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Cycle Peru: Canyons, Condors & Machu Picchu

The lost Incan city of Machu Picchu in Peru

Plenty of colour on the streets of Cusco | Richard I'Anson

Cycling on quiet rural roads near Arequipa, El Misti towering in the background | Louise Vargaya Conza

Cyclists admire the views at Colca Canyon | Louise Vargaya Conza

Cycling the Inca Jungle, Peru | Louise Vargaya Conza

Inner sanctuaries of Machu Picchu | Chris Gooley

Visiting one of the many historic churches | Louise Vargaya Conza

Wonderful riding through terraced landscapes and Inca remains | Louise Vargaya Conza

Sunshine over the ancient Inca ruins of Sacsayhuaman above Cusco | Sue Badyari

The colours of Peru | Louise Vargaya Conza

Traditional Andean weaving | Andreas Holland

introductory

Activities

8 days cycling

Accommodation

11 nights ensuite hotel accommodation

Meals

8 Dinners
9 Lunches
11 Breakfasts

12 Days$6395NZD

View all pricing

View Inclusions

Trip Code: PCCM

Trip highlights

Visit Arequipa City and Colonial buildings like the Monastery of Santa Catalina, enhanced by the knowledge of your local guide
Cycling along The Colca Canyon and see the flight of the amazing Condors, one of the largest flying birds in the world
Visit Puno and Los Uros, the Floating Islands on Lake Titicaca
Visit Cusco City, the Capital of the old Inca Empire
Cycle in the Sacred Valley of the Incas, before descending by bike over 2500 metres from the mountain passes into the Cusco jungle
Visit the ancient Machu Picchu ruins and spend the morning exploring this spectacular Inca citadel
Return to Cusco via the world famous train journey from Machu Picchu to Ollantaytambo

Join us on this thrilling cycling adventure with the magnificent Andes ranges as a dramatic backdrop. Beginning in Arequipa with its rich mix of the indigenous and Spanish colonial cultures we cycle along the Colca Canyon, twice the depth of the Grand Canyon and view the huge Andean Condor soaring in the thermals overhead. Without a doubt cycling is one of the finest ways to discover a country and cycling on rural roads through small villages and experiencing the very traditional day to day life of the Andean people is a wonderful experience. Discover the unique lifestyle of the indigenous people on the islands of Lake Titicaca before continuing across the high Altiplano to explore Cusco. Visit the Sacred Valley of the Incas and the ruins of Ollantaytambo. Our cycling adventure culminates at the archaeological wonder of Machu Picchu.

Itinerary

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Day 1
Arequipa

Today is an arrival day, with airport transfers arranged for those arriving in the morning. We then meet as a group to have lunch before joining a local guide for a tour of the Monastery of Santa Catalina, known as a city inside a city. After some free time to explore, we regroup later for our first dinner together.

Meals: L,D

Day 2
Arequipa

Today is an important day to acclimatize and get your bike fitting just right for your adventures to come, as we transfer by van to the surrounding countryside in Arequipa for a local ride and picnic lunch. Afterwards you have the option to join us for a visit to San Camillo, Arequipa’s vibrant open-air market. You then have some free time to enjoy the evening and pack up ready to head off to the Colca Canyon the following day. Total biking distance: Up to 20km

Meals: B,L

Day 3
Arequipa to Chivay

We depart early this morning and transfer by coach to the highest Pass in the area (Patapampa 4800m). Here we can enjoy views of the surrounding mountains and after a hot coca tea, we start our winding decent to Chivay (3700m), arriving in time for lunch. After lunch we cycle on through the surrounding countryside and down into the Colca valley, where we load up and transfer by coach to El Refugio, a hot springs resort beside the Colca River. This is our stop for the night. Total biking distance: Up to 50km

Meals: B,L,D

Day 4
Colca Canyon

This morning, we transfer by coach to the Cruz Del Condor, where it is possible to see these amazing birds soaring on the prevailing winds. After a short walk to appreciate views of the Canyon we make our way back to Chivay by bike and coach, enjoying the many viewpoints and village markets along the way. After lunch we cross to the other side of the canyon, to ride the quiet roads there. In the late afternoon we have some time to chill out and enjoy the hot springs at our accommodation. Total biking distance: Up to 40km

Meals: B,L

Day 5
Chivay to Puno

Today we start with a little (COLD) blast on the bikes, through high mountain lakes and Alpaca farms. We then transfer by coach for the busy main road section, taking the time to stop at points of interest along the way and enjoying a picnic lunch en route, before arriving to Puno and the shores of Lake Titicaca late afternoon. Total travel time from Chivay to Puno is around five hours. Total biking distance: Up to 50km

Meals: B,L,D

Day 6
Puno to Sicuani

Today we step off dry land and take a boat from the port of Puno to visit the floating Islands on Lake Titicaca. The islands of Los Uros are man-made from reeds and have a permanent local population living on them. After this visit we return to Puno and travel onwards to the alti plano (high plains), where we ride through the small village of Lampa with its beautiful colonial church and onto Pucara, before driving to the small town of Sicuani, where we will stop for the night to break up the drive. Total travel time from Puno to Sicuani is 4 hours. Total biking distance: Up to 50km

