Bicycle through the Sacred Valley of the Incas
The Sacred Valley of the Incas has a perfect geography for cycling. In addition to the incredible landscapes that are appreciated, on the route you can visit famous tourist attractions such as Pisac, Ollantaytambo, Maras, Moray and more. The bike tour can be done with a tour or on your own, although the first option is preferred by tourists.
- The territory of the Sacred Valley of the Incas
- Cycling in the Sacred Valley
- Cycling routes map
- Route through Maras and Moray
- Route through Pisac, Urubamba and Ollantaytambo
- Route through the Malaga pass
- Some advices
- Image gallery
Cycling in the Sacred Valley of the Incas
The territory of the Sacred Valley of the Incas
The Sacred Valley of the Incas is an area of Cusco where the Incas built many of their temples and citadels, such as: Pisac, Ollantaytambo or Chinchero .
This fertile valley is full of farm fields, rivers, mountains and snow-capped mountains. The landscapes that can be seen there were highly appreciated by the Incas who inhabited the current towns of Calca, Yucay, Urubamba, Maras and Moray.
Currently, the valley is visited by many tourists around the world . Most do it for the Inca archaeological sites. However, there are also visitors who take advantage of its mountainous geography to do adventure sports such as cycling.
Cycling in the Sacred Valley
Mountain biking is widely practiced in the geography of Cusco. The high mountains are a challenge for people who like this sport. The dizzying descents are an incredible experience. In addition, during the routes, you can visit historical Inca archaeological sites.
The area made up of the Sacred Valley of the Incas is preferred by tourists. The reason? The mountainous geography, the beautiful landscapes and the archaeological sites that are visited. There are three routes that are preferred by visitors and that can be done with a tourism agency: a) the route through Maras and Moray, b) the route through Pisac, Urubamba and Ollantaytambo and c) the route through the Malaga pass .
Map of cycling routes in the Sacred Valley
Sacred Valley cycling map
Route through Maras and Moray
The bicycle tours through Maras and Moray begin with a trip in tourist transport to the town of Cruzpata, near the town of Chinchero (distance of 30 kilometers). There begins the adventure by bike on flat roads surrounded by fields and mountains such as the Chicón and Verónica mountains.
The distance traveled is approximately 30 kilometers. It is an adventure of moderate difficulty that is rewarded by visiting Maras and Moray. This same route can also be done by ATV (ATV tour through Maras and Moray).
- Cost of the 1-day tour: 80 USD (approximately).
- Difficulty: Challenging.
- Places to visit: Town of Maras, Salineras de Maras and circular platforms of Moray.
- Additional information: There are also similar tours but in ATV.
Route through Pisac, Urubamba and Ollantaytambo
The archaeological sites of Pisac and Ollantaytambo are two of the most visited tourist attractions in the Sacred Valley of the Incas.
The classic 1-day tours through the Sacred Valley visit: Pisac, Urubamba, Ollantaytambo and Chinchero. The bicycle route only visits Pisac and Ollantaytambo (it goes through the towns of Calca and Urubamba). This route is approximately 58 kilometers on paved roads.
This route can also be done on your own. For this you must have (or rent) a good bicycle that includes a helmet, gloves and other utensils. To visit the archaeological sites you must buy the ‘Cusco Tourist Ticket’ whose cost is 70 Peruvian soles (includes entrance to Pisac, Ollantaytambo, Chinchero and Moray).
- Cost of the 1-day tour: 120 USD (approximately).
- Difficulty: Challenging.
- Places to visit: Pisac and Ollantaytambo.
- Additional information: Tours include lunch in Urubamba.
Route through the Malaga pass
The Malaga pass is one of the highest points of the Sacred Valley of the Incas. It is located 4,400 meters above sea level. It is located 104 kilometers from the city of Cusco, on the natural border between the Andean mountains and the jungle region of Cusco.
From the Abra Málaga an incredible descent by road bike takes place. The distance of this route is approximately 40 kilometers. This route is fascinating since it is in constant descent (easy level).
Tours offer everything you need for this adventure. Some people also decide to do it on their own. For this they must have a good bicycle and hire a transport to the Malaga pass. Some visitors even decide to go cycling into the jungle of Cusco.
The famous tour from the ‘Inca Jungle’ to Machu Picchu includes the adventure by bike through the Malaga pass . This service also offers hiking, canoeing and other adventure sports on your way to the wonder of the world.
- Cost of the 1-day tour: 80 USD (approximately).
- Difficulty: Easy.
- Places to visit: Ollantaytambo and Abra Málaga.
- Additional information: From the Malaga pass you can also descend by bicycle towards the jungle of Cusco.
Some advices
In the Sacred Valley of the Incas you can also practice other adventure sports such as: canoeing, zip-lining, paragliding, rock climbing and, above all, hiking .
The entire Sacred Valley of the Incas can be visited by bicycle without the need for a tour. However, for a safer and risk-free adventure, it is best to hire a tourism agency.
If you are looking for a bicycle tour through the Sacred Valley of the Incas, verify that it is a formal tourism agency. In the tourism forums online (for example TripAdvisor) you can read recommendations or criticisms of the various tourism agencies in Cusco.
Images Cycling in the Sacred Valley
By Ticket Machu Picchu – Last updated, June 8, 2021