Menu
The Cusco bike tour is the perfect activity for anyone who wants to see the most important archelogical sites of Cusco as well as sacred ceremonial sites and view points that you would not be able to do on the typical city tour.
We will meet at Plaza de Armas (around the fountain) at the designated time. The tour takes around 5 hours where we will visit four official archelogical sites (Sachsayhuaman, Tambomachay, Puka Pukara and Q’enko); as well as the sacred ceremonial site, Temple of the Moon; the view point of Cristo Blanco; and the city centre of Cusco, where the tour will end. During the tour you will pass spectacular mountain scenery that are covered in local eucalyptus trees.
From the meeting point, we will drive up to Sacsayhuaman and then to the highest point (Tambomachay 3800 m.a.s.l.) where we will start the bike tour. The route is mainly downhill,
making the effort minimum, however we do advise that you are in good physical condition and wear appropriate clothing for the tour (running shoes, sports wear, warm jacket etc.). Get ready to have a Bloody Bueno Time!
We recommend you bring:
From the meeting point we will drive up to the first archelogical site, Sacsayhuaman, where we will spend a good amount of time visiting this incredible place.
Sacsayhuaman was built by the Inca in the 15th century, particularly under Pachacuti and successors. The dry stone walls were constructed from magalithic stones in a zigzag formation, some say depicting the shape of a lightning bolt. The workers carefully cut the boulders to fit them together tightly without mortar. The site is at an altitude of 3,701 m (12,142 ft).
In 1983, Cusco and Sacsayhuamán together were designated as sites on the UNESCO World Heritage List, for international recognition and protection.
From Sacsayhuaman we will drive over to Tambomachay, our secound stop that is an Inca archaeological site consisting of a series of aqueducts, canals and waterfalls that run through the terraced rocks. The function of the site is uncertain: it may have served as a military outpost; as a spa resort for the Incan political elite or imperial baths; or as a religious site since sacred water fountains were found. There are sources that refer to Tambomachay as one of the nine ceques built along the Road of Antisuyu, describing it as an Incan house where sacrifices were also made.
At 3800 m.a.s.l. (the highest point) we will start our decent by bike to the 3rd archelogical site of Puka Pukara. This military fort is made of large walls, terraces, and staircases and was part of the defense of Cusco. The name probably comes from the red color of the rocks that can be seen at dusk. Puka Pukara is an example of military architecture that also functioned as an administrative center.
From Puka Pukara we will ride down passing beautiful mountain scenery to Temple of the Moon. No one really knows what this site was used for, but some believe that it is a ceremonial site that was built to worship the moon. The site is made up of two caves that have carvings depicting the snake, puma and condor which represent the under world, present world and spiritual world. On certain nights when there is a full moon the light from the moon lights up the cave in the most spectacular way.
Our fith stop is Q’enko, one of the largest huacas (holy places) in the Cusco Region. Many huacas were based on naturally occurring rock formations. It was believed to be a place where sacrifices and mummification took place.
Passing a forest of large eucalyptus trees we will ride down to Cristo Blanco (white Jesus) that has the best view point of Cusco and the perfect place to take a panoramic picture of this magical city.
Finally we will ride down to the city centre where our tour will end.
