What you get on this adventure: An experienced, local mountain biking guide with extensive knowledge of the area A half or full day of mountain biking depending on your chosen itinerary Airport pick up and drop off on arrival and departure Accommodation 6 nights of lodging between Cusco and the Sacred Valley for the 7-day tour 11 nights of lodging between Cusco, the Sacred Valley, and Ausangate + the night before Day 1 for the 12-day tour Full shop access to maintain your bike while in Cusco Professional bilingual mountain bike guide who’s trained in first aid (1:4 guide-to-rider ratio) Vehicle support for 4 or 7 days depending on the itinerary Snacks, lunch, and water refills on ride days Group farewell dinner on the last night Signature “Haku Expeditions” bike jersey The 12-day tour also includes: Porters for the Ausangate portion Entrance fees into ruins (besides Machu Picchu), national parks, hot springs and trail permit fees What’s not included: Roundtrip transportation to and from Cusco Mountain bike rental (rentals are available for $60 per day) Machu Picchu tour Lunch on non-ride days Dinners unless stated Private room (you can ask for a supplement at 50 USD a night) Trip insurance Transport not mentioned in the itinerary Guide gratuities — optional

How fit do I need to be?

These Peru MTB tous are designed for avid, intermediate to advanced mountain bikers who want to be challenged and thrilled. You can expect enduro-style tours with lots of all-mountain style downhill (not hardcore with crazy jumps and drops — just fast downhill riding and traversing). Ideal participants have 3+ years of riding on singletrack with features such as rock gardens, steep sections, rolls and drops, roots, and small jumps. You should be confident on the bike, constantly looking to improve your skills, and enjoy riding for extended periods of time climbing and descending in terrain of all sorts. Regarding fitness, you should be exercising 1-2 times a week. It is expected that climbs and long descents might give you some trouble and you tend to get tired after about 2-3 hours on the bike. Keep in mind that this tour includes several days of non-stop biking. Do not overstep your limits. However, you can always walk any section of the trail that you are not comfortable riding. There will also be free days to relax and regain energy.

What do I need to bring?

Here’s a list of the equipment you need to bring: Duffle bag for your everyday clothing and personal items Large backpack to carry all the everyday items (around a 25-40L bag) Water bottle or hydration bladder (2L capacity) Helmet Gloves (2 pairs minimum) Knee and elbow pads Lightweight biking shoes Regular shoes for everyday Comfortable biking clothes — bike shorts, long sleeve jerseys, wool socks Wool or fleece sweater Wool base layers, top and bottom Down jacket Everyday clothes Rain jacket and pants Buff or scarf Sunhat Headlamp Camel pack Toiletries (sunscreen, hand sanitizer, bug spray, toilet paper, etc.) Travel towel Battery pack for many charges and charging cables Sunglasses Camera — optional (but recommended) Dress comfortably and for the weather in clothes you can move in. We suggest bringing clothing appropriate for the season. Layers are best and don’t wear jeans.

Will I have to carry a lot of equipment?

On each ride you should have a Camelbak with water, snacks, rain jacket and whatever bike tools you need for the trail. Since we sleep in a hotel each night, we do not need to carry any additional gear with us. Your main luggage will remain at the hotel or come with you in the shuttle vehicle when you move to another location. As for bike bags, they can be stored at the Haku shop with bikes while in Cusco. In the Sacred Valley, the bikes are stored at the hotel. Your guides can provide smaller duffel bags for you if you should need one for excursions to the valley.

Can I bring my bike or rent one?

Yes, you are welcome to bring your bike with you or rent it from your guides for an added fee. Save yourself the hassle of bringing a bike and rent one from a fleet of bikes your guiding company owns. They recommend the Kona Process 153 full suspension mountain bikes for these tours. E-bikes are not required on these trips as they are 95% downhill. All the trips include a shuttle drop off to the top of the routes.

How do I pack a bike if I want to bring my own?

Packing your bike for a trip like this requires either a bike bag or a bicycle box. You can contact your local bike shop and generally get one for free or very cheap. Drop the seat post before you take off the wheels. It’s easier that way. Take the pedals off, it is easier now while the bike is still whole. Take off the handle bars. Put the screws back into the stem so you do not lose them. Strap the handlebars to the side of the bike with padding. Make sure nothing moves so your bike does not get scratched. Zip ties can help with this. Take out some of the air in the tires. This is a requirement for flying with the bike. Take off both wheels. It’s recommended you put the axle back into the bike so you do not lose it. Take off the discs from the wheels. While this may seem tedious it saves your disk from getting bent and only takes a few minutes. Put the disks inside something like a folder to keep them safe. Put the screws inside a baggie and tape to the folder. Keep them with the bike. (If you lose your suitcase with clothes at least you still have your full bike together!) Take off the derailer and derailer hanger. While this is optional it keeps both pieces from getting bent. Remember exactly how this goes back on. If you have a bike bag like Evoc or Dakine there will be directions of what goes where. Make sure to tie up the chain so it does not move and scratch the bike. Tie up any loose ends with zip ties or string. If you are using a bike box you will need to put in a tire or two first then the frame (and maybe the second tire) with the bars strapped to the bike. Make sure nothing moves. I usually use zip ties to make sure the tires are strapped in one place with the frame. Also make sure that the cog set is facing away from the bike. This will scratch the bike otherwise. Once everything is packed you can often put a few extra items inside like your helmet and bike shoes. You will want to keep the bag at 23 kilos/50 pounds unless the company you are flying with allows for more weight without a price increase. Don’t forget to put your name, address, phone number and email on the bag or box. If you are bringing your bike, think about packing these as well: A well maintained bike for Enduro, All-Mountain Style Trails Check that the chain is not stretched, cables are clean or new, the headset and pivots are moving nicely or cleaned and greased Extra bike parts, please don’t expect to buy much on this trip Extra brake pads Derailer and shifter — optional Spare Tire — optional Tires like Maxxis Highrollers, Assegai, Minions or something similar Tubeless is your best bet — bring extra sealant and an extra valve A derailer hanger, a multi-tool and a tube are essential Extra screws for the bike and for clip-less shoes if you use them Any kind of liquids you may need, reverb oil, brake oil, tubeless sealant, chain lube in small bottles Bleed kit (or ask you guides if they have the one you need)

