What Makes This Sacred Valley Ride So Special
We built this itinerary specifically for travelers who want to stay active while acclimatizing before heading to Machu Picchu. Riding through the high altitude plains gives you a completely different perspective of how the ancient Incas lived and farmed. For those who prefer a motorized thrill we also offer an incredibly popular quad bike tour cusco option covering the exact same stunning geographical area.
The half day Sacred Valley Bike Tour popularly known as Maras Moray Bike Tour is a high altitude mountain bike tour to the two prominent sites of the Sacred Valley of the Incas.
Accompanied by a professional English speaking local tour guide, you will be biking on the dirt roads of the valley. Maras Moray Bike Tour gives you a chance to immerse yourself in the pristine views of the Andean Landscapes.
Both Inca Ruins, Salt Mines of Maras and Farming Terraces of Moray played a ital role during the Inca civilization.
Maras Salt Flats have been in use since Pre Inca times. It has been passed down in the line of succession. Farmers here continue to practise the traditional salt farming method as their ancestors.
They let in the natural spring water into the geometric shaped salt puddles and wait for it to evaporate. It then leaves behind crystals of salt which they scrape out manually.
The circular farming terraces of Moray are quite distinct. It has different levels dug into the ground. Each of these levels have different temperature zones. The Incas used it to experiment the growth conditions of crops.
Thanks to this, Peru now produces over 800 different varieties of potatoes among other crops.
The tour is ideal while you are acclimatising in the altitude of Cusco before your trip to Machu Picchu.
Highlights of Your Two Wheel Adventure
- The Moray Agricultural Terraces Ride right up to the massive circular farming rings where ancient Incas experimented with different crop temperatures
- The Maras Salt Mines Look down over thousands of geometric salt pools that have been actively harvested by local families since pre Inca times
- Epic Downhill Cruising Enjoy miles of mostly downhill dirt roads making this bike tour downhill cusco moray flats perfect for intermediate riders
- Stunning Mountain Scenery Stop for incredible photo opportunities with the towering Veronica glacier standing proudly in the background
What is Included in Your Cusco Bike Tour
We provide top tier equipment and expert guides so you can just focus on pedaling and enjoying the massive mountain views.
- Professional Biking Guides fluent in English and fully trained in high altitude first aid and bike mechanics
- Quality Mountain Bikes featuring strong front suspension hydraulic brakes and a properly fitted safety helmet
- Private Transportation covering your pick up from your Cusco hotel the drive to the starting point and your ride back
- Support Vehicle following the group at a safe distance in case you need to rest or grab some water during the ride
- First Aid Equipment carried by your guide at all times including an emergency oxygen cylinder for altitude safety
What is Not Included
We keep our pricing totally transparent. Here are the few items you need to cover on your own.
- Tourist Ticket and Entrance Fees requiring a small cash payment to enter the Moray terraces and the Maras salt mines viewpoint
- Drinking Water and Snacks which you need to bring yourself in a small daypack to stay energized during the ride
- Tips and Gratuities which are totally optional but a fantastic way to thank your hardworking guide and driver
Crucial Packing List for Your Mountain Bike Trip
The weather in the Sacred Valley changes constantly. You will be sweating while pedaling but the wind can be freezing when you stop. Here is exactly what you need to bring.
- Original Passport carried safely in a waterproof bag since you need it to purchase your entrance tickets
- Comfortable Athletic Clothing including breathable layers and a lightweight windbreaker jacket you can easily tie around your waist
- Sun Protection like polarized sunglasses and heavy SPF 50 sunscreen to fight the aggressive high altitude solar radiation
- Small Backpack just large enough to carry your water bottle your camera and some extra cash in Peruvian Soles
- Sturdy Closed Toe Shoes providing a solid flat grip for the bike pedals ensuring you ride safely and comfortably
Pricing for Your Bike Adventure
We offer highly competitive rates while providing excellent safety gear and top notch local guides for all our cusco mountain bike tours.
