Description
Highlights
- Departure from just 2 persons
- Including all necessary gear (helmet, gloves, knee and elbow pads)
- Top-brand mountain bikes in different sizes (Specialized, Cannondale, Scott, Giant) with full suspension
- 3 Hours of mountain bike downhill adventure
What is included
Included
- Specialized, English-speaking guide
- Mountain bike with front suspension
- Safety gear (helmet, gloves, knee and elbow pads)
- First aid kit, radios, and satellite phones
- Water and snacks
- 4×4 transportation
Not included
- Warm jacket or sweater for the cold at the high point
- Sunscreen and sunglasses
- Small backpack
- Long pants (sweatpants style)
- Scarf or buff
Itinerary
Morning option:
- 8:00 – 8:30 AM: Hotel pickup
- Drive to Cruz del Pichu Pichu (4,200m)
- 3 hours Mountainbike downhill to 2,500m
- 2:00 PM Return and arrival to Arequipa
Afternoon option:
- 11:00 – 11:30 AM: Hotel pickup
- Drive to Cruz del Pichu Pichu (4,200m)
- 3 hours Mountainbike downhill to 2,500m
- 4:00 PM: Return and arrival to Arequipa
Times are approximate and the order may change with weather, traffic, or local conditions.
Practical information
Trail and tour details
- Difficulty
- Challenging
- Tour duration
- 1 day
- Average group size
- 4 people
Full tour description
Get ready for an unforgettable journey down the slopes of an ancient Andean volcano. Our mountainbike downhill Pichu Pichu tour offers you a unique blend of heart-pumping action and breathtaking scenery that will leave you with memories to last a lifetime.
Thrilling downhill from an ancient volcano, Pichu Pichu
Embark on an exhilarating mountainbike downhill adventure on Pichu Pichu, an extinct volcano in Peru’s Southern Volcanic Range. This tour offers a unique blend of natural beauty, historical significance, and adrenaline-pumping action.
The mountainbike tour begins
Your adventure starts with a 4×4 drive up to Cruz del Pichu Pichu at 4,200 meters above sea level. Here, you’ll be treated to breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape before beginning your descent.
Mountainbike downhill from Pichu Pichu
Gear up for an unforgettable ride down 1,700 meters of elevation over 41 kilometers of diverse terrain. Our expert guides will lead you through this thrilling journey, ensuring your safety while maximizing your enjoyment of the stunning scenery.
Safety first
We provide high-quality mountain bikes with front suspension, along with essential safety gear including helmets, gloves, knee pads, and elbow pads. Our team carries first aid kits, radios, and satellite phones for your peace of mind.
Interesting background information about Pichu Pichu
Pichu Pichu isn’t just any mountain – it’s a place of historical and archaeological significance. At its peak lies an Inca sanctuary where, in 1964, the first high-altitude mummy in Peru was discovered. This mummy is now on display at the National University of San Agustín Museum in Arequipa. The name “Pichu Pichu” is believed to come from the Quechua language, possibly meaning “peak” or “pointed,” referring to the mountain’s shape. Despite being an extinct volcano, it still holds an air of mystery and adventure, making your downhill journey even more exciting. As you descend, you’ll pass through various ecological zones, witnessing how the landscape changes from the stark beauty of the high Andes to the more lush lower elevations. Keep an eye out for local wildlife and unique Andean plants along the way!
Pichu Pichu is an extinct volcano standing proudly at 5,542 meters above sea level in Peru’s Southern Volcanic Range. While the volcano itself reaches this impressive height, our adventure begins at Cruz del Pichu Pichu. This isn’t a separate mountain, but rather a notable point on the volcano itself, situated at 4,200 meters above sea level. It’s named “Cruz” (meaning “Cross” in Spanish) likely due to a cross placed there, as is common on many high points in the Andes.
Activities during the Mountainbike downhill from Pichu Pichu tour
- 4×4 off-road driving
- High-altitude mountainbiking
- Landscape photography
- Learning about local geology and Inca history
- Observing Andean flora and fauna
- Experiencing rapid altitude changes
This Mountainbike downhill from Pichu Pichu tour offers an perfect mix of adventure, natural beauty, and cultural insight. Are you ready to experience the thrill of descending an ancient Andean volcano on two wheels?
What to bring
- Warm jacket or sweater
- Sunscreen
- Sunglasses
- Small backpack
- Long pants (sweatpants style)
- Scarf or buff
- Camera
- Comfortable closed-toe shoes
Frequently asked questions
Is the mountainbike downhill from Pichu Pichu tour suitable for everyone?
No. This tour is intended only for riders with previous mountain biking experience on similar off-road terrain.
The Pichu Pichu Downhill is a technical mountain biking descent and is not suitable for beginners or riders without previous off-road mountain biking experience. Looking for an easier option, please ask us about the Mountainbike downhill from Chachani tour.
The route descends approximately 41 km and 1,700 vertical meters from the slopes of the extinct Pichu Pichu volcano. Riders will encounter wide dirt roads, jeep tracks, singletrack sections, loose volcanic gravel, sand, rocks, uneven terrain, sharp corners, and steep mountain roads. On some wider sections, local vehicle traffic may also be encountered.
The ride begins at approximately 4,200 meters above sea level, where altitude may affect physical performance and judgment. The route passes through remote mountain terrain where immediate medical assistance is limited. Communication relies primarily on radio, and evacuation may take time depending on the rider’s location.
Downhill mountain biking on volcanic terrain involves significant inherent risks. Riders may lose traction on loose gravel, misjudge corners, brake too late, or lose control at speed. Falls can occur even when following the guide’s instructions. Serious injuries, including fractures to the wrist, arm, shoulder, collarbone, head injuries, and, in rare cases, life-threatening or fatal accidents, are possible.
For your own safety, you should only book this tour if you have previous experience riding a mountain bike on similar off-road mountain terrain with loose gravel, steep descents, and technical corners. If you do not have this type of experience, we strongly recommend choosing our Chachani downhill tour, which follows a less technical route and is better suited to less experienced riders.