What will the food and accommodation be like?

These Peru mountain bike tours include breakfast from your hotel each day and lunch on ride days. Lunch will be held at local restaurants or in the homes of locals who live on the trail. All of the food is produced locally and most often organic. Most meals are a large bowl of soup followed by a main meal (generally meat, chicken or trout along with rice, potatoes, and vegetables). Most lunches do not contain flour. If you don’t eat meat, you can get a plate that has rice, eggs and fried plantain. All the meat is free range, grass fed and produced by local farmers with small farms. If you have dietary restrictions please let us know during the booking process. Your guides will also provide snacks for the ride days. However, Peru does not have the same high calorie snacks that most developed countries have so feel free to bring extra energy bars you already enjoy! Your guides will also provide water for the rides. You will need a bottle or camel pack to fill up. Dinner (except the farewell dinner) is not included so that you can explore Cusco’s amazing food scene on your own. During the tour, you will stay at local hotels, fincas or Airbnbs, depending on the size of the group or the location you are in.

Group sizes and age requirements

Group sizes and prices: For these group adventures, each group should have at least 2 people with a max of 8 riders. The cost does not decrease as the group grows. If you would like to book specific dates or travel with a larger group, contact us and we will arrange a private tour for you. Min. age requirements: Riders on these tours are generally from 25-55 years old. However, all ages from 18 up are accepted if the MTB level and skill fit the trip. Minors younger than 18 may be permitted to join the hike on a case-by-case basis, but must be in the presence of a parent or legal guardian. If your group has hikers under the age of 18, contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.

Getting there and meeting location

To get to Cusco, most people fly into Lima International Airport, about an hour away by plane. Layovers are often long and arrivals to Lima are generally around 2 a.m. to 3 a.m. You can spend a night there before flying to Cusco in the morning. Due to the rugged terrain, it’s bet to avoid other types of travel as it may take you 20 hours to reach Cusco. When you land in Cusco, you guides will pick you up and drop you off with your mountain bike at your accommodation. A driver will be waiting at the Cusco airport for you with a sign with your name. Your guides can also arrange your transportation to the airport on any date you leave from Cusco. You can arrive on day one and leave on the last day of your adventure but due to the very high altitude of Cusco, it’s best to arrive early to aclimatize. If you are brining your bike, look into how much baggage you are allowed and how much an oversized bag will cost you as all bicycles are oversized.

You will be given a tourist visa at the Lima airport, typically they are for 90 days. Check that you do not need a visa for any of the countries you will be passing through on your layovers. Your passport must have 6 months validity in order to enter Peru. There are no vaccine requirements in order to enter Peru.

Safety measures during your trip

We highly recommend that you cover all your bases with both emergency medical and travel insurance. With medical insurance, if you have an accident or medical emergency on or off the mountain, you’ll avoid paying out of pocket for costly expenses. This covers everything from hospital treatments to emergency air transportation and more. Travel insurance covers canceled flights, natural disasters and other scenarios that may interrupt your travel plans. We also expect you to respect local regulations and take measures to protect yourselves, your guides, and the communities you’re traveling to. For more information on travel recommendations and restrictions in Cusco, Peru please refer to the o fficial tourism website of Peru . If you need assistance selecting the right insurance for your group, let us know and we will be happy to help!

Travel tips for traveling to Peru

It’s recommended to bring cash when you’re traveling to Peru. Most people don’t have bank accounts so services like Venmo, Pay-Pal, and Apple Pay aren’t used here. Most local stores, taxis, and local restaurants are cash only. ATMS charge around $8 to take out $60-200 and banks only allow a small withdrawal daily so it’s probably a good idea to take a good sum of cash before you come to Peru. Strikes are very common in Peru and on those occasions, all transport will shut down. This means that trains to Machu Picchu, busses to train stations, taxis and private cars won’t work. You may miss a flight or the tour, so make sure you purchase travel insurance as you guides will not be responsible for strikes and how it affects your tour. Also keep in mind that flights are often delayed or canceled, natural disasters are common and your guides will not be responsible for your loss of activities during the tour.

