Day 1 La Paz

Arrive La Paz . You will be transferred to your hotel

Accommodation: Rosario Hotel

Day 2 La Paz (B)

An easy start as you aclimatize to the altitude of La Paz

This afternoon a tour of the city including the area of the street markets, rich in handicrafts, weavings and witchcraft artifacts which represent the traditional beliefs of the Challa ( ritual of offerings ) and Pachamama ( mother earth and symbol of fertility ).The tour goes through the colonial part of the city, San Francisco Church, Gold Museum, Murillo Square and the outdoor replica of Tiahuanaco temple. Leaving La Paz, you pass the southern residential areas until you enter into the Valley of the Moon with all of its natural geological formation

Day 3 La Paz –World's Most Spectacular Downhill Ride (B,L)

A 1 day DOWNHILL ride of up to 65 km in length and with as much as 4,700m of vertical DESCENT to the jungle, with a few easy uphill sections and some flat parts!

This ride starts at the highest point, through mountain grasslands, past grazing llamas and alpacas, through the mist of the cloud forest and into the jungle (1200m). After the ride relax at La Senda Verde Cabins and Animal Refuge, the home of rescued monkeys, parrots, a snake, and other wild life.

The ride is characterised by incredible scenic and ecological variety, it's a challenge, as well as being a lot of fun!

This trip is run by a Kiwi who is based in La Paz, great bikes and most important, fantastic safety briefing and guides. This trip has become one of "the must do" excursions in South America.

Day 4 La Paz – Copacabana (B)

Most of day at leisure in La Paz –the opportunity for an optional tour to Visit to Tiwanacu - the pre inca ruins which are one of the most oldest and enigmatic archaeological sites of South America.

Or

Mountain Bike Mount Chacaltaya (once the world's highest ski resort) quite possibly, is the trail with the World's Greatest Loss of Altitude in a single day

Later this afternoon by bus over the altiplano with views of snow-capped peaks to Copacabana. Our lovely hotel is right on the shores of the lake

Accommodation: Rosario Copacabana Hotel

Day 5 Copacabana –Puno (B)

Morning to relax and explore around Copacabana.

Optional visit by boat to the Island of the Sun, cradle of the Andean civilization, believed to be where the sun rose out of the lake. A bit of a climb but the views are worth it. Return to Copacabana in time for the bus to cross the border into Peru to our next destination, Puno.

Accommodation: Qelqatani Hotel

Day 6 Puno – Cuzco (B,L)

Bus ride to Cuzco along the dramatic landscapes of the high plateau, with occasional views of tiny Andean villages and herds of llamas and vicunas. We will stop at the archaeological museum of Pukara (200BC-AD300) , then to La Raya, the highest point of the route at 4335m. Continue to Sicuani for lunch then resume trip to Raqchi,where there is an Inca temple built to worship Wiracocha, one of the most important Inca gods. Our last stop is at Andahuaylillas, where there is a beautiful baroque church built at the beginning of the XVIIth century. It is renowned for its beautiful mural paintings.Arrive in Cuzco late afternoon and transfer to our centrally located hotel.

Accommodation: Royal Inka 1 Hotel

Day 7 Cuzco (B)

Take a walking tour of this lovely city. Cuzco is an incredible experience. The countryside is exceptionally beautiful, 3300m above sea level, here you will encounter a fine blend of Spanish and Inca cultures, colourful Quechua Indian markets, Inca temples and massive stone walls which form the foundations of the city, originally from Sacsayhuaman. Explore the Koricancha, a major Inca Temple and some of the streets, which are lined with intricate stonework, impressive workmanship, which is sure to impress. Afternoon free.

Day 8 Cuzco – Sacred Valley (B,L)

Our bus will take you to the Laguna Huaypo near the village of Chinchero. This is the starting point of our ride today. On old Inca trails you will cross the altiplano of Chinchero until reaching the ruins of Moray (3,450 m). The circular terraces of Moray had been an agricultural "research laboratory" of the Inca. The Inca took advantage of the difference in temperature from one terrace to the other one (approx 1.5 C) and created an irrigation system by water channels for the cultivation of different crop strains. On the other side of the Urubamba Valley you will see dramatic the snowcaps of the cordilleras Vilcabamba and Urubamba. After visiting the terraces of Moray nearly 20 km Andean downhill are waiting for you! In the afternoon you will reach the salt mines of Pichingote, which have been used since pre-Hispanic times. Enjoy this extraordinary sight as well as the single trails leading you down to the Sacred Valley of the Inca. You will stay in a charming hotel which is a restored monastery in the Sacred Valley of the Incas

Accommodation: Monasterio Recoleta Hotel

35km of dirt road

Day 9 Sacred Valley (B,L)

Leaving the Sacred Valley you will bike on a small road and reach the Lares Pass above the village of Calca on 4,400 m. Surrounded by the snow capped mountains of the Cordillera Urubamba, you will start your mountain bike downhill on an old Inca trail back to the Sacred Valley of the Inca. This Inca trail leads you through secluded Andean communities, over Inca steps and narrow bridges, off the beaten track. Return to our hotel

40 km of dirt road

Day 10 Sacred Valley – Agua Calientes (B) – Optional Hike Inca Trail

You will be transferred to the railway station to travel by train to Agua Calientes at the base of Machu Picchu. Explore the town, have a soak in the nearby thermal pools.

