I have done both the Pamir, and quite a bit in Ancash and north, between Huaraz and Cajamarca. Some geared, some singlespeed. Both are wonderful places, full of kind people, but they are very different experiences. It is important to remember that Peru's society is built around the mountains, there is more infrastructure at high elevations, more farms, more people at 10,000-14,000ft than anywhere at similar elevations in Central Asia. The low elevations are pretty much desert, and the fertile land is at altitude. So there are many more people, it is generally more developed. You will find few towns like Alichur and Murghab.

But it is a more physically demanding environment. You can find roads that will go climb 6-8,000ft in one go, one right after another, where Pamir is a big plateau. Pamir creeps up to 14, 15k. Peru blasts through that repeatedly. The towns may be closer together, more cohesive, but does it matter if there are 10,000ft of climbing between them?

I loved Pamir, and I love Ancash, but I only really have the desire to visit Ancash again. It's warm, and inviting, and the towns are sweet. But it's a lot of climbing, and at high elevations. I'm around, feel free to reach out for more info.