Bikers posing in front of a mountain top

A MTB rider shredding through gnar of Lamay

Green mountains in Peru ideal for downhill

A local Peruvian Andean boy in traditional costume

Mountain biking through Perucian backcountry

Mountain bikers with a lake and tall mountains in the background

Mountain bikers on a 12-day adventure through Peru

Cusco | Peru

Ultimate Peru Mountain Biking Adventures

Season

May through September

Duration

7 or 12 days

MTB type

Enduro/All-Mountain

Difficulty

Intermediate

Guide

Haku Expeditions

Questions, additional dates, private groups

Book a call

From $1,695 () / 7-12 days

Intro
Itinerary
Brochure
Guides
Things to know

Embark on an incredible Peru mountain biking adventure that encompasses breathtaking scenery, ancient history and epic rides on Cusco’s top-notch trails. Feel the adrenaline rush as you descend over 25,000 feet (7,620 meters), including routes through Inca ruins, guided by expert locals. This intermediate to advanced-level Cusco MTB journey takes you through diverse terrains, from captivating single tracks to Incan staircases and challenging rock gardens, all with vehicle support. Prepare for an unforgettable mountain biking vacation in Peru, where every moment leaves you breathless with wonder.

Adventure highlights

Reach new heights

Get your skills to a new level as you downhill more than 25,000 ft/7,620 m through scree and verdant mountainsides
Andean classics

Rip free ride lines as you pass alpaca herds, relax with a home made lunch with a local family, and enjoy the views of ancient ruins
Peru's cultural heritage

Explore the Sacred Valley’s enchanting trails and discovering Inca history with expert local guides

Available itineraries

7-Day Peru Mountain Biking Tour

Discover the thrill of mountain biking in Peru's stunning Cusco region, where epic trails, ancient ruins, and cultural immersion await, all in a 7-day adventure of a lifetime.

Welcome to Peru! Your guides will pick you up from the airport and shuttle you to your hotel. Today you can rest, put your bike together and get ready for the upcoming adventure. You will stay in Cusco or the Sacred Valley, which will be discussed after booking.

Accommodation: Hotel in Cusco or Sacred Valley
No meals
Depending on your groups preferences and skill set, you will choose between two famous MTB options in Peru, the Lares trail and Lamay.

Option 1: Lares – A Cusco classic

After breakfast, hit the scree fields of Lares! The shuttle will take you up to the Lares pass where you’ll hike your bikes up to 14,600 ft/4,462 m. From there, rip free ride lines through the scree and verdant mountainside until you hit an ancient Inca singletrack trail. As you descend, you’ll pass alpaca herds, locals working the fields, and eventually arrive at the town of Calca and its beautiful main square. If there’s more time to ride, visit another trail or ride a section of Lares again. Stop for a delicious lunch at a local Peruvian spot!

Distance: 20 km/12.5 mi
Max elevation: 4446, m/14,587 ft
Ascent: 184 m/603 ft
Descent: 1482 m/4862 ft

Optional Lares section
Distance: 7.56 km/4.7 mi
Max elevation: 4,227 m/13,868 ft
Ascent: 55 m/180 ft
Descent: 566 m/1,857 ft

Option 2: Lamay – A mountain biker’s paradise!

The gorgeous and fertile valley of Lamay is filled with incredible MTB trails. Today’s route will start at 4337m/14,229 ft above sea level and take you down 17 km of the most amazing singletrack. This high alpine trail has Incan rock gardens and tech spots mixed with fast flow sections. You’ll definitely feel the burn with some burly Inca stairs before finally arriving into the village of Lamay where you can stop at a nice local spot and enjoy cold beers! Depending on how much time is left, decide if you want to ride it again or ride a new trail in the valley. On the way back to Cusco, you might go for an urban downhill with a nice singletrack route that leads to the city stairs of Cusco. You’ll end up at the shop where you can clean up and service the bikes to prepare them for tomorrow’s shred session.

Distance: 16.78 km/10.42 mi
Max elevation: 4334 m/14219 ft
Descent: 1386 m/4547 ft
Ascent: 71m/233ft

Optional Ankashmarca-Cortes-Calca section
Distance: 13.44 km/8.35 mi
Max elevation: 4,013 m/13,166 ft
Descent: 1113 m/3651 ft

Lodging: Hotel in Sacred Valley AMAK
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, snacks on trail
You’ll once again choose between two brilliant options that the Sacred Valley offers: Patacancha and Chincheros.

Option 1: Patacancha

Patacancha is famous for being one of the highest-altitude enduro races in the world, at a whopping 4,420 m/14,500 feet, with rock gardens and narrow dirt switchbacks. The course is split up into five stages, with tons of freeride lines and cross-country type terrain. You’ll ride the section from the top all the way down past Patacancha and into Huilloc. There, you’ll have a home cooked lunch with a local family. After that, ride a trail exclusive to your guides down to Pumamarca, which will take you all the way back to Ollantaytambo to finish off the day,

Distance: 27.9 km/17.3 mi
Max elevation: 4,435 m/14,552 ft
Ascent: 138 m/452 ft
Descent: 1,551 m/5,089 ft

Option 2: Chincheros

The infamous Chincheros route, which passes rarely-seen ruins or techy Racchi trails, is full of forests, amazing views and Inca ruins. It ends with a full-on downhill with loose sections, curves, and Popeye forearms, marking on the boxes of an excellent trail!

Distance: 8 km/5 mi
Max elevation: 3,860 m/12,664 ft; descend to 2,873 m/9,426 ft
Ascent : 19 m/62 ft
Descent: 987 m/3,238 ft

Lodging: Hotel or villa in the Sacred Valley
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, snacks on trail
Today you will take some time to maintain your bike, eat, rest and visit the Sacred Valley. Riding at high elevation actually burns twice the amount of calories than biking at lower elevation, so load up on Peruvian superfoods like maca, tarwi, quinoa, and chia. You will visit the town of Ollantaytambo in the Sacred Valley, only 20 minutes away. This living Inca village was once the royal estate of Incan Emperor Pachacuti and later served as a stronghold for the Incan resistance during the Spanish conquest of Peru. Now, Ollantaytambo is a relaxing and charming place. If you are a big fan of Machu Picchu, go on an optional tour (additional fee). You can sleep in a little the following morning!

