Peru Bike-Trek
Exploring the Andean Trails to Machu Picchu
13 days Trekking and Mountain Biking
09 – 21 September 2006
Sponsorship target: £3,000
Group size: Minimum 10 pax Maximum 16 pax
CancerBACUP in Peru
Peru is a country of great diversity and many surprises. From Pacific coastline to towering snow capped peaks to the steaming Amazon basin is a region that is rich in cultural heritage and natural wonders. Legends of Incas rising from the depths of Lake Titicaca, lost white tribes and an empire that was built on gold have inspired explorers since Colombus first stepped ashore in 1492.
Once acclimatised and in position the challenge begins, mountain biking through the Lands of the Incas. (Bear in mind that the Incas just never got round to inventing the wheel!) Our first three days in the saddle explores the Inca heartlands from Cusco to the Sacred Valley. This is time to further acclimatise and get familiar with our bikes. We then swap our saddles for boots and embark on the famous 4 day Inca Trail trek to Machu, “The Lost City of the Incas” and one of the most renowned and majestic sights in the world
Venture grading
Grade C Strenuous
The Mountain Biking route through the Andes usually involves 5 to 6 hours in the saddle per day. The route is mostly off tarmac following dirt tracks and whilst we follow a mainly downhill path, be prepared for some testing uphill sections from time to time. For the mountain bike ride you should be confident in your ability to operate the gears and control the machine, even over rough terrain. A support vehicle will follow the group. The Inca Trail is a 4 day high altitude trek with sustained ascents and descents. Walking days usually involve 6 to 8 hours on the trail and possibly longer when crossing high altitude passes. Climate and remoteness may also play a part. Previous trekking experience is not essential but you must have a good level of walking fitness and you may well have to improve yours before the trek. You will be camping with occasional overnights in local hostels.
What the cost includes
Peru Bike-Trek cost includes:
- Return flights from London to Lima including all airport taxes
- All transport, accommodation, mountain biking and Inca Trail to Machu Picchu as per supplied itinerary.
- Trek Meals as indicated in the itinerary.
- Entrance fees and trail fees
- Airport taxes
Cost does not include:
- Personal expenditure
- Restaurant meals (see itinerary) allow US$100
Itinerary
09 Sept: Depart from London Heathrow. (Hostel accommodation in Lima, eat in local restaurant) Early morning start from Heathrow. 16-hour trans-Atlantic flight to Lima, capital city of Peru. Arrive in the evening local time. Transfer to hotel in Lima.
10 Sept: Fly Lima to Cusco (Hostel accommodation in Cusco, eat in local restaurant) Morning flight to Cusco which will be our base for the next two weeks. Briefing from our Biking crew followed by a walking tour of Cusco to acquaint ourselves with our surroundings and acclimatise to the high altitude. Cusco sits high in the Andes (3300m) and is ideally situated to help us get used to the rarified air of the region.
11 Sept: Bike Trek 1 (Camping, Trek meals) Today is our first day in the saddle! A short truck ride delivers us to the trailhead at the village of Chinchero from where we follow mountain trails to Andean lagoons, Inca sites and isolated communities. We are in the heartlands of the Incas mountain kingdom and the scenery is spectacular. Mostly downhill cycling but expect the occasional stiff uphill climb. Tonight’s camp is near the hot springs at Machacancha, a soak in the hot water will ease any aching limbs!
12 Sept: Bike Trek 2 (Camping, Trek meals) We start the day with a drive in our support vehicle to the 4300m Lares pass. From this point we can see for miles across the Sacred Valley of the Incas and cycling down to the community at Pampa Coral is without doubt the best way of seeing this unique corner of Peru. After lunch our mountain trail takes us to the township of Lares where our camp is, yet again, beside a set of thermal pools.
13 Sept: Bike Trek 3 (Hostel accommodation in Ollantaytambo, eat in local restaurant) Our morning starts again at the Lares Pass and takes an alternative route down to the valley, we pass Inca roads, bridges and ruin sites. Tonight we make our way to the ancient Inca fortress at Ollantaytambo where we rest up in preparation for the Inca Trail.
14 Sept: Ollantaytambo rest day (Hostel accommodation in Ollantaytambo, eat in local restaurant) A day to visit the imposing fortress of Ollantayatambo and explore the village and surrounding countryside.
15 Sept: Inca Trail Day 1 (Camping, Trek meals, 12km/7.5 miles – 4/5 hours walk) We will take a minibus to the start point of the trail. The morning’s walk is along the banks of the Urubamba River. The trail is level and not too arduous. After lunch we climb gradually to the village of Huayllabamba where we camp for the night.
16 Sept: Inca Trail Day 2 (Camping, Trek meals, 10km/6 miles – 6/7 hours walk) This is the hardest day of the trek. The trail climbs continuously to the first pass, Warmiwanuska at 4200m and for the whole morning we shall be climbing very slowly but surely to get to the top. The views from the pass are spectacular and the sense of achievement at getting there makes every aching muscle pale into insignificance. Once over the pass we have lunch and descend to the camp in the Pacamayo valley for a well-earned rest.
17 Sept: Inca Trail Day 3 (Camping, Trek meals, 12km/7.5 miles – 6/7 hours walk) We start the day with another climb. It’s a much easier ascent this morning to the second pass at 3850m from where we follow a marvellous Inca pavement down to the fortress ruin at Sayacmarca. A gentle 2 hour climb along this fine stone highway leads through an Inca tunnel to the third pass. We’ll have lunch here and then begin our long downhill descent on a stone staircase to the impressive ruins of Winay Wayna. We camp here and join up with those who are walking the 2 day Inca Trail.
18 Sept: Inca Trail Day 4 (Hostel accommodation in Cusco, eat in local restaurant, 4km/3 miles –2 hours walk – train to Cusco, 4 hours.) The path from Winya Wayna goes more or less level through jungle to the steps that lead to the Sun Gate at Intipunku, where there’s a magnificent view of Machu Picchu Situated on the spine of a jungle cloaked granite peak Machu Picchu was precisely sculptured from granite blocks to fit in with the projecting exposed stone of the surrounding mountain, the site may well be the finest architectural achievement of the new world. We have the whole day to marvel at the site before taking the afternoon train back to Cusco for a well earned night in bed.
19 Sept: Cusco (Hostel accommodation in Cusco, Trek Meals and eat in local restaurant) With journey’s end in sight, we have a day in Cusco to wind down and prepare for the big trip home. Cusco is THE place for handcraft shopping which should satisfy any last minute whims from even the most hardened retail therapist! No doubt we’ll take full advantage of Cusco’s lively night scene to finish the Trek in style.
20 Sept: Fly Cusco to Lima, Fly Lima to London We take a morning flight to Lima and can make a visit from the airport to a beach side suburb for lunch before returning to catch the overnight international flight back to UK.
21 Sept: Arrive UK
