Peru Mountain Bike Tour: Cusco, Maras moray, Inca jungle trail to Machu Picchu

Itinerary

Day 01: Lima

Arrival in Lima, reception and transfer to your hotel.

Day 02: Lima – Cusco

Flight to Cusco. We will have a guided visit of this “Navel of the World” that will include the Inca fortresses and religious sites of Sacsayhuaman, Tambomachay, Q’enqo and the Qoricancha (Santo Domingo Church). Dinner and traditional folk dance show at night, with accommodation at your chosen hotel.

Day 03: Cusco – Sacred Valley – Cusco

We will continue the tour to the Sacred Valley of the Incas, visiting the craft market of Pisac and the archaeological complex high above the town. Then we will have lunch in the town of Urubamba before continuing our journey to the living Inca city of Ollantaytambo and the ruins there. Later we will return to Cusco to relax and spend the night.

Day 04: Cusco – Maras Moray – Ollantaytambo

At 7:00am, we will pick you up from your hotel to begin our journey to Chinchero. From here we will begin our bicycle tour through Andean landscapes, passing Lake Huaypo, Maras, Moray and the salt pans (Salineras). We’ll finish up the ride at Urubamba in the Sacred Valley. This journey is an unforgettable experience and is designed for bikers both with and without experience. Overnight accommodation in Ollantaytambo.

Peru Mountain Bike Tour Day 05: Ollantaytambo – Abra Malaga – Santa Maria

Around 7:30am, we will begin our 1-hour journey to the Malaga Pass (4,316m), which provides excellent views of the snowcapped mountain Huacay Willca (Veronica). From here we will begin our journey on bicycle as we descend through Puna and Cloud Forest, different ecological zones containing a huge spectrum of flora and fauna. We’ll take a break at the archaeological remains of Huaman Marq’a before arriving at the town of Santa María (1,200m). Overnight, dinner and breakfast on the next day.

Day 06: Santa Maria – Qellomayo – Santa Teresa

After a delicious breakfast, we will begin hiking the Inca Jungle Trail to the town of Santa Rosa (about 1 hour), touring this ancestral part of the Inca Trail network known as the Qhapaq Ñan. Here we will see numerous birds, including parrots, hummingbirds, and eagles, and also plantations of coca (the Sacred Leaf of the Incas), coffee, yucca, and fruit trees (orange, mango, and banana). We will have a little break and talk with people from the community of Pispitayuc, where we will relax in hammocks and enjoy the antics of monkeys and capisos. We’ll restart the trek, taking in the beautiful and dramatic landscapes of the Vilcabamba mountain range. After this viewpoint, the trail descends to the small village of Qellomayo. We’ll have lunch here and then begin the last part of the trek, approximately 2 more hours. We end up at the Cocalmayo hot springs (optional) and afterwards reach the town of Santa Teresa. Overnight accommodation here, dinner and breakfast on the next day.

Day 07: Santa Teresa – Lucmabamba – Llactapata – Hidroelectrica – Aguas Calientes

After breakfast, we will go to the town of Lucmabamba to start our trek on a section of Inca trail (Qhapaq Ñan). Along the way, we’ll explore the amazing archeological remains of Llactapata and enjoy views of Machu Picchu and the mountains of Salkantay, Huayna Picchu and Putucusi. After lunch, we will begin our descent to Hidroelectrica, the hydroelectric plant, where we will take the train to Aguas Calientes (aka Machu Picchu Pueblo). Overnight accommodation here, plus dinner and breakfast on the next day.

Day 08: Aguas Calientes – Machu Picchu – Cusco

We will start our day at 5:00am, having our breakfast and then taking the bus up to Machu Picchu citadel. We’ll book spots to climb Huayna Picchu, then begin our 2.5-hour tour through the huge citadel of Machu Picchu. To finish the day, we will return by train to Ollantaytambo and then take a bus to Cusco.

Day 09: Cusco – Lima

Flight back to Lima, free day and farewell dinner.

Day 10: Lima

Transfer to airport for your return flight.