Lodging: Lizzy Wasi o Intitierra Sacred Valley
Meals: Breakfast
Today will be your last day in the Sacred Valley. After today, you’ll head back to the city of Cusco where you can enjoy the nightlife and get to know the capital of the Incas. Your route today will depend on the riding abilities of the group and the style of trails you prefer.

Option 1: La Maxima

This seemingly endless enduro trail that takes you through 15 km of Andean single track. This highly demanding Enduro trail has punchy climbs, long beautiful traverses with stunning views, loose rocky switchbacks, and loose baby head sections that will give you Popeye forearms.

Distance: 15 km/9.3 mi
Max elevation: 4407 m/ 14,456 ft
Ascent: 65 m/213 ft
Descent: 1,537 m/ 5,042 ft

Option 2: Pumamarca and Maras 2

Maras 2 is a totally different style of terrain — it boasts desert-style dry trails that take you along cliff sides and down to the Urubamba river. This is a local favorite and can be ridden more than once today. Be ready for loose and steep! The “Edge of the World” Pumamarca ride begins at the Pumamarca ruins and passes over sequences of ancient Incan terraces — it’s always a highlight of the tour with its fast fluid sections interspersed with techy rock sections. Cold beers are a must after this long and intense ride! Afterwards, the shuttle will take you back to Cusco and your new lodging.

Maras 2
Distance: 10.23 km/6.35 mi
Max elevation: 3697 m/12,129 ft
Descent: 863 m/2831 ft

Pumamarca
Distance: 5.11 km/ 3.17 mi
Max elevation: 3336 m/10,944 ft
Descent: 462 m/ 1515 ft

Accommodation: Centenario Inn Cusco or local airbnb
Meals: Breakfast, lunch
Today, you’ll shred down a Haku original — the Radar MTB trail in the South Valley. Haku owners Bill and Nic were the first ones to lay mountain biking tracks on the bottom half of Radar, and from the moment they did it, they knew they’d have to find a way to share this incredible trail with other MTB enthusiasts. Now, it’s one of the most coveted bike routes in the Cusco region. You’ll ride along a breathtaking, towering ridge at over 4,468 m/14,000 ft before dropping into the South Valley on 18 km/11 mi of high-speed singletrack.

After Radar, you’ll head to the Switchbacks of Chipta, a secret trail nearby that ends at a local’s house. You might be able to grab a quick, delicious, organic lunch with one of the local farming friends in the valley before heading back to Cusco.

Radar
Distance: 18.8 km/11.7 mi
Max elevation: 4,468 m/14,658 ft
Ascent: 94 m/309 ft
Descent: 1367 m/4,487 ft

Switchbacks of Chipta
Distance: 5.7 miles/9.2 km
Max elevation: 12,992 ft/3,960 m
Ascent: 137m/450m
Descent: 830 m/2,723 ft

Urban DH also known as Postre
Distance: 6.52 km/4 mi
Max elevation: 3,770 m/12,368 ft
Ascent: 21 m/69 ft
Descent: 399 m/1,309 ft

Accommodation: Centenario Hotel or local Airbnb
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, snacks on trail
Today, say your tearful goodbyes as your guides take you to the airport and your bucket-list Peru MTB vacation draws to a close. If your flight isn’t until later in the evening, there’s tons to do in Cusco. Visit the stunning ruins of Sacsayhuaman or experience the colorful authenticity of the San Pedro Market. Try foods like lomo saltado (stir-fried beef) and anticuchos (beef hearts) and local fruits like lucuma, granadilla, and chirimoya. If the possibilities for today feel overwhelming, come by the shop, and your guides can give you tips on how to make the most of your day.

Meals: Breakfast

12-Day Peru Mountain Biking Tour

Welcome to Peru! Your guides will pick you up from the airport and shuttle you to your hotel. Today you can rest, put your bike together and get ready for the upcoming adventure. You will stay in Cusco or the Sacred Valley, which will be discussed after booking.

Accommodation: Hotel in Cusco or Sacred Valley
No meals
This is the first ride day of your epic Peruvian MTB adventure! After breakfast, your guides will pick you up with a private shuttle and take you to the Sacred Valley, about 20 kilometers north of Cusco, to give you your first taste of the Andes. Head to Lamay, a steep valley dotted with small adobe pueblos, and shred downhill singletrack for 13 km. Take on ancient Incan trails and natural gems with plenty of free-ride open sections at the top. The burly Inca stairs will be sure to get your blood pumping before finally dropping into Lamay village.

When you finish riding this Lamay trail, you can either hit it again or ride any of the other many trails in the Valley. Your guides’ favorite option is Lamay 3, where you’ll shuttle up through breathtaking scenery to ride a fast and fluid trail with switchbacks and a rock garden, boasting views of the famous Huchuy Qosqo. This trail also ends in the town of Lamay. After the ride, head back to your accommodation, the Amak hotel in Huran.

