Mountain Biking in Peru

If you are a mountain biker and plan on heading to Peru for some biking excitement, know that this is a sport that is still fairly new in Peru but continues to burgeon as more aficionados of the sport head to the region for a dedicated biking vacation.

More and more local mountain biking fans are attempting to make their mark on the industry. Many have taken to the backroads and have made it their job to map the trails and tracks that are suitable for riding. Previous to their organizing these written guides – which are still fairly scarce – there was nothing at all available to mountain bikers who wished to explore the Andes or other portions of Peru aboard their two-wheeled vehicles.

That said, it is necessary to remember that if you’re booking a mountain biking trip in Peru, you’ll want to find an expert to guide you; someone who is very familiar with the lay of the land and has biked the region previously. When mountain biking here for the first time, having an experienced guide on the trip with you is pretty much essential.

And because mountain biking is so new to Peru, the bikes available for rental tend to be less than ideal. Most visitors who intend to spend a lot of time on the trails opt to carry along their own bike. Bike boxes are indeed available but airlines have a variety of rules and prices in regards to toting along your bike. Check with the airlines before you make a flight reservation so you’re not disappointed. If bringing your bike is not a possibility, be prepared to spend a little more for renting one in Peru. Though mountain bikes can be rented here for as low as $5 or $10 USD each day, those models aren’t usually very reliable and would be suitable only for the easiest of excursions. Opt for spending closer to $25 or more per day for a reliable vehicle. Take a ride on the bike, test its parts, etc. before you say “yes” to the rental.

It’s essential to also remember that most of the riding here will be quite vigorous and at a higher altitude than you may be accustomed to, especially if you are intending on taking trips in the Andes region. Bikers who are experienced and in great shape can probably handle most of these rides, but novices and intermediates might want to stick to something that includes mostly a downhill trek. If you’re fairly new to the sport, look for routes that travel on dirt roads rather than on single tracks. The latter tend to be much more difficult to navigate.

Because organized mountain biking and mountain biking outfitters are fairly new to the country, before you go on a biking trip be sure that the guide has what you might need in case of an accident, including bike supplies/repair kit and a first aid kit. If you brought your own bike and it’s a fairly complicated vehicle, bring along the extras you might need in case of a problem. Because the sport is new in Peru, bike parts available for purchase are limited.

Look for some of the best mountain biking opportunities in Arequipa, where outfitters who organize hikes or mountain climbing excursions might also offer mountain biking trips. Consider a downhill volcano trip at El Misti or Chachani.

Cuzco has also become more and more popular with mountain bikers and the terrain around this ancient city is ideal for the sport. The trip from Abra de Ccorao back to Cuzco (grab a bus to the starting point), for example, is wonderfully scenic and there’s even a jump park halfway down!

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