Upon arrival to the Cusco Airport, get your luggage, go through customs then exit the airport. The Ride the Earth team will be waiting for you as you exit the airport. First, we’ll go assemble our bikes, then we’ll head to the main square to enjoy a delicious lunch.

After lunch, we begin our adventure traveling to Maras in the legendary Sacred Valley to take off on our first ride. We will start off at the town of Maras and cross the salt mines that were used by civilizations older than the Incas. This ride is an excellent way to get acclimated to the high elevation of the Andes and a perfect introduction to the magnificent culture and geography of the area. This is a fun and flowy downhill ride and is a great way to kick off our Peruvian adventure.

At the end of the trail, our private transportation will take us to our hotel where we will rest up and enjoy the incredible ambiance of the Sacred Valley (9,187 ft). (L)

Kick off Day 2 with a nourishing breakfast at the hotel before checking our bikes and preparing for the day’s ride.

Our private van will take us high up into the Andes to the town of Misminay (12,140 ft) where we will ride down a fast, flowy trail into the Sacred Valley and experience a privileged view of the enchanting Moray Inca agricultural laboratory. Our transportation will be waiting at the end of the trail to take us to Huyapo Lake where we will enjoy a nice outdoor picnic lunch. This is a great opportunity to get in some relax time by the lake and take in the sights and sounds of the area.

After a nice lunch by the lake, we will pedal down a local dirt road towards the town of Maras where we will drop into some sweet singletrack that leads us back into the Sacred Valley. This trail is filled with long sections of singletrack littered with technical sections of loose shale and rock gardens. At the bottom, we’ll cross local agricultural fields giving us deeper insight into the ancient culture and traditions that remain from the Incan Empire.

At the end of the ride, transportation will be waiting for us to return to our beautiful hotel nestled in the Sacred Valley. (B, L)

Start off the day with a tasty breakfast at the hotel then check our bikes to prepare for a series of epic shuttle rides along a stretch of the infamous Inca Trail.

Our private transportation will take us to the town of Lamay where we will then shuttle up to the high mountain village of Zapaccto (13,450 ft.). This is a nice rocky, flowy section of the Inca trail and we drop 2600 ft. while crossing ancient Inca terraces and local farming fields. Our shuttle will pick us up at the bottom and take us back up the mountain to the highland lake community of Huama. We’ll hop on our bikes again for a fun technical ride with a nearly 4000 ft decent! This is a ride through history where we’ll play on ancient Inca rock steps that take us through incredible Andean forests, ancient terraces and local farmland that ends in the town of Lamay near the valley floor.

For lunch, we’ll grab a bite to eat in the town of Lamay before we shuttle back up the mountain to the farming community of Huanco. This fun trail drops down a canyon alongside a rocky creek and is a mix of flowy singletrack and steep, rocky sections. This is an exhilarating ride and a perfect way to end our day. (B, L)

We’ll start today with breakfast at our hotel before loading up the van and driving way up into the highlands. For those looking to rest, this is the pefect day to relax and chill. But for most, we'll load up and head back into the mountains. Here, we’ll offload the bikes and prepare for our ride. Today’s ride is both challenging and exhilarating and starts with us pedaling (and pushing) our bikes up to a mountain pass high above the Sacred Valley. At the top of the pass, we’ll drop in and experience steep descents of long rock gardens, ancient Inca stairs and incredible views around every turn. Between the history and the views, this ride is extra special. 

After lunch and finishing our ride, we have an optional afternoon shuttle ride for those who want to rally their bikes one more time. The afternoon ride will be catered to the group and offer both incredible views and excellent riding to top the day off.

We’ll top off this incredible day with dinner back at the hotel. (B, L)

Today we prepare for our exciting two-day mountain biking & camping adventure!

First, we’ll fuel up with a healthy breakfast than check our bikes and prepare our gear. Then we’ll hop in the van and make our way to the highlands of Ollantaytambo through the 14,435 ft. high mountain pass of Challhuacocha. We start our ride up here on top of the world and make our way down a local, highland trail through potato fields and past dispersed communities of local homes.

Take in the incredible highland views near Huacahuasi as we share a picnic lunch before continuing our big mountain journey through the Andes to the natural hot springs of Lares. Luxury camping tents await us at the springs where we can soak our bodies in the healing waters. We’ll enjoy an incredible night’s sleep with the crisp Andean air filling our lungs and rejuvenating us for the next day’s adventures. (B, L, D)

Awake to the sounds and smells of the high Andes! We start off the day with a great camp breakfast high in the Andes and then a quick morning soak in the springs before driving up to the Lares pass. Here, we’ll drop into a fun flowy ride that descends from high mountain tundra, through remote farming villages and into the lush valley below. Here we’ll have a delicious local lunch then head to the town of Chinchero.

