Regional travel in Peru – Travel program PTW-MAN005-en

Mountain bike tour to Manu National Park

These MTB tours offer you a unique mountain bike experience: Enjoy the 50 km descent from the Andes into the Manu National Park! On the long downhill you will experience the different height levels of the eastern slopes of the Andes up close. You bike down from the Andean highlands through the mountain cloud forest of the Manu National Park, which attracts with its diversity of flora and fauna. Explore this unique biotope and enjoy deep relaxation in the dreamlike idyll of the Manu Ecolodge Tambo Paititi. On the third day you can once again experience the changing landscapes of the peruvian Andes by MTB.

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Program 1

From the Andes to the mountain cloud forest

3 days / 2 nights, level of difficulty: easy – Start: daily from April (from 4 participants)

Day 1: from Cusco to Tambo Paititi (50 km)

Depart Cusco early in the morning by private vehicle heading east, passing the Sacred Valley of the Incas and crossing the 4100m high Huachucasa pass. After a winding and varied journey through small communities and lonely landscapes, you will reach the village of Paucartambo and, after a final climb, the border to Manu National Park at the Acjanaco checkpoint (3550 m). After a hearty snack, your MTB adventure begins, a more than 50 km descent on your mountain bike towards the jungle. Experience the fascinating change from the barren landscape of the altiplano to the diverse flora and fauna of the mountain jungle up close, while you ride your mountain bike through the always humid climate on the eastern slopes of the Andes. In the afternoon you will reach the Tambo Paititi Lodge at 1500 m altitude.

Day 2: Tambo Paititi

At sunrise you experience the mountain cloud forest very much alive. After a little refreshment we go in search of tracks and observation posts for birds, monkeys and other animals. On a narrow trail through the mountain jungle, we look out for Peru's national bird, the colorful rock cock, and other bird species such as the toucan, quetzal, tangar and oropendula. With a bit of luck you can also observe capuchin monkeys and the largest monkey in Amazonia, the woolly monkey. Back at the lodge, a hearty breakfast awaits you. In the afternoon we undertake another one to two hour hike on lonely paths through the mountain cloud forest. Throughout the day there are numerous opportunities to get to know the flora and fauna of the mountain jungle better, to take a bath in the rushing river or to observe the surroundings in peace and quiet directly from the lodge.

Day 3: from Tambo Paititi to Cusco (50 km)

Once again, get up early to observe the animals that are active in the morning hours. After breakfast, you will first get back into our support vehicle, which will take you back to the Acjanaco pass. From there you can roll down to Paucartambo on a mountain bike. We continue by vehicle to the Huachuqasa pass and then descend by bike one last time until we reach Pisaq in the Sacred Valley of the Incas. Your MTB adventure ends here. The vehicle will take you back to Cusco, arriving early evening.

Services

• Mountain bike + helmet.
• Support vehicle.
• Two nights in Tambo Paititi.
• Full board.
• Guide.

 

 

Program 2

From Cusco through the Sacred Valley of the Incas to Manu National Park

4 days / 3 nights – Start: daily (from 4 participants)

Day 1: from Cusco via Moray to the Sacred Valley to Pisca (35 km)

A vehicle will take you to the Chincheros plateau, where, near lake Huaypo, the first stage of the mountain bike tour begins. On old trade routes, it goes over the altiplano to the edge of the Urubamba valley: to the ruins of Moray (3450 m). Circular terraces in a deep hollow bear witness to an agricultural «experimental laboratory» of the Incas.

The Incas used the temperature differences from terrace to terrace (approx. 1,5 °C) together with artificial irrigation to grow different types of corn and potatoes. Opposite, high above the Urubamba valley, sits the vast Chicon ice field, whose majestic view accompanies you to the end of today's mountain bike tour. Ahead of you are almost 20 km of Andean downhill! In the afternoon you will cycle on single trails down the salt terraces of Pichingote, which have been used for centuries. Camp at Pisaq in the Sacred Valley of the Incas.

