Peru Biking is a mountain bike tour agency that prides itself on offering challenging mountain bike rides for experienced MTB riders. These are seriously some of the most epic mountain bike rides in the world! In Cusco, and Peru on the whole, there are very few singletrack trails that would be considered easy or moderate (i.e., green-level or easier blue-level trails at a bike park). Most trails are either ancient Incan trails or local footpaths that have been adapted for MTB addicts! Cool, right? The best way to remotely evaluate the trails that we offer is to review our difficulty levels, check out some of our videos on our YouTube channel and to read the trail descriptions on our web page.
Peru Biking rates rides on a four-level scale; each level is described below:
INTERMEDIATE:
AVG. TRAIL GRADE: 10% or less
MAX. TRAIL GRADE: 15% or greater
TRAIL WIDTH: 50 cm (20 in.) or more
BIKE PARK EQUIVALENT: 
TECHNICALITY: May include mud, loose rocks, ruts, roots, and small rollable drops (where elevating your bike off the ground is unnecessary). Short sections may exceed the established criteria
RIDER SKILLS:
DIFFICULT:
AVG. TRAIL GRADE: 15% or less
MAX. TRAIL GRADE: 15% or greater
TRAIL WIDTH: 30 cm (12 in.) or more
BIKE PARK EQUIVALENT: 
TECHNICALITY: May include mud, loose rocks, ruts, roots, tight trees, rock gardens, short rock steps, and drops of 50 cm (20 in.) (where elevating your bike off the ground is necessary)
RIDER SKILLS:
ADVANCED:
AVG. TRAIL GRADE: 15% or less
MAX. TRAIL GRADE: Max 15% or greater
TRAIL WIDTH: 20 cm (8 in.) or more
BIKE PARK EQUIVALENT: 
TECHNICALITY: May include widely variable mud, loose rocks, ruts, roots, tight trees, rock gardens, steep and variable rock steps, and drops of 100 cm (40 in.) (where elevating your bike off the ground is necessary). Short sections may exceed the established criteria.
RIDER SKILLS:
EXTREME:
AVG. TRAIL GRADE: 15% or less
MAX. TRAIL GRADE: Max 20% or greater
TECHNICALITY: May include widely variable mud, loose rocks, ruts, roots, tight trees, rock gardens, steep and variable rock steps, unforgiving cliffs, and drops of 125 cm (50 in.) (where elevating your bike off the ground is necessary). Short sections may exceed the established criteria.
TRAIL WIDTH: 15 cm (6 in.) or more
BIKE PARK EQUIVALENT: You don’t get this in the bike park!
RIDER SKILLS:
If you’re still undecided as to which trails are right for you, send us an email to info@perubiking.com. The same guides that know the trails will be the ones that respond to your inquiries.
Are there additional trails that aren’t offered on your web page?
Trying to get at our secret stash? Definitely. If you’re not finding what you are looking for, we can customize rides to meet your skill level and interests.
Will elevation play a factor?
Yes, most riders aren’t accustomed to riding at such high elevation; however, with one to two days of acclimatization, most moderately fit riders can acclimatize easily. If you would like to schedule a half-day acclimatization ride to test your lungs, we’re happy to accommodate you.
Cusco sits at nearly 3,500 m (11,480 ft.) of elevation. Accordingly, Full-Day and Multi-Day rides that we offer can reach elevations of up to 4,400 m (14,435 ft.). If you would like to see a full elevation profile of the rides we offer, just ask…Our shuttle first-aid kits include oxygen tanks in the event of serious altitude sickness.
Should I carry insurance?
We request that each rider carry his or her own travel medical insurance. There are many providers of travel medical insurance that cover hospital expenses in the event of injury. The level of coverage is up to the individual rider. In many cases, insurance providers require additional riders for adventure sports – yea, that includes mountain biking. Accordingly, riders should add that rider to their medical coverage.
Oftentimes, travelers confuse travel medical insurance with travel insurance. Travel insurance is distinct in that it covers costs of a traveler’s trip that might be forfeited on account of illness, injuries, delays, or other unforeseeable events that require the traveler to miss a tour, hotel reservation, etc. For example, if you became ill and could not participate in your Full-Day or Multi-Day Ride, travel insurance would at least reimburse a portion of the cost.
