Inca Trail | Peru (trip)
Inca Trail | Peru
- Lima Airport, Lima, Peru
- Active & Adventure
| from $2,495* per person | 10 Days | March, May, September |
| Comfort accommodations | Exertion level: 6 | |
| Operator: Sacred Rides Mountain Bike Adventures | 10 people max | |
Were the Incas mountain bikers? Judging by the massive network of trails and roads they built all over Peru (some 10,000 km by some estimates) at the peak of their empire, modern-day archaelogists could be mistaken for thinking they were. Connecting all the major centres of the empire, the Inca trail network is perfect for mountain biking, with silky smooth singletrack and technical downhills crisscrossing the spectacular Andes mountains all over the country.
The Inca trail network was a major reason for the success of their empire; these days its the reason why Peru might just be the world's best undiscovered mountain bike destination. Just one ride on the incredible Olleros trail - the world's longest downhill. dropping from over 11,000 ft all the way down to the ocean over 36 mi/58 km - and you'll be in awe of the Incas' trailbuilding genius.
On this trip we'll ride South America's best singletrack, explore Inca history in places like Cusco and Ollantaytambo, and revel in the majesty of the world's 2nd-biggest mountain range. Your local guides Wayo and Russo (former national DH and XC champions respectively) are passionate about showing you the beauty of their country, and will give you a rich, fulfilling experience that goes well beyond an amazing mountain bike trip.
Is This Ride For You?
You can handle rocky terrain and narrow trails, and have good bike handling skills, but you're not into stunts and crazy steeps. You don't mind the odd long day if it gets you to a spectacular and remote place that few other visitors will see. You're not afraid to get out of your comfort zone and experience a totally different and fascinating culture. You're up for trying new things, like roasted guinea pig or volunteering at a remote Quechua community.
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Locations visited/nearby
Peru, South America
0 testimonials about this trip.
3 testimonials about the provider, Sacred Rides Mountain Bike Adventures:
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Reviewer: Enrique Nodarse
located in
Puerto Rico,
Hey Mike! First of all I wanted to say the Peru trip was amazing. Wayo is the man!! Given..he had the perfect setting, surrounded by the perfect Andean mountains, nonetheless he turned an already 'cool as hell' trip into a nearly flawless one. Simply one of my best vacations yet. I think I was more winded by our constant laughing than the low-oxygen high elevation climbs!! Lets not forget, Jose and Russo, without them the trip would not have been nearly as cool. I think I can speak on behalf of all of us that took the trip when I say the day we spent in Joses Farm made the trip very different than anything we or at least I ever expected from any tour or organized travel. I didn't expect that...the guide does not usually take you to his home!! ...which happened to be a beautiful 40 acre citrus tree haven surrounded by some of the most amazing greenest hills that I have ever had the privilege of riding. As if that was not enough our perfect day of riding was supplemented by fresh juices, cheeses, cold peruvian beers served by the poolside and culminated with the delicious BBQ chicken lunch. Well, I could go on and on, but I think you already have a pretty good idea of how much I enjoyed my trip. I won't continue my rant, and leave you with more time to get out there and scout more 'sacred rides' for the rest of us to see and hopefully ride.
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Reviewer: Barbara and Mick
located in
UK
Just a note to let you know that Mick and I thoroughly enjoyed our Sacred Rides holiday. We had an absolutely fantastic time. The trails Eddy and Val took us on were excellent and we will remember them for a long time.
I think most of us felt that our riding had improved during the course of the week, and Mick and I have certainly noticed a difference since we got back to England and have been riding our favourite Lake District trails. We had a devil-kicking session last weekend, where Mick confidently rode the off-camber boardwalks that he is usually hesitant on, and I rode a particularly tricky rocky section that I have always jibbed at before. Both were conquered with ease!
Everyone in the group got along really well and Eddy and Val were a pleasure to be around. All in all, it was a fab holiday. Thanks very much!
Best regards, -
Reviewer: Kim Ruthers
located in
US
Thank you. I loved every minute of it. My bike skills and confidence have improved and I have seen truly amazing sights. A terrific trip!
Itinerary
Day 1. Arrive in LimaYour shuttle will meet you at Lima Airport. From there we will take you to our hotel in Miraflores. If you have time, feel free to explore Lima's beaches and history.
Day 2. Pachamac - skills training
A large Inca fortress with impressive construction dominates the entire Lurin Valley at this important Inca archaeological site. We will have the opportunity to discover hidden Inca constructions deep inside the valley and the mountains.
The morning is free to set up the bikes and recover from the long flight. We will meet in the hotel at 9:00 am to finish setting up the bikes, check everything is working properly and talk about the afternoon ride. After having lunch in Lima, we will be transferred to Pachacamac, 45 Km. south of Lima where we will ride one of the best trails on the area. We'll ride approximately 32 Kms today.