Meals: B,L,D

Day 7
Sicuani to Cusco

From Sicuani, we head up off the main highway, where we enjoy a short ride known as the “Cuatro Lagunas”, passing through a series of high lakes and small villages before an exhilarating downhill back to the main road, where we continue by coach to Huacarpay, a small village just outside of Cusco. Here we hop on the bikes again to ride the beginnings of the Sacred Valley, through to the market town of Pisac, where we transfer by van to Cusco, arriving late afternoon. Total travel time from Sicuani to Cusco is 3 hours. Total Biking distance: Up to 60km

Meals: B,L,D

Day 8
Cusco

Today is a well-earned rest day in Cusco, a chance to explore the city, visit the museums and ruins around the centre or just relax and take in the atmosphere of this vibrant little tourist hub. Your local guides are happy to advise and help arrange activities if needed. Biking distance: Day off

Meals: B

Day 9
Cusco - Ollantaytambo

Today we get back on the bikes and take a ride around the well-known Maras Moray circuit. Moray is known as the laboratory of the Incas, where they studied technique for horticulture on terraces. Maras is an ancient salt mine, dating back around 2000 years and still operational today. After lunch we transfer by van to the town of Ollantaytambo, our base for the night. Here you have the option to either explore the extensive ruins or we can offer the challenge of riding some of the Abra Malaga pass to get spectacular views of the sacred valley. This is a guided but unsupported there and back ride. Total biking distance: 35km, plus optional pass ride (up to 80km)

Meals: B,L,D

Day 10
Ollantaytambo – Aguas Calientes

Today we then drive up to Abra Malaga (4315m) the high pass in the area. Here we descend by bike from the mountain pass to the tropical rainforest! We enjoy a picnic lunch along the way, before arriving in Santa Maria (1100m). We then travel by van to Santa Teresa, where we catch a train to Aguas Calientes, our base for exploring Machu Picchu. Total biking distance: 75km

Meals: B,L,D

Day 11
Machu Picchu, return Cusco

We have an early breakfast to get us up to Machu Picchu. We take a guided tour in the morning, with a local expert guide, and after that you have time climb the peak of Wayna Picchu if you are feeling energetic, before returning to the town in time for lunch. After lunch we catch our train to Ollantaytambo and reunite with our coach for the final drive back to Cusco. We enjoy a final group dinner and celebrate our amazing journey together.

Meals: B,D

Day 12
Tour end

Your tour finishes after breakfast today. Outbound airport transfers are included and will be organised according to your departure flight time.

Meals: B

Inclusions

What's included

11 breakfasts, 10 lunches, 6 dinners
11 nights ensuite hotel accommodation on a twin share basis
Profesional qualified bilingual group leader and bike mechanic
Private support vehicle with dedicated, experienced driver/mechanic
All entrance fees and activities in Arequipa (Salinas and Aguada Blanca National Reserve), Puno (Lake Titicaca National Reserve) and Cusco (including Machu Picchu)
Bike hire of quality 24 speed mountain bikes with disc brakes
Airport transfers in Arequipa at the start of the tour and departure transfer in Cusco
Spring water will be available from the support vehicle at all times

What's not included

International or domestic flights and taxes
Meals not mentioned in the itinerary
All beverages, other than breakfast
Optional activities mentioned in the itinerary
Personal expenses (eg. phone calls, internet, laundry, shopping etc)
Travel Insurance (compulsory)
Visa (if required)
Tips

About Your Leader

Enjoy the trip in the company of your fully trained and experienced Peruvian guide Rudy Vargaya Conza and his New Zealand born wife Louise, along with their local support staff, who will provide the local interpretation as well as looking after you’re every need. You will learn so much from all our local English speaking guides who take great pleasure and pride in introducing you to their region. We pride ourselves on the standard and quality of these great people who you will be spending your holiday with.

Our Peruvian team share our desire to give you the best possible experience, heaps of fun and lots of fond memories to take home with you. Here in Peru we provide you with the services of two guides on every trip, as well as a driver, who will be with the support van (which is also equipped with Oxygen for your piece of mind in the high altitude areas) and your belongings constantly while you are out enjoying your ride. All are certified in first aid, CPR and have years of experience guiding at altitude and your guides are experienced bike mechanics.

Grading

introductory
1

To determine the grade of a particular adventure we consider a number of factors. These include the condition of the terrain, the altitude, the number of pass crossings and the length of the trip. The Canyons, Condors and Machu Picchu is graded introductory. You will need a reasonable level of fitness and we suggest 30 minutes of aerobic type exercise, (either cycling or jogging) three times a week for the three months leading up to your trip. You will need to be able to comfortably cycle at least 30km per day. Please remember the fitter you are the more you will enjoy your holiday.

Departure dates

Want to organise a private group?

Fundraising events, sporting groups, family treats; learn how you can organise a Private Group from just 6 travellers.

Priceper person from

$6395NZD

Options & Supplements*

Single Supplement - Limited to 2 per departureNZD$1030

*Prices listed are per person

Essential information

Ready to book? Make sure you download and read the detailed Cycle Peru: Canyons, Condors & Machu Picchu trip notes which contains all the essential information you need to know before booking. Once you’ve booked, we will supply you with a Pre-Departure document which contains a detailed gear list and other important information to help you prepare for your adventure ahead.