Adventure Cycling In Peru

01 / THE EXPERIENCE

Discover the journey

Peru is a special country and we think we have come up with a cycling trip that does this amazing part of the world justice. Spiceroads first cycle trip in Peru offers the opportunity to ride from Cusco, the former capital of the Incas perched high in the Andes at 3,300 metres altitude down through the Sacred Valley into Manu National Park in the Amazon region, which is 500 metres above sea level.

02 / WHY GO

The memorable moments

03 / YOUR ROUTE

Journey at a glance

Day Day 1: Arrival in Lima — ¡Bienvenidos! Welcome to Lima, Peru's largest city and central metropolitan hub, and home to one-third of the country's population. Located at the site of a pre-Columbian indigenous Ychsma settlement, which was conquered by the Inca empire in the 15th century and later by the Spanish conquistadores, Lima has a fascinating history and a diverse mix of cultures. Amerindian, European, Afro-Peruvian, and Asian—especially Chinese and Japanese—influences make Lima a dynamic and exciting city to explore. Lima's breezy location on the Pacific Ocean and mild desert climate make it the perfect city for exploring on foot. Head downtown to mingle with locals, stretch your legs, and grab a bite to eat in one of the many award-winning restaurants. Suggested activities include: Explore the historic center of Lima, a UNESCO World Heritage Site packed with fascinating Spanish architecture. Start with a scenic tour of the colonial downtown, which emanates from the main square. Stroll over to the 16th-century Cathedral, which took 80 years to construct and was built in the grandiose style of the Spanish Empire. Visit the Casa Aliaga, a colonial mansion granted by chief conquistador Francisco Pizarro to Jerónimo de Aliaga, one of his captains, in 1535. This is the only house from that era that still belongs to the same family. Stroll around the Pueblo Libre district to the privately owned Larco Museum of pre-Columbian art, housed in a beautifully restored viceregal mansion built over a 7th-century pre-Columbian pyramid. The museum boasts a vast pre-Colonial collection of gold and silver artifacts, as well as pieces of erotic art. In the evening, head to the eclectic "Love Park" in the upscale coastal district of Miraflores, where you can admire a huge kissing statue and beautiful mosaic walls. The park is built on the cliffs of Chorrillos and is a perfect place to enjoy a spectacular sunset over the Pacific. Enjoy dinner and a nightcap at an open-air cafe or restaurant in the diverse Miraflores neighborhood. Day Day 2: Arrival in Cusco, Exploring the City — Head to the Lima airport for your transfer flight to Cusco. This ancient city is the former capital of the Inca empire, which reigned from the 13th to 16th centuries after conquering the Killke settlement on the same location. Your guide will pick you up at 1 PM and take you for a traditional Peruvian lunch at a popular local restaurant. For the rest of the afternoon, stroll around Cusco’s picturesque historic center with your guide. If you brought your own bike, a mechanic will be available hand to help you assemble it. Make sure to stay hydrated, take time to acclimate, and get ready to begin your biking adventure tomorrow! Day Day 3: Ride along the Sacred Valley to Pisac — Start biking leisurely down a dirt-paved path and single track to the charming village of Pisac, known as the gateway to the Sacred Valley. Explore the famous handicraft market in the central square before hitting the road again in the afternoon. For the rest of the day, continue biking through the fertile floodplains and flat expanse of the valley floor. At night, we will stop to camp by a spectacular set of little-known Inca ruins. Day Day 4: Bike into the Lares Valley — In the morning, we will drive up to Amparaes Pass before descending along a gravel road or single track and traversing into the Lares Valley. The trail will not be too challenging, starting off in the chilly, high-altitude, and rugged edges of the Sacred Valley and ending at a warm, lush river gorge after a day of cycling. Here, the ideal, scenic landscape surrounded by terraces and natural hot springs makes for a great place to camp. Enjoy a barbecue dinner and beer, unwind by soaking in the hot springs, and watch the night sky after a long day. Day Day 5: Ride from Amparaes Pass to Ollantaytambo — Drive up back up to the dizzying Amparaes Pass, passing by miles of fantastic natural sights. Then, embark on one of the region's best off-the-beaten-path descents, this time to the outskirts of the rural Calca District. Bike along sections of llama tracks and riverbanks to the other side of the gorge, finishing off the trail either through winding single tracks bordering the river or the broad, gravel backroad. Stop for a late lunch before biking on more through the Sacred Valley, surrounded by green, rolling hills. Our final destination for the night will be Ollantaytambo, one of Peru's most remarkable villages with a strong Andean historical heritage.

YOUR DAY-BY-DAY ROUTE

Day-by-day itinerary

Day 1Arrival in Lima — ¡Bienvenidos! Welcome to Lima, Peru's largest city and central metropolitan hub, and home to one-third of the country's population. Located at the site of a pre-Columbian indigenous Ychsma settlement, which was conquered by the Inca empire in the 15th century and later by the Spanish conquistadores, Lima has a fascinating history and a diverse mix of cultures. Amerindian, European, Afro-Peruvian, and Asian—especially Chinese and Japanese—influences make Lima a dynamic and exciting city to explore. +