One-DAY mountain bike trip:
Chinchero, moray and Salineras
This is our call for best general day trip from Cusco, combining the breathtaking sight that is Salineras with a truly wonderful bike ride suitable for all ability levels, all with continuous views of the stunning central cordillera of the Andes.
We’ll start with a visit to the weaving studios of Chinchero, then bike through farmland and rolling hills (Andean flat!) from Chinchero to Moray – three deep, terraced amphitheatres where the Incas tried out different crops at different altitudes and angles to the sun. Salineras is even better – a still-working ancient salt factory that’s as beautiful as it is fascinating, with a patchwork of coloured pools twinkling under the sun.
In between the two is an easy intermediate level ride (or you can walk it) with great range of terrain, consistent downhill, and an impressive array of options for all ability levels.
What’s Included:
• Lunch
• Expert bike guide/mechanic
• Awesome bikes
• Full vehicle support
• Helmet and gloves
• Pickup and drop-off at your hotel
• Entry to Chinchero, Moray and Salineras archaeological sites
What’s NOT Included:
• Tips for your guide(s) and driver
• Drinking water – please bring plenty!
Specific details for YOUR TRIP:
Pick up location: Your hotel in Cusco
Pick up time: 9am
Drop-off location: Your hotel in Cusco
Approx. drop-off time: 5pm
half-day bike trip:
offroad descent into cusco
The long hill that defines the north side of the city of Cusco is a one big mountain bike playground, with miles and miles of riding ranging from gentle dirt road to gnarly downhill. Easy, fast, public-transport access to this terrain is probably one of the reasons mountain biking has taken off like it has in Cusco. We’ll take our own transport up for anything from one to three descents, each different approaches to the long hillside generally known as Yuncaypata.
Along the way we’ll experience everything from easy 4×4 track to a jump park (part of a local race track). The classic end to the ride is to descend a flight of ancient stone stairs into the Plaza de San Blas, scattering pigeons and impressing tourists.
What’s Included:
• Lunch
• Expert bike guide/mechanic
• Use of our awesome double suspension bikes
• Full vehicle support
• Helmet and gloves
• Pickup and drop-off at your hotel
What’s NOT Included:
• Tips for your guide(s) and driver
• Drinking water – please bring plenty!
Specific details for YOUR TRIP:
Pick up location: Your hotel in Cusco
Pick up time: 9am
Drop-off location: Your hotel in Cusco
Approx drop-off time: 1.30pm
half-day bike trip:
Family mountain bike trip: Cusco to Pisac
This trip starts with some flowing, easy track through eucalyptus bush that’s a pleasure for anyone who enjoys being on a mountain bike. We ride the rest of the way to Pisac on the highway – an incredibly fun descent through spectacular scenery. Along the way we visit the Cochahuasi animal sanctuary where you can get up close and personal with condors, lynxes, and other exotic Peruvian animals that have been rescued from illegal captivity.
Perfect for families and people who don’t bike much.
What’s Included:
What’s NOT Included:
Specific details for YOUR TRIP:
Pick up location: Your hotel in Cusco
Pick up time: 9am
Drop-off location: Your hotel in Cusco or Pisac
Approx. drop-off time: 1.30pm in Pisac, 2.30pm in Cusco
Two-day Mountain Bike trip:
LARES HOT SPRINGS
This is the best we way know of to spend two days! Two days of awesome riding through spectacular scenery, and in-between a night camping at the paradise-like Lares hot springs! Side-by-side dirt road and single track offer unparalleled opportunities for riders of all ability levels to enjoy.
This is a superb two-day trip for any outdoors enthusiast and will be the highlight of your trip to Peru.
Day 1 RIDE FROM AMPARAES PASS TO LARES HOT SPRINGS
We’ll pick you up from your hotel between 9 – 9:30am and drive up to Amparaes Pass at 4,500 metres (14,500 feet). We’ll ride from the top of the pass descending down the easy gravel road or single track into the remote Lares Valley, starting in high-altitude rock and cold, and ending up in a warm, green river gorge.
The chance to enjoy a beer and barbecue at the surreal and beautiful water park that is Lares hot springs is worth a trip in itself. Naturally occurring hot springs are surrounded by lovingly landscaped terraces and lawns dotted with tents. This is one of our favourite places in the world – there is no better end to a day’s riding than soaking in the springs and staring up at the stars.
Accommodation: Camping at Lares Hot springs – magic!
Meals: Lunch and dinner included
Day 2 RIDE FROM AMPARAES PASS TO CALCA
This morning an incredibly scenic drive takes us up to the dizzying Amparaes Pass, and to the top of one of the world’s best off-road descents. Section follows section of llama track, gravel riverside, and eventually scenic river gorge. We’ll end with an array of undulating riverside single track (or take the open, speedy gravel backroad alongside) into the outskirts of Calca. Here we’ll have a late lunch before heading back to Cusco where we’ll drop you off at your accommodations at about 4pm, no doubt with a massive smile beaming across your face!
This is our favourite mountain bike day in the world.
Meals: Breakfast and lunch included
three-Days trip:
Jungle Trail to Machu Picchu
Day
1: Adventures on the Jungle Trail to Machu Picchu
After an early stat today we undertake a fascinating journey, from the dry, Pacific side of the Andes to its lush western slope. There’s a marked difference in vegetation between the two sides, and you’ll have ample opportunity to appreciate it as we descend from Abra Malaga, a high pass (4,350 metres/14,000 feet) in the shadow of the Veronica Glacier, to the steamy heat of the ceja de selva (“eyebrow of the jungle” – tropical rainforest).
Our destination, sleepy Santa Teresa (1,550 metres/5,085 feet), is home to one of our favourite places in Peru, the Baños Termales de Cocalmayo, natural mountain hot springs beside a raging river. It’s the perfect place to soak away the road dust of today’s journey from one side of the Andes to the other.
If you’re into biking, you might want to ride some parts of today’s journey – it’s an incredibly fun, freewheeling downhill. We provide bikes so you can ride as much or as little as you like.
Accommodation: Rustic eco-lodge near Santa Teresa
Meals: All meals included
Day 2: meet coffee growers and sample their wares!
Coffee, grown at cottage-industry level and exported through growers co-operatives, is the backbone of this area’s economy. This morning a local coffee producer will show us around their plantation and the equipment they use to harvest, mill and toast coffee.
In the afternoon we’ll take a short (7 kilometre/5 mile) train ride to Aguas Calientes. There’s time this afternoon to explore the market and admire the scenery all around and above us – the little town has one of the most beautiful settings you’ll see in Peru, in a jungle gorge by a rushing river.
Accommodation: Comfortable hotel in Aguas Calientes
Meals: All meals included
Day 3: EXPLORE MACHU PICCHU
An early start rewards us with sunrise at Machu Picchu – a peak moment for anyone. A spectacular stone city surrounded by incredibly steep, incredibly green mountains, Machu Picchu needs no introduction and is deservedly one of the new Seven Wonders of the World. A guided tour is a necessary start to orient you in this massive site, then you’ll have plenty of time to explore the site and some of the surrounding peaks on your own before we catch the train back to Cusco.
Meals: Breakfast and lunch included
What’s INCLUDEd:
What’s NOT INCLUDEd:
Specific details for YOUR TRIP
Pick up location: Your hotel in Cusco
Pick up time: 7am
Drop-off location: Your hotel in Cusco
Approx. drop-off time: 7.30pm