Day 2: from Pisca to Tres Cruces (65 km)

Today's mountain bike adventure takes you through the Andean highlands again. In front of you is the highest pass of this tour (4170 m) and then an incomparable downhill through lonely landscapes and small Andean villages. Behind the colonial village of Paucartambo (2900 m) we go to the Acjanaco Pass (3550 m), the last Andean pass on the way to the Amazon rainforest.

In the afternoon you will reach the Tres Cruces de Oro viewpoint (3700 m). From here you can enjoy the view over the eastern slopes of the Andes to the seemingly endless green carpet of treetops in the lowlands. Tent camp at the viewpoint.

Day 3: from Tres Cruces to Tambo Paititi (65 km)

The next morning, early risers can experience an unforgettable sunrise over a sea of clouds. In front of you, the Andes drop down to the Amazon lowlands that stretch as far as the horizon. Behind you lie the snow-capped peaks of the Cordillera Vilcanota and the Cordillera Urubamba. After breakfast, the 65 km descent towards the jungle (2000 meters of altitude!) awaits you. You can experience the fascinating change from the barren landscape of the altiplano to the diverse flora and fauna of the mountain cloud forest, while you ride your mountain bike through the always humid climate of the eastern slopes of the Andes. In the afternoon you will reach Tambo Paititi at 1500 m altitude.

Day 4: from Tambo Paititi to Cusco (40 km)

Early in the morning you go in search of clues. On a narrow trail through the mountain jungle, keep an eye out for the colorful rock cock and other bird species such as toucan, quetzal, tanager and oropendola. With a bit of luck you can also observe capuchin monkeys and the largest monkey in Amazonia, the woolly monkey. A hearty breakfast awaits you back at the lodge, then board the support vehicle that will take you back to the Acjanaco pass. From there you go down to Paucartambo by MTB.

After a delicious picnic lunch, our vehicle will take you to the Huachuquasa pass. From there you bike down another 1000 meters in altitude until you reach Pisaq in the Sacred Valley of the Incas. Your mountain bike tour ends here. Re-board the vehicle for the final leg to Cusco. Arrival early evening.

Services

• Mountain bike + helmet.
• Support vehicle.
• Two nights in a double tent.
• Camping gear.
• One night in Tambo Paititi.
• Full board.
• Guide.

Program 3

From Cusco to the tropical rainforest of Manu National Park

6 days / 5 nights – Start: daily (from 4 participants)

This MTB tour is a dream route through the eastern highlands over the eastern slopes of the Andes down to the Amazon lowlands. You pass lonely landscapes and small Andean villages before, after an indescribable sunrise over the sea of clouds in the rainforest, you descend on exhilarating downhills into the Amazon lowlands. Discover the mountain cloud forest of the Manu National Park, which is still full of secrets. Enjoy the dreamy idyll of the Manu-Ecolodge before you continue into the lowlands of the tropical rain forest. In the Amazon lowlands you will have the opportunity to get to know Machiguenga indians and their customs and traditions.

Day 1: from Cusco via Moray to the Sacred Valley to Pisac (35 km)

Our vehicle will take you to the Chincheros plateau, where you will begin the first stage of your mountain bike tour near the lake Huaypo. On old trade routes, it goes over the altiplano to the edge of the Urubamba valley: to the ruins of Moray (3450 m). Circular terraces in a deep hollow are evidence of an Inca agricultural laboratory. The Inca used the temperature differences from terrace to terrace (approx. 1,5 °C) together with artificial irrigation to grow different types of corn and potatoes. Opposite, high above the Urubamba Valley, sits the vast ice field of the snowy Chicon, the majestic view of which accompanies you to the end of today's mountain bike tour. Ahead of you are almost 20 km of Andean downhill! In the afternoon you will cycle on single trails down the salt terraces of Pichingote, which have been used for centuries. Camp at Pisaq in the Sacred Valley of the Incas. 

