Back Roads of the Andes: Lake Titicaca to Machu Picchu by Mountain Bike

Bike from the world’s highest navigable lake to the Lost City of the Incas on this challenging cross country bike journey across the altiplano to Machu Picchu.

Trip Length: 12 Days
Destinations: Lake Titicaca, altiplano, Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu, Cusco
Lodging: 3-Star plus hotels, homestay, and comfortable tent camping
Activities: Mountain bike touring, Inca ruins, cultural experiences

WHY THIS TRIP

The Titicaca to Cusco by Mountain Bike trip is an exceptional expedition that takes you into a rarely visited part of Peru. Starting from the shores of Lake Titicaca, you ride along rarely used dirt roads high in the Andes, past stunning scenery, through the Sacred Valley of the Incas to Machu Picchu and end with time to visit the cosmopolitan traveler’s city of Cusco, the heart of the Inca empire.

TRIP DESCRIPTION

Starting by acclimatizing with an exploration of the floating reed islands on Titicaca and a road ride to the bustling city of Juliaca, this route has been carefully researched to avoid the busy main roads and, instead, to travel on rarely used dirt roads and tracks through the very heart of the Andes.

En route, you will visit charming colonial towns, huge Altiplano scenery, alpacas, llamas, amazing rock formations, vast lakes and the very rare Puva Raimondii cactus. You’ll also have a chance to interact with local riders for whom bikes are the preferred form of transport.

This is a tough, challenging ride with several nights at over 4,000 meters and a high point of over 4,600 meters. However, with the right acclimatization and the necessary logistical support, this ride is sure to become a new Andean Classic.

LOCAL OPERATOR: AMAZONAS EXPLORER

For more than three decades Amazonas Explorer has led high-quality trips and alternative adventures throughout South America. Based in Cusco, its professionally trained guides, cooks and support crew bring their passion and skills to the travelers they serve and, in turn, build rewarding careers for themselves. This talented staff of local experts is focused on providing you with safe and comfortable adventures, all centered on making your holiday as memorable as possible.

Itinerary

Click the Abbreviated Itinerary to see the Detailed Itinerary


DAY 1:  Arrive in Juliaca – Puno – Lake Titicaca

On arrival at Juliaca airport, you will be met by your guide and transferred to your hotel in Puno near the shores of Lake Titicaca. Today is for acclimatization to the rarefied air of the Andean Altiplano (3,800 meters). Drink plenty of liquids and take it easy. In the afternoon you can explore Puno and its environs. Puno has great shopping 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 acclimatization. If arriving on a later flight, an additional Juliaca-to-Puno transfer will be charged at $120 per transfer. 

Overnight in Puno: Hotel Casa Andina Puno Private Collection
Meals Included: –

DAY 2: Lake Titicaca Boat Trip: Uros Island & LLachon Homestay

Today you 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 you stay with local families in a new community-based project.  This is a unique chance to truly understand the lives of these proud people and experience a bit of how they live. You have time to assemble your bike and maybe hire a kayak for a quick paddle or fishing trip on Lake Titicaca.

Overnight in the Llachon Community: homestay
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 3: Llachon – Lampa

Your bike ride starts with an acclimatization ride on a dirt road from the shoreline of Lake Titicaca to the bustling commercial center of Juliaca. Escaping the madness of Juliaca, you head on a good tarmac road toward the town of Lampa and camp your first night under the incredible stars of an Altiplano night.

Total Distance: ~65 kilometers. Altitude gain and loss: negligible, throughout the day it’s around 3,800m

Overnight: Comfortable tent camping
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 4: Lampa – Trapiche de Palca

Your final few kilometers of tarmac takes you to Lampa, a beautiful colonial city practically forgotten in time when the railroad passed it by. You visit the incredible catacombs of the vast church on the plaza de Armas , a spooky place full of skeletons. Continuing on by bike, you follow a rarely used dirt road on a gentle ascent toward your goal of Trapiche de Palca, a small Andean community where you camp nearby. There is an interesting ruined mill you can visit if time permits.

Total Distance: ~55 kilometers. Ascent from 3,894 to 3,950 meters.

Overnight: Comfortable tent camping
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 5: Palca – 4,500-Meter Pass – Cañón de Tinajani

From Palca continuing on undulating dirt road for 20 kilometers you pass the lake of Vila Vila. From here you start your first serious climb of the trip, approximately 12 kilometers, to your highest point of the trip — a bleak pass at 4,500 meters. The rewarding 10-kilometer descent to the impressive Cañon de Tinajani passes through one of the largest remaining forest of Puya Raimondii — an amazing cactus that grows up to 13-meters high and flowers just once every 100 years or so.  You will take time 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.  On our recent recce, one rider said he felt like he was riding through the bottom of the Grand Canyon (not that he has ever been there!). We camp nearby and have time to take side hikes to explore and maybe even climb some of these incredible rock formations.

Total Distance: 42 kilometers. Ascent from 3,950 to 4,500 meters; Descent to 4,060 meters.

