12-Day Bike: Lake Titicaca to Machu Picchu
A classic Peru mountain biking adventure
Mountain bike Peru from Lake Titicaca to Machu Picchu using Peru’s network of dirt roads and trails to avoid the traffic and the crowds.
This is a challenging route for keen cyclists wanting a unique adventure to Machu Picchu.
Discover charming colonial towns, altiplano full of alpacas and llamas, impressive rock formations, remote Andean lakes, and the very rare Puya Raimondii cactus.
You start at 3800 meters, climbing slowly across the altiplano to cross a high pass of 4500 meters (14,700 ft) pass before gradually descending to the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu. Because of the remoteness of parts of the route, you camp for 5 nights, spend 1 night at an Alpaca Research Centre, and the other 5 nights in comfortable hotels. These include several camps over 4000m/ 13000ft.
If you love exploring by mountain bike, you will love this trip.
See the video below to get an idea of the trip. Note it was taken in 2010, our current fleet of bikes is very different.
Highlights
- Visit Lake Titicaca and Machu Picchu
- Mountain Bike Peru- 587km /365 miles through rural Peru
- Cycle quiet dirt roads and village trails across the Altiplano
- Stay at the Pacomarca Alpaca Research Centre and discover their pure black alpacas
- Bring your own bike or hire one of ours. Read about our mountain bike fleet here.
- Click here to see more options for Mountain Biking in Cusco
On arrival at Juliaca airport, you will be met by your Amazonas Explorer guide and transferred to your hotel in Puno near the shores of Lake Titicaca. Today is spent acclimatising to the rarefied air of the Andean Altiplano (3,800m). Drink plenty of liquids and take it easy. In the afternoon we can explore Puno and its environs, making the most of great shopping opportunities for alpaca goods and Bolivian contraband.
NOTE: Please book the early morning Lima to Juliaca flight as the earlier you arrive the more time you have for acclimatisation. If arriving on a later flight, an additional Juliaca to Puno transfer will be charged at $120 per transfer.
Transfer from Juliaca airport to your Puno hotel: On arrival at the region’s Juliaca airport, our private vehicle will pick you up and transfer you to your hotel in Puno, on the shores of Lake Titicaca.
Included: transport, English-speaking guide, hotel
Today we board a motor launch on Lake Titicaca for a fascinating visit to the floating islands of the Uros Indians before continuing on to the small community of Llachon where we stay with local families in a new community based project. We are allocated rooms with families and this is a unique chance to truly understand the lives of these proud people and experience a bit of how they live. We have time to assemble our bikes and maybe hire a kayak for a quick paddle or fishing trip on Lake Titicaca.
Guided Tour of Uros Islands with drop off in Llachon: Today you board a shared fast boat for a cruise on Lake Titicaca. Your own private guide fully explains the local history, traditions and agricultural methods as we visit the amazing floating reed islands of Uros. You will then journey to Llachon where you will stay for the night in a traditional homestay.
Included: English-speaking guide, transport, boat ticket, entrance fees, equipment, homestay, breakfast, lunch, dinner, homestay
Our bike ride starts with an acclimatisation dirt road ride from the very shore of Lake Titicaca to the bustling commercial centre of Juliaca. Escaping the madness of Juliaca, we head on a good tarmac road towards the town of Lampa and camp our first night under the incredible stars of an Altiplano night.
Total Distance: approx. 65km, negligible altitude gain and loss throughout the day all at around 3,800m
Included: transport, equipment, breakfast, lunch, dinner, camping
Our final few km of tarmac bring us to Lampa, a beautiful colonial city practically forgotten in time when the railroad passed it by. We visit the incredible catacombs of the vast church on the plaza de Armas – an eerie place full of skeletons.
Continuing on by bike, we follow a rarely used dirt road on a gentle ascent towards our goal for the day, Trapiche de Palca, a small Andean community located near our campsite for the night. There is an interesting ruined mill we can visit if time permits.
Total distance: approx. 55km ascent 3,894 – 3,950m.
Included: transport, breakfast, lunch, dinner, camping
From Palca we continue on undulating dirt road for 20km before passing the lake of Vila Vila. From here we start our first serious climb of the trip, approximately 12km, to a bleak pass. At 4,500m, this is our highest point of the trip.
The rewarding 10km descent down to the impressive Cañon de Tinajani passes through one of the largest remaining forests of Puya Raimondii- an amazing cactus that grows up to 13m high and flowers just once every 100 years or so. We will take time out to explore and get close up to these fascinating plants.
The Cañon de Tinajani is famous for having some of the most beautiful and incredible rock formations in the whole of Southern Peru. We camp nearby and have time to take side hikes to explore and maybe even climb some of these incredible rock formations.
Total distance: 42km ascent 3,950 – 4,500m Descent to 4,060m
Included: transport, breakfast, lunch, dinner, camping
A mainly flat day of pedalling as we continue through the spectacular Altiplano, passing the small villages of Humachiri and Llalli.
Our destination for the night is Grupo Inca’s Alpaca breeding and experimental station at Pacomarca, a small hacienda where we stay the night and in the afternoon can learn about Alpaca breeding, get close up photos of these great creatures and they even have an ostrich or two!
