Craving an adrenaline-fueled journey that breaks away from standard bus tours? The Mountain Bike Tour to Machu Picchu 3-Day Excursion is a dynamic adventure designed by Inca Trail Hikes Peru for active travelers who want to experience the Sacred Valley through a mix of cycling and historical exploration. This itinerary balances classic archaeological wonders with an exhilarating 42-kilometer gravity-fed bike ride through remote Andean landscapes.
Over three action-packed days, you will watch the landscapes of Peru transform. You’ll trace the sweeping agricultural terraces of Pisac, descend past the geometric salt pans of Maras, and cycle down from high mountain passes into ancient living stone villages. By blending active cycling routes with a comprehensive guided exploration of the Machu Picchu sanctuary, this tour offers an active, deeply immersive way to discover the living legacy of the Incas.
3399 m.s.n.m
Up to 8
Group or private
Biking, Hiking
Moderate
3 days / 2 nights
Our multi-sport itinerary flows smoothly across natural phases, giving you clear expectations for your trip without a rigid, stressful timeline:
Your tour begins with a 07:00 AM pickup directly from your Cusco hotel lobby. Traveling in our private support van, we drive down the sweeping ridges of the valley to an authentic regional farm. Here, you’ll have the opportunity to pet and feed native alpacas, llamas, and rare vicuñas. Local weavers will demonstrate their traditional, organic dyeing process, showcasing how they extract vibrant colors from native plants and minerals to create intricate handmade textiles.
Next, we stop at the Toray Mirador for panoramic views of the Urubamba River snaking across the valley floor before climbing to the spectacular archaeological complex of Pisac. Your guide will show you through the massive agricultural terraces, imperial living quarters, and cliffside granaries. You’ll also view the region’s largest Incan cemetery, where thousands of ancient burial niches line the steep mountain walls.
After a delicious lunch in the bustling valley town of Urubamba, we continue to the shimmering Pre-Inca Salt Mines of Maras. Here, over 3,000 terraced mud pans cascade down the canyon walls, hand-harvested continuously by local families for centuries. We then visit the concentric terraced amphitheaters of Moray, an advanced agricultural laboratory used to test crop cultivation across varied micro-climates. We wrap up our day in the living stone town of Ollantaytambo, checking into your lodge to rest up for tomorrow’s cycling adventure.
After breakfast, we head directly into the monumental fortress of Ollantaytambo. This site marks the location of one of the few major battles where the Incas successfully repelled the Spanish conquistadors. Your guide will walk you through the monumental Temple of the Sun, explaining the history of the giant, half-carved pink granite boulders scattered across the terraces, abandoned in mid-construction as the war unfolded.
Following the ruins tour, we board our private van and ascend past remote Quechua-speaking hamlets to the high plains of the Patacancha Pass. After a comprehensive safety briefing, bike-fitting session, and an introduction to bike handling techniques, you’ll put on your helmet and pads to begin an epic 42-kilometer downhill ride. The route winds through striking mountain landscapes and small rural farmlands, tracing a scenic path back down to Ollantaytambo.
Our support van follows the cycling group the entire way to ensure absolute peace of mind. By mid-afternoon, we roll back into Ollantaytambo, turn in our riding gear, and walk to the adjacent station to board the Expedition train. The 90-minute rail journey follows the roaring Urubamba River canyon down into the lush, subtropical cloud forest of Aguas Calientes, where a comfortable hotel room awaits.
The grand finale of your journey begins early. Following breakfast at your hotel, we board the official morning sanctuary shuttle bus alongside your guide. The vehicle climbs the winding mountain switchbacks for 30 minutes, arriving at the main gates of Machu Picchu just as the morning light breaks across the stone plazas.
Step past the checkpoint and enter the lost citadel for an immersive 2-hour private tour through its core architectural sectors. You’ll walk the paths of Incan royalty, marvel at the precision masonry of the Temple of the Sun, and explore the central agricultural terraces. Our small group size ensures a highly personalized pace with plenty of open windows to take iconic panoramic photos near the Guardian’s House.
Optional Extension: For an extra physical challenge, you can opt to secure a specialized hiking permit to climb the steep summits of Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain immediately following your main tour. These must be requested at the time of booking.