Famous for its textiles are artisan crafts, Chinchero is a small community that sits at nearly 12,500 ft elevation. We’ll make a quick stop at one of the local markets then head to the trailhead. We’ll drop into another excellent ride in the Andes with long, flowy sections of singletrack that leave nothing but smiles on our faces. Our van will be waiting for us at the bottom to take us back to our hotel in the Sacred Valley.

Take the night to relax and unwind at the hotel and get ready for an incredibly unique adventure tomorrow. (B, L)

Start off today with a relaxing morning to sleep in, read a book in the sunshine, and enjoy a late breakfast. Then we’ll pack up for a unique overnight trip to the world famous Sky Lodge Suites. This just might be the most epic “rest day” of your life!

The afternoon starts with a climb up the Via Ferrata, known as the “iron way,” which is the start of this extraordinary adventure. Experience the thrills of climbing a 400 ft vertical cliff face, but don’t worry, this isn’t a technical rock climb, a sturdy bolted ladder has been placed on the rock face so climbers of all ages and abilities can make it to the top safely. When you arrive to the top, take in the sights and enjoy a multi-course, gourmet meal overlooking the Sacred Valley. After dinner, you will be guided to your unique sky pod for the most outrageous hotel experience of a lifetime. Your room for the night is a transparent capsule attached to the mountainside with views of the majestic Sacred Valley from all angles, not to mention the view of the stars! This hotel has won many awards including “world’s most unique hotel” and, with the incredible performance of the night sky, it has well earned the right to call itself a “million star hotel.” (B, L, D)

Important Notes: There is no private room option available for this night. The group will be split into 3-4 people per capsule, with each person having their own bed. If you do not wish to spend the night in the capsules, notify us in advance, and we can make arrangements for you to return to the hotel in the valley for the night.

Wake up to the beautiful morning colors as the sun makes its way across the valley floor. After a light breakfast in your capsule, prepare yourself for another awesome adventure as we zipline off the mountain to the valley floor! Seven super fun cables await to top off this epic mountain experience.

Our private transportation will be waiting for us at the bottom to take us to the Balcón del Diablo trail where its time to get back on our bikes and ride some dirt. This ride starts in the mountains, above the Inca capital of Cusco, and will drop us down rocky, singletrack to the center of town.

We’ll have a delicious lunch in the square then meet our shuttle to head back up the mountains for round two for the day. Enjoy this last incredible ride on the trails of Peru as we descend through small villages, past archaeological sites, and back into the heart of Cusco.

We’ll top off this day with an exquisite final dinner at one of the many world class restaurants of Cusco. (B, L)

We have reached the last day of our amazing trip in Peru and it's time to say goodbye. There will be time for a quick breakfast at the hotel and then we’ll pack up for our group shuttle to the Cusco Airport.

Our team will have the group at the airport for an 11:00am check in. Most departures from Lima return to the US and Canada in the evening, so this shuttle time generally accommodates most groups. If you need a different shuttle time, just let our team know and we can make the appropriate arrangements. Note: Shuttles outside of the scheduled time are available at an extra charge.

Looking to stay longer in Peru? Check out our Machu Picchu add on. We’ll take you on an overnight experience to ride the train to Machu Picchu and provide you with a private guided experience in this iconic UNESCO World Heritage site.

Let us be your source for off the bike adventures! Our team will gladly help you set up additional hotels, activities and even provide transportation and guides if needed. Our partner company, Earth Visions Travel, specializes in custom vacation packages and would love to make any and all arrangements for you. Click here to set up a call and start planning a custom add on.

Thanks for riding Peru with us! We look forward to riding with you again… (B)

• Scheduled airport shuttle to/from Alejandro Velasco International Airport
• 6 nights of boutique accommodations
• 6 full days of incredible mountain biking (shuttle and enduro rides)
• ½ day experience Via Ferrata climb
• ½ day zipline adventure
• 1 night in the world famous Sky Lodge Adventure Suites (Opportunity of a lifetime!)
• 1 night camping at natural hot springs in the Andes
• 8 fresh breakfasts & 8 healthy lunches & 1 spectacular dinner in a Sky Pod
• An ice cold beer post ride and other beverages provided each day
• Purified water available at all times

• Gratuities for guides and activities: Although tipping is completely up to your discretion, it is customary to provide gratuity for guides and drivers. A typical gratuity for your expert mountain bike guides is 5-10% of your trip cost per person and 2-5% for drivers. This may be given to the lead guide on your trip or to each person individually.