Overnight: Comfortable tent camping
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 6: Cañón de Tinajani – Humachiri – Llalli – Pacomarca

A mainly flat day of pedaling as you continue through the spectacular Altiplano, passing the small villages of Humachiri and Llalli. Your destination for the night is Grupo Inca’s alpaca breeding and experimental station at Pacomarca, a small hacienda where you stay the night. In the afternoon, you can learn about alpaca breeding, get close up photos of these great creatures and they even have a rhea or two, too!

Total Distance: 65 kilometers. Altitude gain and loss: negligible: 4,060m – 4,017m – 4,036m

Overnight: Comfortable tent camping
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 7: Pacomarca – Llalli – Quebrada de Callarani – Abra Layo – Lake Langui

Fully acclimatized, it’s time for your first big test day as you prepare for an epic day of Andean riding. Leaving the Alpaca farm, you 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 you can look for the short cuts the locals use. However, there are lots of steep but short climbs and rough road sections that make for a tough day despite the seemingly short distance covered. After 55 kilometers you take lunch in the small valley of Callarani beside an icy but crystal-clear stream. A gentle incline starts the afternoon as you climb 20 kilometers to the Layo Pass at 4,500 meters. There are amazing rock formations en route, some local cyclists riding by and an occasional farm, making for very pretty riding. Reaching the top you start the descent to Lake Langui, one of Peru’s major inland lakes, and after around 10 kilometers we stop to camp near a local school. There are some excellent single track options, if you keep your eye out and follow the local bike trails.

Total Distance: 85 kilometers. Altitude gain and loss: 4,060-4,017-4,036-4,320-4,500-3,980 meters. Total accumulative climbing: 450 meters (in the a.m.), 500 meters (in the p.m).

Overnight: Comfortable tent camping
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 8: Langui – Rachi – Sacred Valley

Fully acclimatized, you gear up for another tough day.  Initially cycling along the shores of Lake Langui, a photographer’s dream, this beautiful undulating 35-kilometer ride is a gentle start before launching into a steep, 10-kilometer climb to the turn off for San Pedro. However, this is well worth it as you then follow a rarely used dirt trail for an awesome 20-kilometer downhill to lunch in the Urubamba Valley nearthe town of Rachi. Rachi is home to some impressive Inca ruins which, if time permits, you can visit. After lunch, on tarmac you enjoy a final 45-kilometer blast toward the Sacred Valley where camp is set.

Total Distance: 90 kilometers. Altitude gain and loss: 3,980-3,880-4,200-2,980 meters.

Overnight: Comfortable tent camping
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 9: Sacred Valley of the Incas – Pisac

Mainly on tarmac today, you really cover some ground as you follow the Rio Urubamba as it heads toward Machu Picchu. At Urcos, you head up a valley toward Lake Huarcarpay and lunch beside an Inca gate. Leaving the main road to Cusco, you take a rarely used road into the Sacred Valley of the Incas and your goal for today – the beautiful village of Pisac where you stay in a local hostel that overlooks the main Plaza de Armas. Here, you have time to explore the renowned local village, which is famous for its artisan market and its productions of fine ceramics. It’s a great place to barter for souvenirs.

Total Distance: 115 kilometers. Ascent: ~100 meters; Descent: ~200 meters.

Overnight in Pisac: Hotel Royal Inka or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

DAY 10:  Sacred Valley of the Incas: Pisac – Urubamba – Ollantaytambo – Train to Aguas Calientes

Your final day of cycling takes you right through the very heart of the Sacred Valley of Incas. You follow a network of rarely used dirt roads and trails to avoid the tourist traffic as you 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 you have time to shower and change before catching your late afternoon train to Aguas Calientes, where you check into your hotel for the night.

Total Distance: 65 kilometers. Altitude gain and loss: negligible.

Overnight in Aguas Calientes: Hotel El Mapi or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

DAY 11: Machu Picchu Ruins – Cusco

Today you explore the pinnacle of Inca engineering – Machu Picchu.

For years it was lost to the jungle. Rediscovered in 1911 by the Yale professor Hiram Bingham, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983 and one of the New Seven Wonders of the World in 2007, Machu Picchu exceeds all expectations.

This astounding site lies in an even more astonishing location. Perched high on an inaccessible hilltop it is protected by huge cliffs and the raging Urubamba river. Things are slightly easier now than in the time of the Incas and so you start your day with a twenty minute bus ride up to the site.

Please discus with your guide exactly what time you wish to arrive at Machu Picchu. The guided tour takes around two hours leaving you a few hours free to wander amongst the old Inca walls and just sit and take in the scale of the place on your own. For those who want to walk a bit more, you could take the hour long trail up to the Sun Gate, or a shorter trail to visit the Inca Bridge which once spanned a sheer cliff face.

