We were invited to make this trip by our partners of Mountain lodges of Peru www.mountainlodgesofperu.com at the end of the 2008 season. It was the opportunity we were looking for to explore this remote area near Machu Picchu. We were a group of 7, 4 invited and 3 local guides.

We start the trip from Cusco early in the morning. A couple of coffee cups and something to eat was enough to leave towards the mountains. Our plans were to go with the van straight to Mollepata to start with the tour but when we saw that we were descending thousands of feets with the van, we stopped the van and we start riding our bikes downhill. A quick search took us to an amazing trail that was partially covered by vegetation but was good enough to reach the bottom faster than the van! We rode an ancient Inca trail! Once in Limatambo, we noticed we were riding an Inca trail. Near the village, the trail was wide enough that is used as a normal street where cars goes from one side to the other.

Another shuttle this day and we reached the village of Soraypampa, where our first lodge was awaiting for us.

The second day we stayed on the same place exploring the area and riding other trails. The scenery with the Humantay and Salkantay mountains makes you want to stay for more days! The third day we had to leave and cross the mountain pass at 4,644 meters (15,236 ft.). It took us three hours of hiking to the top.

From the top everything was peaceful. The Salkantay mountain was in front of us, the jungle on one side and the Andes to the other side. It was one of the best places I have ever been! The trail looks better on the other way, the way we are going to ride! We wait a couple of minutes until the horses reach the top with our bikes. We checked that everything is working good and we start descending to the jungle! Around of 4,000 meters of vertical descend awaits for us, we were very cautious of this!

This was probably the best downhill I have ever made in my life! Riding 4,000 meters of singletrack down to the Amazon jungle is mind blowing! Lot's of different weathers and ecological zones, from dry and cold at the top to humid and hot at the bottom!

We end in Santa Teresa, close to Machu Picchu on the Urubamba River. We were fascinated of what we have made. The ride of our lives! see more pictures here

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