Andean Wonders
From Cusco to Lake Titicaca
Four unforgettable stages across the heart of the Peruvian Andes. Starting in the historic city of Cusco, we’ll ride through breathtaking highland scenery and vibrant local culture, passing iconic sites such as Maras, Pisac, Raqchi, La Raya, and Ayaviri, before reaching the shimmering shores of Lake Titicaca at Puno and Chucuito. Join us on this fantastic biking expedition and discover the Andes like never before!
Season: From April to November.
4 stages / 4 biking days
Level/skills: All.
Andean Wonders
From Cusco to Lake Titicaca
Four unforgettable stages across the heart of the Peruvian Andes. Starting in the historic city of Cusco, we’ll ride through breathtaking highland scenery and vibrant local culture, passing iconic sites such as Maras, Pisac, Raqchi, La Raya, and Ayaviri, before reaching the shimmering shores of Lake Titicaca at Puno and Chucuito. Join us on this fantastic biking expedition and discover the Andes like never before!
Season: From April to October.
4 stages / 4 biking days
Level/skills: All.
4 GREAT STAGES:
Stage 1: MARAS / SACRED VALLEY
We will begin our trip with our Maras ride version. Starts near Lake Piuray (3400m) and after surrounding the lake we move towards Misminay (3700m), then to Maras village following to Maras Salt Mine (3300m). Once down in the sacred valley (2850m), we will be picked up to go to the hotel at the valley (2900m).
Stage 2: FOUR LAKES / RAQCHI
We will start the day being shuttled for an hour and a half to Pomacanchi village to start the ride of the Four Lakes at 3600m to Tungasuca (3800m), the historic lands of the Andean revolution of Tupac Amaru in 1780.
We finish the ride connecting to the main road in Vilcanota River on the way down to Tinta village (3500m). Overnight with the welcoming Raqchi community.
Stage 3: PALLAY PUNCHU / LA RAYA PASS / AYAVIRI
We will start the day being shuttled to Sicuani and then to the parking zone of Pallay Punchu. After a time at the heights and admiring the colored stone formations we will ride downhill towards the main road to reach La Raya pass (4300m) and after may continue by the main highway or have another shuttle to Ayaviri city at 3900m. * The option of climbing to Pallay Punchu from Layo (3900m) is open.
Stage 4: AYAVIRI / PUNO
From Ayaviri (3900m) we´ll start riding to the mystical Tinajani Canyon. After some minutes admiring and exploring this fantastic place we will continue climbing to the two high passes (4600m) that leads us to Lampa (3900m) city. Shuttled to Puno.
Stage 5: LAKE TITICACA
Ride along the shores of the world’s highest navigable lake, from Titilaka Point to Luquina town, before returning to Puno.
NOTE: Trip is open to make some changes on distances and challenge and/or subject to changes on itinerary.
Stage 1: MARAS / SACRED VALLEY
We will begin our trip with our Maras ride version. Starts near Lake Piuray (3400m) and after surrounding the lake we move towards Misminay (3700m), then to Maras village following to Maras Salt Mine (3300m). Once down in the sacred valley (2850m), we will be picked up to go to the hotel at the valley (2900m).
35K downhill the ride from 3800 to 2800m
Stage 2: SACRED VALLEY / SAN SALVADOR/HUACARPAY/ANDAHUAYLILLAS
We will start riding from the hotel by gravel and paved roads in the morning, arriving near noon to Lake Huacarpay, after doing a loop there we will continue to reach Andahuyalillas. Overnight at Andahuaylillas homestay.
50K smooth climb at 3000m average altitude
Stage 3: PALCCOYO / FOUR LAGOONS / SAN PABLO RAQCHI
We will start the day being shuttled for an hour and a half to the starting point of Palccoyo rainbow mountain (an aternative to Vinicunca) After hiking for an hour we´ll be ready to ride down to the valley. Once there we´ll be shuttled to Yanaoca for a second ride down to the valley again, now to San Pablo town and Raqchi. Overnight with the welcoming Raqchi community.
2 rides: 30K downhill ride from 4800 to 3500m / 25K downhill ride from 4300m to 3500m
Stage 4: SILLUSTANI
We will leave the community at 8 am. This is a short ride day, we will leave Raqchi, then passing by Sicuani, La Raya Pass and continue to Ayaviri to finally continue to Mañazo, arriving 2pm. From there we will ride to Sillustani Ruins, and once finished we will be shuttled to Puno city. Hotel.
30K flat ride at 3800m average altitude
Shuttle to Ilave and Acora beach to ride along the shores of Titicaca at the Peninsule of Chucuito ending at Luquina town. Is a ride crossing towns, beaches and hilly mountains. Return to Puno and end of the trip.
