TOUR STYLE

• Peru Adventure Tour
• Cultural Tour in Peru

TOUR OVERVIEW

Duration: 4d/3n

Spectacular landscapes mark this trip, which combines the heights of the Andes in Cusco with the famous Manu nature reserve in the jungle.

This program offers a great combination of sport and action when cycling, with the observation of flora and fauna in a pristine nature environment.

TOUR ITINERARY

All our programs are only suggested itineraries and can be tailored according to your requirements. Our experienced travel consultants are here to customize your trip to meet your specific interests, dates and level of comfort.

Day 01: CUSCO/PAUCARTAMBO/TRES CRUCES

Our bus takes us from Cusco, for about 2 hours, to the heights of Pisac. The cycling trip goes along a downhill dirt road with a few up hills, leading us to the Paucartambo town. On the way we observe ancient cave paintings. We rest in Paucartambo, where we enjoy a light energizing lunch. Afterwards, we continue on our bus to Ajanaco mountain pass (3600m / 11810f) Depending on how we feel at this point, we have the chance to ride our bikes again and pedal the last 14km of flat terrain to our camping site at Tres Cruces (3580m / 11745f).

Max. Elevation: 4000m / 13125f
Min. Elevation: 2980m / 9780f
Difficulty level: 3
Average riding distance: 50km
Estimated riding time: 4 hours

Day 02: TRES CRUCES/CLOUD FOREST

Today we get up before dawn to see the fabulous spectacle of the sun rise which comes up between the clouds of the forest and reaches our feet. After a restorative hot breakfast we take our bikes and start to pedal on what will be a day of down hill on dirt road. We are surprised by the extreme change in scenery as it gradually changes into the dense vegetation of the jungle. At about noon we arrive at our lodge in the cloud forest, where we enjoy a restorative shower and a great lunch. During the afternoon we can walk around the surrounding area and maybe see some of the many species of animals and plants living in the area.

Max. Elevation: 3580m / 11745f
Min. Elevation: 1500m / 4925f
Difficulty level: 3
Average riding distance: 60km
Estimated riding time: 5 hours

Day 03: CLOUD FOREST/ATALAYA

We begin our day very early with a short walk. If we are lucky we may see the cock of the rock, Peru’s national bird. After breakfast we take our bicycles and get back on the dirt road, which through a combination of descents and flat ground takes us to Atalaya. At this point we take a short boat ride to our lodge, where we take a refreshing shower. During the afternoon we can walk along the jungle paths and observe some of its incredible flora and fauna.

Max. Elevation: 1500m / 4925f
Min. Elevation: 300m / 985f
Difficulty level: 3
Average riding distance: 45km
Estimated riding time: 5 hours

Day 04: ATALAYA/CUSCO

In the morning we take the bus for the 4-hour trip to Ajanaco. From this point we ride our bikes in a descent on dirt road to Paucartambo. After lunch we continue by bus for 3 and a half hours to Cusco.

Max. Elevation: 4000m / 13125f
Min. Elevation: 2980m / 9780f
Difficulty level: 2 – 3
Average riding distance: 25km
Estimated riding time: 2 hours

WHAT TO BRING

• A backpack with a change of clothes for the whole period of the program
• Daypack to carry your personal belongings
• Comfortable clothing
• Strong footwear (biking shoes, trekking boots or sport shoes)
• Sandals or jogging shoes for a higher comfort while at camp
• Warm clothes for the night
• Rain jacket and/or poncho
• Light jacket for wind and occasional rain during the biking
• Light clothing for the jungle (light long sleeved shirts and pants)
• Sleeping bag
• Flashlight and batteries
• Camera, films
• Hat or cap to protect you from the sun, rain or cold
• Sun block
• After-sun cream or hydrating cream for face and body
• Sun glasses
• Insect repellent – minimum recommended 20% DEET – no malaria risk has been reported
• Handkerchiefs
• Toilet paper
• Snacks: biscuits, energy bars, chocolate, raw fruits, muesli, etc. Please note that we do provide a daily morning snack and our meal service is very complete and well supplied. This recommendation applies for all clients being used to a specific snack, as it may happen that it is not included in our selection
• Towel
• Swimsuit
• Non-disposable water canteen. We provide you with fresh water in order to avoid using plastic bottles
• Cash in soles and/or US$

