Think again. Llamas have been used as pack animals for many centuries. But apparently they’re poorly suited as riding animals, except perhaps for very small children; and I, for one, am not a very small child.

So it’s back to the old touring bicycle. Or, how about riding a mountain bike; and having a llama accompany you, carrying your stuff? As long as you’re not hurtling downhill at 60 mph, a llama should be able to keep up.

Do you love a really challenging bike trip? Try Peru’s Great Divide. This six-day route includes over 29,000 feet of climbing; and is mostly unpaved. On a difficulty scale of 1-10, it’s rated 8. If you don’t live at high altitude already, I guess a hypoxic mask is a must while preparing for this adventure; and don’t forget the warm clothing!

Naturally the Great Divide isn’t the only two-wheeled adventure to be found in Peru. Many of the routes involve a lot of climbing; but happily for non-climbers, there are some more moderate routes.

Aside from llamas and the Andes, Peru makes me think of Callao; the harbor from which the Kon-Tiki expedition set sail. I think it would be interesting to see that.

Back to cycling adventures in the Land of the Llama. Get some cold-weather gear for those high altitudes; insect repellent for lower elevations; and maybe inquire about hiring a lama … llama … one L, or two?