Cycle Peru to Machu Picchu

It's no secret that we love cycling and many of us at HQ think it's the best way to see a country, however, we realise that organising your own trip can be a total faff. On our cycling trips, we've found a local guide who has put together a perfect route and will navigate for you all the way. We even send a van that transports your overnight luggage and provide high-quality bikes and delicious snacks to keep you going. Faff eliminated! All you have to do is turn up, pedal and take in the landscape with your fellow tourers. You don't need to be a lycra-clad 'roadie' although everyone is welcome!

You'll be riding double-suspension Specialized Cambers bikes. These are light double suspension aluminum mountain bikes - perfect for a comfortable ride on the tracks and on the paved sections. They all come with standard flat pedals and male/standard saddles. If you would rather pack your own saddle and pedals (including SPD's), please do and these will be fitted for you.

You will be provided with filtered water throughout so there is no need to purchase any single-use plastic water bottles. Bring 2 x reusable bottles instead, they will be well used.

The Peruvian Andes are high, no denying it. Spectacular but high. Cusco sits at 3399m so you'll be sure to feel the altitude when arriving - your host advises to not drink alcohol immediately and to walk slowly to get used to the change. As you will be spending the first two nights of the trip in Cusco there will be enough time to acclimatise before getting higher. The highest pass you will reach is 4425m but you'll be cycling downhill from here so will gradually enjoy more oxygen in your lungs. Your guides are all used to working with people at altitude so will advise you further when you arrive.

Tips are not included in the trip cost. These are entirely at your discretion but there is an expectation to tip for good service. The number of support staff varies depending on how many cyclists are in your group (5 support staff for a group of 4 cyclists, up to 8 support staff for a group of 13 cyclists), which of course impacts the suggested amount of tips. We suggest that you budget approx $80-$120 in tips for your trip - this will ensure all of the support staff (the team of guides, cooks and drivers) will have a share of tips at the end of the trip regardless of the group size on the trip. Your guide will assist with tips at the end of the trip.

Sure thing - you can leave any extra gear at the host's base in Cusco or at the guesthouse you will be staying at pre and post cycling.

Customer safety is our top priority - we monitor the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office - FCDO travel advice and keep in regular contact with our host partner in Peru for the latest updates on the ground. Politically motivated protests are not uncommon in Peru and these can lead to some disruption to transport links and occasionally the closure of sites. As of 14 February protests are ongoing in Peru but Machu Picchu (which had been closed in response) has now reopened to visitors. Based on the advice of our local hosts we anticipate that the situation will settle down in the coming weeks and expect to operate the 2023 season from May onwards as planned. In the unlikely event that we have to cancel your holiday in response to a change in FCDO travel advice or disruption, you will be offered the option of a full refund for your MBA booking.

Owing to the nature of this trip, it is essential that your personal travel insurance policy provides cover to the maximum altitude visited on this trip (4425m).

Sure can! Over 70% of our travellers travel solo, it’s a great way to meet like-minded people.

Our team of Adventure Hunters co-create exclusive adventures which are run by highly vetted, specialist hosts. The trip is run by our trusted host partner in the destination. We only work with independent, local, in-destination experts who know the very best places to explore and how to stay safe. Read more information about the local teams we partner with. You’ll be introduced to the host straight after making a booking via the Much Better Adventures platform.

Much Better Adventures refer to the UK Government’s official travel advice when designing trips and monitoring trip operations. We recommend that all customers review the practical information available on the UK Government’s FCDO website, where you can find up-to-date advice by searching for your destination(s).

If you are based in the United States, you can also check the latest travel advisories from the U.S. Department of State.

For customers joining from other international locations, we recommend checking the official travel advice issued by your country of residence, as guidance may vary.

We recommend checking out the country-specific information and also talking to a travel nurse.

We automatically convert prices from the local currency that a host receives to your chosen currency. We update our exchange rates daily, so prices displayed on the site are subject to currency fluctuations, which is why you may see them change over time.

If you wish to change the currency you pay in, head to the bottom of the page.

All of our group adventures are specially designed for adults to enjoy as we want these adventures to bring together outdoorsy people who are truly like-minded. You must be over 18 to join one of our trips.

You're always in good company on one of our adventures.

Our trips typically consist of a mix of solo travelers and small groups of 2 or 3 friends, with most in their 30s-50s.

Our sociable adventures are solo-friendly by design and naturally attract outdoorsy people with a shared mindset; a love for adventure, a desire to push themselves, and meet awesome, like-minded people along the way.

It’s this camaraderie that has so often turned a great adventure into a life-changing one.

Don't just take our word for it:

• 95% of people rate the group dynamics on our trips 5/5
• 90% of people recommend joining a trip to make new friends
• 75% of people have met people on our trips that they would now consider friends

See here for more info about the Much Better Adventures tribe.