• Non-scheduled airport shuttles: We provide one or more scheduled pick up and drop off times for each itinerary. These times are based on the standard arrival and departure times for most flights to/from that location. If you arrive outside of those times, just let our staff know and we will arrange a private shuttle for you for a special rate. Specific rates are subject to arrival and departure times and the number of people. Contact Us for a quote and to reserve your ride. Note: See the Trip Start/End information for detailed shuttle times specific to each tour.


• Equipment rentals (bike, SUP, surf boards, etc.)


• Food & beverages not included in the itinerary: In general, riders are responsible for their own dinners and any beverages. Some lunches will include non-alcoholic drinks, but specialty drinks and extras should be placed on your own tab. We provide post ride celebratory beverages (usually that means a locally made cold beer!) but anything outside of that is not included. Although our guides will have some snacks and drinks available, it is highly recommended that each rider bring a full supply of ride snacks and electrolyte replacements.


• International/Domestic Airfare


• Trip Insurance: Note that trip insurance is required for all riders on any Ride the Earth tour. You must provide proof of policy prior to departure. We have partnered with World Nomads to provide you with affordable trip insurance. Click HERE to view our trip insurance page to choose and purchase your policy.

• Single Room Add On: Andes Alpine Adventure – $495 per person


• Airport Shuttle Add On: Andes Alpine Adventure – $50 per person (Cusco) & $150pp (Urubamba)


• Full Suspension MTB Rental: There are limited rental bikes available in this area of Peru. It is highly recommended to bring your own bike. Our team will happily help you through the packing and preparation process for traveling with your bike. Also, check out the Bike Packing section below for more details. If you would like to rent a bike, please email us and we will make the proper arrangements.


• Custom Add On: Arriving early or staying longer after your ride? Contact our team to design your additional travel days. Our team specializes in custom tour packages both on and off the bike. We’d love to show you more great places to explore in our selected destinations. Cost varies per package.


• Couples Getaway Add On: This customized add on is a great addition to any of our bike tours. Sign up your partner as a couples add on and we’ll provide a private guide to show them the other great stuff to do at your destination of choice. Whether they want to practice their skills on a bike or spend their time exploring other non-biking activities, we’ll make sure they have an excellent experience paralleling your mountain biking vacation. Cost varies per package.

The following outlines the fitness and skill required for this specific itinerary. If you have questions about your ability level, email us or schedule a call back and we’ll answer all your questions and help get you booked on the tour that matches your skill and fitness levels.

Skill Level - Advanced (Black Trails): You are comfortable and confident at high speeds in technical terrain. Your cornering skills are excellent, and you can easily ride the apex of berms. You are skilled and confident at navigating a variety of technical features such as roots, rocks, mud, sand, and creek crossings. You are very skilled at shifting your weight to navigate technical climbs, descents and all trail features. You can bunny hop over obstacles and are confident to handle smaller jumps and drops.

Fitness Level - 4/7: You have moderately strong mountain bike fitness. You bike or exercise 3-4 times per week all year long for at least 2-3 hours per session. You are comfortable biking for 2-3 hours at a strong pace and 4-6 hours with some stopping or at a slower pace. You can comfortably ride 5 days back-to-back with climbing of up to 1500ft per day.

The Andes Alpine Adventure tour starts and ends at the Alejandro Velasco International Airport (CUS) in Cusco, Peru. One scheduled airport shuttle will be provided on day 1 and one shuttle on the last day for your return to the airport.

Arrival Day Shuttle Times: 10:00am at Alejandro Velasco International Airport (CUS)

Departure Day Shuttle Time: The group shuttle will provide a drop off at the Alejandro Velasco International Airport by 11:00am.

• The accommodations for the Andes Alpine Adventure tour are comfortable 3-star accommodations. They are carefully selected by our travel designers and are perfectly situated nearby to the ride trails. Amenities will vary from hotel to hotel. Please note that this tour is a traveling itinerary and will stay in few different hotels throughout the week. You’ll want to bring luggage that is easy to pack and carry around. A rugged duffel bag is highly recommended (with or without wheels).


• Breakfast and lunches are typically provided each day and are listed on the trips detailed itinerary as (B, L, and/or D) at the end of each day’s description.

• Packing for traveling can be overwhelming and when you add a bike it can quickly become a lot of stuff. Trust us, we know. Below are the links to our suggested packing list as well as a link to a video to show you proper techniques for packing your bike for travel. Still have questions? Schedule a call back and our team will gladly walk you through the process and answer any questions.
• Click HERE for Peru packing list.
• Click HERE for bike packing video

The Andes Alpine Adventure tour starts and ends in Cusco, Peru.

