Andean Wonders from Cusco to Lake Titicaca
Six stages, starting from Cusco we will ride to the amazing Lake Titicaca, passing by Maras, Pisac, Andahuaylillas, Raqchi, La Raya, Ayaviri, Azangaro, to finally reach Capachica, Chucuito and Puno. Six days 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. Join this fantastic 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
Six stages, starting from Cusco we will ride to the amazing Lake Titicaca, passing by Maras, Pisac, Andahuaylillas, Raqchi, La Raya, Ayaviri, Azangaro, to finally reach Capachica, Chucuito and Puno. Six days 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. Join this fantastic biking trip.
Season: From April to November.
6 stages / 6 biking days
Level/skills: All.
About the place:
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, 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.
And every stage consider some sections with shuttle rides with the goal to enjoy the best riding section in any day.
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, specially in lands above the 4000m of altitude.
The Spots:
MARAS SALT MINES: The classic ride.
SACRED VALLEY: The valley that follows the Urubamba river. Home of the Inca families.
Pisac: The Inca ruins knowns of its terraces.
THE FOUR LAKES: The homeland of the main heroe of Cusco, Tupac Amaru, who fought against the Spanish crown in the 18th Century.
PALLAY PUNCHU: An alternative rainbow mountain.
LAKE TITICACA: The biggest lake in Peru, shared with Bolivia located at 3800m.
6 GREAT STAGES:
Trip can be tailored to your average of riding, is open to make some changes on distances of the riding days.
STAGE 1: MARAS TO SACRED VALLEY We will begin our trip at the classic Maras ride. A mix of bit climbing, singletracks, easy downhill, flat and gravel roads. Starts near 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 (2850m), we will be picked up or continue the ride to Pisac (2900m).
STAGE 2: PISAC TO ANDAHUAYLILLAS Starting from Pisac Cuyo Chico (2950m) we will 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 (3,100m).
STAGE 3: FOUR LAKES TO RAQCHI We will start the day being shuttled an hour to Pomacanchi village to start the ride of the Four Lakes at 3600m to Tungasuca (3800m), the historical land of the Andean revolution of Tupac Amaru in 1780. Last part includes a climb to 4150m to ride down to Tinta village (3500m) arriving on bikes to Raqchi Town. Lodge and meals provided by the Andean community.
STAGE 4: PALLAY PUNCHU TO LA RAYA PASS This is a day open to choices, depends on the weather and how we can manage the 4600m of Pallay Punchu. If we are able to ride up or just a flat, downhill ride back to the main road. We will start the day being shuttled to Sicuani and then to the point we will choose to go to Pallay Punchu. The goal is to reach La Raya pass (4300m). After this we have another shuttle (or ride by the paved highway) to Ayaviri city or Tinajani at 3900m.
STAGE 5: AYAVIRI ARAPA ESCALLANI The high platteau of Puno will lead us by these lands in altitudes between 3800m and 3900m. We will leave Ayaviri and move near Azangaro to begin the ride at Arapa to enter the National Reserve of Titicaca, passing across Taraco vilage, then Pusi to Escallani. Night at the Andean Community homestay.
STAGE 6: LAKE TITICACA From Escallani we will ride to Capachica village and then to Llachon. From that point we will navigate to Puno city to finish our trip.
IF YOU HAVE A GROUP OF RIDERS ASK FOR A CUSTOMIZED DATE
INCLUSIONS: Private transportation, lodging, guiding, mechanical basic aid, main meals, food supplies during the rides.
NOT INCLUDED: Medical, accident insurances, flights, shuttle transfers to starting or from the ending point, hotels before and after the trip.
BIKES: We suggest to bring yours, in that case the average bike should be an XC. If you choose to rent some ask for the kind of bike we may supply and cost.
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, so get ready for any kind of weather, including cold nights near Zero degrees Celsius.
OUR CONDITIONS:
If a bike is rented, 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.
