Andean Wonders from Cusco to Lake Titicaca
A six days trip, starting from Cusco our stages will take us to Andahuaylillas, Raqchi, Tinajani, Lampa, Chucuito and Puno. A week riding in the heart of the Peruvian Andes in altitudes from 2700 to 4600 m. crossing natural landscapes, passing nearby ancient prehispanic buildings and a lot of local culture. This is an amazing biking trip.
Season: From April to November.
6 stages / 6 biking days
Level/skills: All.
FROM CUSCO TO TITICACA
ANDEAN WONDERS
FROM CUSCO TO TITICACA
ANDEAN WONDERS
FROM CUSCO TO TITICACA
ANDEAN WONDERS
FROM CUSCO TO TITICACA
ANDEAN WONDERS
Andean Wonders from Cusco to Lake Titicaca
A six days trip, starting from Cusco our stages will take us to Andahuaylillas, Raqchi, Tinajani, Lampa, Chucuito and Puno. A week riding in the heart of the Peruvian Andes in altitudes from 2700 to 4600 m. crossing natural landscapes, passing nearby ancient prehispanic buildings and a lot of local culture. This is an amazing biking trip.
Season: From April to November.
6 stages / 6 biking days
Level/skills: All.
About the place:
The main trip is ridden on dirt roads and some paths that are still in use by local shepherds. We have chosen these tracks because they are far from the main road traffic and because we will be able to enjoy the peaceful life of the Andean countryside.
At the end of each day, we spend the night in different kinds of homestays: family lodges, basic bed & breakfasts and Andean community houses.
As we will try to avoid the main road we have some shuttle rides from/to lodgings to start/end points.
The Spots:
Maras Salt Mines: The classic ride.
Sacred Valley: The valley that follos the Urubamba river.
Pisac: The Inca ruins knowns of its terraces.
Four Lakes: The homeland of the main heroe of Cusco, Tupac Amaru, who fought against the Spanish crown in the 18th Century.
Tinajani: An impresive stone forest formation at 4000m.
Lake Titicaca: The biggest lake in Peru, shared with Bolivia located at 3800m.
Important: Consider after finishing the bike trip to pick a flight departing from Juliaca.
May to November Dry Season
These are the perfect months to ride in the Andes: sunny during the day, cold at night with very few options of rain or snow. This is one of the best rides ever in the Peruvian Andes. From July to August it may snow at highpasses blocking some roads.
What to bring:
Try to bring your equipment.
Depending on the level any ride you must carry at least 1 or 2 Lt of water, some snacks and fruits.
A wind vest or a couple of layers if it rain, on highlands use some winter clothes and sunscreen.
Some important travel notes:
We supply private transportation but partial support during the rides.
Weather in Andes highlands are not predictable and can makes us change the schedule.
Suggested Itinerary:
Trip is tailored to your average of riding, is open to make arrangements in third party services and distance of riding days.
Day 1 MARAS TO SACRED VALLEY We will begin our trip at the classic Maras ride. A mix of climbing, singletracks, easy downhill, flat and gravel roads. Starts at Lake Huaypo and climbing first to Misminay (3,500 masl) having an amazing view of Veronica Summit and Moray Inca site, then, we ride to Maras village following to Maras Salt Mine. Once down in the sacred valley, we will be picked up or continue the ride to Pisac´s Cuyo Chico community (3,000 masl).
Day 2 PISAC TO ANDAHUAYLILLAS Starting from Cuyo Chico we ride along the valley following one side of Urubamba river in a soft climb that takes us from 2900mt to 3100mt in around 50Km to get Andahuaylillas Homestay (3,100 masl).
Day 2 THE FOUR LAKES and RAQCHI We will start the day being shuttled a couple of hours to Pomacanchis to start the ride of the Four Lakes at an average of 3800 masl, the historical land of the Andean revolution of Tupac Amaru in 1780. Last part includes a climb a bit to ride down to Tinta village arriving on bikes to Raqchi Town. Lodge and meals provided by the Andean community.
Day 3 PALLAY PUNCHU TO LA RAYA PASS We will start the day being shuttled to Sicuani and to the hiking starting point (4,500mt) to Pallay Punchu. Back to the car we start the ride downhilling first to Lake Langui (4,000 masl), the biggest lake in Cusco, to start to reach the higher altitude of our trip (4600m) to enter the Puno region and finally appear at the beginning of the Andean high plateau near La Raya pass at 4300m. We will spend the night in Ayaviri city or Tinajani at 3800m.
Day 4 AYAVIRI TINAJANI LAMPA We will leave Ayaviri and move to Tinajani Canyon, from there start another climbing day, going from 3900m.a.s.l. to a couple of high passes around the 4600m. Once we reach our goal we will start the downhill on paved road or just shuttled to Lampa City.
Day 5 ARRIVING TO LAKE TITICACA SHORES From Lampa, we will be shuttled on the way near to Taraco to ride straight to the Lake Titicaca. We will ride along the shores and finish the day at an Andean Community Homestay of the lake in Capachica peninsule.
Day 7. LAKE TITICACA END Our last day. We will ride a short farewell loop at Capachica. Then, we´ll pick our stuff, and we will be shuttled to Puno city, arriving in the afternoon. End of the trip.
INCLUSIONS: Mountain bike full suspension or hardtail (as available), helmet and gloves. If you bring your biking shoes we can include SPD pedals. Private transportation. Lodging.
NOT INCLUDED: Meals or any personal spend.
Book your trip
OUR CONDITIONS:
Any broken or damaged part of the bike or equipment, intentionally or not, caused by riders or terrain issues must get paid back at commercial prices (ex: frame, levers, gears, derailleur, tyres, wheels, helmet, gloves, etc).
Any injury caused by any reason during the ride is the full responsibility of the rider and any medical or transportation cost must be covered by the rider. This is an adventure sport activity subject by its nature to any kind of non-expected events.
