highlight: as good as the "world's most dangerous road" from la paz to coroico in bolivia - except a lot less touristed!

description: An exciting bicycle trip from the mountains of Pisac to the jungle of Pilcopata... and beyond. We visit the Cock of the Rock, Peru's national bird, a native village and truly the experience the rainforest of Peru -as it really is.

location: starting point about 3 hours drive from cusco, above pisac in the sacred valley

duration: 5days/ 5nights level:  Difficult

departs: any day with two people.

Full itinerary & Inclusions

Prices

Mountains to Manu full itinerary

Day 1: 6am pickup from hotel in Cusco, and transfer to Pisac bus station. We'll travel to Pisac and then take a private taxi to the Abra, stopping for a break in the village of Chaywatiri where the locals will explain their natural dying techniques, and show us some of their works in progress. To see pictures, please click here. We also have the opportunity to buy (usually off blankets on the ground in a very informal atmosphere) goods from the person who made it. (Prices range from 25 soles for a scarf to 500 soles for a blanket). These are good quality products.

From the Abra it's all downhill as we pass through interesting high Andes villages. We stop for lunch in Colquepata (or before) and might look at the colonial church, if it is open. From here, it's 26 kilometres more of exhilarating downhill through eucalypt plantations and alongside a roaring canyon. We arrive in the charming village of Paucartambo, famous for its devotions to the Virgen of Carmen, who we will visit. Accommodation: Basic Hostel

Please note: In May, June and July we will change the itinerary in order to camp at Tres Cruces (13km from Acjanaco) and rise at dawn to see the specactular sunrise and optical illusions.

Day 2 : You can have a sleep in, or can enjoy the colonial ambience of Paucartambo with its cobbled streets, whitewashed houses and people in traditional dress. About 10am we head towards what locals call "The Valley" - that is, the huge expanse down from the mountains that is Manu National Park. We may take a bone shattering truck or other form of transport to Acjanaco (3530metres), the start of the National Park. It is 3 to 5 hours downhill, depending on conditions and your ability to ride. We'll stop for lunch on the way and also at various pretty waterfalls. We will either visit the dancing Cock of the Rock (Gallito de las Rocas) Peru's National Bird this afternoon, or early in the morning. Accommodation: Camping San Pedro

Day 3: We will get an early start - either to visit the Cock of the Rock, or to head downhill. It is four hours to Pilcopata, firstly through evermore lush rainforest and then onto flat grasslands. We'll lunch in Pilcopata and then visit the community of Villacarmen that have an interesting collection of native animals. From here, its two hours uphill, much of it rocky, steep and washed out until we arrive at the native Huancari village of Huacaria. We'll camp at the community organised campsite with a lovely river in which we can swim Accommodation: Camping Huacaria

Day 4: We can buy some souvenirs from the village folk before heading back to Pilcopata - a hone hour rough, but pulse racing downhill ride. After a break in Pilcopata, we'll continue to Atalaya, the tourist port, a gently sloping uphill and downhill 2-hour ride with beautiful views. After lunch we will take a traditional "peek peke" boat up the Alto Madre de Dios River to our camping spot on the beach. In the evening we will visit a lagoon to try to observe caiman and other night animals. Accommodation: Camping on the beach

Day 5: We'll rise early to visit a clay lick and see the associated bird life feeding there. From here we will visit a jungle lodge to hike on their trails and take a close look at the wonders of the jungle. We'll return to Atalaya and then to Pilcopata and then take a bus back to Cusco, arriving in the early hours of the dawn on Day 6.

Itinerary Notes

• The times cited in this itinerary are approximate. Walking times depend on the group and the guide can change lunch spots and campsites, depending on the progress of the group. Each guide has their own preferred route and it might not correspond exactly to the route described here.
• This is an adventurous trip. You should be sure to bring an open mind, flexibility and a sense of humor. Most of all you should be prepared to go with the flow.
• This region is not frequently visited by tourists, therefore tourist infrastructure is limited. This tour incorporates public transport, and use of local facilities. Visitors should be aware that things change, or may not go to plan. This is all part of the adventure!

Included:

• All Transport
• While camping, 3 good and nutritious meals per day made by experienced cook. Optional meals for vegetarians.
• Camping equipment includes tents, mattresses, and kitchen equipment.
• Guide
• Cook
• Modern bicycles with helmets
• First-Aid kit.
• Entry to the Cock of the Rock Viewing Lek
• Entry to the community of Huacaria

• Snacks or high energy trekking food
• Drinking water.
• Breakfast Day 1/ Dinner Day 5

• Sleeping bag
• Changes of clothes for cool weather on the mountain passes and hot, humid weather in the jungle
• Flashlight with extra batteries
• Good trekking footwear and socks
• Sandals
• Plastic poncho, as well as other suitable rain protection
• Special medication
• Any special or high energy snacks that you might wish on the trail,
• Swim-suit & towel
• Water bottle and purifying tablets
• Toilet paper
• Binoculars (if you have them)
• Mosquito repellent
• Sun block and sunhat
• Extra rolls of film or well charged batteries for your digital camera.

• Due to limited return transport from Pilcopata, this tour only departs on MONDAY, THURSDAY or SATURAY.
• You can do this tour in four days, eliminating the first day. However, this first day is a little travelled and different route. The tour will be $20 cheaper without this day.
• You need to have a fair amount of physical fitness to do this trip. We have no support vehicle if you get tired on the bikes. The route is not so much physically demanding in terms of pedalling but the condition of the road that is quite jarring on the upper body.

To read the story of this adventure (and see more photos) check out To the end of the Road.

We offer affordably priced tours for two people so that you can depart on most days. If you are travelling alone, you can still depart on this tour, any day.

For our payment conditions and booking please refer to our page Payment & booking

Prices 2008: Please note, due to the falling value of the US dollar we are anticipating that prices will increase. please contact us directly for the price.

APUS PERU Adventure Travel Specialists - Email: apusperu@westnet.com.au

© A.Svenson 2005. The design, content and photographs (except where noted) are 100% original. The majority of our treks were designed by Apus Peru.