Andean Wonders Project
From Cusco to Lake Titicaca
Five 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.
5 stages / 5 biking days
Level/skills: All.
Andean Wonders Project
From Cusco to Lake Titicaca
Five 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.
5 stages / 5 biking days
Level/skills: All.
5 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.
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.
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.
