Biking Peru From The Andes To The Amazon

Itinerary Details

1. Day 1Meet in Cusco

   Welcome to Cusco — once the heart of the Incan Empire and now your gateway to adventure! Perched at 3,300 meters (11,152 feet), this city is one of the highest in the world. To help your body adjust to the altitude, be sure to arrive at least a day before the tour begins. Need help with hotel bookings or airport transfers? Just let us know!
   
   On the first day of your journey, you’ll meet the group at our tour hotel in the morning, then head out on a relaxed walking tour through Cusco’s charming cobblestone streets. You’ll explore landmarks like the Plaza de Armas, the Cathedral, and the awe-inspiring Coricancha temple. A local restaurant hosts your lunch, giving you a taste of regional flavors. Later, we’ll handle bike fittings and go over the trip details before capping off the day with a warm welcome dinner.

   • Casa Andina Premium Cusco
   • Lunch and Dinner

   • 

     Antigua Casona San Blas Hotel

     Centrally located in historic Cusco, this lovely hotel will bookend the tour at the start and end

   • 

     Antigua Casona San Blas Hotel

     Centrally located in historic Cusco, this lovely hotel will bookend the tour at the start and end

2. Day 2Cusco - Pisac

   This morning, you’ll take a short 30-minute transfer out of Cuzco to avoid the city traffic. You’ll saddle up near the small town of Husao and begin cycling downhill on a smooth tarmac road toward Huambutio. From there, you’ll veer off the main road and follow a scenic, lesser-traveled path that runs alongside the Urubamba River. This first ride is all about immersing yourself in the breathtaking Andean landscape—soaring peaks, green valleys, and ancient Incan terraces cascading down the slopes. Midway, you’ll stop for a picnic lunch before continuing to the picturesque town of Pisac, known for its colonial charm set against a mountain backdrop. If all goes to plan, you’ll arrive in time for Pisac’s vibrant artisan market—perfect for picking up unique souvenirs or soaking in the energy of an authentic Andean marketplace.
   
   
   

   • 26.7 miles
   • -587.3 ft
     859.6 ft
     1,446.9 ft
   • Pisac Inn
   • Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
3. Day 3Pisac - Cloud Forest

   From Pisac, you’ll take a 45-minute transfer uphill to a mountain pass at 4,100 meters above sea level, in the heart of the Peruvian Altiplano—a dramatic high-altitude plateau of rugged peaks, rolling plains, and serene lakes. From there, you’ll enjoy an exhilarating 50 km descent by bike to the village of Paucartambo, surrounded by breathtaking natural beauty. After another 45-minute transfer uphill, you’ll reach the edge of Manu National Park—one of the most biodiverse places on Earth. Here, you’ll hop back on your bike for a thrilling 15 km descent into Peru’s cloud forest. Your home for the night is an environmental research station focused on cloud forest ecology. From this remote base, you’ll head out on a short hike into the misty forest, where constant moisture supports a rich array of orchids, birds, amphibians, and mammals. Spending the night here, enveloped in nature and fog, is an experience unlike any other.

   • 39.8 miles
   • -5,961.3 ft
     1,430.4 ft
     7,391.7 ft
   • Wayqecha Cloud Forest Research Station
   • Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
4. Day 4Cloud Forest - Manu National Park

   If you're up early, don’t miss the chance to watch the sun rise over the misty canopy of the cloud forest—a truly magical sight. After breakfast, you'll continue your descent deep into Manu National Park, dropping nearly 3,000 meters into the lush lowlands of the Amazon Basin. The ride follows narrow, winding roads—a mix of rough pavement, gravel, and sand—so you'll take it at a relaxed pace as the rainforest thickens around you. Along the way, you’ll pass through small villages, some founded by early European settlers, offering unique spots to pause and refresh. Your journey ends at a cozy ecolodge that collaborates with indigenous communities on conservation projects and serves fresh, locally sourced meals. Spending two nights here gives you a rich and meaningful experience in Peru’s largest and most pristine protected area.

   • 39.1 miles
   • -7,808.4 ft
     1,525.6 ft
     9,334 ft
   • Manu Biolodge
   • Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
5. Day 5Manu National Park Free Day

   Today is a very special day inside Manu National Park. Being based at the unique Amazonia Lodge you'll have one of the world’s most incredible, diverse and fragile ecosystems literally at your doorstep. You’ll give the bikes a break for the day and you have several options to get out into the jungle and explore on foot. The jungle is usually alive very early in the morning so try to get out pre-dawn as this will be your best chance to see wildlife.

   Amazonia is one of the best places in Peru (if not the world!) for birdwatching with more than 630 bird species recorded and an abundance of parrots, parakeets, small macaws and hummingbirds. There is plenty of time to have a siesta to avoid the hottest part of the day. Settle down on your balcony (with a cold beer if so inclined) and soak it all in. In the evening, you can go for a walk to catch the beautiful sunset over the Amazon basin. Within walking distance, there is a watchtower offering splendid views over the jungle canopy.
   
   
   

   • Manu Biolodge
   • Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

   • 

     Amazonia Lodge

     Stay in this remote and special location for 2 nights of the tour

6. Day 6Manu National Park - Pisac

   You wake to a dawn chorus of local birds—and possibly the distant calls of howler monkeys—before retracing your path into the Andes. Traveling by vehicle, you head back to Pisac and the Sacred Valley, a journey that takes about 4 to 5 hours and is mostly uphill. Along the way, two thrilling downhill sections may tempt you back into the saddle for some fast, free-flowing descents. You'll recognize these stretches—they were uphill climbs on your way into the Amazon, so now’s your chance to enjoy them in reverse. Each descent covers about 25 km, with the second one delivering you straight into Pisac, where you’ll spend another night.
   
