Biking Peru: Andes to the Amazon

Peru is a remarkably diverse country. One day you find yourself in the heartland of the Incas perched high in the Andean mountains, and the next you are surrounded by the dense jungle canopy of the Amazon Rainforest. This mountain/gravel bike tour has been designed to capture this contrast at its most spectacular, utilising a network of roads and trails that span the Sacred Valley of the Incas and parts of Manu National Park in the Amazon Basin. Included in the tour is a visit to Machu Picchu, simply a must-see when visiting Peru.

Starting in Cusco, one of the world's highest-altitude cities (3,300m ASL) and the former capital of the Inca Empire, riders ride north surrounded by towering peaks and scenic valleys where agricultural terraces cascade down the hillsides. The route then rises to the Peruvian Altiplano before a gradual descent into Manu National Park, dropping from the edge of the Andes into the cloud forest of the Amazon. After a night at a cloud forest research station and a further descent into the Amazonian lowlands, there's a day off the bikes to experience one of the world's most biodiverse frontiers.

The tour then returns to the Sacred Valley for three days of cycling among Incan ruins, colourful towns, indigenous villages and the picturesque Maras Salt Pans. Day 9 is dedicated to Machu Picchu, reached by scenic train. A hallmark of this tour is its frequent downhill blitzes, saved for last on Day 10 with a descent from the Lares Valley into Calca, before concluding back in Cusco.

Highlights:

• Ride Inca-terraced valleys along the Urubamba River to Pisac's artisan market
• Descend from the Peruvian Altiplano into the cloud forest and Amazon rainforest
• Free day in Manu National Park, with jungle walks, birdwatching and optional canoe trips
• Ride dirt tracks past Inca ruins to the sparkling white Maras Salt Pans
• Visit Machu Picchu, the "Lost City of the Incas", via a scenic Sacred Valley train
• Finish with a "downhill of a lifetime" from the Lares Valley hot springs into Calca

Surface and terrain:
A wide mix of gravel roads, dirt tracks, broken roads, some sealed sections (about 30% tarmac) and a little single-track. Not very technical; suitable for gravel or full-suspension mountain bikes. Climbing is described as "very moderate" with a focus on downhills, averaging 373m/day amid much larger daily descents.

Weather:
Dry season (May–October) is best, with sunny Cusco days up to 24°C but near-freezing nights. The Amazon lowlands run hotter (up to 30°C) and rain is always possible, especially in shoulder season. Cold-weather gear is needed for altitude days.

Suitable for:
Rated "Moderate" difficulty. Suited to riders with reasonable fitness of all levels; not technical, though gravel bike riders should be experienced on rough terrain and prepared to walk sections occasionally. Support vehicle available throughout, with many climbs pre-empted by transfers. Group size 2–10, minimum age 18.