tours In The Colca Canyon - Day Bike Trips In The Colca Canyon - Tour To See The Origin Of Rio Amazonas - Day Trips To Nevado Mismi - Mountain Bike Tours In The Colca Valley - Tour Information About Trip To Amazon Source - Photos Of The Amazon Source In Nevado Mismi - Day Bike Trip In The Colca Canyon - Hiking And Biking Tours Around Nevado Mismi
For serious weather report about Nevado Mismi CLICK HERE ...

MISMI MT EXPEDITIONS

The Cousteau Amazon Expedition: In 1982 Jean Michael Cousteau led a large scale scientific exploration of the Amazon from its mouth to its origin. The “Cousteau Amazon Expedition” cost eleven million dollars and culminated in a six-hour television documentary titled “Cousteau’s Amazon” released in 1983. It offered study information to last years and gave insights into the biology and geology of the largest river system on earth. Traditionally, explorers and geographers defining the origin of a river system by tracking the longest tributaries while heading upstream, as volume can change dramatically from month to month. In a system as complex as the Amazon basin with dozen of streams as candidates in previously poorly mapped areas, no consensus could plausibly be substantiated for some time, and the origin was left to speculation. Half a dozen sites claimed title to “The Origin of the Amazon“and until 1982 several were in the running. Using an international team of twelve and bringing in expeditionary specialists from Germany, France, Argentina, Peru and the USA, Jean-Michel Cousteau put together resources and logistics spanning a thousand miles of unknown jungle.
The Upper Amazon expedition (The Flying Expedition) included an Eastern European multi-axle reticulated Land Rover for use on land, a float plane Papagaiu, for air support and reconnaissance, and the Peruvian Air Force offered a high elevation helicopter to reach the upper levels of the Cordillera de Chila Mountain range in Peru.
Expedition support bases were established in Cusco, in the mountains, in Arequipa near of the Pacific coast, and high in the Cordillera de Chila at Caylloma for the quest to find the origin of the Amazon. Many locations were remote, making it necessary to surmount language, terrain and logistical difficulties, as the mountain team made their way up the Río Selinke to the flanks of Nevado Mismi. At this mountain's base, Jean Michael dispatched a team of German alpinists who climbed the 18,000 foot volcano and returned in two days. During their descent, they found melt water dropping into a fissure. This cleft varied from two meters to half a meter wide, angling down the slope. This stream flowed nearly fifty meters before disappearing, emerging again lower down to flow between stones and continues its course. They discovered that within the fissure, the water was deep enough to float a small craft and realized that they were presented with an opportunity. Utilizing pack llamas, kayaker Caril Ridley was brought to the site, and in June 1982, navigating by kayak, became the first person to run the origins of the Amazon. Later expeditions refined our understanding of the river's many origins and its subsequent course to the Atlantic Ocean.
National Geographic Society Expedition: In 2001, it was verified that the main headwater of the Amazon River has its glacial source on Nevado Mismi. An expedition of the National Geographic Society discovered that Carhuasanta stream flowing into Río Apurímac originates on the mountain's northern slopes and then runs its course through other tributaries and rivers to help form the main Amazon River. The fact that the headwaters of Río Apurímac are the source of the Amazon River was confirmed by Brazilian scientists in 2007, who pointed at Quebrada Apacheta as the most probable source of the Amazon.
PERU ADVENTURE TOURS thanks to other expeditions not mentioned in this page. Thanks to those expeditions the region of Mismi Mt is getting more popular for mountain climbers and hikers coming to visit all these remote places located on the heart of the Andes of Peru.
We invite to all explorers and expeditions to contact us and provide relevant information about the source of the Amazon River to add to this page.

El Nevado Mismi: This ice mountain is on the continental divide, one side drains through the Amazon River to the Atlantic Ocean, and the other to the Pacific Ocean. By PERU ADVENTURE TOURS.

MT BIKE TOUR ITINERARY FROM ORIGIN OF AMAZON RIVER

At 7AM pickup from hotel in Chivay or from Yanque and driver for about 3 hours on the upper zone of the valley and then we turn to left taking a narrow gavel road through valley of Ranran - Stop next of small lagoon to watch Andean native birds, along the way you will see lot Andean scenery, group of Llamas and Alpacas grazing.
After two hours we will get the flat area where are groups of Vicuñas live in a quiet atmosphere surrounded by mountains - The driving from this section to source of the Amazon River will be more challenge thanks to unclear road up to valle Carhuasanta - Around 10AM we will arrive to the end of the road (only by 4x4) and then 20 minutes of hike to find the original source of the Amazon River located in a remote and rocky area where you will see a small and crystalline stream of water comes out of huge rock wall facing Andean valley of Carhuasanta where is formed the first section of Rio Amazonas.
Origin Of The Amazon

