Cusco has a funny way of making you want to move, and this MTB enduro is the excuse. You’ll ride the Lares and Ankasmarka stages around the Calca area, with a guided setup, high-end full-face safety gear, and a route that mixes speed with real trail obstacles. It’s a practical way to get out of town and still feel like you’re seeing Peru up close.

What I like most is the combination of a serious bike setup and a laid-back, human guide approach: you get a Santa Cruz carbon 29 double-suspension and professional MTB guidance, plus protective gear included from the start. I also like how the day blends riding with culture, especially at Ankasmarka, where you pedal by pre-Incan and Incan food containers and reservoirs.

One thing to consider: this is an enduro-style ride with stair sections, water channels, and technical bits, so you’ll want a moderate fitness level and comfort riding when the trail gets bumpy.

Key things to know before you ride

• Santa Cruz carbon 29 double-suspension bikes are included, so you’re not renting a questionable setup.
• Full-face helmet + pads mean the day feels safer when you’re hitting drops, stairs, and fast sections.
• Lares (15.2 km) includes an optional freeride sandy drop if you feel confident.
• Ankasmarka (5 km) passes archaeological food containers and reservoirs, then turns into a fun mix of curves and descents.
• Box lunch is included (sandwich, water, cereal bar, fruit) so you can refuel and keep going.
• Private tour means just your group, with pickup from your hotel and bike-focused transportation.

Cusco to Lares: the long drive that pays off on the descent

This day starts with a hotel pickup in Cusco around 8:00 am. Then you’ll head toward the Sacred Valley, drive through the Calca area, and keep climbing toward the Lares Valley. The climb takes about 2.5 hours, which is exactly what you want on an enduro day: you spend the hard part in a car so the riding time focuses on the fun part—descending.

Once you reach the summit, you don’t just get dumped on a trail. Your guide gives route instruction and sets expectations before you roll. You’ll also be fitted with the included protective gear—full-face helmet, gloves, knee pads, and elbow pads—so you’re not improvising safety mid-ride.

The bike handling here is also a key part of the “why it works” factor. You’re riding a 29-inch double-suspension carbon Santa Cruz, and that’s a big deal when the route shifts from fast stretches to obstacles like stairs and water channels. Suspension helps you keep control instead of fighting the bike every time the trail gets uneven.

Stop 1: Lares stage, 15.2 km of speed, obstacles, and a smart choice

Lares is your big first stage: 15.2 km, with the main action beginning once you start descending from the summit. The guide lays out the route and then you have a decision point right away.

You’ll be offered an option to ride a sandy drop with a good incline (the freeride-style section). If you feel dialed in and technically comfortable, you can take it. If not, there’s an easier alternative. That choice matters because it keeps the day fun for riders of different confidence levels, instead of forcing everyone into the same intensity.

As you go, expect a mix that feels like classic enduro riding around the Andes: higher-speed sections, obstacles like water channels, and stair sections. You’ll also get good curves, which is where the bike’s suspension and geometry do their job. Instead of treating the descent like a single-line downhill, the route changes the pace and demands you keep scanning ahead.

You won’t just follow one dusty road either. There are detours off the vehicular track before rejoining the trail. Those changes are often where the day becomes memorable, because the ride turns from “go down the mountain” into “thread through the terrain.”

You end this stage back around Calca. Then the day keeps moving with lunch and additional trail riding, so Lares isn’t a one-and-done moment—it sets up the rest of your afternoon.

Lunch in Calca: included fuel that keeps you from slowing down

After your Lares riding, you’ll stop in Calca for box lunch. It’s not fancy, but it’s exactly what you need mid-day: sandwich, water, cereal bar, and fruit.

Why this matters: altitude and effort can mess with your appetite, and if you’re low on calories, your last half of the route usually turns into survival mode. With a planned break and simple food in hand, you can refuel and get back to riding without playing guessing games about where to eat.

Also, Calca acts like a reset point. You’re back in a town area, you eat, and then you transition into the second stage toward Ankasmarka without feeling like you’re scrambling or losing time.

Stop 2: Ankasmarka stage, 5 km where the trail meets archaeology

After Lares, you head back up the same road toward Ankasmarka, an archaeological site known for pre-Incan and Incan food containers and reservoirs. The ride at this stop is shorter in distance—about 5 km—but it’s packed with variety.

You’ll ride around the containers and reservoirs, which gives the day a cultural layer you don’t get on generic downhill-only rides. It’s not a museum visit; it’s movement. The containers become physical landmarks beside your line, so you’re seeing the site while also staying engaged with the trail.

Then the route turns technical again with stair descents into Calca. That means you’re not just flowing downhill with speed—you’re controlling your bike over steps and adjusting for traction.

Along the way you’ll encounter fluid sections and slopes, plus a zone of curves that tests your bike technique. This is also where you’ll notice whether the earlier stage helped you settle in. Riders who came in nervous tend to feel steadier by this point.

