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Our expertise in the Andes comes to the fore on this innovative cycle tour. We follow a specially devised itinerary that affords ample opportunities to appreciate the Andean culture at handlebar level.
Our cycling routine will appeal to anyone who can ride a bike! We include a backup vehicle, full support staff, comfortable hotels and no yellow jerseys at the end of the day. After testing our cycling legs in Cusco we head to the Chinchero Plateau (gaining inspiring views of the Andes) before freewheeling over 1000m to the Sacred Valley of the Incas.
Swapping our cycles for walking boots we complete a one-day trek along the final stretch of the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. Reaching the shores of Lake Titicaca we readjust our saddles and cycle around the shoreline. We then spend time exploring Colca Canyon before returning to Lima where our trip concludes
Arrive Lima.
You will be met at the airport and transferred to the hotel where you are free to rest in the hotel or just wander around Mira Flores, the area of Lima where our hotel is located. Some of Lima's best galleries and shops and restaurants are found in this area. Founded by Francisco Pizarro in 1535, Lima is the oldest capital in South America, with a superb combination of Spanish Colonial and 19th century European architecture. If you have time to visit a museum we would recommend the Museo de La Nacion or the Larco Herrera Museum.
Flight across the Andes to Cusco.
Early morning wake-up call (in some cases very early as most flights leave for Cusco early morning!) for breakfast and short drive to the airport for spectacular 55-minute flight across the Andes to Cusco set at 11,200' (3,400m). If possible try and get a seat on the left side of the aircraft as some of the best views of the Andes can be seen during the last 20 minutes of the flight. You'll be met by your guide and transferred from Cusco airport to our hotel for a short initial briefing and then a few hours of rest, essential to initiate successful acclimatisation. In the evening you'll have a longer briefing to discuss aspects of the itinerary.
After breakfast we take a tour of the city and nearby ruins.
Every alleyway we enter or corner we turn brings another surprise or enigma in the form of the superbly constructed Inca walls or the more architecturally extravagant colonial churches and palaces. The city, once capital of the extensive Inca Empire, has seen many changes since Francisco Pizarro's men took the city with such apparent ease in November 1533. We also take a short drive to visit the monolithic walls of Sacsayhuaman, spectacularly set above the city. In the afternoon you may have time to explore some of the central parts of the city and a chance to look at some of the great varieties of local craft work on sale in open air stalls and shop.
Cycling Cusco
Early in the morning we mount our bikes and cycle down through Cusco’s fabulous winding streets to a lovely valley to the south of the city. We’ll stop at one of the large local markets near the city centre with a chance to look at some of the great varieties of local craft work on sale in open air stalls and shops. We then continue on by bus up to the lovely Inca terraces of Tipon for a picnic lunch before freewheeling back down into the valley where we continue on to towards the amazing mud-brick and stone ruins of Piquillacta “The City of Fleas’. We end the day by returning to Cusco for a good nights rest after our first full day of cycling.
Cycle down into the Sacred Valley of the Incas
After breakfast we board our bus and drive up to the Chinchero Plateau at 12,500 feet (3780m). From here we mount our bikes and cycle across the plateau towards the fabulous Inca Salt pans where we enjoy a picnic. The afternoon is spent on a freewheel 3,000 feet (909m) down a narrow winding dirt track into the Sacred Valley. From here it is a short ride to the lovely Hotel Posada del Libertador for an overnight.
In the Sacred Valley
During our time cycling along the valley we visit some of the enthralling citadels, fortresses and temple ruins that are found along the valley including the site at Ollantaytambo. The valley follows the course of the famous Urubamba River, one of the main tributaries of the Amazon River.
Drive up to the Lares Pass and cycle back down almost 5,000 feet.
Transfer by private bus to Lares pass, at 15,000' (4545m) - high above the Sacred Valley and on the divide between highlands and jungle. After a picnic lunch at the great spot we cycle more than 5000 vertical feet (1525m) back down to the Sacred Valley.
To Machu Picchu
We take a bus to Ollantaytambo train station where we take a short but stunning train ride down to Km 104. After alighting from the train we trek up to join famous Inca Trail to Machu Picchu for its last spectacular day including visiting the ruins of Huinay Huayna.
At Machu Picchu. Return to Cusco.