Lamay 1
Distance: 16.78 km/10.42 mi
Max altitude: 4334 m/14219 ft
Descent: 1386 m/4547 ft
Ascent: 71 m/233 ft

Lamay 3
Distance: 7.22 km/4.5 mi
Max altitude: 3542 m/11,620 ft
Ascent: 277m/908 ft
Descent: 574 m/1942 ft

Accommodation: Hotel in Sacred Valley AMAK
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, snacks
Today you’ll hit the wide-open scree fields! Shuttle will take you up to the Lares pass where you’ll hike your bikes up to 4462 m/14,600 ft. From there, rip free ride lines through the scree and ride down verdant mountainside down until you reach an ancient Inca singletrack trail. Pass high-Andean alpaca herds as you descend to the town of Calca, where you’ll finally have a chance to catch your breath. There are many versions of the Lares trail so you and your group can choose to ride it twice or pick a different version if time allows.

Scree fields
Distance: 20 km/12.5 mi
Max elevation: 4446 m/14,587 ft
Ascent: 184 m/603 ft
Descent: 1482 m/4862 ft

Lares Inca Trail section
Distance: 7.56 km/4.7 mi
Max elevation: 4227 m/13,868 ft
Ascent: 55 m/180 ft
Descent: 566 m/1857 ft

Accommodation: Hotel in Ollantaytambo
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, snacks on trail
Time to rest up! After the Lamay and Lares rides, you’ll be ready for a day of sleeping and relaxation. If you still have enough energy, you can visit places like the Temple of the Sun and the Wall of the Six Monoliths within it, or the Inca Granaries of Pinkuylluna up on the hillside.

Today would also be a great day to visit the historical crown jewel of Peru, Machu Picchu (check out the optional Machu Picchu add-on upon booking)!

Accommodation: Hotel in Ollantaytambo
Meals: Breakfast
Today is, in a word, hardcore. You’ll take up Patacancha, famous for being one of the highest-altitude enduro races in the world at a whopping 14,500 ft, with rock gardens and narrow dirt switchbacks. Any bucket-list-worthy MTB adventure tour in Latin America wouldn’t be complete without it!

The course is split up into five stages, with tons of free-ride lines and cross-country-type terrain. Ride the section from the top all the way down past Patacancha and into Huilloc and have a home-cooked lunch with a local family. After that, ride a trail exclusive to Haku Expeditions though Huilloc alto before doing a local favorite, Pumamarca, before heading back to Cusco.

Distance: 17.3 mi/27.9 km
Max elevation: 4435 m/14,552 ft
Ascent: 138 m/ 452 ft
Descent: 1551 m/ 5089 ft

Accommodation: Hotel in Cusco
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, snacks
Today you’ll hit some of the locals’ favorite trails without which your Peru adventure wouldn’t be complete. First one is Brujo, one of the most hardcore trails in the area — an epic enduro trail with some climbing and pedaling at over 3960 m/13,000 ft of elevation, boasting lots of rock gardens, ridge lines, and a few steep sections. The views (as well as the terrain) will leave you breathless! When we finish Brujo, we can either ride the trail again, or head over to one of Cusco’s new trails, El Pastor. This trail has by far the most exposure of all the trails we have ridden and offers unrivaled views of the city.

Option 1: Brujo AKA Milky Way
Distance: 8 km/5 mi
Max elevation: 4225 m/13,860 ft
Ascent: 50 m/164 ft
Descent 846 m/2765 ft

Option 2: El Pastor
Distance: 8 km/5 mi
Max elevation: 4220 m/13,846 ft
Ascent: 141 m/462 ft
Descent: 954 m/3129 ft

Accommodation: Hotel in Cusco
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks on trail
The day starts at the Cusco shop at 9:30 am. Head out to the majestic area of Ausangate, a three-hour drive from Cusco and arrive at the home of a local in a very remote area in the Peruvian Andes, where you’ll be staying and eating. There will be a delicious Peruvian lunch waiting for us at the house. After eating, take a short 3km hike-or-bike tour to acclimate yourself to the elevation; this is perfect for getting your body warmed up. Upon return, enjoy some hot tea– the weather at this altitude is often pretty chilly! Dinner is at 7pm, after which you are free to sleep, or to visit the hot springs.

Accommodation: Local home at base altitude of 4,373 m/14,347 ft
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks
Wake up bright and early for a 6:30 am breakfast and head out at 7 am. Locals will accompany you and carry any additional gear or help push your bike when you cannot pedal. The hike up to the MTB trailhead is about 15-20 minutes; since the route is at a very high altitude, take it slow and enjoy the scenery.

There will be a lot of pedaling today, with a combination of ascents and descents. After about an hour, you’ll come across the calm, emerald beauty of the first of many stunning glacial lakes of the day, with a hulking glacier just on the other side of it. On the way down, ride by more glacial lakes and stunning views of towering, 6096m/20,000ft snow-capped mountains. End the trail at a set of hot springs, where you can relax before heading to lunch with a local family. After lunch, you are free to relax or head back up to the hot springs.

Distance: 20 km/12.4 mi
Max elevation of 4876 m/15997 ft
Ascent: 655 m/2148 ft
Descent: 579 m/1899 ft

Accommodation: Local home
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks
After breakfast between 8-8:30, head out to the Radar trailhead. Your guides were the first to ever lay tracks on this crazy, seemingly never-ending enduro-style trail in the South Valley of Cusco, and from the moment they did it, they knew they’d have to share with other adventurous riders. After lunch at a local restaurant, either head back to Cusco or get one last Urban DH trail in before heading back to your accommodation.