What will happen if I’m injured?
Peru Biking’s guides have been trained to respond to minor and major trailside injuries and are Wilderness First Responder (WFR) certified by Wilderness Medical Associates International. Your guides are always equipped with a basic medical kit, two-way radios, and a satellite communicator in the event of emergencies. Mountain biking is a sport with certain inherent risks; therefore, we ask that each rider respect their own limits and speak openly with their guides about their skills and level of comfort on the trails.
Riders are expected to sign a Medical Release Form prior to their ride, which waives all claims that one might have against Peru Biking.
How should I pay for my tour?
Full Days & Multi-Days
Upon booking a Full-Day or Multi-Day Ride with Peru Biking, we request that 50% of the total amount for your tour be deposited via PayPal to reserve the date(s) of your tour. In the event that said deposit isn’t made in a timely fashion, there is no guarantee that your ride will be reserved for the date(s) requested. The balance of your payment can be paid on the date of your tour or at any point prior.
Packages & Expeditions
Upon booking a Package or Expedition with Peru Biking, we request that a 25% deposit be made via PayPal to guarantee your place in the requested tour. Peru Biking will issue a payment request once your reservation has been confirmed. The balance of your payment is due prior do the start date of your Package or Expedition. Peru Biking will emit a second payment request once your initial deposit has been received.
Can I change the date of my ride?
Once your Full-Day, Multi-Day, Package, or Expedition has been scheduled for a certain date, we cannot guarantee availability for alternative dates. Rescheduling of rides must be coordinated with Peru Biking on a case by case basis. Ride deposits will not be refunded in the event that a rider cannot participate on the date originally scheduled for the ride. Furthermore, rides will proceed as scheduled, regardless of the weather.
If I cancel my tour, will my deposit be refunded?
Deposits are non-refundable. Please see the question “Should I carry insurance?” for information regarding trip insurance.
What bike will I be riding for my tour? Which components can I expect?
Peru Biking maintains a small fleet of well-maintained rental bikes. You’ll be riding a 2020 Scott Ransom 920 with the following components: Shimano four-piston brakes, Fox 36 fork, Fox Nude EVOL rear shock, Syncros Dropper Post, and SRAM Eagle 1x12 transmission. You’re unlikely to find a stable of higher quality rental bikes in all of Peru! While other bike tour operators maintain a fleet of different models with different components, we pride ourselves on keeping a uniform fleet of bikes that allows us to stock replacement parts and keep our bikes on the trails.
What about pedals?
All of our bikes are equipped with platform pedals. If you choose to ride clipless pedals, we ask that you bring your own and we’ll change them out for your ride.
What about my saddle?
All of our bikes come equipped with dropper posts. The dropper post has revolutionized mountain biking around the world – and in Cusco, it’s no different!
What protective equipment will be offered for my ride?
All riders can expect high-quality all-mountain or full-face helmets (depending upon the nature of the ride), elbow pads, knee pads, body armor (if desired) and gloves. Obviously, riders who choose to bring their own protective equipment are more than welcome to and can guarantee the best fit. We request that riders bring their own protective eyewear for their rides.
What should I wear/bring?
For the day(s) of your ride, we recommend that you wear/bring the following:
How long will I be on the bike?
Riding time depends upon each individual rider. Our Full-Day and Multi-Day rides are typically designed to give riders 2.5 to 4 hours of riding time per day, depending upon the ride. The balance of the day is spent shuttling to the trailheads, loading and unloading bikes, enjoying lunch, and getting to know your guides.
Are meals included with my ride?
Lunch is included with your ride. Depending upon the nature of the ride, lunch will either be a pre-prepared box lunch or a typical lunch at one of your guide’s preferred restaurants. And for Multi-Day rides, certain breakfasts and dinners will be included as detailed in the ride description. We're convinced that you'll love the meals!
For my Multi-Day Ride, what type of accommodations can I expect?
