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home » Biking the Inca Empire – 8 or 12 days
Day Location
1 Arrive Lima. City tour if time allows.
2 Cuzco area biking and walking tour.
3 Sacred Valley – downhills, markets, ruins and the train to Machu Picchu.
4 Full day Machu Picchu guided visit.
5 Cross-country to Moray Inca Terraces and Maras Salt Pans.
6-7 Lares Valley two-day bike excursion – stunning views and thermal baths!
8 Departure day OR beginning of Cloud Forest Adventure.
9-11 Nature walks, cloud forest lodges and many miles of all kinds of biking terrain. Return to Cuzco evening of Day 11.
12 Early morning flight to Lima. Intl. flights may depart any time after noon.

Biking the Inca Empire!

4 passenger minimum
Domestic flights included
8 days: US$2475 per person
12 days: US$3850 per person with Cloud Forest add-on

Biking tour in PeruBike the Land of the Incas and visit Machu Picchu, one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. Our trip includes massive downhills, cross-country adventures and uphills if you want ‘em. And a support vehicle is of course always on hand.

Depart any day and customize your tour at no extra charge.

 

 

 

BIKING THE INCA EMPIRE TRIP ITINERARY

 

Day Activity/Location
1 Arrive in Lima and transfer to our hotel. If arriving during the day, our hotel will be in the neighborhood of Miraflores, with good shopping and restaurants, and we’ll have an included city tour in the afternoon.  If arriving late at night, we’ll be close to the airport for a bit more sleep before our next day’s flight, and we’ll have a tour of Lima upon our return.
2 Today we fly over the Andes to Cuzco, old capital of the Inca Empire.  Our tour of the area today will begin high above Cuzco at the site of our first Inca ruin.  After a visit to each of the four sites we will explore today, we’ll begin our first, mostly downhill, ride through the open valleys and eucalyptus groves above Cuzco.  We’ll visit the massive Inca fortress of Sacsayhuaman before cruising down to Cuzco’s main plaza.  Here we’ll end our first biking excursion and explore downtown Cuzco’s colorful sites and sounds on foot.
3 This morning we’re off to the Sacred Valley, and then on to Aguas Calientes, just below Machu Picchu, on the evening train.  Fifteen hundred feet lower than Cuzco, the warm and fertile Sacred Valley was of immense strategic and agricultural importance to the Incas.  We’ll visit two sites today: Ollantaytambo and Pisac.  First we’ll set off on another long, beautiful downhill through the Andes to Pisac, a small village with a great handicrafts market.  After shopping and bargaining for Andean goods, we’ll climb by van over 323m / 1000ft up to the imposing Inca complex.  After a tour of the ruins, we’ll bike back down on an insanely fun set of paved switchbacks.   Then on to Ollantaytambo, Ollantaytambo is the only Inca village still inhabited in the present day.  Peer through ancient, trapezoidal doorways into courtyards where life has changed little in 500 years, then explore the huge ruins which loom above the town.  Finally we board an evening train to Aguas Calientes, below Machu Picchu, where we’ll spend the night
4 We can spend many hours today visiting the Sacred City of Machu Picchu with our guide. After the visit, we may have time to climb Huayna Picchu Mountain and hike the sun gate or do other walks in the area. In the afternoon we’ll take the train back to Ollantaytamb, where we’ll spend the night. Today offers
5 Today offers off-road excitment, culture and spectacular scenery On this route, situated less than an hour away from Cuzco, we will visit the impressive terraces of Moray (an ancient Inca agricultural experimentation area) and the Maras Salt Pans. Today we’ll not only cycle up and downhill through defined paths, but we will feel the excitement of following very fast and fun downhill single tracks towards the Sacred Valley. A picnic lunch will be served in a nice spot, overlooking beautiful scenery. In the evening we will dine and camp beside the Urubamba River.
6 It’s the beautiful Lares Valley today with thermal baths at the end!  Our transportation picks us up early in the morning to take us on a 3 hour trip to the highest point on the way between Cuzco and the Lares Valley Depending on how fit we feel today, we will be driven all the way to the mountain pass, or do some uphill cycling to reach it on our bikes. Once on the pass, we begin what will be a relaxing day of dirt road downhill.  From time to time we will find some fun shortcuts to bike through. A light picnic lunch will be served in a nice spot overlooking the river.Once in Lares we have plenty of time to relax in the thermal baths. A great warm dinner is served at night to finish the day.
7 After a healthy breakfast we pack up camp and the private bus will take us back to the Mountain Pass. Once again the Mountain Pass is the departure point of our biking ride, but this time heading to the Sacred Valley. The ancient Inca trail and a quick flowing narrow stream lead us on our way down. Without even noticing it, we’ll go into a small hidden canyon where we can appreciate a few Chulpas (pre Inca tombs) hanging from the walls. The path leads us to the native community of Totora, where we can decide between following a narrow single track offering breathtaking views of the Sacred Valley, or just continue riding on the wide dirt road to the town of Calca. We return to Cuzco in the afternoon for an included celebration dinner party with a free buffet and drinks!
8 Morning flight to Lima for those only doing the eight day trip. International flights may depart any time after 12pm from Lima. If you are staying for the four-day add-on, this day begins with a beautiful ride throughout the mountains towards the cloud forest beyond the Sacred Valley.  The cycling trip goes along a downhill dirt road with a few up-hills, leading us to the town of Paucartambo.  On the way we’ll visit ancient cave paintings. On arrival in Paucartambo we can rest and enjoy a light energizing lunch. Afterwards, we continue on the private bus to Ajanaco mountain pass (3,810m / 11,810ft). Depending on how we feel at this point, we have the chance to ride our bikes again and pedal the last 20km / 12.5miles of flat terrain to the camping site at Tres Cruces (3,789m / 11,745ft).
9 Today we get up before dawn to see the fabulous spectacle of the sunrise which comes up between the clouds of the forest and reaches our feet.  After a hot breakfast we take our bikes and start to pedal on what will be a day of down-hill on dirt roads.  You will be surprised by the extreme change in scenery as it gradually changes into the dense vegetation of the jungle.  At about noon we enjoy a picnic lunch in the middle of the forest. A couple of hours later we arrive at the lodge in the cloud forest where we can take a shower. Today we will pedal a total of 48km / 30miles, taking roughly 4.50hours.  During the afternoon we can walk around the area and see some of the many species of animals and plants living there.
10 Today we begin the day very early with a short walk.  If we are lucky we may see the cock of the rock, Peru’s national bird.  After breakfast we take the bicycles and get back on the dirt road, which through a combination of descents and flat ground takes us to Pilcopata, where we have the chance to get in the bus, or continue biking all the way to Atalaya. At this point we take a short boat ride to the lodge where we can take a refreshing shower. During the afternoon we can walk along the jungle paths and observe some of its incredible flora and fauna. Today’s total journey is 70km / 44miles, which will take us around 6 hours.
11 In the morning we are taken back to Atalaya, where the bus is waiting to drive us back to Ajanaco, which will take about 4 hours.  From this point we ride, descending on a dirt road, to Paucartambo.  After lunch we continue by bus to Cuzco. This will be a total of 25km / 16miles riding, taking roughly 2 hours.
12 Early morning flight to Lima. International flight may depart any time after 12:00pm