Near the end, you reach the community of Totora and descend on the car track, cutting through trails until you return to Calca. The day closes with a return to Cusco around 3:00 pm, depending on conditions and how your group is feeling.

The bike, the protective gear, and the guides behind the scenes

A big part of why this enduro day feels good is that you’re not responsible for the gear quality. The tour includes a DOUBLE SUSPENSION bike (Santa Cruz carbon 29), which is the right tool for routes with obstacles and mixed terrain.

And then there’s the safety setup. You’re given protective gear that includes a full-face helmet plus gloves, knee pads, and elbow pads. That’s a strong signal that the operator expects real trail risk—drops, stairs, and rough bits aren’t treated like casual scenery.

The human element matters, too. Explorinka’s guides are repeatedly praised for being friendly and responsive, with the kind of attitude that helps if weather shifts or fatigue hits. In the broader experience with this company, guides such as Erick, Miguel, and Johan are named for careful service and quick mechanical problem-solving on the trail—so if something breaks during a ride, you’re not stuck improvising.

You’ll also have private transportation built for bicycles, which is more important than it sounds. Getting your bike moved and handled correctly helps you start the ride ready instead of dealing with last-minute hassles.

One more practical note: this is listed as a private tour/activity, so it’s just your group. That typically means the guide can adjust pace and choices (like the freeride option) to match your comfort level.

Price and logistics: what $275 buys for a full enduro day

The price is $275 per person for about 6 hours. For that money, you get more than a ride: you get the bike, the protective gear, professional MTB guidance, private bike transportation, and a box lunch with snacks.

If you’ve ever tried to piece together a mountain biking day yourself in a foreign place, you know how many hidden costs and time sinks show up. Here, the structure is done for you: hotel pickup, a defined route plan with two main stages, planned breaks, and a return to Cusco in the afternoon.

Also, the route notes list Admission Ticket Free for the stops, which helps keep the “what extra will I pay” part of the day under control.

The one logistics detail to pay attention to is timing and your own energy. Pickup is around 8:00 am, and you’re back by about 3:00 pm. That’s a long enough day that your fitness and comfort riding technical terrain matters. The upside is that the freeride segment at Lares has an easier option if you want to dial it back.

Who this MTB enduro suits best (and who should think twice)

This works best if you want a guided enduro-style ride rather than a slow scenic bike outing. The route includes stair sections, water channels, and a fast, curvy descent feel, so you’ll do best if you’re comfortable riding with control and braking in rougher terrain.

It also fits riders who like options. Lares gives you a chance to take the sandy freeride drop if you feel confident, or choose the easier section if you want a lower-stress line.

If your idea of a perfect day is mostly flat cruising or minimal obstacles, you might find parts of this day too technical. The full-face helmet and pads aren’t there for decoration—they’re there because the ride includes enough real trail features to keep things interesting.

Should you book this Lares and Ankasmarka MTB enduro?

I think you should book if you want a half-day adventure that combines strong riding with meaningful stops around the Sacred Valley. The included full-suspension Santa Cruz, safety gear, and guided structure mean you’re set up to enjoy the technical parts instead of worrying about equipment. The added touch of Ankasmarka’s food containers and reservoirs is a smart way to mix movement with culture without adding a long museum-style detour.

Skip it if you’re looking for an easygoing ride or if stair descents and obstacle sections make you uneasy. Also, if you don’t have at least a moderate level of fitness for a 6-hour activity, you’ll likely feel it more than you want.

If you’re on the fence, the freeride choice at Lares is a good clue: this day is designed so you can match the intensity to your skills and confidence.

FAQ

How long is the MTB enduro experience?

It lasts about 6 hours.

Where does the tour start and when are you picked up?

You’ll be picked up from your hotel around 8:00 am in Cusco.

What’s the price per person?

The price is $275.00 per person.

What are the main riding stages during the day?

The tour includes two stages: Lares (about 15.2 km) and Ankasmarka (about 5 km).

What happens on the Lares stage?

You’ll ride a steep descent after a drive to the summit, with obstacles like water channels and stair sections, plus curves. There’s also an optional sandy drop section with an easier alternative.

What happens at Ankasmarka?

You’ll ride around pre-Incan and Incan food containers and reservoirs, then descend through stairs and riding sections with slopes and curves, finishing back around Calca.

Is lunch included?

Yes. There’s a box lunch included with a sandwich, water, cereal bar, and fruit.

What bike and safety gear are included?

You get a DOUBLE SUSPENSION Santa Cruz carbon 29 bike, plus full-face helmet, gloves, knee pads, and elbow pads.

Is this a private tour?

Yes. It’s listed as private, so only your group participates.

What is the cancellation policy?

Cancellation is free up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.

What fitness level is recommended?

The tour notes say you should have a moderate physical fitness level.