DISCOVER
PERU
HIGHLIGHTS
Visit three distinct ecosystems: the coastal desert, the high Andean plateau, and the
cloud forest
Experience spectacular Machu Picchu and the Sacred Valley
Take a plane ride above the mysterious Nazca Lines
Observe sea birds, sea lions and penguins
Stay in private homes and rural guesthouses for a real sense of cultural immersion
See Lake Titicaca and the floating islands of Uros
Tour Length: 17 Days, 16 Nights
Tour Level: Intermediate
-No technical riding experience needed-
Max Altitude: 15,500 feet
Ride spectacularly scenic rural roads unknown to most travelers
Max Daily Ascent: 2,650 feet
Discover Peru´s amazing cuisine including the local delicacy ceviche, a raw fish delight
Max Daily Distance: 38 miles
Time of Year: April - October
OVERVIEW
Peru is a traveler´s wonderland. Diverse natural beauty, rich cultural heritage, world class archeological
ruins and an unmistakable identity make this country a unique destination that no traveler should miss.
The itinerary makes sure to include all the key sites (Machu Picchu, the Sacred Valley, Lake Titicaca,
Nazca Lines) while always keeping to the road less travelled. Without missing the must sees you will
discover the real Peru that few other tourists get to see.
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PERU
day 1 LIMA (Sea level)
Discover this wacky yet wonderful City of Kings as it is called. The second largest desert city in the world, Lima is a
cultural oasis on the shores of the Pacific Ocean. Visit the colonial historic center, learn about Inca archeology at
the National Museum and then relax in hip Miraflores with a pisco sour (the national mixed drink of Peru) and
wonderful ocean views. Savor lunch at a cevicheria which serves the raw fish deligh famous to Peru.
day 5 CUSCO (11,200 feet)
Transfer to Lima airport for the one and a half hour scenic flight to Cusco. After settling in the hotel and a nice cup
of mate de coca, it is time for a visit to what used to be the center of the Inca Empire. The Temple of the Sun, the
main square, the neighborhood of San Blas and the colorful market are some of the highlights that make Cusco so
special. In the evening indulge in unique Andean dishes characteristic to this part of Peru.
day 2 PACHACAMAC (600 feet)
Start the day with a short transfer to Pachacamac Valley, home to both pre-Incan archeological sites and several
micro-ecosystems. This area is considered the Sacred Valley of coastal Peru because of its importance during the
Inca Empire. The bike trail often follows the road taken by pilgrims on their way from the Andes to the temple of
the Pachacamac God. Between July and September, during the coastal winter, constant humidity transforms this
area into lush green fields full of nature's splendor. Transfer three hours to Parcacas.
Ride: 16 miles (dirt road)
day 6 SACRED VALLEY (9,300 feet)
Begin the biking at Chincheros from where we traverse along rural roads to the famous circular ruins of Moray.
Next we descend an exhilarating single track to Maras along what was once an important trade route and then
down to the Salinas salt pans in use since the times of the Incas. Reach the Urubamba River for lunch and then
continue to magical Ollantaytambo.
Ride: 25 miles (dirt road and descending singletrack)
day 3 PARACAS (Sea level)
In the morning take a boat ride to the Ballestas Islands to enjoy sea birds, sea lions and penguins. Later transfer to
the Pisco airport for the world-renowned flight over the Nazca and Palpa Lines, geoglyphs and geometric line
clearings made by the Nazca people, who flourished between 200 BCE and 600 CE. Some people theorize that the
only possible explanation for these imense drawings is the participation of an alien culture.
day 4 LIMA
Ride in the national reserve along the untouched coastline to Lagunillas Beach and Cathedral Point. The views of
the sand dunes, bluffs and the crystaline ocean are the attraction today. At mid-day, return to the hotel before
driving back to Lima.
Ride: 14 miles (dirt road)
day 7 ABRA MALAGA PASS ( 14,540 feet)
Transfer from Ollantaytambo to the pass at Abra Malaga to begin an once-in-a-lifetime 10,000-foot descent to
Santa María (4,000 ft). The ride starts at the base of majestic Mt. Verónica, in the dry and extremely high andes
and ends in the lush cloud forest surrounded by banana trees and waterfalls.
Ride: 46 miles (paved road)
day 8 SANTA TERESA (5,090 feet)
Climb from Santa María to Santa Teresa along a lush green canyon with steep walls of red earth and refreshing
waterfalls. Santa Teresa was originally the port of entry to Machu Picchu. It was replaced by Aguas Calientes
when the railroad was reopened for tourists. The hot springs are a welcome pleasure after the effort made during
the ride.