Total distance: 65km Altitude gain and loss negligible 4060 – 4017 – 4036m
Pacomarca Alpaca research centre
Included: transport, breakfast, lunch, dinner, dormitory accommodation
Now hopefully fully acclimatised, it’s time for our first big test as we prepare ourselves for an epic day of Andean riding. Leaving the Alpaca farm, we head back to Llalli and take a side road to Macari. The day’s riding is again mainly flat with a slight loss in altitude and we can look for the short cuts the locals use.
However there are lots of short steep climbs and rough road sections that make for quite a tough day despite the seemingly short distance covered. After 55km we plan to lunch in the small valley of Callarani beside an icy but crystal clear stream.
A gentle incline starts the afternoon as we climb up 20kms to the Layo pass at exactly 4500m. The amazing rock formations on route, the local cyclists and the odd farm make for very scenic riding. Reaching the top we start the descent to Lake Langui, one of Peru’s major inland lakes. After around 10km we stop and camp near a local school. There are some excellent single track options too if you keep your eye out and follow the local bike trails.
Total distance: 85km km Altitudes: 4060-4017-4036-4320-4500-3980m Total accumulative climbing in the morning: 450m, and in the afternoon: 500m.
Included: transport, breakfast, lunch, dinner, camping
Today we have another tough ride. Initially cycling along the shores of Lake Langui, a photographers dream, this beautiful undulating 35km cycle is a gentle start before we have a steep 10km climb up to the turn off for San Pedro.
However this is well worth it as we then follow a rarely used dirt trail for an awesome 20 km downhill to lunch in the Urubamba valley near to the town of Raqchi, home to some impressive Inca ruins which, if time permits, we can visit.
After lunch we join a tarmac road for a final 45 km blast along towards the Sacred Valley, where we plan to camp near the small village of Cusipata.
Total Distance: 115km Altitudes: 3980-3880-4200–2980m
Included: transport, breakfast, lunch, dinner, camping
Today we make the most of the tarmac to really cover some ground as we follow the Rio Urubamba as it heads towards Machu Picchu. At Urcos we head up a valley towards Lake Huarcarpay and lunch beside an Inca gate.
Leaving the main road to Cusco, we take a rarely used road into the Sacred Valley of the Incas and our goal for today – the beautiful village of Pisac. Here we stay in a local hostel and have time to explore the renowned local village market. Pisac is famous for its Artisan Market and production of fine ceramics. It’s a great place to barter for souvenirs.
Altitude at overnight: 2900m
Ride distance approx.: 85km / 52miles. Ascent approx. 100 m, descent approx. 200m Approx. ride time 5-6 hours.
Included: transport, lunch, breakfast, hotel
Our final day of cycling takes us right through the very heart of the Sacred Valley of the Incas. We follow a network of rarely used dirt roads and trails to avoid the tourist traffic as we pass by the villages of Calca, Huaran and Yucay, finally joining the tarmac near Urubamba.
After lunch there is a final optional blast on tarmac to Ollantaytambo, where we have time to shower and change before catching our late afternoon train to Machu Picchu Pueblo. Here we check-in to our hotel for the night.
Altitude at overnight: 2200m.
Ride distance approx.: 75km approx. ride time 5-6 hours Ascent approx. 0m, descent approx. 50M
Included: transport, breakfast, lunch, train ticket, hotel
A chance to visit the famous Machu Picchu, one of the new Seven Wonders of the World. With your private guide, you will enjoy a fully guided tour with plenty of time afterwards to climb to Inti Punku sun-gate, walk out to the Inca Bridge or else just wander through the ruins soaking up the amazing atmosphere.
We then board the afternoon train from Aguas Calientes back to the Sacred Valley where our waiting bus speeds you back to your Cusco Hotel. If you have the energy, we can then explore Cusco’s excellent restaurants and bars.
Included: English-speaking guide, Machu Picchu entrance, entrance fees, bus ticket, train ticket, transport, breakfast, hotel
After a final free morning in Cusco, we help you pack up your bikes before transferring you to the airport in time to catch the late afternoon internal flight back to Lima, where you can connect with your international flight home.
Cusco Airport Transfer: We transfer you to Cusco airport in time for your onward flight.
Included: transport, breakfast
In order to fully enjoy your trip it is very important that you choose the right trip for you and fully understand what it involves.
There are risks inherent in travelling in Peru, as indeed there are in most of the activities that we provide. Many of the activities we offer also involve a significant level of effort on your part. After all, it is called Adventure Travel for a reason.
It is really important that you read both the trip notes above and the Risk and Safety Section on our website, to enable you to choose the best trip for you. Once you have read them both, please make sure you ask if there is anything you do not understand. We classify this Mountain Bike Peru- Titicaca to Machu Picchu trip as:
- Mountain Bike ‘Advanced’… These rides are mostly aimed at experienced mountain bikers – But if you are ‘fit’ (What does that mean? In this case – that you do regular exercise – walk/cycle/jog/squash/ etc), ride quite regularly i.e. commute and have an ‘adventurous’ disposition, then you might consider this too! As an experienced rider you will know that this type of trip will involve some (quite a lot really!) sweating and breathing hard! It will involve steep ascents and technical/fast descents. There may be sections of rough trail that falling off is not an option! The days are likely to be long, remote and even arduous at times. Our experienced guides will help you to develop your riding skills and confidence – there may be times where you (but not others!) are asked to walk a section of trail… Please follow the advice of the guide, they really do know what they are doing! Make sure you are comfortable with this description (and the remainder of the trip notes), if at all unsure, then drop us an email asking for more clarification. We want you to book the perfect trip for you!