   

   • 31.1 miles
   • -5,797.2 ft
     636.5 ft
     6,433.7 ft
   • Pisac Inn
   • Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
7. Day 7Pisac - Ollantaytambo

   Setting off directly from your hotel in Pisac, you'll cross the Urubamba River and embark on a picturesque back road, tracing the contours of the Sacred Valley. Just beyond Pisac, you'll transition onto a lesser-traveled dirt track winding through local villages and haciendas (agricultural estates) set against the beautiful backdrop of glaciated mountains and Incan ruins. You'll pause for a picnic lunch along the way before passing through the villages of Qoya, Lamay, and Calca.

   Crossing the Urubamba River once more in Huayllabamba, you'll continue on a well-maintained road through Yucay and Urubamba, eventually reaching Pacchar. Here you'll cross back for more dirt road riding as you head to the end of the Sacred Valley and the charming village of Ollantaytambo. You will be based here for the next 3 nights.
    
   

   • 37.9 miles
   • -551.2 ft
     1,555.1 ft
     2,106.3 ft
   • Hotel Pakaritampu
   • Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

   • 

     Hotel Pakaritampu

     In the heart of Sacred Valley, you'll stay in this beautiful hotel for 3 nights of the tour

   • 

     Hotel Pakaritampu

     In the heart of Sacred Valley, you'll stay in this beautiful hotel for 3 nights of the tour

8. Day 8Ollantaytambo - Moray - Maras Salt Pans

   From your base in Ollantaytambo, you set out for an unforgettable ride along the fringes of the Sacred Valley. To skip a challenging ascent, you begin with a short transfer that takes you to the remarkable Incan site of Moray. Its dramatic circular stone terraces showcase the ingenuity of ancient Inca agriculture. From there, you ride across the highlands on a gently rolling trail that leads to the scenic shores of Lake Huaypo, where you pause for a relaxing picnic lunch.
   
   Refueled, you hop back on your bike and follow a little-known dirt road toward the stunning Maras Salt Pans—gleaming white pools that have been mined since Inca times and offer a dream setting for photography. The ride wraps up with a mostly downhill 10 km stretch before a quick transfer returns you to Ollantaytambo, just in time for a well-earned dinner.
   
   

   • 26.7 miles
   • 918.6 ft
     2,723.1 ft
     1,804.5 ft
   • Hotel Pakaritampu
   • Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
9. Day 9Machu Picchu Exploration

   Today is off the saddle as you set out to visit the most splendid Incan mountaintop ruins of all: Machu Picchu. Referred to as the “Lost City of the Incas”, this incredible sanctuary is simply a must-see when visiting Peru. To get there you will take a train journey that follows the impressive Urubamba River down through the cloud forest and to the base of Machu Picchu mountain itself. Once there, you will participate in an extensive walking tour of the ruins, delving into the intricacies of Machu Picchu's construction techniques, its purpose as a sanctuary and ceremonial center, and gaining insights into the daily life of the Inca civilization that thrived within these breathtaking stone walls. You’ll enjoy lunch at a nearby restaurant before heading back to the train station for the return journey along the Sacred Valley to your base in Ollantaytambo. Dinner is on your own tonight.
   
   
   

   • Hotel Pakaritampu
   • Breakfast and Lunch

   • 

     Machu Picchu

     Spend a day exploring iconic Machu Picchu

   • 

     Hotel Pakaritampu

     In the heart of Sacred Valley, you'll stay in this beautiful hotel for 3 nights of the tour

   • 

     Hotel Pakaritampu

     In the heart of Sacred Valley, you'll stay in this beautiful hotel for 3 nights of the tour

10. Day 10Ollantaytambo - Calca - Cusco

    Your final day is an epic adventure deep in the Sacred Valley, far from the usual paths. It kicks off with a scenic vehicle ride up to 4,000 meters above sea level in the Andes. From there, you’ll hop on your bike and coast down into the stunning and remote Lares Valley. As you pass through the village of HuacaHuasi, you'll continue your descent on a smooth dirt road that leads to the hot spring town of Lares—perfect for a quick dip in the soothing, mineral-rich waters before enjoying a relaxing picnic lunch.
    
    Another short transfer takes you even higher, to Abra Lares at 4,400 meters. This marks the start of a thrilling descent—your “downhill of a lifetime”—on a well-paved road that sweeps down from the mountaintops to the valley below. You’ll roll into the historic main square of Calca, where your ride ends and a vehicle awaits to bring you back to Cusco.
    
    In the evening, you'll gather for a special farewell dinner at Hanz Restaurant, where Nikkei cuisine—a flavorful blend of Peruvian and Japanese traditions—takes center stage. Your meal also supports a meaningful cause: helping rescue abandoned dogs and providing social aid to children in the Andean highlands.
    
    

    • 31.7 miles
    • -8,622 ft
      738.2 ft
      9,360.2 ft
    • Casa Andina Premium Cusco
    • Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
11. Day 11Departure from Cusco

    Time to say goodbye! If you are departing from Cusco today you will be transferred to the airport. Feel free to extend your stay in Cusco or venture onwards to discover more of incredible Peru.
    
    

    • Breakfast