Accommodations for Multi-Day rides depend upon the size of your group and the preferences of individual riders. Accommodations are guaranteed to be comfortable, clean, convenient and safe. The level of comfort that you and your party is interested in can be coordinated with Peru Biking in advance. Remember that when traveling abroad, certain amenities may not be the same as what you are accustomed to in your home country; that’s simply part of the local experience! Get to know the real Peru.
Can I ride my own bike? And will I receive a discount?
Yes, absolutely! Please send us a description of the bike you plan on riding so that we can guarantee its appropriateness for the trails you will be riding. Riders who choose to ride their own bikes will receive a discount of 50.00 USD per day.
What happens if my rental bike is damaged?
If your bike is damaged during the course of your ride, your guide will attempt to make adequate repairs on the trail or before subsequent rides. In the event that your bike is irreparably damaged during a Multi-Day Ride, you will be equipped with another bike after responsibility for the damages has been assumed. Peru Biking requires that each rider who plans to rent a bike for a Full-Day or Multi-Day ride sign an Equipment Release Form, assuming ride-related damages to the bike.
Should I bring my own bike? Which bike? How?
Yes, for Package and Expedition Rides, riders are expected to ride their own bikes. In the event that travel logistics don’t permit you to travel with your own bike, Peru Biking is willing to rent a bike to riders. Bring a reliable enduro-style bike with the following characteristics:
Traveling with a mountain bike is easier than one might think. You’ll want to investigate various airlines’ bike policies before booking travel; for your convenience, we've included links to the special baggage pages of relevant airlines with incoming flights to Peru here:
Bike travel luggage is available from reliable brands like EVOC and THULE; however, bikes can just as easily be shipped in the factory cardboard box with special attention to packing.
Will bike tools be available to assemble and repair my bike?
Yes, you’ll have a bike maintenance stand available to assemble and repair your bike at your lodging. Peru Biking maintains a full-service workshop with a wide range of tools, including truing stands, bleed kits, and common oils and lubricants. We can make most tools available to riders, but we recommend that each rider bring the following:
Which replacement parts should I bring?
The trails in Peru can be less hospitable to your bike than you would hope. That being the case, we recommend that riders bring the following replacement parts:
What gear should I bring for my Package Ride?
Not necessary, but recommended:
What gear should I bring for my Expedition Ride?
Are there bike shops in Cusco? In Lima?
There are bicycle shops in Cusco and Lima, however, selection can be limited.
Are meals and accommodations included with my tour?
Review the itinerary for your Package or Expedition Ride to see which meals will be included. During your ride orientation, your guides will explain which meals are included. And please advise Peru Biking in advance if you require any special dietary attention (e.g., vegetarian, vegan, food allergies, etc.). Peruvian cuisine is some of the best in the world!
For my Package Ride, what type of accommodations can I expect?
We guarantee that you'll love the accommodations in both Cusco and The Sacred Valley. As opposed to generic hotels that you can find anywhere else in the world, we lodge riders in charming bed-and-breakfast-style lodges that are as memorable as our bike tours! Our previous riders have offered nothing but positive feedback. Remember that when traveling abroad, certain amenities may not be the same or of the same quality as you are accustomed to in your home country. That’s simply part of the local experience! Get to know the real Peru.
For my Expedition Ride, what type of accommodations can I expect?
Accommodations for Expedition Rides are mainly tents during riding days and bed-and-breakfast-style lodging for pre-and-post-ride accommodation. A four-season, three-person tent is allocated to every two riders; furthermore, the group will share a group kitchen and basecamp for the evenings. Riders are welcome to bring their own camping equipment.
How can I communicate with my guides once in Peru?
Once in Peru, SIM cards can be rented in the Lima airport or purchased with the help of your guides. Additionally, WhatsApp is an application recommended for smartphones if you are looking for an option to quickly communicate with your guides leading up to and during the dates of your ride.
What should I do if my flight is delayed or canceled?
We’ll make sure no one gets left behind. Please communicate any travel inconveniences with your guides.
If my bike is irreparably damaged, what should I do?
If your bike is irreparably damaged during your tour, but you are still stoked to ride, Peru Biking is available to rent one of its rental bikes at Full-Day rental rates (70 USD per day).