Accommodation: Santurio Hotel

For those wanting to experience the Inca Trail take the train to KM104 where you disembark to begin the full day hike to Machu Picchu . The one-day hike from Chachabamba to Machu Picchu is an excellent alternative to the full Inca Trail trek .Enjoy a beautiful day of moderate hiking en route to Machu Picchu. On the 9.6km hike from the trailhead at the Vilcanota River footbridge, ascend a total of 800m. Just prior to reaching Winya Wayna ruins you will reach a spectacular waterfall in a delightful cloud forest glade which offers the possibility of a refreshing shower on a hot day. This merges with the regular Inca Trail at Winya Wayna ruins. From Winya Wayna, most hikers take 1.5 hours for the mainly level walk along the spectacular Inca Trail to the final overlook at Inti Punku, the Gate of the Sun (2,700 m). With typical stops for lunch (included) and photography, overall walking time is 6-7 hours. After arrival at Machu Picchu descend by bus to Agua Calientes

Day 11 Machu Picchu – Sacred Valley (B)

Another early morning start by bus up the Hiram Bingham zig zag road to Machu Picchu, suddenly before you, like a gigantic postcard, the LOST CITY OF THE INCAS.

Later this afternoon return by rail to Ollantaytambo and transfer to your hotel.

Accommodation: Monasterio Recoleta Hotel

Day 12 Sacred Valley - Paucartambo (B,L,D)

Travel from the Sacred Valley of the Incas through to the Andean Highlands with its traditional communities. From the highest pass (4170 m) of this mountain bike tour you will enjoy the first downhill, passing wide landscapes and small Andean villages until reaching the colonial village of Paucartambo (2900 m). Stop at the beautiful Colonial Bridge, chat to the locals and browse the stalls and the market place. Overnight in a basic hostal in Paucartambo

50 km of dirt road.

Day 13 Tres Cruces – Manu National Park (B,L,D)

An early departure driving to the Acjanaco-pass (3550 m), the last pass and entrance to the Manu National Park, you will reach the viewpoint Tres Cruces de Oro (3700 m). This place offers a great view over the eastern slopes of the Andes and the green canopy of the Amazon Jungle. You will be able to observe a spectacular sunrise, surrounded by the snow-capped mountains of the Cordillera Vilcanota and Cordillera Urubamba.. You will look over the Andes to the Amazon Rainforest that extends to the horizon. After breakfast you can enjoy a 65 km downhill, leaving about 2000 m of difference in elevation behind you! You will observe the fascinating change from the altiplano to the Cloud Forest of the Manu National Park with its rich fauna and flora. In the early afternoon you will reach the San Pedro River. A short jungle walk will take you to the Manu Paradise Lodge

65 km of dirt road

Day 14 Manu National Park (B,L,D)

Today, before breakfast, we will take our first walk in the cloud forest to observe the cock-of-the-rock as it performs its daily ritual, with groups of males putting on an impressive display to attract females. We will then return to the lodge for a nourishing breakfast, before leaving for Pillcopata, and taking to the river at the small port of Atalaya. During this trip we will pass plantations of manioc, papaya, pineapple and coca leaves. These forests are home to squirrel monkeys and brown capuchin monkeys, and there will be a chance to spot a variety of birdlife, including spix guans, plumbeous kites and black vultures.Return to the lodge

Day 15 Manu – Cuzco (B,L)

This morning offers another opportunity for the observation of the Cloud Forest's wildlife. After breakfast you will take the bus back to the Acjanaco Pass and you have the opportunity to the ride the downhill sector to Paucartambo. After lunch, the bus will take you to the Huachuqasa Pass (4170 m) where you can enjoy the last bike ride back to the Sacred Valley of the Incas. You will arrive in Cuzco by bus in the afternoon and transfer to your hotel.

40 km of dirt road

Day 16 Cuzco (B,D)

Day at leisure to explore Cuzco .

Tonight enjoy a special dinner to farewell the Andes

Day 17 Depart Cuzco (B)

You will be transferred to the airport.

For those returning to NZ , depart on LATAM Airlines to Lima with a connection via Santiago to Auckland where you would arrive on Monday .Alternatively you can fly to Lima for a connection to Buenos Aires for a stopover before returning to NZ. Options available to continue on from Cuzco to explore more of Peru or extend your stay in South America