Redesigned

Biking Peru From The Andes To The Amazon

Day 1: Meet in Cusco

Welcome to Cusco, the former capital of the Inca Empire! Located at an altitude of 3,300 m (11,152 ft), Cusco is one of the highest cities in the world. On the first day of the trip, we meet at our tour hotel in the morning and enjoy a casual walking tour along the city’s cobblestone alleys. We'll visit the Plaza de Arma, the Cathedral and the impressive Inca temple of Qoricancha, complemented with lunch at a local restaurant. Today we’ll also arrange bike fittings, a trip briefing, and treat ourselves to a welcome dinner. Please arrive at least one day prior to the start of the tour as living at this altitude takes some getting used to – let us know if you would like assistance with a pre-tour hotel and airport transfer.

Casa Andina Premium Cusco
Lunch, Dinner

Day 2: Cusco → Pisac

This morning we have a short 30-minute transfer out of Cuzco to avoid traffic. Saddling on near the small town of Husao, we begin cycling along a smooth tarmac road downhill towards Huambutio. There, we diverge from the main road onto a captivating, lesser-traveled path that runs parallel to the Urubamba River. Our inaugural ride is dedicated to embracing the awe-inspiring Andean landscapes that surround us – towering peaks and lush valleys with time-honored Inca agricultural terraces cascading down the hillsides. We pause for a picnic lunch and continue onwards to the charming town of Pisac, with its facade of colonial buildings nestled amidst the mountains. Our aim is to arrive in time for Pisac’s lively artisan market, a fantastic opportunity to collect unique souvenirs and capture the essence of an authentic Andean market scene.

Pisac Inn
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Ride 43km
+262m
-441m

Day 3: Pisac → Cloud Forest

From Pisac, we transfer 45 minutes uphill to a 4,100 m ASL in the Peruvian Altiplano, a high-altitude plateau comprising rugged mountains, highland plains, and tranquil lakes. Here we saddle-up and descend to the small village of Paucartambo. This village is famous for its annual Virgin del Carmen Festival with its colourful dance troupes. We then jump into the support van for a 30 minute transfer to the edge of Manu National Park. After lunch we hop back on our bikes, to experience one of the most striking visual shifts of the tour: dropping off the edge of the Andes and into the cloud forest of the Amazon Basin. We cycle downhill all afternoon, surrounded by spectacular jungle views and hopefully glimpsing rare wildlife en route. We arrive at our lodge near the small jungle hamlet of San Pedro.

Cock of the Rock, Cloud Forest Birding Lodge
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Ride 98km
+1014m
-4355m

Day 4: Cloud Forest Birding Lodge → Manu National Park

After breakfast, we'll take some time to try and spot the famous Cock-of-the-Rock—a beautiful, unique bird known for the male's striking bright orange plumage and fan-shaped crest, that inhabits this area—as it performs at a nearby lek (a communal display ground where males gather to attract mates). Continuing our downhill ride, we will enter the rainforest and pass through various small villages, where we can see the daily lives of the people and how they coexist with nature and the forest. Stopping along the way for cold drinks and a chance to cool off in pristine jungle streams, we will end our ride at Pilcopata: the gateway to Manu. This is where the biking ends, and we transfer to our jungle lodge. Be warned: if sunny, this ride can be very hot and sweaty; however, if wet and muddy, the biking becomes quite an adventure!

Manu Biolodge
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Ride 34km
+125m
-998m

Day 5: Manu National Park Free Day

Today is a very special day inside Manu National Park. Being based at this unique Lodge we have one of the world’s most incredible, diverse and fragile ecosystems literally at our doorstep. Today we have a full day in the jungle lodge where there are various optional tours and activities on offer. The jungle is usually alive very early in the morning so try to get out pre-dawn and explore, as this will be your best chance to see wildlife. It's a day dedicated to learning about the rainforest from our guide, going out in search of monkeys, birds (among which is the spectacular and prehistoric hoatzin), and other animals. If we are lucky, we may also spot the black caiman in the nearby small lake. There is an option to cycle or drive to the small village of Atalaya, visiting a hummingbird and animal sanctuary en route and from the port at Atalaya enjoy a short motorised dugout canoe ride to experience a boat trip on a tributary of the mighty Amazon river.

