Date: 25th of July to 7th of August 2010
Other dates available upon request.

Duration: 14 days (from La Paz)

Distance: 650 km biking on paved road at 3.500m above sea level. 45 km trekking. Maximum height: 4.350m.a.s.l.

Description: Discovering the land of the old Inca empire following the Manco Capac trail. From Copacabana to lake Titicaca (Bolivia), and to Ollantaitambo, by bike. Then we do trekking (42 km) along the famous "camino del Inca" (Inca trail) to Machu Picchu. Descend to the yungas (Andean forests) considered one the greatest "Downhill" of the world.

Places: Copacabana by Titicaca lake shore (Bolivia), del sol island, Coroico (yungas 'downhill'), Puno, De los Uros island, Abra de la Raya, Cuzco, "Valle Sagrado de los Incas" (sacred Inca valley), Machu Picchu ruins.

Difficulty: Medium / High

Group size: minimum 8 people. Registration should be confirmed two months in advance otherwise a 15% will be added to the price.



Program and itinerary:


Day 1 - La Paz:
Welcome dinner in La Paz at 3.500 m above sea level, meet the group and the mountain bike guides. Lodging at a cozy but simple Hotel
Lodging: in Hotel



Day 2 - Yolosa Downhill to the "Yungas":
Probably one of the greatest and some way dangerous"Downhill" in the world with the greatest drop from 4.700 a.sl to 1.100 a.s.l. in only 64 km. This day we descend into the incredible jungle region known as Yungas.We descend on our mountain bikes from the top of the Andes with steep cliffs and waterfalls to the tropical thick forest of the “pre Amazonian”. Technically speaking it is not so difficult to mange on a mountain bike but it requires concentration and coordination to keep control of your mountain bike. There will be a lot of excitement and adrenaline for the first day of our mountain biking trip!

Note: this road it used to be considered one of the most dangerous in the world for motor vehicles, but not to long ago it was opened a new paved road where most of the cars and trucks detour. So the old road we ride with our bikes is not to crowded.

Daily biking ride: 65 km
Lodging: in hotel as previous day in La Paz



Day 3 - Copacabana and Del Sol island:
Cyclists are transferred with a van to Tiquina (one hour and a half drive), a great panoramic view point of the Titicaca lake. From there we cross a strait on boat. Then we get on our mountain biking cycling the last 10 km with amazing views over the Titicaca lake, to the charming so Bolivian characteristic town of Copacabana. We take a side of the beaten gravel road mountain biking to Yampupata peninsula, where we take a boat to Isla del Sol (Island of the Sun). We take a guided tour on the island visiting Inca ruins.
Returning to main land we take a front lake road to Copacabana descending to the town on a 25 km downhill mountain bike ride.
Daily biking ride: 35 km (25 km on gravel road).
Lodging: in hotel



Day 4 -Puno:
After mountain biking for 12 km, we cross the Bolivian - Peruvian border pedaling along the lakefront road. We pass along small agricultural villages having the opportunity to sense the Peruvian farmland live.
Daily biking ride: 130 km on paved road.
Lodging: in hotel.



Day 5 - Puno
Leisure day. You may visit the town market and Inca ruins. You may also take a guided tour to the island of the Uros (floating island) transferring to the town of Santa Rosa. The Uros is a ethnical group of Peru which live only in this area. Dinner on your own.
Daily biking ride: 65 km on pavement (65 km with vehicle - taking the tour to Uros island).
Lodging: hotel.



Day 6 - Ayaviri ( 3800 m above sea level)
Transfer with van to the noisy city of Juliaca ( 45 km). We visit the city market with local goods. we continue mountain biking with still landscapes passing along small villages. We stop at Pucara for lunch and visit the great church and archeological ancient sites of “pucara”..
Daily biking ride: 95 km on paved road.
Lodging: in hotel.



Day 7 - Abra de la Raya (4335msnm) and Cuzco:
With a starting section over a prairie we mountain bike to Abra de la Raya (pass 4335m above sea level). Pedaling uphill it is optional, as usual you will have the option to ride on the support vehicle. The last 60 km of this mountain biking day is a downhill ride. When we reach Marangani we take a van and transfer to Cusco ( 130 km)
Daily biking ride : 120 km paved road.
Lodging: in hotel.



Day 8 - Cuzco:
Leisure day. For those who feel like to take a guided tour we may organize a city tour visiting the most interesting sites of the city and also some nearby archeological sites with ancient cultures ruins such as Sacsayhuaman and Tambo Machay.
Lodging: in hotel.



