Ausangate Glacier & Rainbow Mountain Bike Trip

In the morning we pick you up from the Cusco airport (Velazco Astete) and we will go to our lodge to assemble the bikes and receive the explanation of the program in detail by part of our team of guides. Later we will do a detailed general review of all our necessary equipment for the expedition; in case we lack something we will have time to buy it in the different bike shops and adventure stores that Cusco city offers.

Night in Cusco

• Total Distance: 15 – 20 miles
• Climb: 1500 ft.
• Downhill: 8500 ft.
• Total Ride: 4 – 5 hours
• Shuttle: 2 hours
• Maximum Altitude: 15,000 ft.

The best line in this area is called El Radar, it is possibly the MTB trail (Downhill / Enduro) most complete in the southern area of ​​Cuzco. Starts at a height of 4,500 meters (14500 ft.) with a fascinating panoramic view of the Ausangate Mountain to the south. The trail is kind of a roller coaster from the start, where you will find rock gardens, switchbacks, jumps, drops, cliffs and a landscape of film.

We will stop on the flanks of the Vilcanota river at 3,150 m. to rest and return to get ready for the next trail: THE CAVE! Get ready!

Our shuttle will take us again to another mountain up to 4500 meters, from where the secret mountain bike trail begins, called “La Cueva”. This trail will leave you breathless, the High-Andean landscapes, the fluidity of the trails at the beginning and as it goes down it gets technical and very funny. Then set up flashlights, which we will pass through a Cave (the name of the route comes from this place) that will take us to the other side of the mountain, to continue the fun downhill, this time going through some local farms until we reach the base, where our vehicle will be waiting for us with refreshing drinks to celebrate this epic day of pure mountain biking.

At the end of the day we will go to our accommodation to see the videos and photos while we enjoyed a good BBQ.

Night at Valle Sur Lodge.

• Total Distance: 15 – 20 miles
• Climb: 1100 ft.
• Downhill: 9100 ft.
• Total Ride: 4 – 5 hours
• Shuttle: 2 hours
• Maximum Altitude: 15,000 ft.

After a vigorous breakfast, our vehicle will take us back up to 4500 meters. From where it starts – “Indominus Rex Trail” - a mountain bike Enduro trail, which is quite technical, as it features many rock gardens and exposed, thin paths, as well as kind of long but super heart-pounding climbs. It is approximately 15 kilometers (9 miles) of pure mountain biking.

After lunch and relax your legs, it is time to climb up on our shuttle again to the 4500 meters of altitude, to a route that our friend Ramón baptized as "BISCUIT" 12 miles. That is long, hard, technical and with incredible switchbacks.

At the end of the day our vehicle will take us to the town of Pacchanta (1 hour far – 13000 ft.) where we will sleep in rustic local houses and we will be able to enjoy the rest of the evening in the open-air thermal baths.

Night and dinner at the home of locals.

• Total Distance: 14 miles
• Climb: 2650 ft.
• Downhill: 2300 ft.
• Total Ride: 6 - 7 hours
• Maximum Altitude: 16,700 ft.

After a good breakfast, we will load our mules with the equipment and provisions for the expedition.

We will begin a progressive ascent to Laguna Q’omercocha (Qómercocha Lagoon) along a path wide, absolutely very scenic and excellent for pedaling.

Later we will start a demanding climb pushing the bike towards Paso Q’ampa, where we will reach a height of 16,700 ft. and from where we can observe amazing glaciers on both sides of the path.

The weather in Paso Q’ampa is totally unpredictable, therefore we will have to be prepared to see from blue skies to snow storms.

From the Q’ampa Pass, we will start the real adventure on our mountain bike -

a descent of pure fluidity through a glacial valley surrounded by mountains of more than 6,000

meters high, crossing giant glaciers. As we go down we'll roll next to multitude of alpacas, llamas and vizcachas (Local fauna and Flora).

We will finish our trail in the hamlet of Huchuy Finaya, where we could camp or sleep in rustic local houses built by the locals.

It will be our great opportunity to contemplate the lifestyle of the Andean people.

Night and dinner at the home of locals.

• Total Distance: 20 miles
• Climb: 2000 ft.
• Downhill: 2000 ft.
• Total Ride: 6 - 7 hours
• Maximum Altitude: 15900 ft.
• Shuttle (OPTIONAL): 2 hours

After a well-deserved breakfast offered by the locals, it's time to relax a bit.

In the morning we will visit the Mountain of 7 Colors (Rainbow Mountain) - we can do it pedaling

(optional), or in our escort vehicle.

After enjoying and exploring this magical place it is time to return to our base camp; to enjoy and help prepare together with the locals, an extremely traditional lunch, called PACHAMANCA (made with Alpaca meat).

To prepare a Pachamanca is necessary heating stones at high temperature, so that later, when the stones are very hot, put the meats and tubers in the oven and cover it until the food is ready. It really is a unique and privileged experience.

Night and dinner at the locals' house.

• Total Distance: 19 miles
• Climb: 3500 ft.
• Downhill: 4900 ft.
• Total Ride: 6 - 7 hours
• Maximum Altitude: 15250 ft.

We will start the day with a vigorous breakfast, and then start the route pedaling through local trails to the Ausangate lagoon “A glacial lake at the base of the Mountain Ausangate "

Shortly after, we will carry the bicycle towards the Apuchata Pass (4,870 meters) and next, we will descend to turquoise lakes of extraordinary beauty. These lakes will be the scene of our last night of crossing.

During the afternoon we will have time to walk along the shores of these lakes before rest at night.

Night in Camping (Lunch and Dinner)

• Total Distance: 19 miles
• Climb: 3290 ft.
• Downhill: 4500 ft.
• Total Ride: 6 - 7 hours
• Maximum Altitude: 16000 ft.

A little well-kept secret is that, around the Ausangate mountain there are a large number of "Mountains of Colors". Since we started our adventure, the Mountains of Colors will give us a beautiful farewell to Ausangate.
After an initial 40-minute bike carry (optional mules), we will start our last descent towards the mountain village of Upis, where we will make a small pause to rest and relax the muscles. From Upis, we will end with a final descent through typical villas and peculiar Andean landscapes, towards the town of Tinki (12,500 ft.).

Pick up and transfer to our lodge in Cusco.
Night in Cusco – Breakfast and Box Lunch included.

The Incas did not know the word goodbye, they thought that a farewell was brief and that in a future they would meet again, for which they used the word TUPANANCHISKAMA, which means: UNTIL WE MEET 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!