TOUR PRICE AND INCLUSIONS

Price:

Price includes:

• Pre-departure briefing
• High quality mountain bike
• Safety equipment (helmet, biking gloves)
• Private transport from your hotel to the departure point and from the arrival point back to your hotel
• Constant private vehicle support during the bike ride
• 4WD vehicle support for groups of 5 clients or more
• Personal tents: 2 people in each 4-people-capacity tent, to allow for higher comfort and a safe keeping of backpacks
• One sleeping pad per person
• Dining tent with tables and chairs
• Kitchen tent
• Highly qualified English / Spanish speaking professional tourist guide
• Mechanic / Assistant guide (for groups of at least 3 people)
• Meals listed in the itinerary
• First aid kit
• Chef and cooking equipment
• Accommodation for all our staff
• Jungle lodge accommodation, when specified in the program

Price does not include:

• Breakfast on the first day
• Dinner on the last day
• Tips
• Extra expenses

SELECTED HOTELS

Not included. To be included upon request.

It is the capital city of the Province of Angaraes. The climate is temperate, and it is known for its lovely countryside as well as its cultural and archeological heritage. In the neighborhood of Pueblo Viejo, the traditional structure and Colonial style buildings are still preserved.

HUAPA HOT SPRINGS

This possesses a comfortable temperature and offers the visitor a normal sized swimming pool. Its curative waters are basically composed of sulfur and iron.

OCOPA

A lively place of green countryside that is located on the banks of the Lircay River. You can visit the fish farm, the hanging bridge, the plantation house, its fields, and the milk production plant.

PUBLIC CEMETERY

Located at the main gate in the city of Lircay very close to the Lircay Police Station. Here are the mausoleums of the most important ranchers of the seventeenth century in good state of preservation.

TROUT PRODUCTION CENTER

Located in the neighbourhood of Pueblo Nuevo close to the Perseverancia Recreational Center on the banks of the Sicra River. It is the second largest production center for trout, eggs, and alevins in the country. Here, trout for exportation are raised.

HUAYLLAY GRANDE

This is a typical Colonial period Andean town. Its streets are cobbled and a stone canal bringing water runs through its center. Its main square is surrounded by Colonial entrances and arches and at the western edge is a lovely church with one tower and in whose interior is the effigy of the Señor de Huayllay.

Siku (Quechua: antara, Aymara: siku, also “Sicu,” “Sicus,” “Zampolla” or Spanish zampoña), is a traditional Andean panpipe. This instrument is the main instrument used in a musical genre known as the Sikuri. It is traditionally found all across the Andes but is more typically associated with music from the Kollasuyo, or Aymara speaking regions around Lake Titicaca.

Historically because of the complicated mountain geography of the region, and due to other factors, in some regions each community would develop its own type of siku, with its own special tuning, shape and size. Additionally each community developed its own style of playing. Today the siku has been standardized to fit in with modern western forms of music and has been transported from its traditional roots.

Sikus are typically made from bamboo shoots, but have also been made from Condor feathers, bone, and many other materials. Additionally, different types of bamboo are employed to change the quality of the sound. Songo, or shallow-walled bamboo, gives a louder, more resonant sound than regular deep-walled bamboo, but is less common due to its fragility.

Siku is split across two rows of pipes. One must alternate rows with every note in order to play a complete scale. Traditionally, two musicians were required to play the siku, each one taking one row of the instrument. One part of instrument is called ira, another arka. It is considered that spiritually ira corresponds to male principle and arka to female. When many musicians divide in two parts, first playing ira and second playing arka, this gives Andean music a distinctive stereophonic sound. Hear example.

Now it is more common to see one musician playing both rows of the instrument together, but rustic ensembles retain traditional playing.

SIKURI DANCE

The martial rhythm of the dance of the sikuris originated in the southern highland plain known as the altiplano. It is danced in large groups, forming troupes who join together in large circles around musicians playing zampoña pan-pipes of varying sizes.

The choreography of the dance is symbolic of the complementary nature and harmonious relationship that human integration should involve, as one group of flautists can only play half the notes, which means the other group is indispensable to complete the melody.