Radar
Distance: 18.8 km/11.7 mi
Max elevation: 4,468 m/14,658 ft
Ascent: 94 m/309 ft
Descent: 1367 m/4,487 ft

Urban DH MTB route
Distance: 6.52 km/4 mi
Max elevation: 3,770 m/12,368 ft
Ascent: 21 m/69 ft
Descent: 399 m/1,309 ft

Accommodation: Hotel in Cusco
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, snacks
Get some rest today—you’ve earned it. Riding at high elevation burns twice the amount of calories than at lower elevation, so load up on Peruvian superfoods like maca, tarwi, quinoa, and chia.

If you aren’t too sore, there’s tons to do in Cusco. Visit the stunning ruins of Sacsayhuaman or experience the colorful authenticity of the San Pedro Market, just a quick 8-minute walk from La Plaza de Armas. Try foods like lomo saltado (stir-fried beef) and anticuchos (beef hearts) and indulge in local fruits like lucuma, granadilla, and chirimoya. If you have a soft spot for the arts, check out the contemporary tapestries at El Museo Maximo Laura or the ancient artifacts in El Museo de Arte Pre-Colombino. If the possibilities for today feel overwhelming, come by the shop, and any of our guides can give you tips on how to make the most of your day in Cusco!

Accommodation: Hotel in Cusco
Meals: Breakfast
Today will be a sweet combo of at least five trails in Cusco’s backyard. Encounter a thrilling variety of terrain — anything from jumps and berms to urban stair sections. There are tons of trails to choose from, including some of the few trails in Peru that were actually built specifically for mountain biking. Your guides can tailor which MTB trails you’ll ride depending on the group’s skill and energy levels.

Steep and techy mtb route Santa Maria
Distance: 5.6 km/3.5 mi
Max elevation: 3860 m/12,664 ft
Ascent: 79 m/259 ft
Descent: 600 m/1967 ft

Enduro All Mountain MTB route Desmuellada combo
Distance: 7.32 km/4.55 ft
Altitude: 3776 m/12,388 ft
Ascent: 48 m/157 ft
Descent: 450 m/1476 ft

Urban DH mtb route with jump sections
Distance: 6.52 km/4 mi
Max elevation: 3,770 m/12,368 ft
Ascent: 21 m/69 ft
Descent: 399m/1,309 ft

Yuncaypata Classic MTB route
Distance: 7km/4.5 mi
Max elevation: 3769 m/12,365 ft
Ascent: 61 m/200 ft
Descent: 449 m/1473 ft

Steep flow Long Live Broggi MTB route
Distance: 2.4 km/1.50 miles
Max elevation: 3776 m/12,388 ft
Ascent: 9 m/30 ft
Descent: 238 m/780 ft

Salkantay pueblo
Distance: 7.25 km/4.50 mi
Max elevation: 3957 m/12,982 ft
Ascent: 90 m/295 ft
Descent: 577 m/1893 ft

And these are only some of them! Once you’re worn out, head back into Cusco for a cold beer and a shower.

Accommodation: Hotel in Cusco
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, farewell dinner
Last night at your farewell dinner you will have said your good-byes. Today, start dreaming about your next MTB adventure! After breakfast, load your backpack into the van and head back to the airport.

Get free trip brochure

Download Ultimate Peru Mountain Biking Adventures Brochure

Brochure sent, check your inbox

Talk with us and let one of our adventure experts help you plan your perfect adventure.

Meet your guide

5.00

Haku Expeditions

The Haku team is a community that has been fostered and nursed over a long period of time through developing relationships with local communities, land owners, trail builders, guides and all of the individuals that help them provide amazing vacations. Haku Expeditions places a significant emphasis on being a responsible social presence that contributes to the economic sustainability of local businesses and families. This means that Haku forgoes increased income for the company to make sure that the community benefits and that the client has a better, more authentic experience.

Things to know

What you get on this adventure:
- - An experienced, local mountain biking guide with extensive knowledge of the area
  - A half or full day of mountain biking depending on your chosen itinerary
  - Airport pick up and drop off on arrival and departure
  - Accommodation
    
    6 nights of lodging between Cusco and the Sacred Valley for the 7-day tour
    
    11 nights of lodging between Cusco, the Sacred Valley, and Ausangate + the night before Day 1 for the 12-day tour
  - Full shop access to maintain your bike while in Cusco
  - Professional bilingual mountain bike guide who’s trained in first aid (1:4 guide-to-rider ratio)
  - Vehicle support for 4 or 7 days depending on the itinerary
  - Snacks, lunch, and water refills on ride days
  - Group farewell dinner on the last night
  - Signature “Haku Expeditions” bike jersey
The 12-day tour also includes:
- - Porters for the Ausangate portion
  - Entrance fees into ruins (besides Machu Picchu), national parks, hot springs and trail permit fees
What’s not included:
- - Roundtrip transportation to and from Cusco
  - Mountain bike rental (rentals are available for $60 per day)
  - Machu Picchu tour
  - Lunch on non-ride days
  - Dinners unless stated
  - Private room (you can ask for a supplement at 50 USD a night)
  - Trip insurance
  - Transport not mentioned in the itinerary
  - Guide gratuities — optional
These Peru MTB tous are designed for avid, intermediate to advanced mountain bikers who want to be challenged and thrilled. You can expect enduro-style tours with lots of all-mountain style downhill (not hardcore with crazy jumps and drops — just fast downhill riding and traversing).