After taking in the ruins, you will descend via shuttle bus back to Aguas Calientes town to enjoy a relaxed box lunch and explore the local artisan markets. In the afternoon, you will board the return train to Ollantaytambo or Poroy station. Upon arrival, our private van and driver will be waiting on the platform to provide a direct transfer back to your Cusco hotel doorstep, arriving in the evening.
Included
Not Included
Our Mountain Bike Tour to Machu Picchu departs daily on any calendar date that matches your travel plans, requiring a minimum of just 2 travelers to guarantee a departure.
We pass age and student entry-fee reductions straight to your booking to maintain excellent value:
If there are at least 6 people in your group, you will automatically get either a $30 per person group discount or a free separate Sacred Valley day tour for your team.
Please note that this specific multi-person incentive applies to our signature adventure trips (such as the Classic Inca Trail, Salkantay, Choquequirao, Lares, and Inca Jungle trails) and does not apply to standalone private treks.
First, to book your Machu Picchu tour, we need you to fill out our booking form by clicking on BOOK NOW on our homepage or clicking the link BOOK NOW.
Please be ready with the following information from each participant in your group as we cannot purchase an entrance to Machu Picchu or the train tickets without this details:
Yes. During your 3-day mountain bike tour, your large suitcases can be stored securely at our central Cusco office or directly at your hotel completely free of charge. We simply ask that you pack your day-to-day clothing layers, toiletries, original passport, and essential electronics inside a 20 to 30-liter daypack for the actual tour.
Your remaining tour balance is ideally paid in cash (either in US dollars or Peruvian Soles) directly at our central office in Cusco during your pre-tour briefing. There are several secure ATMs located around the historical center of the city. If you prefer to settle your final balance online using Visa or PayPal, please note that these external processors enforce a standard credit card transaction fee.
You will receive a completely seamless welcome. A representative from our team will meet you right inside the arrivals terminal at the Cusco airport, holding a prominent orange welcome board with INCA TRAIL HIKE printed on it. Our driver will handle your bags and transfer you safely to your hotel in a private support vehicle.
Your vital orientation briefing takes place on the evening immediately prior to your day-one departure. Your professional guide will meet you directly in your Cusco hotel lobby to hand over your physical train tickets, map out your morning pickup timeline, check your riding gear sizes, and answer any last-minute logistical questions.
No, unfortunately not. The Peruvian government and regional rail networks enforce a strict, zero-tolerance policy regarding modifications. Once your booking deposit is processed, your entry slot and train tickets are finalized instantly under your specific passport number and cannot be rescheduled or transferred under any circumstances.
Yes, absolutely. Digital scans, phone photos, or physical photocopies are strictly rejected at the official checkpoints and train platforms. You must carry your original, physical passport with you across all three days of the tour so checkpoint authorities can manually verify your details against your printed passes.
This tour travels rapidly through distinct Andean micro-climates. The high mountain passes where we launch our bikes experience crisp, sunny days with cold mountain winds. The Sacred Valley sections are temperate and warm, while the cloud forest surrounding Aguas Calientes and Machu Picchu is highly humid, warm, and prone to sudden tropical rain showers year-round.
Yes. Our transit service is completely seamless and door-to-door. When your return train arrives at the station on evening three, our private support vehicle and driver will be waiting directly on the platform to transfer you safely back to your Cusco hotel doorstep.
Altitude sickness (soroche) is a very common reaction to the high elevations of the Andes. We strongly recommend spending at least two days resting in Cusco (3,400 meters) before your tour begins. While on the bike trail, our support van is always behind you, allowing you to ride at your own pace or rest whenever needed. Drink plenty of water and eat light meals.
Please pack these essential items inside a lightweight, waterproof 20 to 30-liter daypack:
Descending from the high alpine zones down to the valley floor involves a drop in elevation across a variety of road surfaces. While the ride is entirely gravity-fed and does not require intense uphill pedaling, maintaining proper bike control is key to a smooth trip.
Our safety protocols on Day 2 include a dedicated support vehicle that tracks the cycling group at a safe distance over the entire 42-kilometer mountain loop.
The rapid transition from the high-altitude pass down into the Sacred Valley offers incredible photography opportunities, but carrying camera gear safely while riding requires some planning.
We couldn't make this impact without our partners. Join us in changing lives.
