Lake Titicaca to Machu Picchu Mountain Bike Tour

Starting out on the shores of Lake Titicaca, this exceptional mountain biking expedition traverses a rarely visited part of Peru, following little-used dirt roads across the High Andes and passing thr

The mountain bike holiday culminates in a trip to visit the amazing lost city of the Incas, Machu Picchu. Before setting out on our bikes, we spend time acclimatising and exploring at Lake Titicaca, with an exhilarating boat trip out to the floating read islands of the Uros people. Over the last few years, our local mountain biking agent has carefully researched this entirely new route and the two KE departures in 2010 will be the first ever-biking groups to ride this route in its entirety. To avoid busy main roads, we have chosen to ride dirt roads and tracks, leading to forgotten villages, charming colonial towns, picturesque lakes and high windswept passes. Much of our Peru bike holiday is on the �Altiplano', a high plain where we encounter Llamas, amazing rock formations and the very rare puya raimondii, with its 10 metre-high flower spike. On our cycling journey, we'll also have a chance to interact with local riders for whom bikes are the preferred form of transport. 2010 is the year to be part of the first mountain biking adventure holiday of what is set to become and Andean cycling classic.

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Itinerary / Highlights

Day 1: Rendezvous at group hotel in Lima. Complimentary airport transfers are provided between 7am - 12 midnight. KE group package services begins with overnight accommodation at our Lima hotel.

Day 2: An early morning transfer back to the airport to board the first flight along the Andes to Juliaca where you will be met by your guide and transferred to our hotel in Puno near the shores of Lake Titicaca. Today is for acclimatisation to the rarefied air of the Andean Altiplano (3800m). Drink plenty of liquids and take it easy. In the afternoon we can explore Puno and its environs.

Day 3: Today, another acclimatisation day, we board our motor boat launch on Lake Titicaca for a fascinating visit to the floating islands of the Uros Indians before continuing on to the small community of Llachon where we stay with local families in a new community based project. We will have time to assemble our bikes and maybe hire a kayak or take a fishing trip on Lake Titicaca.

Day 4: Being more acclimatised to the altitude we set off our on first ride in this terrific country along the shores of Lake Titicaca to the bustling commercial centre of Juliaca. We quickly escape the madness of Juliaca and head out on a good tarmac road to the picturesque colonial city of Lampa, where set up our first camp outside the town. Altitude at camp 3800m. Distance approx. 60km/37miles.

Day 5: We follow a rarely used dirt road on a gentle ascent to lunch at the small Andean village of Trapiche de Palca, From here we start a gradual climb of approx 12 kms to our camp near the lake of VilaVila (3950m) below a high pass. Total distance approx 55km / 34miles.

Day 6: We have a 400m climb to the top of the pass at 4500 metres. Then its down for 600 metres through the incredible Canon de Tinajani with its weird and exotic rock formations. We camp nearby the canyon and swap our bikes for walking boots and explore the canyon. Approx ride distance 52km/31miles.

Day 7: Today is mainly a flat day of riding as we continue our journey on some dirt tracks through the spectacular Altiplano. We pass the small villages of Humachiric and Llalli. We have some opportunity today to take a little side tracks onto singletrack. Overnight at Grupo's Inca's Alpaca breeding station at Pacomarca in a small hacienda. Approx ride distance 52km/31miles

Day 8: Now we are acclimatised we have our first big day of classic Andean riding. We pass the villages of Llalli and Macari along dirt tracks undulating through the Peruvian country. After lunch we climb up to the Layo pass at 4500m. From the pass it's an awesome descent to the shores of Lake Langui where we camp. Approx ride distance 85km/52miles.

Day 9: Leaving Lake Langui, we climb up and over a ridge towards the town of Yanaoca. We then continue on dirt tracks awesome 20km downhill into Urubamba and to the town of Rachi, home to some impressive Inca ruins. On tarmac now we blast towards to Sacred Valley adn camp near the village of Cusipata. Ride distance approx. 85km / 52miles

Day 10: Mainly on tarmac today we really cover some ground as we follow the Rio Urubamba as it heads towards Machu Picchu. At Urcos we head up a valley towards Cusco. Cusco boasts amazing culture, history, fine dinning and some fantastic shops for souvenirs. Overnight Cusco hotel. Ride distance approx. 85km / 52miles.

Day 11: Today is possibly the best one-day bike ride in Peru. We cross the Chinchero plain and ride into the Sacred Valley, and onto the incredible Inca ruins of Moray. From here down to Maras and then the descent of a lifetime to the amazing salt-pans and the Urubamba River from were we transfer to Ollantaytambo. Ride distance approx. 45 or 65 km/miles. Overnight in a hostal.

Day 12: After breakfast we take the train up to the fabled Inca site at Machu Picchu. We have a guided tour plus time for independent sightseeing. Returning to Aguas Calientes we board the afternoon train back to the Sacred Valley and from there transfer to our Cusco hotel. Those of us with energy to spare will want to explore Cusco's excellent nightlife.

Day 13: KE group package services end after breakfast with a late morning flight to Lima, which arrives in time for most onward International flights.