Ausangate Glacier & Rainbow Mountain Bike Trip

Whether your plan is to strictly bike or to include our package as a part of an extended visit to Cusco, we’re happy to accommodate you – and your bike. We’ll arrange pick-up at Cusco’s Alejandro Velasco Astete International Airport and help to get you settled and relaxed. Furthermore, our bike workshop is available for use to get your mountain beast assembled and ready for some one-of-a-kind trails! Just let us know how we can help.

Total Distance: 23.4 km (14.5 miles)

1,430 m (436 ft)   2,208 m (7,245 ft)  Max: 4,490 m (14,730 ft)

Ride time: 4 hrs.  Shuttle time: 2 hrs.

Cusco’s South Valley is a little known hot spot for mountain biking, even for Cusco area riders. We’ve ripped these trails for years and believe them to be some of the best around. As we’ll already be headed south towards Mt. Ausangate, why not stop in to warm up for the expedition ahead?

We’ll ride two trails in the South Valley. The first, an Enduro style ride starts at 4,520 m (14,826 ft.) – which should give riders a hearty dose of altitude in preparation for some of Mt. Ausangate’s mountain passes. We’ll have a chance to pedal and flow along narrow singletracks and technical descents that eventually lead to the town of Andahuaylillas.

After catching our breath in Andahuaylillas’ central square, we’ll shuttle to the top of a second trail, this time in pursuit of more verticality! Just brake and flow through this bomber, feature-packed singletrack straight down towards our lodge, where we’ll relax for the rest of the afternoon.

Total Distance: 7.3 km (4.5 miles)

510 m (1,670 ft)   4 m (10 ft)  Max: 4,817 m (15,800 ft)

Ride time: 2.5 hrs. Shuttle time: 2 hrs

We’ll shuttle our way to the mountain village of Pachanta (4,310 m; 14,140), where we’ll load our mules with camping gear and provisions for the ride. From Pachanta, we’ll begin a slow ascent towards Laguna Q’omercocha along a wide trail suitable for climbing at altitude.

We’ll make camp along the banks of Laguna Q'omercocha and enjoy the peaceful evening hours to rest our legs and take in our impressive surroundings.

Night: Camping

Total Distance: 13.5 km (8.4 miles)

350 m (1,146 ft)   660 m (2,165 ft)  Max: 5,070 m (16,630 ft)

Ride time: 4 hrs.

We’ll break down camp with the sunrise and start a demanding hike-a-bike towards the Q’ampa Pass, where we’ll reach over 5,070 m of elevation and stare into massive glaciers on either side of the pass. The weather at the Q’ampa Pass is unpredictable, hence we’ll prepare ourselves for both snowstorms and epic blue skies.

From the pass, the real MTB fun begins – a singletrack descent through a glacial valley surrounded by 6,000 m peaks. We’ll descend along the flanks of the massive Ausangate and through the now verdant valley of Q’ampa, once hewn by giant glaciers and now full of alpacas and llamas.

We’ll finish today’s ride in the mountain hamlet of Chillca, where we’ll make our camp amongst the homes of several locals, a special opportunity to see what Andean life at 4,500 m (14,765 ft) of elevation really looks like in person.

Night: Camping

Total Distance: 11.8 km (7.3 miles)

853 m (2,801 ft)   722 m (2,367 ft)  Max: 5,119 m (16,790 ft)

Ride time: 5.5 hrs.

We’ll begin a challenging hike-a-bike to our maximum point of ascent, the Palomani Pass (5,115 m; 16,780 ft). Today’s climb is strenuous, so we’ll start early and maintain a very manageable, yet steady pace. We’ll be closer to Ausangate’s massive glaciers than any of the prior days, close enough to hear the creaking of the immense sheets of ice and the echoes of falling rocks.

Our first descent drifts down steep rocky switchbacks towards Laguna Ausangate, a glacial lake at the foot of Mt. Ausangate.

Later, we’ll hike-a-bike once more to the Apuchata Pass (4,870 m; 15,975 ft) before descending towards a cluster of unworldly turquoise-colored lakes. These lakes will serve as the backdrop for our last campsite. In the evening we’ll have time to wander the shores of these glacial lakes before resting.

Night: Camping

Total Distance: 18.9 km (11.7 miles)

314 m (1,030 ft)   1,017 m (3,336 ft)  Max: 4,752 m (15,585 ft)

Ride time: 5 hrs.  Shuttle time: 2.5 hrs (return to Cusco)

Many visitors of the Cusco Region hear and perhaps visit the much-promoted Rainbow Mountain, well-known for its natural lines that paint the impression of a rainbow. Well, a little-known secret is that Ausangate’s surrounding range is nothing but a veritable collection of “Rainbow Mountains”. As we begin our final ride today, the Rainbow Mountains will bid us farewell in epic fashion.

After a short final hike-a-bike, we’ll begin our last descent towards the mountain village of Upis, where we’ll soak away any sore muscles. From Upis, we’ll finish with a final descent towards the town of Tinki (3,935 m; 12,910 ft)

Night: Cusco Lodge

We understand that many riders might want to extend their visit to Peru beyond the biking. After all, Peru has a wealth of natural, cultural, and culinary gems! We’re here to assist with your travel plans and other logistics – storing and transporting your bike, for example. Just let us know what works for you…

However, if your plan is to go immediately to Cusco’s Alejandro Velasco Astete International Airport, we’ll make sure you get there stress-free and on time. We hope to ride with you again!

Prefer to organize a private tour group of your own? We're cool with that! Send us an email to info@perubiking.com and we'll make it happen...

• Airport pick-up and drop-off at Cusco’s Alejandro Velasco Astete International airport
• Pre-expedition orientation
• Private transportation (all expedition-related transport)
• Expert MTB guide
• Assistant MTB guide
• Water, fruits and snacks
• 6 Breakfasts
• 5 Lunches
• 6 Dinners
• 2 Nights of lodging in Cusco
• 1 Night of lodging in The South Valley
• 3 Nights of camping
• 1 MSR Tent per 2 riders (3-person tent for greater comfort)
• Access to MSR water filters, Dragonfly Stoves, fuel bottles and cookware
• Mules to transport provisions, tents and expedition equipment
• Mule handler
• Access to first aid supplies and oxygen tank
• Access to two-way radios and emergency satellite communicator
• Access to bikestand and maintenance tools
• Admission to all hot springs
• Complimentary Perú Biking hat
• Non-stop Good Times!