Today we start early for a full day to thoroughly explore these remarkable and truly enigmatic ruins. After a professionally led tour of the site we're free to explore the rest of the amazing ruins. Mid-afternoon we depart from Machu Picchu for the extremely pretty train ride back to Ollantaytambo. Here we transfer to our vehicle for the drive back to Cusco. On arrival we transfer to our hotel for two nights.
Free day in Cusco.
A good day to relax, do your washing and re pack after the trek and perhaps a chance to do some 'tourist shopping', selecting from a great variety of expertly made craft work - including alpaca sweaters and hats, ceramics, weavings and traditional Andean instruments. In the evening we prepare for the next stage of our journey through the Andes.
Overland journey to Puno and Lake Titicaca.
We depart early in the morning for the 6 to 8 hour journey by private vehicle to Puno set on the shores of Lake Titicaca at 12,630' (3,820m). The road takes us south along the great valley below Cusco and then as we head further south we start to climb towards the great continental divide at La Raya. To the east we see some of the strange peaks of the Carabaya Range. From the pass we descend quickly onto the vast dry altiplano with its isolated villages and herds of Andean camelid including the alpaca and vicuña. Our first glimpses of lake Titicaca remind us that this is hardly a lake - it’s more like a vast inland sea that also happens to be the highest navigable lake in the world! The fact that we travel by private vehicle means we can stop where we wish during this fascinating journey (this is a tremendous advantage over the many companies who use public transport for this unique drive). We spend our night at our hotel in Puno.
Optional Train to Puno:
You may choose to take the train to Puno on the Orient Express for a supplement.
Optional itinerary - We depart early in the morning for the 8 to 10 hour long railway journey to Puno set on the shores of Lake Titicaca at 12,630' (3,820m). The journey has been described as one of the last remaining classic train journeys of the world. (It was one of the featured sections of the BBC series "Great Railway Journeys of the World"). These days the train belongs to the Orient Express Co and it is a luxurious ride, with just 2 stops along the way, in La Raya, the highest point between Cusco and Puno 14,200' (4,330m approx) and Juliaca, before Puno. From the comfortable carriages, one of which has been converted into a glass lounge, we watch the Andean scenes flash by. On arrival in Puno you will meet up with the rest of the group and resume itinerary arrangements.
Lake Titicaca
Puno is a typical high Andean town, set on the shores of the lake and located on the great altiplano that stretches all the way to La Paz. There will be an opportunity to cruise Lake Titicaca – the highest navigable lake in the world – and visit some of the unique floating ‘totora’ reed islands of the Uros Indians. The afternoon is free to relax in Puno and explore its streets and markets.
Drive from Puno to Colca.
After an early breakfast we board our bus for a long but spectacular drive past volcanos to the dry semi-desert where we often see herds of wild vicuña. Since we are travelling by private vehicle we can stop whenever we wish to take in the magnificent scenery of this part of Peru - so different to anything we have seen in the preceding days. We spend the night in an hotel near the canyon.
Colca.
We spend a second day in this bizarre landscape both cycling and walking. day visiting parts of this massive canyon – it is the deepest in the world! We also try and visit the famous Condors Nest where we get a chance to see these magnificent birds (the heaviest flying bird in the world) gliding below and above us.
Drive and cycle to Arequipa
The last day of our cycling trip is spent both cycling and driving south toward that great southern city of Arequipa. If all goes according to plan we arrive here mid afternoon giving us time to briefly explore this fine city. The city is known as the white city because of the lovely pale volcanic rock that is used for many of its buildings.
Fly to Lima where trip concludes.
After checking out of your hotel you will be transferred (if requested) to Arequipa airport for your flight to Lima airport where your services end.
PLEASE NOTE:
Peru is a ‘developing’ nation and the vagaries of travel sometimes mean that itineraries have to change. With an open mind and flexible approach you will be assured of a great adventure!
- 15 breakfasts, 4 lunches
- Internal flights in Peru US$250 approx.
- Airport transfers on Day 1 and Day 16
- Expert bilingual guide
- Group medical kit
- Good quality mountain bikes, helmets and tyre repair kits
- Support vehicle while cycling
- Good quality accommodation in Lima, Cusco, Machu Picchu, Puno and Arequipa
- All internal transportation
- Sightseeing and site entrance fees as listed (including Machu Picchu National Park entrance fee)
| 18 June 2008 |
03 July 2008 |
| 30 July 2008 |
14 August 2008 |
| 27 August 2008 |
11 September 2008 |
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