Departures 2008: (min. 4 participants)
Daily
Price per Person: US$ 680
Day 01: Cusco - Moray - Salt mines - Sacred Valley of the Incas (35 km/ 22 mi)
Our bus will take you to the Laguna Huaypo near the village of Chinchero. This is the starting point of your mountain bike tour. On old Inca trails you will cross the altiplano of Chinchero until reaching the ruins of Moray (3450 m/ 11.319 ft). The circular terraces of
Moray had been an agricultural "research laboratory" of the Inca. The Inca took advantage of the difference in temperature from one terrace to the other one (approx. 1.5 degrees Celsius) and created an irrigation system by water channels for the cultivation of different crop strains. On the other side of the Urubamba Valley you will see dramatic snowcaps of the cordilleras Vilcabamba and Urubamba. After visiting the terraces of Moray nearly 20 km/ 12 mi Andean downhill are waiting for you! In the afternoon you will reach the Salineras of Pichingote, which have been used since pre-Hispanic times. Enjoy this extraordinary sight as well as the single trails leading you down to the Sacred Valley of the Inca. First camp near Pisac at 3000 m/ 9.843 ft.
Day 02: Sacred Valley of the Incas - Tres Cruces de Oro (65 km/ 40 mi)
This day will lead you through the Andean Highlands and interandean valleys. After climbing the highest pass (4170 m/ 13.681 ft) of this mountain bike tour you will enjoy the next downhill, passing wide landscapes and small Andean villages until reaching the colonial village of Paucartambo (2900 m/ 9.514 ft). After climbing up to the Acjanaco-pass (3550 m/ 11.647 ft), the last pass and entrance to the Manu National Park, you will reach the viewpoint Tres Cruces de Oro (3700 m/ 12.139 ft). This place offers a great view over the eastern slopes of the Andes and the green canopy of the Amazon Jungle. Camp at the viewpoint.
Day 03: Tres Cruces de Oro - TAMBO PAITITI (65 km/ 40 mi)
Early risers will be able to observe a spectacular sunrise, being surrounded by the snow-capped mountains of the Cordillera Vilcanota and Cordillera Urubamba. You will look over the Andes to the Amazon Rainforest that extends to the horizon. After breakfast you can enjoy a 65 km/ 40 mi downhill, leaving about 2000 m/ 6.562 ft of difference in elevation behind you! You will observe the fascinating change from the altiplano to the Cloud Forest of the Manu National Park with its rich fauna and flora. In the early afternoon you will reach the San Pedro River. A short jungle walk will take you to the Manu Eco Lodge
TAMBO PAITITI (1500 m/ 4.921 ft).
Day 04: TAMBO PAITITI - Huacaria (40 km/ 25 mi)
The early morning is the best time for bird watching and observation of other animals of the Cloud Forest. Leaving the lodge before sunrise you will get familiar with the flora and fauna of this part of the Manu National Park. You may see the Andean Cock of the Rock (national bird of Peru), Toucan, Quetzal, Tanager and Motmot as well as
Woolly Monkeys, Brown Capuchin Monkeys or Night Monkeys. The Manu Cloud Forest is also habitat of the rare Spectacled Baer, the Jaguarondi, Ocelot, Puma, Weasel, Otter, squirrels and a big family of rodents and bats. On your way back you will be received with a rich breakfast in TAMBO PAITITI, before continuing your mountain bike adventure to the Amazon Jungle. Reaching the lowlands at noon, you will have lunch on a beach and may take chance of a refreshing bath in the river. Continuing the mountain bike tour to the community of Huacaria, you will learn about the daily life and customs of the Machiguenga natives. Camp in Huacaria.
Day 05: Huacaria - TAMBO PAITITI (40 km/ 25 mi)
After breakfast you will say good-bye to Huacaria and the Machiguenga natives. Going back to
TAMBO PAITITI by mountain bike you will feel the change of climate between the Amazon Rainforest and the Manu Cloud Forest. In the afternoon we will offer another hike through the Cloud Forest. You may as well have a refreshing bath in the river or just relax on the terrace of
TAMBO PAITITI and enjoy nature.
Day 06: TAMBO PAITITI - Cusco (60 km/ 37 mi)
This morning means another opportunity for the observation of the Cloud Forest’s wildlife. After breakfast you will take the bus back to the Acjanaco-pass and may take chance of the long and soft downhill by mountain bike to Paucartambo. After lunch in a typical restaurant the bus will take you to the Huachuqasa-pass where you can climb once more the mountain bike until reaching the Sacred Valley of the Incas. You have successfully terminated your mountain bike trip! Arrival in Cusco by bus in the afternoon.
Service includes :
Private bus, mountain bike + helmet, camping equipment, three nights in camp, two nights in
TAMBO PAITITI, food, guide.
Service includes:
- Binoculars
- Camera + extra batteries
- Flash-light + extra batteries
- Sunscreen lotion (SPF at least 30)
- Insect repellent
- Personal toiletries and medications
- Sunglasses
- Hat
- Long-sleeved shirts
- Long pants
- Hiking boots
- Sneakers/ sandals
- Rain suit
- Swimsuit