Lunch at the Sanctuary Lodge. Eventually the time comes to catch the bus down to Aguas Calientes and board your train back along the Urubamba River. The scenery is beautiful and the train jolts softly along, allowing you to sit, stare out the window and reflect on all you have seen.

Overnight in Cusco: Hotel Quinta San Blas
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

DAY 12: Cusco

After your final free morning in Cusco, you are free to explore on your own before transferring to the airport in time to catch the late afternoon internal flight back to Lima in time to connect with your international flight home.

Meals Included: Breakfast


travel logistics

Getting To and From the Trip: 

You will need to arrive in Juliaca on Day 1 of this trip. You will want to arrive as early as possible this day, by flight, train, or bus. You will be met by your guide upon your arrival, and transferred to your hotel in Puno.

All international flights to Juliaca must route through Lima. Most likely, you will need to overnight in Lima the night before you fly to Juliaca. We can help you arrange a hotel and transfer services upon your request.

At the end of this trip on Day 12, you will be transferred to the Cusco Airport, train station, or bus terminal in time for your departure. We can also help you add to your journey with trips to the Amazon, Colca Canyon, the Galapagos Islands in Ecuador, or any other destination in South America.

We do not sell international or domestic Peru airfare but partner with a flight specialty company, Exito Travel, who can arrange all of your flights for you, simplifying the process of this part of your trip.

Trip Start: Trip starts upon your arrival at the Juliaca Airport. All international flights route through Lima. Depending on your flight schedule, you may need to overnight in Lima the night before your arrival in Juliaca. A hotel in Lima can be added upon request.

Trip End: Trip ends at the Cusco Airport in time for you to catch your flights home, or continue on to the next part of your adventure.

Complete Your Trip

This trip is a complete package, starting at the Juliaca Airport and ending at the Cusco Airport. International and domestic Peru flights are not included, but can be booked through our travel partner Exito Travel. Depending on your flight schedule, you may need to overnight in Lima. We can help you arrange a hotel and transfer services if this is necessary.

We can also help you add to your journey with trips to the Amazon, Colca Canyon, the Galapagos Islands in Ecuador, or any other destination in South America.

 

Prices & Dates

2023 PRICES:

Prices are per person, and based on double occupancy

1 Traveler: $9,275.00
2 Travelers: $5,735.00
3 Travelers: $4,575.00
4 Travelers: $3,830.00
5 Travelers: $3,42500
6 Travelers: $3,620.00
7 Travelers: $3,440.00
8 Travelers: $3,505.00
9 Travelers: $3,285.00
10+ Travelers: $3,188.00
Single Supplement: $306.00

 

2024 PRICES:

For 2022 pricing, please inquire using the “I am Interested” button above or by calling 1-866-386-4168.

 

 

 

 

What's Included / Not Included

INCLUDED: 
  • All airport transfers
  • Mountain bike, helmet, biking gloves
  • All camping and cooking equipment including Therm-a-rests, spacious two-person tents, dining tent, tables and stools, toilet tent
  • An extensive first-aid kit
  • Professional English and Spanish-speaking mountain bike guide(s), trained in first-aid, CPR, and bike mechanics.
  • Lake Titicaca homestay
  • Local hotels in Puno, Pisac, Aguas Calientes, & Cusco.
  • Boat trip to Uros Island
  • Entrances to Machu Picchu and other ruins in itinerary
  • Vistadome train to Machu Picchu & return to Cusco
  • Bus between Machu Picchu ruins & Aguas Calientes
  • All meals as indicated in the itinerary
NOT INCLUDED: 
  • International and domestic Peru flights (can be booked on your own or with our flight partners at Exito Travel)
  • Personal belongings and gear
  • Sleeping bag (available for rent)
  • Bike shorts and clip-in bike shoes & pedals
  • Baggage fees for bringing your own bike (optional)
  • Airport taxes (if applicable)
  • Travel & health insurance (required)
  • Personal or medical expenses
  • Tips for guide and support staff
  • Optional entrances to hike Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain ($15 per person, subject to change) – must be requested upon confirming trip
  • Hotels and services in Lima are not included, but can be quoted for and arranged upon request.
  • Meals and services not indicated in the itinerary
  • Alcoholic beverages

Accommodations

Puno Hotel: Hotel Casa Andina Puno Private Collection or similar

Camping: Gear includes spacious two person tents or single tents, dining tent, cook tent, portable camp toilet, and toilet tent. All camping and cooking equipment including Therm-a-rest inflatable mattresses, camping stools, tables, utensils, etc. Sleeping bags and pillows are not included, but can be rented upon request. Bowls of hot water are supplied in the morning and in the evening at camp. Clean hand washing water is available in camp. Filtered water is available in camp and at meal times (please bring a refillable water bottle).

Pisac Hotel: Hotel Royal Inka or similar

Aguas Calientes Hotel: Hotel El Mapi or similar

Cusco Hotel: Hotel Quinta San Blas or similar

Rooming Options

ROOMING OPTIONS: Double, Single, Willing to Share, Single Supplement

 

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