Redesigned

Biking Peru From The Andes To The Amazon

Day 1 Meet in Cusco

Welcome to Cusco, the former capital of the Incan Empire! Located at an altitude of 3,300 m (11,152 ft), Cusco is one of the highest cities in the world. 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. 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 Incan temple of Coricancha, complemented with lunch at a local restaurant. Today we’ll also arrange bike fittings, a trip briefing, and treat ourselves to a welcome dinner.

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 Incan 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 or 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 pass in the Peruvian Altiplano, a vast high-altitude plateau of rugged mountains, rolling plains, and tranquil lakes. We then cycle downhill for nearly 50 km to the village of Paucartambo, surrounded by striking natural scenery. After another 45-minute uphill transfer to the edge of Manu National Park — one of the world’s greatest biodiversity hotspots — we get back on our bikes and descend 15 km, entering the heart of Peru’s cloud forest. Based at an environmental research station dedicated to cloud forest ecology, we head out on a short hike into this mist-laden ecosystem, where a near-constant supply of moisture nurtures a rich diversity of birds, orchids, amphibians, and mammals. Spending the night here, surrounded by pristine nature and misty views, offers a truly unique experience.

Wayqecha Cloud Forest Research Station
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Ride 64km
+436m
-2253m

Day 4 Cloud Forest - Manu National Park

Early birds should rise pre-dawn to witness an incredible sunrise over the dense, dewy canopy of the cloud forest. After breakfast, we continue our descent into Manu National Park, dropping nearly 3,000 metres into the lowlands of the Amazon Basin, where an untamed wilderness sprawls in the shadows of the Andean foothills. Our route follows winding, narrow roads — a mix of uneven pavement, gravel, and sand — so we take a steady pace as the rainforest grows lusher around us. Along the way, we pass small villages, some established by early European settlers, which make for interesting refreshment stops. We finish our ride at a cosy ecolodge that partners with indigenous communities on conservation efforts and features a farm-to-table restaurant. Spending two nights here offers a wholesome and immersive experience in Peru’s largest protected natural region.

Manu Biolodge
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Ride 63km
+465m
-2845m

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. We’ll give our bikes a break for the day and you have several options to get out into the jungle and explore on foot. The jungle is usually alive very early in the morning so try to get out pre-dawn as this will be your best chance to see wildlife. This is one of the best places in Peru (if not the world!) for birdwatching with more than 630 bird species recorded and an abundance of parrots, parakeets, small macaws and hummingbirds. There is plenty of time to have a siesta to avoid the hottest part of the day. Settle down on the decking (with a cold beer if so inclined), watch the humming birds and soak it all in. In the evening, you can go for a walk to catch the beautiful sunset over the Amazon Basin or join a research student for a frog walk! All meals today are included at the lodge.

Manu Biolodge
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 6 Manu National Park - Pisac

After a dawn chorus from local birds and perhaps howler monkeys, we retrace our journey into the Andes, heading back to Pisac and the Sacred Valley by vehicle. The total driving time is around 4-5 hours and mostly uphill, though there are two exhilarating downhill sections which may tempt us into the saddle for some free-flowing descents. You will remember these stretches as we skipped them when they were ascents on our way down into the Amazon, so you can now fill in these gaps. Both descents are around 25 km, and the second leads directly into Pisac where we spend the night for a second time on the tour.

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) pressed 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 3 nights.

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

Day 8 Ollantaytambo - 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 transfer to avoid a tough ascent and visit the Incan site of Moray. Known for its spectacular circular stone terraces, Moray is a testament to the advanced agricultural practices of the Inca. We then ride across the highlands on a nice undulating trail 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 have a final mostly downhill, 10 km stretch before a quick transfer back to Ollantaytambo where we enjoy a well-deserved dinner.

Hotel Pakaritampu
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Ride 43km
+830m
-550m

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 - Cusco

Our final day will be a total adventure well off the beaten track in the Sacred Valley. We begin with a 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 good 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.. Another short vehicle transfer brings us to Abra Lares which, located at 4,400 m ASL, 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 at Hanz Restaurant, where we indulge in Nikkei cuisine, a unique fusion of Peruvian and Japanese flavors. By dining here, we're also contributing to a good cause, as the restaurant supports rescuing abandoned dogs and providing social support to children in the Andean highlands.

Casa Andina Premium Cusco
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Ride 51km
+225m
-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.