Lares – Quillabamba 5 Days/4 Nights
We invite you to go on an unforgettable journey, starting by the Lares Mountain Pass, at 4,470 m.a.s.l., and passing by the Yanatile Valley, to get to the city of Quillabamba, at 1,050 m. of altitude. This trip clearly shows us this region´s great ecological and landscapes´ richness, the main attractions of which are the Thermo-Medicinal Baths of Lares, along with over 3,300 m. of incline, on a 250 km. total ride, across the most varied landscapes, from the mountains, to the Amazon´s tropical forests.
Day 1:
We´ll leave early from the city of Cusco, towards the East, to get to the enigmatic Sacred Valley of the Incas, stopping along the way, to delight over splendid landscapes, ´till we reach the locality of Calca, where we´ll change direction, to ascend from 2,900 m.a.s.l., in the fertile valley, to 4,470 m.a.s.l., at the Lares Mountian Pass, contemplating wonderful views of glaciers and landscapes in which we´ll be able to observe alpacas, chinchillas and Andean birds. The total mountain bike ride is of 30 km., with 1,250 m. of incline, in an estimated time of 4 horas. Finally, we´ll set our camp in the vicinity of the Lares Thermal Baths, where we´ll enjoy the region´s best thermo-medicinal baths.
Day 2:
Today, we´ll prepare ourselves to go on the largest downhill on our trip, from the Thermo-Medicinal Baths of Lares, at 3,200 m.a.s.l., to reach the Yanatile River Valley, at about 1,200 m. of altitude. Our ride will take us on about 70 km. of road, on an endless downhill, penetrating the cloud forest which is one of the most heaven-like places along the whole trip, to then go down towards the more fertile valleys, full of fruit, coffee plantations and other endemic products of the Andes, among which the famous coca leaf stands out.
This part of our journey will show us an incredible diversity, as far as emblematic plant species are concerned, such as orchids and helioconias, along with countless colorful and noisy birds, typical of tropical areas, flying among waterfalls and rivers that grow in size and flux, as we progress along our trip. We´ll camp in the village of Riobamba, at 1,700 m. above sea level.
Day 3:
Our adventure continues in the Yanatile Valley, with an average of 1,000 m.a.s.l., and we´ll pass by Quebrada Honda, the Province´s main locality. Then, our path will take us through the most important production area of tropical fruit, such as pineapples, papayas and mangos, along which we´ll ride on a total of 56 km., with a perfect tropical climate. On the way, we´ll see the junction of the Urubamba and Yanatile rivers, and our ride will get to its lowest point, over 800 m. of altitude, in the village called Chahuares, from which we´ll drive to Quillabamba, the City of the Eternal Summer, where we´ll spend the night.
Day 4:
Today, we´ll have an optional relaxing day, during which we´ll have the option to enjoy a free morning, or perform the downhill in the Tunquimayo Gorge, on a ride full of surprises and beautiful flowers, which is designed to prepare us for one of the most spectacular downhills in the Andes: The road that descends from the Málaga Mountain Pass, to the Sacred Valley of the Incas. We´ll also have the option of enjoying a relaxing day, at the Sambaray Resort, where we´ll have the chance to swim and enjoy the warmth of this privileged place that will reveal to us the kindness of such a fertile valley, at the edge of the Amazon.
Day 5:
This morning, we´ll start our return trip to the Sacred Valley of the Incas, driving our private vehicle uphill for an average of 4 hours, to get to the Málaga Mountain Pass, at about 4,300 m. of altitude, from which we´ll descend along an ancestral trail, on an average of 22 km., with a 1,500 m. incline, to arrive in the locality of Ollantaytambo. In the past few years, this trail has been used to organize an international competition which is a mountain biking marathon, and its peculiarity is that all competitors start at the same time, in avalanche, and this is why this competition is denominated The Mega-Avalanche, offering us a good sample of the area´s beauty and of how attractive that trail is, as it will be the final stretch of our adventure. From there, we´ll travel on our private transportation, to get to the city of Cusco.
Include
- High quality mountain bike.
- Meals as stated.
- Hotels as stated.
- Tents.
- Sleeping mats.
- Entrance fees.
- Transport.
- High quality English and Spanish speaking guides.
- Zip Lock Bags
- Biodegradable soap and shampoo.
- Ashtray tins