Around 11AM we will be ready to begin the adventure on 2 wheels from 5200M down to upper section of the Colca valley (Chivay 3640M) – This adventure will be done through mountains, snow peaks, lagoons and Andean sceneries, following a perfect gravel road decorated by Vicuñas, Llamas, Alpacas and many Andean birds. The entire riding distance will be between 50km and 60km (3-4hrs), the riding distance vary according the level of each participant and how you will feel up there.
This bike tour suitable for beginners, riding on the gravel and asphalt road. For advanced riders this tour itinerary also offers some single tracks but this available under customer request and performance.
Off course along the way we include many stops with nice spots and short breaks surrounded by mountains or next of the Colca River.
At the end of the ride we offer you to enjoy the thermals pools (40°C - Admission excluded) for about 1hr to relax your muscles and then drop-off at your hotel in Chivay and end of service (4PM).
Downhill Mountain Bike Mismi

AMAZON RIVER SOURCE MOUNTAIN BIKE TOUR INCLUDES

Pick-up from customer hotel located in Chivay, Yanque or Coporaque (no Arequipa)
English-Speaking mountain bike guide
Private supporting vehicle for whole trip
Hardtail Mountain Bike (Aluminum frame, front suspension, 29' wheels, hydraulic brakes system, 18 - 22 speeds)
Gloves; windproof and full-finger glove which can also be worn during the cold season or high altitudes
Helmet; light ventilated and comfortable for your head
Elbow and Knee pads available only under request
Drop-off at customer hotel (Chivay or Yanque)

RECOMMENDATION
If this is your first time going to the Andes or High Mountains we recommend getting information about the ALTITUDE SICKNESS, see below some websites recommend by High Mountain doctors and scientists from over the world.
ISMM – International Society For Mountain Medicine
MEDEX – Medical Expeditions

DAY TRIP TO THE SOURCE OF AMAZON RIVER AND DOWNHILL MOUNTAIN BIKE TO COLCA CANYON
DATE	TOUR	COST
Any day between April and November No during raining season	DAY TRIP TO THE SOURCE OF AMAZON RIVER AND DOWNHILL MOUNTAIN BIKE TO COLCA CANYON Discover The Origin Of The Amazon River And Enjoy Scenic Bike Ride On The Andes	Group Service (Public bus) No available Private Service (Private 4x4/Guide) 2 participants $190 USD each 3 participants $170 USD each 4 participants $145 USD each 5 participants $135 USD each
Discount 3%: Tour Operators or Travel Agencies Only
Organized Groups: We offer private and any time departure
Group size: 4 participants per guide according tecnical recommendations - We need minimum two participants to develop this trip
BOOK HERE: We highly recommended to book space prior your arrival to Arequipa

EXCLUDED

Entrance to Colca canyon as known as Boleto Turistico (70 soles) - This has to be paid directly at check point in Chivay
Accommodation in the Colca canyon.
Travel and accident insurance
Soft and alcoholics drinks
Breakfast, lunch snack and drinking water
Tip for guide and camp staff

WHAT YOU NEED TO BRING/CARRY

Day backpack 30Lt. to carry personal items
Rain gear or poncho in case is raining
Strong comfortable and waterproof footwear.
One complete change of clothing.
Sweater and jacket (something warm).
Bottle of water to refill each time you will need
Hat or cap to protect you from the sun.
Sun block (sun protection cream).
Toiletries, towel and toilet paper.
Selection of snacks, chocolate, dried fruit, biscuits etc,
Camera, plenty of film and spare batteries.
Swimsuit (if you plan swim in the hot spring of Chivay, after the bike trip).
Personal first aid kit.

RAIN SEASON AND BEST TIME FOR MOUNTAINBIKING

December to March. Some days blue sky with good conditions for biking but this need to be ask before booking.
The dry season on the Andes is considered between April to November/December, but according natural fenomena some dry season includes wet days over 4000m of altitude making difficult to enjoy the trip.

ADVICE MOUNTAIN BIKE LOVERS

For all our customers we recommend to spend few days around the Colca canyon to get better acclimatize to altitude, because this bike tour includes to drive up to 5200m (17060.37 f), where is located the origin of Amazon River.
Driking water as much as you can will be natural way to avoid the altitude sicknes (soroche). Also we recommend to wear good winter clothes and shoes for better performance on the way down on two wheels.
Nevado Mismi Biking Tour

CONTACT US
For more information about the tour or you request a new date to departure for this tour, please contact us....

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