TRIP DETAILS

Domestic flights included
4 passenger minimum:
8 days: US$2475 per person
12 days: US$3850 per person with Cloud Forest Adventure add-on
Departs any day!

Ask us about DISCOUNTS for groups of four or more on this tour!

Is this trip for me?
Biking the Inca Empire! is an eight or twelve day tour which includes several mountain biking excursions through various terrains, day hiking, and some camping. While no biking experience is required, one should be in good physical shape and not suffer from any heart or respiratory conditions. As always, a certain patience is required for the inconsistencies and delays of developing-world travel.

Joining the tour
On all Southern Crossings tours, you are met at the airport by one of our representatives (holding a  placard), who will accompany you to our joining hotel.  No bargaining or being ripped off by airport taxis! 

Trip briefing
Upon purchase of this trip, we will send you via email, fax, or regular mail (your choice) a trip briefing, which includes joining instructions with a map to the hotel in Lima, a list of things to bring, and a climate/currency/visa guide.

What’s included in the trip:

Eight day tour:

  • Airport pickup at the beginning of trip and drop off at end of the trip
  • Southern Crossings bilingual guides
  • Domestic flights, Lima – Cuzco, Cuzco – Lima
  • Five nights of hotel accommodation, two nights of camping
  • Two one-day biking excursions, one three-day biking excursion, including private bilingual guide, bike, helmet, gloves, transportation, meals while on excursions, and camping gear (tent, sleeping mat, sleeping bag)
  • Four wheel drive vehicle support, mechanic and First Aid on all excursions
  • All entrance fees while on excursions
  • Two breakfasts, five lunches and two dinners while on biking excursions
  • Breakfast every morning with your hotel stay
  • Machu Picchu excursion, including private bilingual guide, round-trip Backpacker train fare, transportation to/from ruins/Aguas Calientes, and day entrance to the Machu Picchu sanctuary
  • Private Lima & Cuzco city tours
  • Private Sacred Valley excursion
  • The Cuzco Visitor’s Ticket, which includes entrance to the ruins in and around Cuzco and the Sacred Valley, and many churches and museums in Cuzco
  • Farewell dinner party in Cuzco!
  • 24 hour customer support line while on tour
  • Southern Crossings T-shirt or capTwelve-day tour:  Includes all of the above plus:
  • Four day / three night Peruvian cloud forest bike excursion, including private bilingual guide, transportation, bike, helmet, gloves, all meals while on excursion, one night camping  (tent, sleeping mat, sleeping bag). 
  • Two nights of lodge accommodation, one night of hotel accommodation, one night camping
  • Three breakfasts, four lunches and three dinners while on biking excursions
  • Breakfast every morning with your hotel stay

What’s not included
International flight to/from Lima, airport departure taxes (APPROX. US$32), pre- & post- tour accommodation, visas, vaccinations, personal insurance, meals except where specified above, drinks, laundry, souvenirs, tips while on optional excursions and other items of a personal nature. Medical travel insurance is not included through Southern Crossings though we do require that you have a policy. Check www.travelguard.com to purchase a policy for your trip.