Small Group Tour Fun and Social
- 2 to 3 People 160 USD Per person
- 4 or more People 150 USD Per person
- Children and students 130 USD Per person
Our shared group rides are perfect for active travelers wanting to hit the trails with fellow adventurers. We strictly limit our group sizes so the guide can keep a close eye on everyone ensuring a safe and super fun pace.
Exclusive Private Bike Tour
- 2 to 3 People 210 USD Per person
- 4 or more People 200 USD Per person
- Children and students 180 USD Per person
If you are an experienced rider who wants to go fast or a beginner who wants to take it super slow our private bike tours in cusco are the ultimate choice. This option gives you a dedicated guide and support vehicle meaning you control the speed and the photo stops.
Essential Additional Information for Your Sacred Valley Ride
Booking with Machu Picchu Tours means you are choosing the absolute best local biking experts in the region. We are a team of passionate riders who know every single dirt trail back road and hidden viewpoint in the Sacred Valley. We do not just rent you a bike we deliver a fully supported high altitude riding experience designed for your total safety and massive enjoyment.
Top Tier Mountain Bikes and Safety Gear
We take your safety and riding comfort incredibly seriously. When you hit the dirt trails jumping over small rocks and cruising down the Andean flats you absolutely need equipment you can trust implicitly.
- High Performance Bicycles We exclusively use top brand mountain bikes featuring lightweight frames highly responsive front suspension and powerful hydraulic disc brakes for instant stopping power on steep dirt descents
- Daily Mechanical Inspections Every single bike is thoroughly washed tuned up and heavily inspected by our professional mechanics before it ever leaves our Cusco headquarters ensuring you get a flawless ride
- Mandatory Protective Gear We provide high quality adjustable safety helmets and highly visible reflective vests to keep you completely safe while sharing the rural roads with local farmers and their animals
Full Vehicle Support and Trail Conditions
Riding a bicycle at over three thousand meters above sea level is a massive physical accomplishment. We want you to push your limits but we also want you to feel totally secure knowing we have your back the entire way.
- The Shadow Support Van Our private transport follows the biking group at a safe distance throughout the entire route carrying spare bike parts extra drinking water and a comfortable seat if your legs ever need a quick break
- Trail Terrain Expectations You will be riding mostly on packed dirt roads small gravel paths and ancient agricultural trails making this ride absolutely perfect for confident beginners and seasoned mountain bikers alike
- Wilderness Medical Readiness Our amazing guides are fully certified in high altitude first aid and always carry an emergency oxygen cylinder right in the support van meaning you can pedal with absolute peace of mind
Why Ride with Machu Picchu Tours
We believe that exploring the Andes on two wheels is the most authentic way to see Peru. Riding silently through the mountains allows you to hear the local birds feel the crisp glacial wind and interact with friendly local farmers along the way. We strictly limit our group sizes so our expert guides can give you personalized riding tips and share deep historical facts about Moray and Maras without you feeling rushed or lost in a massive crowd.
Frequently Asked Questions – Maras Moray bike half day tour
The Maras Moray bike half day tour is recommended for individuals over 16 years old, due to the difficulty of the ride and the conditions of the terrain. It is important that participants have moderate physical fitness and prior cycling experience.
The ride on the Maras Moray bike half day tour has a moderate difficulty level and covers approximately 35 km (22 miles) of trail, mostly downhill. It is suitable for individuals with moderate physical fitness.
Front-suspension mountain bikes are used, suitable for the Andean terrain during tour.
The dry season, from April to October, is ideal for the Maras Moray Bike Half Day tour due to better cycling conditions and clear skies.
If you experience altitude sickness during the tour, it’s important to stop and rest. Be sure to drink plenty of water, eat something light, and take frequent breaks. Our guides are trained to assist in such cases, and if symptoms persist, we will evaluate the possibility of returning to a lower-altitude area.
