Cusco & South Valley Mountain Bike Trip

Total Distance:  29 km (18 miles)   

470 m (1,540 ft)   1,258 m (4,125 ft)  Max: 3,815 m (12,513 ft)

Ride time: 4 hrs.   Shuttle time:   1.5 hrs.

We'll shuttle from Cusco in the morning towards the Maras plateau, where we'll begin a cross-country warm-up ride that cuts across fields of potatos, barley, and quinoa. On clear days, the Vilcanota mountain range affords spectacular views of Mt. Veronica, Mt. Chicon, and Mt. Salkantay in the distance.

Later, we'll start a spectacular singletrack that flows from the small village of Misminay above the Inca Ruin of Moray (have your cameras on hand!) and later down through the Incan Salt Mines.

At the end of the day, we'll head to our charming lodge in The Sacred Valley to rest for another day of riding

Total Distance: 35 km (22 miles)   

285 m (935 ft)   3,220 m (10,561 ft)  Max: 4,461 m (14,632 ft)

Ride time: 3 - 4 hrs.   Shuttle time:   4 hrs.

It’s a rare occasion that riders finish these two trails for the first time without saying, “I’ll Be Back!”…for more.

A day to let yourself be carried away by the rush of zooming through the Andes on bike! Our transport will carry us up to 4,461 m (14,635 ft.) of elevation to the famous Lares Pass, from where your imagination and two wheels can do the rest. Lares is a wide, pedal-pumper that gushes with flow. There are a couple of ways to do this one: 1) forget the brakes and let gravity do the work or 2) take it easy and enjoy the unreal scenery. Both are good options! This descent ends in the Town of Calca (2,950 m; 9,676 ft.)

After a hearty lunch, our transport brings us to the Lamay Pass (Community of Sapactto), at 4,310 m (14,140 ft.), from where we’ll ride a ridiculously good singletrack that never fails to impress. Along the route, we’ll be able to appreciate many small communities where the locals reside and many small farms full of native crops and livestock. At the end, we’ll drop in to the Town of Lamay (2,960 m; 9,709 ft.) to catch our breath before heading back to our lodge.

Night: The Sacred Valley

Total Distance: varies (approximately 18 km; 11.5 miles)

412 m (480 ft)   2,373 m (3,825 ft)   Max: 3,985 m (13,075 ft)

Ride time: 2.5 - 3.5 hrs. Shuttle time: 1.5 hrs.

We’ll shuttle and ride some of Cusco City’s most prized local singletrack: Yuncaypata, Huayllarcocha, and Salkantay Pueblo Trails. These trails are without a doubt where many of Cusco’s and Peru’s best riders polish their skills. Both trails feature trailheads that sit above Cusco City (3,800 m; 12,467 ft.) and then plunge downward towards the city along fun singletracks that skirt Incan ruins and small villages that make up the outskirts of Cusco. If you’re looking to get aggressive on some major jumps, drops, and gaps, these two trails have got ‘em. But, if you’d prefer to stay planted, and drift through some fluid singletrack, that’s a fun way to experience these two trails as well. We’ll finish our last ride with a secret alleyway descent into Cusco’s Main Square (3,400 m; 11,155 ft.) – known as La Plaza de Armas.

• Professional 4x4 transportation and driver
• Pick-up and drop-off at your lodging
• Full-suspension Enduro Mountain Bike 2017 YT CAPRA AL
• Complete protective gear (helmet, kneepads, elbow pads, and gloves)
• Expert MTB guide with Wilderness First Responder (WFR) Certification
• Assistant MTB guide (groups of 4 or more)
• Trail Fees
• Water, hydrating beverage, fruits and snacks
• 2 Breakfasts (at your lodging)
• 3 Lunches (typical Andean dishes served trailside!)
• 1 Dinner (at your lodging)
• 2 Nights of lodging in The Sacred Valley
• Admission to Maras Salt Mines
• Complimentary Perú Biking hat
• Access to first-aid and emergency resources
• Access to bikestand and repair tools
• Good times!