In the last few months, we decided to go on an adventure that had been in our plans for a long time: a bike trip through Peru!
Over two weeks, we explored the vibrant city of Lima and the stunning Sacred Valley of the Incas, passing historic sites and breathtaking landscapes.
Our journey began in Lima, the capital of Peru, where the mix of culture, gastronomy and history welcomed us with open arms.
We cycled through the city streets, visiting iconic landmarks such as the Plaza de Armas, the Government Palace and the Cathedral of Lima.
The Miraflores and Barranco neighborhood was our favorite places, with stunning views of the Pacific Ocean and beautiful waterfront parks.
We took the opportunity to try some delicious Peruvian cuisine, including the famous ceviche and lomo saltado, which left our mouths watering.
After 3 days in Lima, we left for Incas Sacred Valley.
Our first stop was in Cusco, the ancient capital of the Inca Empire, where we stayed for 2 days to get used to the altitude of the region.
Cusco is a true open-air museum, with its cobblestone streets and colonial architecture.
We explored the Plaza de Armas, where we visited the Cusco Cathedral and the Santo Domingo church, built on the ruins of the Temple of Qorikancha.
The energy of the city is contagious, and the hospitality of the residents made us feel at home.
After 2 days cycling in Cusco we headed to Maras to visit the famous salt flats.
The ancient salt flats, located at around 3200 MT. above sea level, are made up of thousands of small pools that, when filled with salt water, create a stunning scene.
We continued our adventure towards Misminay, a small village where we would spend the night and have dinner.
In Misminay we were very well received by our hosts, with traditional music upon arrival, enormous friendlinessand delicious meals, prepared with locally produced products.
The next day, with some rain, we started cycling towards Moray, an impressive archaeological site that gives an insight into the ingenuity of the Incas in agriculture.
Moray's circular platforms were used not only for agriculture, but for agricultural experiments, in which each of the terraces provided different environments (temperature, humidity and wind) suitable for each species.
The view from this place is simply breathtaking.
Next goal was to reach Ollantaytamb!
Ollantaytambo is a samll town that preserves Inca architecture and is the starting point for the famous Machu Picchu.
Surrounded by majestic mountains, this beautiful and harmonious small city, whose name I still have difficulty pronouncing, has an impressive archaeological complex.
We climbed the stone stairs to the top of the fortress, from where we enjoyed the panoramic view of the valley and the ruins.
The feeling we have at that top is indescribable.
Last Stop - Machu Picchu!
After a good night's sleep in a nice hotel, it was time to head to our last stop in Peru – the famous Machu Picchu.
Fortunately, or unfortunately, there is still no road to reach this famous icon of Inca culture, so there are only 2 alternatives – on foot along the old Inca Trail (4 days) and/or by train, which takes about 2 hours.
As we didn't have enough days available, we had to choose to do this stretch on the famous blue train to Agua Calientes, the final departure point for Machu Picchu.
Even so, the trail to Machu Picchu is challenging, but the reward is immeasurable.
Upon arrival, we were greeted by a spectacular view of the ruins surrounded by mountains.
Afterwards, in the company of an excellent guide, we spent hours exploring the ruins, learning about Inca cultureand taking dozens of photos to immortalize that magical moment.
At the end of two weeks, we returned home with our hearts full of memories and the certainty that this bike trip through Peru was one of the best experiences of our lives.
The country is a must-see destination for adventure and nature lovers, and we can’t wait to come back and explore even more!
We would like to thank:
Gogo Biking - Lima
Bike Tours Cusco – Cusco
RB Tours – Ollantaytambo