Ideal participants have 3+ years of riding on singletrack with features such as rock gardens, steep sections, rolls and drops, roots, and small jumps. You should be confident on the bike, constantly looking to improve your skills, and enjoy riding for extended periods of time climbing and descending in terrain of all sorts.

Regarding fitness, you should be exercising 1-2 times a week. It is expected that climbs and long descents might give you some trouble and you tend to get tired after about 2-3 hours on the bike.

Keep in mind that this tour includes several days of non-stop biking. Do not overstep your limits. However, you can always walk any section of the trail that you are not comfortable riding. There will also be free days to relax and regain energy.
Here’s a list of the equipment you need to bring:
- Duffle bag for your everyday clothing and personal items
- Large backpack to carry all the everyday items (around a 25-40L bag)
- Water bottle or hydration bladder (2L capacity)
- Helmet
- Gloves (2 pairs minimum)
- Knee and elbow pads
- Lightweight biking shoes
- Regular shoes for everyday
- Comfortable biking clothes — bike shorts, long sleeve jerseys, wool socks
- Wool or fleece sweater
- Wool base layers, top and bottom
- Down jacket
- Everyday clothes
- Rain jacket and pants
- Buff or scarf
- Sunhat
- Headlamp
- Camel pack
- Toiletries (sunscreen, hand sanitizer, bug spray, toilet paper, etc.)
- Travel towel
- Battery pack for many charges and charging cables
- Sunglasses
- Camera — optional (but recommended)
Dress comfortably and for the weather in clothes you can move in. We suggest bringing clothing appropriate for the season. Layers are best and don’t wear jeans.
On each ride you should have a Camelbak with water, snacks, rain jacket and whatever bike tools you need for the trail. Since we sleep in a hotel each night, we do not need to carry any additional gear with us.

Your main luggage will remain at the hotel or come with you in the shuttle vehicle when you move to another location. As for bike bags, they can be stored at the Haku shop with bikes while in Cusco. In the Sacred Valley, the bikes are stored at the hotel. Your guides can provide smaller duffel bags for you if you should need one for excursions to the valley.
Yes, you are welcome to bring your bike with you or rent it from your guides for an added fee. Save yourself the hassle of bringing a bike and rent one from a fleet of bikes your guiding company owns. They recommend the Kona Process 153 full suspension mountain bikes for these tours.

E-bikes are not required on these trips as they are 95% downhill. All the trips include a shuttle drop off to the top of the routes.
Packing your bike for a trip like this requires either a bike bag or a bicycle box. You can contact your local bike shop and generally get one for free or very cheap.
1. Drop the seat post before you take off the wheels. It’s easier that way.
2. Take the pedals off, it is easier now while the bike is still whole.
3. Take off the handle bars. Put the screws back into the stem so you do not lose them. Strap the handlebars to the side of the bike with padding. Make sure nothing moves so your bike does not get scratched. Zip ties can help with this.
4. Take out some of the air in the tires. This is a requirement for flying with the bike. Take off both wheels.
5. It’s recommended you put the axle back into the bike so you do not lose it.
6. Take off the discs from the wheels. While this may seem tedious it saves your disk from getting bent and only takes a few minutes. Put the disks inside something like a folder to keep them safe. Put the screws inside a baggie and tape to the folder. Keep them with the bike. (If you lose your suitcase with clothes at least you still have your full bike together!)
7. Take off the derailer and derailer hanger. While this is optional it keeps both pieces from getting bent.
8. Remember exactly how this goes back on.
If you have a bike bag like Evoc or Dakine there will be directions of what goes where. Make sure to tie up the chain so it does not move and scratch the bike. Tie up any loose ends with zip ties or string.

If you are using a bike box you will need to put in a tire or two first then the frame (and maybe the second tire) with the bars strapped to the bike. Make sure nothing moves. I usually use zip ties to make sure the tires are strapped in one place with the frame. Also make sure that the cog set is facing away from the bike. This will scratch the bike otherwise.

Once everything is packed you can often put a few extra items inside like your helmet and bike shoes. You will want to keep the bag at 23 kilos/50 pounds unless the company you are flying with allows for more weight without a price increase. Don’t forget to put your name, address, phone number and email on the bag or box.

If you are bringing your bike, think about packing these as well:
- A well maintained bike for Enduro, All-Mountain Style Trails
- Check that the chain is not stretched, cables are clean or new, the headset and pivots are moving nicely or cleaned and greased
- Extra bike parts, please don’t expect to buy much on this trip
- Extra brake pads
- Derailer and shifter — optional
- Spare Tire — optional
- Tires like Maxxis Highrollers, Assegai, Minions or something similar
- Tubeless is your best bet — bring extra sealant and an extra valve
- A derailer hanger, a multi-tool and a tube are essential
- Extra screws for the bike and for clip-less shoes if you use them
- Any kind of liquids you may need, reverb oil, brake oil, tubeless sealant, chain lube in small bottles
- Bleed kit (or ask you guides if they have the one you need)
These Peru mountain bike tours include breakfast from your hotel each day and lunch on ride days.

Lunch will be held at local restaurants or in the homes of locals who live on the trail. All of the food is produced locally and most often organic. Most meals are a large bowl of soup followed by a main meal (generally meat, chicken or trout along with rice, potatoes, and vegetables). Most lunches do not contain flour. If you don’t eat meat, you can get a plate that has rice, eggs and fried plantain. All the meat is free range, grass fed and produced by local farmers with small farms.

