Lake Titicaca to Machu Picchu Mountain Bike Tour
Holiday Itinerary
Day 1: Rendezvous at Juliaca Airport where you will be met by your guide and transferred to our hotel in Puno near the shores of Lake Titicaca. Today is for acclimatisation to the rarefied air of the Andean Altiplano (3800m). Drink plenty of liquids and take it easy. In the afternoon we can explore Puno and its environs.
Day 2: Today, another acclimatisation day, we board our motor boat 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 will have time to assemble our bikes and maybe hire a kayak or take a fishing trip on Lake Titicaca.
Day 3: Being more acclimatised to the altitude we set off our on first ride in this terrific country along the shores of Lake Titicaca to the bustling commercial centre of Juliaca. We quickly escape the madness of Juliaca and head out on a good tarmac road to the picturesque colonial city of Lampa, where set up our first camp outside the town. Altitude at camp 3800m. Distance approx. 60km/37miles.
Day 4: We follow a rarely used dirt road on a gentle ascent to lunch at the small Andean village of Trapiche de Palca, From here we start a gradual climb of approx 12 kms to our camp near the lake of VilaVila (3950m) below a high pass. Total distance approx 55km / 34miles.
Day 5: We have a 400m climb to the top of the pass at 4500 metres. Then its down for 600 metres through the incredible Canon de Tinajani with its weird and exotic rock formations. We camp nearby the canyon and swap our bikes for walking boots and explore the canyon. Approx ride distance 52km/31miles.
Day 6: Today is mainly a flat day of riding as we continue our journey on some dirt tracks through the spectacular Altiplano. We pass the small villages of Humachiric and Llalli. We have some opportunity today to take a little side tracks onto singletrack. Overnight at Grupo's Inca's Alpaca breeding station at Pacomarca in a small hacienda. Approx ride distance 52km/31miles
Day 7: Now we are acclimatised we have our first big day of classic Andean riding. We pass the villages of Llalli and Macari along dirt tracks undulating through the Peruvian country. After lunch we climb up to the Layo pass at 4500m. From the pass it's an awesome descent to the shores of Lake Langui where we camp. Approx ride distance 85km/52miles.
Day 8: Leaving Lake Langui, we climb up and over a ridge towards the town of Yanaoca. We then continue on dirt tracks awesome 20km downhill into Urubamba and to the town of Rachi, home to some impressive Inca ruins. On tarmac now we blast towards to Sacred Valley and camp near the village of Cusipata. Ride distance approx. 85km / 52miles
Day 9: Mainly on tarmac today we really cover some ground as we follow the Rio Urubamba as it heads towards Machu Picchu. At Urcos we leave the Cusco road and ride to our overnight stop at the pretty village of Pisac. Famous for its handicrafts market, this is a great place to buy souvenirs. Ride distance approx. 85km / 52miles.
Day 10: We follow a network of rarely used dirt roads through the Sacred Valley, passing the villages of Calca, Huaran and Yucay. After a lunch stop at Urubamba, there is a final optional blast on tarmac to Ollantaytambo, where we can shower and change before catching our late afternoon train to Pueblo Machu Picchu (Aguas Calientes), where we overnight in a hotel. Ride distance approx. 75km / 53 miles.
Day 11: Today we visit the fabled Inca site at Machu Picchu. We have a guided tour plus time for independent sightseeing. Returning to Aguas Calientes we board the afternoon train back to the Sacred Valley and from there transfer to our Cusco hotel. Those of us with energy to spare will want to explore Cusco's excellent nightlife.
Day 12: KE Land Only services end after breakfast. Complimentary transfers to Cusco Airport are provided.