Airport: Alejandro Velasco International Airport
Airport Code: CUS

Flights to/from Cusco: You will need to purchase flights all the way to Cusco, Peru. Many of the most economical flights will fly roundtrip to/from Lima via the Jorge Chavez International Airport (LIM). Many airlines offer excellent rates for flights from Lima to Cusco. Please arrange your flight for arrival to Cusco prior to 10am on day 1 and departing from Cusco after 11am on day 9.

Useful links for flights to Cusco:
Kayak.com
LATAM Airlines

Hotel Stays in Lima: Many flights arrive and depart to/from Lima in the evening. We recommend staying an extra night in Lima to make the travel easier and allow for some time to rest. Plus Lima is an excellent city to enjoy great food and culture!

Our top hotel recommendations:
Costa del Sol at the Lima Airport
Hotel B
Atemporal Hotelito
*Let us know if you would like us to build on some extra days for you to explore Lima. It’s worth it for the food alone!

All travelers require a current passport that is valid for 6 months after your return date in order to enter the country. Citizens of most countries (ex: USA, Canada, UK) will receive a tourist visa upon entry and don’t need to apply for any approvals in advance. For more information, or if you’re from a country not listed above, check with your local embassy or passport office for detailed travel requirements.

It is best to travel with local currency when you’re traveling abroad. We recommend exchanging a small amount of money in the airport upon arrival and then using ATMs for more cash. Most businesses accept credit cards, so you don’t have to carry too much on any given day.

Our team at Ride the Earth is currently monitoring the COVID-19 situation in all destinations where we operate. Each departure will be carefully considered prior to moving ahead. We encourage everyone considering travel to Peru to visit the CDC Website for the most up-to-date information regarding travel restirctions, health and safety.

It is important that all riders contact their personal physician and/or public health office prior to traveling. These resources can provide you with the proper recommendations for your personal health needs regarding vaccinations, medications and general travel health information.

There are no vaccinations currently required for entry into Peru. Travelers arriving from yellow fever risk areas may be asked to provide proof of a current Yellow Fever vaccination.

Precautions must be taken when drinking water and eating raw vegetables in Peru. Only drink bottled, purified water. It is also recommended to use bottled, purified water for brushing teeth, etc. Our group will be eating at restaurants where the food is safe to eat and our guides are always available to help you make safe choices for food and beverages not included in the itinerary.

Note that trip insurance is required for all riders on any Ride the Earth tour. You must provide proof of policy prior to departure. We have partnered with World Nomads to provide you with affordable trip insurance. Click HERE to view our trip insurance page to choose and purchase your policy.

Our Peru tours are located in the heart of the Sacred Valley in the Andes mountains. In general during this time of year, you can expect warm and sunny days (60-70F) with cool nights (35-45F). This region of Peru is very mountainous terrain and changing weather is a daily factor. Wind, rain and thunderstorms could occur on any given day. All of the rides in this itinerary also take place at high elevation (9,500-15,000 ft) so be prepared for changing weather and cold temperatures during rides. Plan to bring extra layers both for warmth and to keep you dry on any given day. You’ll also want warm layers for post ride travel back to the hotel and comfortable clothes to lounge in and keep you warm at night.

Yes, we will be riding for many hours each day (4-6 hours). We recommend all riders should be prepared to carry 2-3L of water on them each day. Purified, bottled drinking water will be provided for the group and available for purchase each day.

Our crew will have some snacks available, however, it is up to each participant to provide their own personal snacks and electrolyte replacement tabs and/or chews while riding. There are stores in Peru where these can be purchased, however, it is recommended that you bring a supply of your favorite items from home as the selection in Peru can be limited.

There are 6 full days of riding on this tour. There will be a combination of enduro style rides and shuttle rides. Expect to be biking for 4-6 hours each day. The rides are mixed up so there is time to rest (i.e. not too many days of big climbs in a row). Expect to climb for 1-3 hours during enduro rides and up to 2000ft of vertical. On shuttle days, expect to descend anywhere from 5000-10,000ft in elevation (in total).

All of our trips can cater to most dietary needs, however, make sure you tell us in advance so our team can be properly prepared. We will provide you with forms to fill out prior to travel that will allow you the opportunity to notify us of any dietary needs or allergies.

Once you’re in Peru, there are a variety of food options available at all restaurants to cater to most diets. Whole foods, fresh meats, fruits and vegetables are easy to come by everywhere you go. When eating at restaurants, our group will always choose venues that are happy to cater to a variety of dietary needs.

Our guides will be there to help you build your bike at the start of the trip and pack it up at the end. We will have tools available and we’re very experienced in assembling and packing bikes. We’ll gladly give you tips and help you out during the process.