Lares is the prefect place to practice different kind of outdoors activities including biking. This ultimate adventure crosses 3 different ecosystem with outstanding views of snow caped mountains, valleys, river, canyons and charming villages. The downhill stars at 4568 meters – 14987 ft feet sea level and ends at the Amazonian rain forest at 769 m – 2523 ft. sea level.
This gem is still untouched by tourist companies, and proudly we are the only outfitter that offer this unforgettable experience. The biking is easy and is available for all ages and abilities, but it can also satisfied experience bikers by choosing of road circuits. What makes this tour special apart of the number of sites that we encounter in the way is the thermal baths, a perfect place to relax and enjoy the hot waters of Lares hot-springs. An adventure for the entire family!
Lares Mountain biking itinerary
Briefing (night before trip departure): Pre-departure information: description of biking road, what to bring, etc.
Departure: 8:00 am.
Return: 4 pm.
Biking level: II, III, IV and V
Distance: 45 km
Time on road: between 4 to 6 hours a day
Day 1: Cusco - Lares pass - Hot spring
Your trip leader and our private bus will meet you at your hotel at 8 am. We will have one first stop after one hour drive at Calca, small town where we can buy the last supplies for the trip. Despite the biking, the the next 2 hours drive up to the highest pass, offer incredible views of the Mountains. At Lares pass, guides and passengers will organize the trip; you’ll then pack the things that will be more useful during the biking like mosquito repellent, water etc. Before the mountain biking begins, your guide will give you an orientation about the biking, he will go over the safety features of the trip, and demonstrate techniques for biking, this briefing will be followed by a practice on the bikes. Once everybody feel good and comfortable, we start this great adventure.
The bike path follows the roads that connect the Andes with the rain forest from Lares pas, the highest point located at 4568 meter sea level, 14987 ft, to the guide’s favorite spot to have lunch. More than 30 km – 18 miles of paved path takes us from high mountain splendor into the charm of Andean communities, herds of llamas, ships and alpacas, along the shores of narrow rivers, and finally to the Lares town perfect to rest and enjoy a nice cold beer after a great adventure.
Twenty minutes from Lares is the hot springs and our base camp. This place is located at 3350 meters sea level, 10990.8 ft with cold eesther at nights and early mornings, perfect to enjoy the warm pools. After dinner, there will be a briefing about the next adventure day.
Overnight: Camping
Meals included: 1 lunch and 1dinner.
Day 2: Lares hot springs - Colca
The day begins at 8 a.m. with a delicious breakfast with fresh fruit salad, cereal, yogurt, juice, fresh coffee, tea and chocolate, oat meal, bread etc. After breakfast, the adventure continues through the client favorite’s section. We think Lares boasts some of the best single track in Peru and this day will prove it! The mountain biking road traverses various habitats, from the cold mountain air to the warm jungle and dense forest, the lower we bike, the warmer it gets and better the view of mountain forests. Road is about 40 km – 24 miles east Lares downhill through the source of Yanatile River, which continues all the way into the Amazon jungle. The trail is easy with lots of turns. After a hours of downhill we’ll climb a little bit which brig views of the spectacular River canyon of Yanatile where we will savor another lunch with a magnificent view.
After eating, we’ll hop on the bikes again for a ride down to Colca in a world class single track mountain biking downhill. This second part track is perfect with nice laid out road that contours around the mountain chain, full with fast corners, cliffs and astonishing views. The road connects with Amparaes ravine and take us all the way to Colca an small Village in the Jungle which is the end of the biking. In the afternoon after packing the bikes onto the van, we will head back to Lares hot-springs for camping and dinner prepared by our guides.
Meals included: 1 breakfast – 1 lunch – 1 dinner
Overnight: Lares hot-springs camping.
Day 3: Hotsprings - Calca - Cusco
Another hearty breakfast is prepared you for today’s journey with pancakes, bacon, scramble eggs, cereal, yogurt, juice, coffee, tea etc. After breakfast, it’s time to pack up the tents, bags and put the bikes on to the car for a one hour bus ride to Lares pass, this place again will be the beginning of the last and more exiting portion of mountain biking so be prepared for a thrill from beginning to end. During the first hour we have a nice downhill circuit in a zigzagging single track until we arrive to the most difficult part of the biking tour, the Totora circuit this section is only for advanced MTB. This single track starts out with exciting rocky road through Andean villages and potatoes farms it continues into a gorge with steps stairs, breaches and a river that runs parallel to the biking track making our way to Totora where we will meet with the rest of the group. It will take two more hours downhill to Calca, town in the middle of the Sacred Valley, here a typical lunch will await the arrival of the adventures mountain bikers. After lunch we pack one more time the van an head back to Cusco.
Meals included: 1 breakfast and 1 lunch
Arrival to Cusco: Between 16:00 to 17:00 hours.
Extend your vacation and connect with Machu Picchu, we have different adventure activities available for all abilities.
What’s included?
Meals (3L, 2B, 2D), bikes, guide, support car in case somebody doesn’t feel good or is tired to continue on with the bikes, knee and elbow protection, helmets, gloves and all camping gear.
All our bikes have suspension, disc brakes and 26 gear changes. Not all the Peruvian companies offer this biking tours we are few of the travel agencies who operate this tour.
What’s not included?
Torch/ flashlight, clothing: lightweight long trousers (for evening), shorts, fleece/thermal top, T-shirts, bathing suit, sandals.
Personal items: eco-friendly toiletries i.e. bio-degradable (no place to wash except in the river, no pollutants please!!).
What to bring?
Sun-block, Insect repellent, sleeping bag (may rent for $3.50 per day), inflatable mattress (may rent for $3.50 per day
Departure dates
Flexible departures. We guarantee departures with a minimum of 2 people and a maximum of 12.
Seasonal all year long.
