The Peruvian Andes are home to more than 60 mountains that exceed 6,000 m in height, offering infinite incredible trails for MTB. They also have mountains of around 1,000 m hidden in the tropical jungle, where the Incas began their resistance to the Spanish invasion. Here, the trails are very different from those in Cusco or the Sacred Valley.
The Quillabamba jungle offers routes that cross plantations of bananas, orange trees, papayas, coffee, cocoa, coca and much more. The terrain is unique, since every day the fallen leaves change the grip, making each route a different experience. In addition, the tropical climate allows you to end your MTB days cooling off in rivers or pools, after a hot day of adventure in this beautiful place.
Itinerary
Welcome to Cusco, start of our MTB adventure. Our Kinti Biking team will meet you at Velasco Astete airport and transfer you to the hotel in the city center. You can rest, assemble your bicycles, enjoy lunch and explore the historic center, its viewpoints and the San Pedro Market.
Note: It is recommended to arrive in Cusco in the morning, before 12:00 pm, to make the most of the first day.
After breakfast, we begin our first day of MTB in the Peruvian Andes. After 20 minutes of transfer, we will arrive at Abra de Corao (2,700 m) to ride the routes of Huayllarcocha, Brogie, Copa Inca, Murciélago and Yuncaypata.
These routes are short but fun, with fast and fluid sections, ramps, drops, banks, forests, rock gardens and technical areas. The day culminates with an urban descent to the Plaza de Armas of Cusco, where we will enjoy lunch before continuing to Ollantaytambo, in the Sacred Valley. During the transfer, we will ride the Misminay Enduro route, long, fluid and with some technical sections. We finished the day at the Sacred Valley brewery before arriving at the hotel in Ollantaytambo.
Today we will explore the sacred citadel of Machu Picchu. We will take a train from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes, following the right bank of the Urubamba River and crossing various Andean ecosystems to the high jungle.
Once there, an expert guide will show us the temples, squares and important sites, culminating in the Temple of the Condor. After the tour, we will descend to Aguas Calientes for lunch and then walk 3 hours along the right bank of the Sagrado River to the town of Hidroeléctrica, where we will take transportation to Santa Teresa. There we will enjoy a relaxing night and the hot springs.
After breakfast, we moved 1.5 hours to Quillabamba, in the middle of the tropical jungle. We will begin to ride routes such as Llactapata, Sarawasi and Cholapampa 1 and 2, characterized by being fluid and fast singletracks, with ramps, drops and technical sections under the shade of the trees. We will end the day at the San Cristóbal pool or at the hotel pool.
After breakfast, we continue with longer and more technical routes: Volcán, Sambaray and Cobreperol, the latter a local favorite, with ramps, drops, banks and pine forests full of flow. At the end, we will relax in the 360 pool, enjoying food, drinks and views of the city.
Vilcabamba, a small town that houses the mythical lost city, was the last refuge of the Incas and center of resistance against the Spanish (1537-1572). After a 2.5-hour transfer, we will explore the citadel and enjoy a picnic. Then we will travel epic trails that descend from the heights to the jungle, crossing various ecosystems. When finished, we will return to Quillabamba.
After several days of adventure, it's time to relax. Quillabamba, a city developed thanks to natural gas and coffee and cocoa agriculture, offers activities such as massages, motorcycle rentals, swimming pools and crystal-clear rivers.
We say goodbye to Quillabamba and return to Cusco, stopping in the Sacred Valley to ride epic routes: Inca Avalanche, Pumamarka and Perolnioc.
- Still Avalanche: Route that combines freeride, fluid double track and technical singletrack with rock gardens, slopes and sharp curves, ending in the town of Phyri.
- Pumamarka: Inca trail used by the Incas to escape to Vilcabamba, fast and fluid, passing over platforms and rocky sections.
- Perolnioc: Flowing singletrack with sharp curves, loose areas and views of Inca ruins and waterfalls.
We finished the day at the Sacred Valley brewery before returning to Cusco.
It's time to pack memories and new friendships. After checking the bicycles and collecting the equipment, we headed to the Cusco airport to return home.
Inclusions
- Private transportation and professional driver
- Airport-hotel-airport transfers
- Professional MTB guides
- Hotel Tierra Viva in Cusco (2 nights, 3★)
- Hotel Tunupa lodge in Ollantaytambo (1 night, 3★)
- Hotel in Santa Teresa (1 night, 3★)
- Hotel Panomara in Quillabamba (4 nights, 3★)
- Private tours in Machu Picchu and Vilcabamba
- 8 breakfasts and 7 lunches
- Water, rehydrating drinks, fruits and snacks
- Entrance fees to trails and hot springs
- Access to bike tools and first aid kit
- Epic MTB adventures
Exclusions
- Vuelos internacionales o nacionales hacia/desde Cusco
- Seguro de viaje o seguro de aventura
- Alquiler de bicicleta y equipo de protección (disponible bajo solicitud)
- Ticket de tren a Machu Picchu
- Entrada a Machu Picchu
- Cena y bebidas alcohólicas
- Snacks o bebidas adicionales fuera de las incluidas
- Gastos personales
- Propinas para guías, conductores o personal de apoyo
- Servicios no mencionados en el programa
Recommendations
- Arrive in Cusco at least one day before the tour for better altitude acclimatization.
- Wear appropriate clothing for different climates: cold in the Andes and warm climate in the jungle.
- Wear sunscreen, sunglasses and a cap.
- Bring MTB gloves, suitable shoes for pedaling and a hydration backpack.
- Bring insect repellent to jungle areas.
- It is recommended to have travel insurance that covers adventure sports.
- Stay well hydrated throughout the tour.
- Carry cash for personal purchases or small expenses.
- Check the bike before each outing to ensure good performance on the trails.
- Always follow the guide's instructions for a safe and fun experience.
Questions and Answers
Do I need to have previous MTB experience for this tour?
Yeah. This tour is designed for intermediate to advanced level cyclists, with experience in technical trails, descents and variable terrain.
Is it difficult to adapt to altitude?
Cusco is located at more than 3,300 m above sea level, so it is recommended to rest on the first day, hydrate well and avoid intense efforts at the beginning.
What happens if I have mechanical problems during the tour?
The guides carry basic tools and essential spare parts to solve most mechanical problems along the way.
How demanding are the descents?
Some routes include technical sections, rock gardens, hairpin turns and long descents, so previous trail or enduro experience is recommended.