Day 9 - Ollantaitambo:
We start our mountain biking day with an uphill paved road which will take us away from the city into the farmland. Then we continue cycling on a single track gravel road heading to Morai. This is one of the most characteristic Inca places with the Valle Sagrado (Holly valley) with perfectly circled terraces staying untouched until nowadays. This was a experimental farm center where the Inca people tested their farming 'technology'. we also pass along a Mara people town. we finish our daily mountain biking journey in Ollantaitambo, considered one of the most interesting towns in the Holly valley. We visit an impressive Inca fortress.
Daily biking ride: 75 km (40 km on gravel road)
Lodging: in hotel.



Day 10,- Lucma ( mission dell’ Operazione Mato Grosso)
Transfer to Abra Malaga (4315 m above sea level), from there we start an exiting downhill mountain bike ride of 70 km ( 3000m drop!) to the little town of Santa Maria. From there we transfer to Lucma village. We stay overnight at the Italian Mission post of Mato Grosso.
Lucma is at a narrow valley where are being discovered beautiful Inca cities. Near Lucma is Vilcabamba, the last inca refuge during the Spanish invasion campaigns.
Daily biking ride: 70 km (gravel road)
Lodging: M.G. mission post



Day 11 -Santa Teresa :
In order to get out of this narrow valley we mountain bike a 40 km downhill road heading to Santa Maria. The downhill mountain bike ride is almost technical with a variety of surfaces and road terrains. It goes through a narrow valley with tropical vegetation all along and with the chance of observing beautiful wildlife samples. For those who want more excitement and adrenaline have the option to mountain bike for 20 km more with a steep uphill section finishing pedaling in Santa Teresa town.
Daily mountain biking ride: 40 km (gravel road)
Lodging: hosteria in Santa Teresa.



Day 12– Machu Picchu ruins:
We take a short shuttle service from the little town of Santa Teresa. We drive for a few kilometers to an abandoned old track, then we cross a bridge over Urubamba river ascending to the ancient city of Machu Picchu, over a steep rocky trail.The privileged location of the ancient city offers an amazing view and it is certainly considered a magic place. We will attempt to ascent to the summit of Wayna Picchu to widen our view scope.
We descent to the Aguas Calientes town (Hot springs) where we take a train back to Ollantaitambo. We end our day trek at Pisac town.
Lodging: hotel in Pisac.



Day 13 - Cusco:
Our last stretch of the mountain bike trip will be an uphill pedaling riding away from the narrow Holly valley of the Incas giving us the chance to have an amazing panoramic view of the whole area. Then we do our last downhill ride toward Cusco, passing along one of the most important archeological sites Puca Pucara and Sacsayhuaman.
After midday we get to Cusco having the whole afternoon to enjoy this splendid city on your own. Farewell dinner.
Daily biking ride: 35 km
Lodging: in hotel



Day 14 -Cusco:
End of our services. In the morning flight back home



Included services: Support vehicle with trailer for bikes and gear (closed trailer). Mountain bike guide and assistance, they are experienced people in cycling tours. Mechanical and spare parts assistance. All the meals (four meals daily with energy reinforcements), except the dinner at Puno and the day off at Cusco. Train ticket from Aguas Calientes to Ollantitambo. Tours: Descending into the Yunga forest, Isla del Sol and Inca trail. Lodging. Entrance fee to the Inca Trail and Machu Picchu ruins.

Not included: airfare, airport taxes, one dinner in Puno and meals at leisure day in Cuzco, alternative and optional excursions, tips for the guides and extras

Price: € 1.750.-


Equipment:
Mountain bike or hybrid,with gravel and paved road tires and prior mechanical check up
Helmet.
Water bottle or water backpack (Camel).
Sleeping bag and Thermarest
Tent only if you want a single tent
Head lamp or flash light with spare batteries
Trekking shoes
Backpack (this is for the Inca trail trekking with capacity to carry your sleeping bag, change clothing your personal gear and 2 liters water)
Sunglasses ,
Personal medication ,
Sun block lotion and lip balm ,
No need for saddlebags unless you want to carry your own camera

Recommended clothing : Bike pants short & long, Running pants, Windbreaker, synthetic long sleeve shirt, T-shirts, Polar fleece jacket, Gloves, Socks synthetic & wool, Rain poncho (optional) , Sandals or spare tennis shoes, polar neck

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