Manu Biolodge
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 6: Manu National Park → Pisac

Hopefully today's dawn chorus is the unique sound of Howler monkeys. We then return to the vehicle for the journey back of about 2.5 hours to Pisac and the Sacred Valley of the Incas. Although the road back is mostly uphill there are two exhilarating and extremely tempting downhill sections and we give you the option to get back on the bikes and enjoy some unforgettable free-flowing descents. Both descents are about 25km and they are entirely optional. We will arrive in Pisac late in the afternoon, in time to check-in, wander the fascinating street stalls and enjoy dinner.

Pisac Inn
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Ride 50km
+194m
-1961m

Day 7: Pisac → Ollantaytambo

Setting off directly from our hotel in Pisac, we cross the Urubamba River and embark on a picturesque back road, tracing the contours of the Sacred Valley. Just beyond Pisac, we transition onto a lesser-traveled dirt track winding through local villages and haciendas (agricultural estates) set against the beautiful backdrop of glaciated mountains and Inca ruins. We pause for a picnic lunch along the way before passing through the villages of Qoya, Lamay, and Calca. Crossing the Urubamba River once more in Huayllabamba, we continue on a well-maintained road through Yucay and Urubamba, eventually reaching Pacchar. Here we cross back for more dirt road riding as we head to the end of the Sacred Valley and the charming village of Ollantaytambo. We will be based here for the next three nights.

Hotel Pakaritampu
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Ride 61km
+474m
-642m

Day 8: Moray → Maras Salt Pans

Based out of Ollantaytambo we embark on a great ride along the fringes of the Sacred Valley. We begin with a short transfer to the small village of Pacchar and onto the Inca site of Moray. Known for its spectacular circular stone terraces, Moray is a testament to the advanced agricultural practices of the Incas. We then begin our ride across the plains on a nice undulating trail with a refreshing downhill to the shores of Lake Huaypo. Here we enjoy a picnic lunch and then hop back on our bikes to discover another rarely used dirt road that takes us to the Maras Salt Pans. Having been mined since Inca times, these spectacular, sparkling white pools of salt are a photographer's delight. We then transfer back to Ollantaytambo where we enjoy a well-deserved dinner.

Hotel Pakaritampu
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Ride 32km
+316m
-621m

Day 9: Machu Picchu Exploration

Today is off the saddle as we set out to visit the most splendid Incan mountaintop ruins of all: Machu Picchu. Referred to as the “Lost City of the Incas”, this incredible sanctuary is simply a must-see when visiting Peru. To get there we will take a train journey that follows the impressive Urubamba River down through the cloud forest and to the base of Machu Picchu mountain itself. Once there, we will participate in an extensive walking tour of the ruins, delving into the intricacies of Machu Picchu's construction techniques, its purpose as a sanctuary and ceremonial center, and gaining insights into the daily life of the Inca civilization that thrived within these breathtaking stone walls. We’ll enjoy lunch at a nearby restaurant before heading back to the train station for the return journey along the Sacred Valley to our base in Ollantaytambo. Dinner is on your own tonight.

Hotel Pakaritampu
Breakfast, Lunch

Day 10: Ollantaytambo → Calca

Our final day will be a total adventure well off the beaten track in the Sacred Valley. We begin with a 1-hour vehicle transfer up to heights of 4,000 m ASL in the Andes and then cycle downhill into the beautiful and remote Lares Valley. Passing the village of HuacaHuasi, we descend on a dirt road to the hot spring town of Lares where we can take a quick dip in these medicinal springs before enjoying a picnic lunch. One last 45 min vehicle boost brings us to Abra Lares which, located at 4,400 m ASL, which will be our springboard for a "downhill of a lifetime" taking us along a well paved road from the roof of the Andes to the valley floor below. We end our ride in the historic main square of Calca before returning to Cusco by vehicle transfer. In the evening, we meet for our farewell dinner.

Casa Andina Premium Cusco
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Ride 53km
+226m
-2853m

Day 11: Cusco Departure

Time to say goodbye! Feel free to extend your stay in Cusco or venture onwards to discover more of incredible Peru. Please let us know if you would like assistance with a post-tour hotel and airport transfer.

Breakfast

Disclaimer: The adventure cycling tours we operate often go beyond the beaten track, and the countries where we ride are not always predictable. Due to these reasons, it is occasionally necessary to reroute or update itineraries. Our guarantee is that we will not change a trip unless for safety or to improve it. Our listed hotels are always accurate at the time of writing, but should we have to change any hotel, it will always be for a similar or better one.