Day 3. Olleros Epic Downhill
Santo Domingo de los Olleros, or simply Olleros is located 150 Km. east of Lima on the Lurin Valley at an altitude of 3,150 masl (10,356 ft.). The start of this trail is located at an altitude of 3,450 masl (11,319 ft.) and 4 hours away from Lima.
The trail of 54 Km. long is one of Peru's most famous mountain bike trails. From the start of the trail, on a good clear day, it's possible to see the Pacific Ocean, where we will end our tour! This is a 3,500 meter vertical descent that will take us directly to the Pacific Ocean. We will end near San Bartolo beach, enjoying a relaxing view of the Pacific Ocean. We plan to return to Lima approximately at 7:00 pm.
Day 4. Transfer to Cusco
We will pick you up from your hotel at 6:00 am and take the am flight to Cusco. The rest of the morning is free to check in, explore Cusco, and complete the acclimatization process. We will also build our bikes for the afternoon ride.
After a local lunch near the main plaza, we will pick our bikes and start riding from our hotel to the upper part of the city. We will pass through main Inca sites and have a great introduction ride in Cusco. Once we are on top of the city, we will ride down a main Inca trail that will give us lots of surprises. We will end our ride on our hotel and have the rest of the day to know a little bit more the city of Cusco. We will ride approximately 10 Km. in 2 hours. The altitude range goes from 3,400 to 3,700 meters (11,155 to 12,139 ft.).
Day 5. The Incas Backyard Trail
Early in the morning, after we take breakfast, we will be transferred to the village of Salkantay located on top of the city of Cusco at an altitude of 4,000 masl (13,123 ft.). We will ride an ancient Inca trail that was used like a shortcut to go from Cusco to the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu. As we descend this amazing trail, we'll reach other Inca sites like Saqsayhuaman, Puca Pucara and Tambomachay to finally reach the village of Yuncaypata and end in Cusco. We will ride approximately 30 Km. in 4 hours. The altitude range goes from 4,150 to 3,300 meters (13,615 to 10,827 ft.).
Day 6. Sacred Valley Treasures
Early in the morning, after a nutritious breakfast, we will be transferred to Chinchero, one of the most important Inca sites near the Sacred Valley. Chinchero is located at an altitude of 3,700 masl (12,139 ft.) and from this place it's possible to see the entire plateau of Maras and the Vilcanota's Mountain Range with its +5,000 meters glaciers like Chicon and Veronica. We will cross agricultural fields, border Lake Huaypo and reach the Inca site of Moray at an altitude of 3,600 masl (11,811 ft.). We'll stop here and explore this Inca agricultural lab and its round terraces. After our visit to Moray and experience the special energy of this place, we will continue our tour riding an Inca Trail that will take us to the town of Maras and its Inca Salt Mines. It is a spectacular place where we will have amazing views of this salt mine and also the Sacred Valley below us. Finally we will end our tour on a side of the Urubamba River, at an altitude of 3,000 masl (9,843 ft.). We'll continue with our bikes to the town of Ollantaytambo, where we will stay for the next three nights. We will ride a total of 34 Km. in approximately four hours before we reach Ollantaytambo.
Day 7. Free Day (Machu Picchu option)
This day is free to relax near the Sacred Valley or make other activities like visiting Machu Picchu, considered as one of the new 7 wonders on earth. We suggest you to take the train and discover Machu Picchu!
Day 8. Origin of the Inca Empire
There are three theories that explain the origin of the Inca Empire. The three of them coincide that it was near Ollantaytambo, on the Patacancha Valley. Early in the morning, we will start riding our bikes from Ollantaytambo and climb towards the Patacancha Valley, a tributary of the Sacred Valley. We will climb the first part following the dirt road and then we are going to climb on a narrow and technical singletrack. We will reach the Inca site of Pumamarca at the top of the trail and have a stop to enjoy the place and take our snacks. We will see also the impressive terraces that goes from the bottom of the valley to the top of the mountains. From this place we will ride one of the best singletracks in Cusco and we will descend directly to Ollantaytambo following this amazing Inca trail. We will ride approximately 15 Km. in 3 hours.
Day 9. Lares Inca Trail
Early in the morning, after we take breakfast, we will be transferred to the town of Calca on the Sacred Valley and then go to the mountain pass of Lares located at 4,420 masl (14,501 ft.). From this place we will start our ride down hill following another impressive Inca trail with thousands of rock steps that look like they were made for mountain bikes! We will pass one of the most impressive landscapes of all the tour, crossing a deep canyon that is only possible to pass on bikes. We'll pass different terrains, from flat surfaces on top of the mountain to great valleys at the middle of the trail. We will finally end our tour on the town of Calca where we will be transferred to the city of Cusco.
Day 10. Cusco and transfer to Lima.
We have reached the last day of our amazing trip in Peru and it's time to say goodbye to Cusco and its wonderful Inca Trails. Flights depart every hour until 3:30 pm, making it possible to do some shopping in the Indian markets of Cusco. We'll offer an optional morning ride in Cusco for those sticking around until the afternoon or next day.
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