Extra Accommodation
We will gladly arrange additional accommodation for you before or after your trip:
In Lima/Cuzco/Lima: $140 double/$130 single.

Accommodation Upgrades
This tour includes 3 star hotels.  We would be happy to give you an upgrade to four or five star. If you would like to select a specific hotel, take a look at the accommodations page above and let us know your preference.  We can then work it into your custom itinerary.


PRE-TRIP PLANNER

Required documents
All travelers to Peru are required to have a passport valid for at least six months from date of entry. Visas are not required for E.U., U.S., Canadian, Australian or New Zealand passport holders. For other nationalities, please consult the nearest Peruvian embassy or consulate. An onward ticket and proof of funds may also be required at entry and should be available to show to immigration. Traveler’s checks, currency, or a bank statement, from the bank or printed off the internet, are sufficient for proof of funds.

Required immunizations
A yellow fever vaccination and certificate is required to travel to the Amazon. Travelers may wish to receive hepatitis vaccinations and should be current on all other standard vaccinations. The rainforest area of Peru (approx. 3500 ft. and below, east of the Andes) is a malarial and yellow fever zone. The yellow fever vaccination with the official certificate is required, and travelers may wish to take malarial prophylaxis. Please consult your physician or local health department for more information.

Things to bring
One should come well prepared for outdoor activity at temperatures ranging from 30 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit, and for extremes of sun and the possibility of rain. Please note: We provide a sleeping bag, foam mat, and of course tent. While hiking the Inca Trail, porters will accompany us to carry most of our things, including all the camping gear. Each passenger is allowed 15 pounds of personal items which will also be carried by the porters. Such items would include warm clothing for camping, toiletries, a book, CD player, or other entertainment, etc. During the day we’ll be using a daypack and will just need to carry water, snacks, rain gear, and a layer or two for changing weather conditions. Most people also carry a camera.

  • Passport and, if necessary, visa
  • Traveler’s checks and/or cash card
  • Airline ticket
  • Photocopies of airline ticket and documents
  • Wearable pouch for documents and money
  • Large, sturdy backpack or suitcase
  • Smaller, comfortable day pack
  • Trekking/walking boots, comfortable and worn-in
  • Sandals or flip-flops
  • Rain poncho or jacket
  • Waterproof pants
  • Sun hat
  • Hat for cold weather
  • Good, warm clothing for cold weather (think layers!)
  • Scarf and gloves
  • T-shirts
  • Socks (thin wool or biking socks are best), undergarments
  • Towel and swimsuit for hot springs
  • Camelback or Nalgene bottle (optional)
  • Flashlight (head lamps are very handy)
  • Sunscreen
  • Insect repellent (15% DEET recommended)
  • Lip balm
  • Earplugs
  • Alarm clock or watch
  • Sanitizing hand wipes or gel
  • Camera and film/digital memory cards
  • Camera batteries
  • Playing cards, games, reading material
  • Prescription medications
  • Toiletries

Note that common clothing, batteries, film, medications, and such toiletries as toothpaste, toothbrush, toilet paper, deodorant and feminine hygiene items are available in Peru.
It is best to bring from home such items as prescription meds, eyewear and care, extra large clothing, shoes, unusual film and camera batteries. Also note that most digital camera memory cards can be downloaded and burned onto a CD in internet cafes in any large city.

Climate
Rain is possible at any time of year, especially in high mountains and cloud forest, and one should always be prepared. The climate in sites we will visit is as follows:
Cuzco Area: days are warm if sunny, slightly chilly if cloudy. Nights are chilly in Cuzco.
Lima: warm to hot days, cool evenings, almost never any rain. Often overcast.
Cloud Forest: hot and humid year-round. We recommend light clothing (in weight and in color) that fully cover arms and legs to avoid mosquito bites.
Machu Picchu:lower and warmer than Cuzco, with rain possible all year round.
Cloud Forest: hot days, mild evenings.  Always a chance of clouds and rain.

Baggage
For your international flights, please check with your airline. Within Peru, you are allowed 20 kilos (44 lbs) of checked baggage, as well as one carry-on and another small, purse-like item. The carry-on size regulations are the same as international carry-on size regulations.

Money guide
The unit of currency in Peru is the nuevo sol. Automatic cash points are available in Lima and Cuzco. Visa, MasterCard, Plus, and Cirrus are the most common usable types of cards. Traveler’s checks (American Express is best!) or a Visa or MasterCard for cash advances are also options. Do not bring MoneyGrams or International Money Orders, as they are extremely difficult to exchange. Banks and exchange houses are available in Lima and Cuzco. For currency, U.S. dollars are recommended and most easily exchanged. Please note that cash must be untorn. It can be older-looking, but even the slightest tear on an edge will make it un-changeable. Acceptable bills come out of the ATMs in country.
Expect to spend about US$3-10 on a meal, US$2 on a beer, water or soft drink in Peru. Shopping prices are usually lower than people expect. Alpaca sweaters, for example, run between $5 and $30. Currency Converter

 



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