50K flat and hilly ride at 3900m average altitude
NOTE: Trip is open to make some changes on distances and challenge and/or subject to changes on itinerary.
Stage 1: MARAS / SACRED VALLEY
We will begin our trip with our Maras ride version. Starts near Lake Piuray (3400m) and after surrounding the lake we move towards Misminay (3700m), then to Maras village following to Maras Salt Mine (3300m). Once down in the sacred valley (2850m), we will continue riding for a while or picked up to go to the homestay in Andahuaylillas.
35K downhill ride from 3800 to 2800m by gravel road and some singletracks.
Stage 2: FOUR LAGOONS / SAN PEDRO
We will start the day being shuttled for two hours to the starting point of Mosoqllacta riding around a couple of lakes some of this zone. After a first flat section we have the option of climb a bit to ride down to the Vilcanota valley, to San Pedro town. After then, a final shuttle ride will take us to the lodge.
20K flat at 3800m / 5 K climb to 4200 or shuttled / 15K downhill ride from 4200m to 3500m by gravel roads
Option 2: PALCCOYO / SAN PABLO: We will start the day being shuttled for two hours and a half to the starting point of Palccoyo rainbow mountain trail (an aternative to Vinicunca) After hiking for an hour we´ll be ready to ride down to the valley. Once there we´ll be shuttled to Yanaoca for a second ride down to the Vilcanota valley again, this time to San Pablo town. A final shuttle ride will take us to the lodge.
2 rides: 30K downhill ride from 4800 to 3500m / 25K downhill ride from 4300m to 3500m by gravel roads.
Stage 3: TINAJANI AND SILLUSTANI
We will leave the lodge at 8 am. After two hours we will arrive to Tinajani, passing by Ayaviri, Here we have 2 hours to ride on flat and smooth climb near the 4,000 mt of altitude. Then we will be shuttled to Lampa city and Mañazo for a second ride near Lake Umayo and Sillustani ruins, after then, we will be picked up and transferred to Puno Hotel.
2 rides: 15K flat and smooth climb at 4000m and 30K flat ride at 3800m average altitudes by gravel and paved roads.
Shuttle to Ilave and Acora beach to ride along the shores of Titicaca at the Peninsule of Chucuito ending at Luquina town. This is a ride crossing towns, beaches and hilly mountains along the coast of the lake. After lunch we´ll be shuttled to Puno to finish the trip.
50K flat and hilly ride at 3900m average altitude by gravel roads
NOTE: Trip is open to make some changes on distances and challenge and/or subject to changes on itinerary.
May to October 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, specially in lands above the 4000m of altitude.
ACCLIMATIZING: FULLY RECOMMENDED TO HAVE A MINIMUM OF A COUPLE OF DAYS IN CUSCO BEFORE STARTING THE BIKE TRIP.
WHAT´S INCLUDED:
Private transportation, lodging, guiding, mechanical basic aid, some snack food during the rides, hydration, vegan or any special diet is not supplied but we can arrange some stuff if the destination can support it.
WHAT´S INCLUDED:
Private transportation, lodging, guiding, mechanical basic aid, some snack food during the rides, hydration, vegan or any special diet is not supplied but we can arrange some stuff if the destination can support it.
NOT INCLUDED:
Medical, accident insurances, flights, shuttle transfers to starting or from the ending point, hotels before and after the trip, meals not specified on the trip plan.
BIKES: We suggest to bring yours, in that case we suggest a hardtail or a full suspension with XC tires. Bikes are not included by default but if you need to rent some ask for the kind of bike we may supply and its cost.
CLOTHES: Helmet, gloves, sunglasses, backpack 2lt capacity, fresh clothes. We will cross different altitudes and ride on different day hours. At noon usually the Andes is warm and sunny, but we may have wind or an unexpected rain (or snow), so get ready for any kind of weather, including cold nights near Zero degrees Celsius. Don´t forget sunscreen.
Trip Facts:
TERRAIN: Gravel roads and paths, paved road sections and easy singletracks.
ALTITUDES: Lower lands in Cusco at 2800m, higher pass near 4500m. Average altitude of rides: 3800m.
DIFFICULTY: Recommended at least two days of acclimatizing to have a good physical response. Basic to Intermediate skills
DISTANCES: An average of 50K per ride, it may vary depending the topography of the stage and physical condition of participant.
About the Trip:
The most part of this trip is considered to be ridden on gravel roads and some paths that are still in use by local shepherds. We have chosen these tracks because of the beauty of the places, 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.
And every stage includes shuttle rides with the goal to enjoy the best riding section in every stage and avoid urban places or highways. Transportation may partially support riders in some destinations.
Book your trip
OUR BASIC 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.
