Hello, I’m Daniel, a bike guide from Buho Tours. In this post, I will tell you about my own experience of mountain biking on two routes through Ausangate and the 7 Colored Mountain of Vinicunca.

In 2020, we discovered routes through the Andes of Ausangate and Vinicunca Mountain in all categories such as XC and Enduro trails that connect to incredible landscapes of the Peruvian Andes. Here, I will tell you in detail.

“Written by a local cyclist for cyclists around the world”

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Mountain biking in Ausangate and Rainbow mountain Vinicunca Perú

There are some posts written by foreign mountain bike companies that only browse on their computer and believe they know everything about these routes; writing that there is no Trail route from the 7 colors mountain or that you necessarily need a night to acclimatize in the place, which is incorrect; because you have the option to do these tours on e-bike.

Here on this blog, we debunk with proof of photos, maps, and videos of all these available routes that you can do in the southern valley of Cusco.

The truth about the 7 colors mountain on bike

To know the 7 colors mountain on bike, there are two routes; one XC of basic level and another Enduro of advanced level, both starting after visiting the 7 colors mountain.

XC Mountain of Colors – Pitumarca

To get to know Vinicunca from Cusco, you travel by mobility for 3 hours with the bikes and equipment.

Before starting with the mountain bike, a 30-minute walk is made to reach the tourist attraction of Vinicunca; this by entering through the route of Pitumarca; the road for the bike is a wide dirt road.

In this route there are sections of climbs, flat stretches, and descents for an intermediate to advanced level of physical condition; the best part of this adventure is that we will have mobility support at all times; you can decide how far to pedal.

Type of the route: cross-country
Distance: 40km
Maximum altitude: 4,913m
Minimum altitude: 3,360m
Physical condition level: advanced
Technique level: intermediate
Positive elevation gain: the total uphill stretch is 450m
Duration: 1 day to explore

XC Rainbow mountain – Cusipata

The same travel time to reach the colorful mountain but with the difference of a 2-hour hike to the tourist attraction.

The descent of this route is also on a wide path with a bit of uphill, below I leave you the map.

Type of the route: cross-country
Distance: 24km
Maximum altitude: 4,613m
Minimum altitude: 3,360m
Fitness level: intermediate
Technique level: intermediate
Positive elevation gain: the total uphill section is 89m
Duration: 1 day to explore

Rainbow Mountain enduro – the best cycling

This is one of the best high mountain biking routes that starts from the tourist attraction of Vinicunca (5,003m) along a trail-horseshoe path with sections of uphill and downhill.

Victoriano; is a local guide who has talked a lot about this place; until the moment came to visit and we were surprised by the landscape we crossed.

On the horseshoe path, there are sections where we will have to push the bike, this is the most difficult section; you must be in good physical condition to climb about 6km uphill; after this, we find the downhill path; crossing through a tourist attraction known as Hayuni Lines and Wheels.

Type of the route: Enduro – mountain bike
Distance: 46km.
Maximum Altitude: 5,003m.
Minimum Altitude: 3,360m.
Physical Condition Level: Advanced
Technical Level: Advanced
Positive Gradient: total uphill section is 924m.
Duration: 1 day to explore.

Ausangate Mountain Biking

Located in the Andes Mountains in southern Peru, in the Cusco region just a 3-hour drive away, to discover this mountain paradise of Ausangate surrounded by lagoons, you can take a hiking tour or a mountain biking tour.

Can I do Ausangate and the 7 lagoons in one day?

There is the possibility of doing it in just one day, depending on the route and type of bike you choose. Here are some recommendations before taking on the cycling activity:

You need to be acclimatized for at least two days in the city of Cusco.
Have a good level of physical fitness.

Ausangate mountain bike starting from Chilca

This is one of the best mountain biking alternatives for Ausangate, a path surrounded by snowy peaks, mountains, and descending through the 7 lagoons.

There are two options for crossing the Abra Jampa pass at 5,100m. You can choose to use a regular bike (muscular) or opt for an electric bike (e-bike) which is the best option for this cycling route.

And of course, you can do it in one day on an e-bike, as the route is 25 km long.

Type of the route: Enduro – Mountain Biking
Distance: 25 km
Maximum Altitude: 5,062m
Minimum Altitude: 4,330m
Fitness Level: Advanced
Technical Level: Advanced
Elevation Gain: total of 668m of climbing
Duration: 1 day with an e-bike.

Ausangate XC from Labramarca Pass

This is another alternative route through the Ausangate mountain that combines two activities: cycling and hiking.

For this alternative, you do not need an electric bicycle, a regular bike is sufficient to do this cycling tour, as the road is a wide basic dirt road.

After descending on the bicycle, we will start a hike from the town of Pajchanta to the Seven Lagoons, with a round trip distance of 14 km.

Type of the route: cross-country
Distance: 24 km
Maximum altitude: 4,586m
Minimum altitude: 3,860m
Physical condition level: basic
Technical level: intermediate
Positive elevation gain: total uphill section is 105m
Duration: 1 day with a normal bike

Ausangate XC enduro Pajchanta

This mountain bike circuit starts from the town of Pajchanta using the trekking path until reaching near the Jampa pass.

The path has sections of uphill and downhill, for this route we recommend using an electric bike or hiring a mule and horse to carry your bike to the highest point, where the descent begins on a mule track.

Type of the route: XC – Enduro
Distance: 21 km
Maximum altitude: 5,062m
Minimum altitude: 4,330m
Physical condition level: intermediate with e-bike
Technical level: intermediate
Positive elevation gain: total uphill section is 350m
Duration: 1 night and 1 day or just one day

We are the 100% Local mountain bike company in Peru

We are the buho tours travel agency; we have indigenous guides from the Andes, with a lot of experience in mountain biking, with guaranteed safety, the best bike equipment and an indigenous experience.
We know you are looking for a different alternative, we are your best option, contact us to book a bike route here +51 932 394 164 – I am Daniel an experienced guide from buho tours.
If you travel with your bike, it is the best alternative, we have discounts, we only provide the bike guide.

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