Day 2: from Pisac to Tres Cruces (65 km)

In the early morning we offer you the opportunity to visit the impressive ruins of Pisaq high above the Urubamba valley. Your mountain bike adventure will then begin. In front of you is the highest pass of this tour (4100 m) and then an incomparable downhill through lonely landscapes and small Andean villages. Behind the colonial village of Paucartambo (2900 m) we come to the last pass of the Andes on the way to the Amazon rainforest. In the afternoon you will reach the Tres Cruces de Oro viewpoint at 3600 m altitude. From here you can enjoy the view over the eastern slopes of the Andes to the seemingly endless green carpet of treetops in the lowlands. Tent camp at the viewpoint.

Day 3: from Tres Cruces to Tambo Paititi (65 km)

The next morning, early risers can experience an unforgettable sunrise over a sea of clouds. In front of you the Andes drop into the Amazonian lowlands that stretch to the horizon, behind you lie the snow-capped peaks of the Cordillera Vilcanota and the Cordillera Urubamba. After breakfast, the 65 km descent towards the jungle (2000 meters of altitude!) awaits you. You can experience the fascinating change from the barren landscape of the altiplano to the diverse flora and fauna of the mountain cloud forest, while you ride your mountain bike through the always humid climate of the eastern slopes of the Andes. In the afternoon you will reach the Tambo Paititi Lodge at 1500 m altitude.

Day 4: from Tambo Paititi to Huacaria (40 km)

Early in the morning you go in search of clues. On a narrow trail through the mountain jungle, keep an eye out for the colorful rock cock and other bird species such as the toucan, quetzal, tanagar and oropendula. With a bit of luck you can also see capuchin monkeys and the largest monkey in Amazonia, the woolly monkey. Back at the lodge, a hearty breakfast awaits you before you continue your bike tour into the Amazonian jungle. It's still downhill until you reach the lowlands at noon. Lunch on the banks of the river where you can also enjoy a refreshing swim. Afterwards, you will mountain bike to the village of Huacaria, where you will get an insight into the life and customs of the Machiguenga indians. You will learn about the traditional medicine of the Machiguenga indians and get to know medicinal plants from the region. Overnight in Huacaria with the Machiguenga in a tent camp.

Day 5: from Huacaria to Tambo Paititi (40 km)

After breakfast, bid farewell to Huacaria and the Machiguenga Indians. On your way back to Tambo Paititi, pedal your mountain bike hard again. In the afternoon you can go on another hike through the mountain cloud forest, take a refreshing dip in the river or enjoy the surroundings from the lodge's terrace and let the impressions of the past few days sink in.

Day 6: from Tambo Paititi to Cusco (40 km)

After breakfast, you will first get back into our support vehicle, which will take you back to the Acjanaco pass. From there you go down to Paucartambo by MTB. After a delicious picnic lunch, the vehicle will take you to the Huachuquasa pass. From there you bike down another 1000 meters in altitude until you reach Pisaq in the Sacred Valley of the Incas. Your mountain bike tour ends here. Reboard the vehicle for the final leg to Cusco. Arriving early evening.

Services

• Mountain bike + helmet.
• Support vehicle.
• Overnight stay as noted.
• Camping equipment where required.
• Full board.
• Tour Guide.

What you should bring with you

• Binoculars.
• Camera + spare batteries.
• Bathing suit + towel.
• Flashlight + spare batteries and bulb.
• Long trousers.
• Long-sleeved t-shirts or shirts.
• Sunscreen (at least SPF 30).
• Insect repellent.
• 1 pair of walking shoes.
• 1 pair of light shoes.
• Personal toiletries.
• Medication.
• Rain gear.
• Sunglasses.
• Headgear.
• Sleeping bag.

Note: In order to adapt the various activities to the specific circumstances, as well as for climatic or organizational reasons, changes in the schedule can be made.