If you have dietary restrictions please let us know during the booking process.

Your guides will also provide snacks for the ride days. However, Peru does not have the same high calorie snacks that most developed countries have so feel free to bring extra energy bars you already enjoy! Your guides will also provide water for the rides. You will need a bottle or camel pack to fill up.

Dinner (except the farewell dinner) is not included so that you can explore Cusco’s amazing food scene on your own.

During the tour, you will stay at local hotels, fincas or Airbnbs, depending on the size of the group or the location you are in.
Group sizes and prices:
- For these group adventures, each group should have at least 2 people with a max of 8 riders.
- The cost does not decrease as the group grows.
If you would like to book specific dates or travel with a larger group, contact us and we will arrange a private tour for you.

Min. age requirements:
- Riders on these tours are generally from 25-55 years old. However, all ages from 18 up are accepted if the MTB level and skill fit the trip.
- Minors younger than 18 may be permitted to join the hike on a case-by-case basis, but must be in the presence of a parent or legal guardian.
- If your group has hikers under the age of 18, contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.
To get to Cusco, most people fly into Lima International Airport, about an hour away by plane. Layovers are often long and arrivals to Lima are generally around 2 a.m. to 3 a.m. You can spend a night there before flying to Cusco in the morning. Due to the rugged terrain, it’s bet to avoid other types of travel as it may take you 20 hours to reach Cusco.

When you land in Cusco, you guides will pick you up and drop you off with your mountain bike at your accommodation. A driver will be waiting at the Cusco airport for you with a sign with your name. Your guides can also arrange your transportation to the airport on any date you leave from Cusco.

You can arrive on day one and leave on the last day of your adventure but due to the very high altitude of Cusco, it’s best to arrive early to aclimatize.

If you are brining your bike, look into how much baggage you are allowed and how much an oversized bag will cost you as all bicycles are oversized.
You will be given a tourist visa at the Lima airport, typically they are for 90 days. Check that you do not need a visa for any of the countries you will be passing through on your layovers.

Your passport must have 6 months validity in order to enter Peru.

There are no vaccine requirements in order to enter Peru.
We highly recommend that you cover all your bases with both emergency medical and travel insurance. With medical insurance, if you have an accident or medical emergency on or off the mountain, you’ll avoid paying out of pocket for costly expenses. This covers everything from hospital treatments to emergency air transportation and more.

Travel insurance covers canceled flights, natural disasters and other scenarios that may interrupt your travel plans.

We also expect you to respect local regulations and take measures to protect yourselves, your guides, and the communities you’re traveling to. For more information on travel recommendations and restrictions in Cusco, Peru please refer to the official tourism website of Peru.

If you need assistance selecting the right insurance for your group, let us know and we will be happy to help!
It’s recommended to bring cash when you’re traveling to Peru. Most people don’t have bank accounts so services like Venmo, Pay-Pal, and Apple Pay aren’t used here. Most local stores, taxis, and local restaurants are cash only.

ATMS charge around $8 to take out $60-200 and banks only allow a small withdrawal daily so it’s probably a good idea to take a good sum of cash before you come to Peru.

Strikes are very common in Peru and on those occasions, all transport will shut down. This means that trains to Machu Picchu, busses to train stations, taxis and private cars won’t work. You may miss a flight or the tour, so make sure you purchase travel insurance as you guides will not be responsible for strikes and how it affects your tour.

Also keep in mind that flights are often delayed or canceled, natural disasters are common and your guides will not be responsible for your loss of activities during the tour.
An $800 deposit to secure your place is due upon booking. The remaining amount is paid 3 months (90 days) prior to departure. Once the trip is confirmed by the guide, the cancellation policy stated below applies.
- If Client cancels the Booking anytime prior to ninety (90) calendar days in advance of the trip contemplated by the booking, Client is entitled to a full refund.
- For cancellations eighty-nine (89) to sixty (60) calendar days in advance, Client is entitled to a refund in the amount of fifty percent (50%) of the total amount paid when Booking.
- For cancellations fifty-nine (59) to thirty (30) calendar days in advance, Client is entitled to a refund in the amount of twenty-five percent (25%) of the total amount paid when Booking.
- After that deadline, Client is not entitled to any refund. Any reimbursable expenses arising out of the Booking incurred by Guide prior to the date of cancellation (including but not limited to plane tickets, car rental payments, and lodging or transportation fees) are non-refundable as soon as they are incurred by the Guide.
NOTE: As this is Peru, things like flight delays, route closures, weather, labor strikes, and landslides can cause unexpected changes in plans, so your cooperation when the itinerary needs to be flexible is appreciated. We strongly suggest you purchase trip insurance that will cover you in the case of a missed trip.

Secure your spot for the following season with a 10% deposit! This tour gets sold out very quickly, but with early-bird booking, you’ll be the first one to know. Pick the month that suits you best and we’ll let you know once the dates are live—don’t risk missing out on your bucket list adventure!
- - Only 10% of the total amount should be paid as a deposit upon booking. This deposit is non-refundable, but can be transferred to another 57hours adventure anytime in case the dates don’t suit you.
  - Once the set dates for the following season are live, you can confirm your booking by the end of this year by paying another 20% of the total amount.
  - The final balance is due 3 months (90 days) prior to departure.
  - Once the trip has been confirmed, the regular cancellation policy applies.