Ride: 21 miles (dirt road)
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day 9 AGUAS CALIENTES (6,850 feet)
Take a break from biking and go on a leisurely hike through the cloud forest, along an abandoned railroad, to
Aguas Calientes. The town is a wild mish mash of hotels and restaurants all geared towards travelers on their way
to or from Machu Picchu. Enjoy a nice meal and an early night in preparation for a day start at sunrise.
Hike: 6 miles
day 10 MACHU PICCHU (8,000 feet)
Early in the morning take a short bus ride up to the Lost City of the Incas. Climb Huayna Picchu, the small peak
behind the city that forms part of nearly all the images of Machu Picchu. Take in the view before returning to the
ruins for an in-depth tour of the site. This dream-come-true experience will most definitely not let you down. In the
afternoon, return to Ollantaytambo by train, part of the quintessential Machu Picchu experience.
day 11 ANDAHUAYLILLAS (10,250 feet)
Pedal from Pisac (9,730 feet) out of the Sacred Valley past quaint villages away from the major tourist circuit. This
ride marks the beginning of the traverse towards Lake Titicaca. Slowly the fertile valleys of the Cusco region
transform into the more austere landscape of the Altiplano, the high Andean plateau. With an average height of
12,300 feet, the Altiplano is the most elevated and wide high plateau outside of Tibet. Not by chance, there are
many similarities to be drawn between the Andean and Tibetan cultures of these high altitude environments.
Ride: 21 miles (paved road)
day 12 FOUR LAKES REGION (12,190 feet)
Spend the day riding in the land of the legendary Tupac Amaru, famous for leading the most important indigenous
uprising against the Spaniards in the 18th century. Pedal along the shores of Lakes Acopia, Asnachoca and
Tungasuca before starting a challenging climb out of the Yanaoca Valley. Finally, descend into the Vilcanota
Valley and the towns of Tinta and Raqchi where the night is spent in a rural Andean community with music and
dances in the evening.
Ride: 38 miles (paved and dirt road)
day 13 TINAJANI CANYON (13,400 feet)
Start with a 60 mile transfer to the market town of Ayaviri (12,940 feet). The biking begins along an easy dirt road
to Tinajani Canyon where the rock formations make for entertaining riding. Next, climb out of the valley across a
unique forest of Puya trees to the pass at 15,500 feet, the trip's maximum elevation. The switchbacks that follow
are a blast and very scenic. The final destination today is Lampa. The stone Iglesia de Santiago Apostol in the
main square is an imposing and eerie church, including a huge domed tomb containing hundreds of skeletons
arranged into a skull and cross-bones formation.
Ride: 35 miles (dirt road)
day 14 SILLUSTANI TOMBS (12,700 feet)
Bike on relatively flat dirt roads across the high Andean plateau to Lake Umayo past several small agricultural
settlements. The landscape is vast, covered by a yellow blanket of ichu grass and dotted by herders with their
flocks of sheep, cows, llamas and adobe homes. Visit the pre-Incan burial ground at Sillustani. The tombs, which
are built above ground in tower-like structures called chullpas, are vestiges of the Colla people, the Aymara, who
were conquered by the Incas in the 15th century. The ride ends in Atuncolla, a small community made up of adobe
houses with a unique style.
Ride: 37 miles (dirt road)
day 15 LAKE TITICACA (12,500 feet)
Continue the traverse across the plateau on rural roads to Capachica and the shores of Lake Titicaca - spread
across 3,232 square miles, this is the largest lake in South America (bigger than Switzerland!) and the highest
navigable lake in the world. The pristine and isolated beach at Capachica is perfect for taking in the spectacular
scenery.
Ride: 32 miles (dirt road)
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PERU
day 16 PUNO (12,500 feet)
The last day of Altiplano riding begins with a boat ride across the lake to Port Carina on Chucuito Peninsula. We
enjoy a ride on side roads to Puno. This is a lively, quirky town, considered the folklore capital of Peru. The
pedestrian mall is lined with restaurants and bars with great atmosphere - perfect for a celebratory meal to cheer
over two weeks of exploration and adventure.
Ride: 19 miles (dirt road)
day 17 FLOATING ISLANDS (12,500 feet)
Tour Lake Titicaca's main attraction, the Floating Islands of the Uros people, a tribe that predates the Incan
civilization. There are forty two of these human-made floating islands, woven from layers of totora reeds growing
on the edge of the lake. The islands are home to several hundred people complete with houses, schools and a
hospital. The settlements were designed to be moved when faced with a threat. The largest Island retains a
watchtower almost entirely constructed out of reeds.
Make time in the afternoon to visit the local markets for gifts and souvenirs of locally made artisan goods,
especially woven alpaca wool products unique to the area.
DISCOVER
PERU
DISCOVER
PERU
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