Advices

About Cusco
Cusco city is located in the central and southern part of Peru at South America, perched in the Andes mountain range over 3300m / 10,826f. featured a varied terrain with mountain ranges, andean plains, valleys, rivers and the eastern slope of the Andes  that descend until jungle through various ways, challenging the most daring riders in the world, in summary this place is paradise of mtb.

Consider also that is a big physical challenge to pedal high in the Andes, cyclists require a normal physical condition and a couple of days of good acclimatization over 3500m / 11482f.

Best Time for mtb.
The dry season last from May to October with sunny days, cold nights and infrecuent rains, thats the perfect season for the practice of mtb.

The rainy season last from November to April, it can be days of rain followed by two or three days of good weather.

During the year temperature may fluctuate from 66ºf / 19ºc during day and 41ºf / 5ºc. at night but in June and July the temperature at night reach +/- 14ºf / -10ºc.

For Riders

Preferably have experience in all terrain rides, specially cross country, freeride and downhill styles.

If you are coming to Cusco just for cycling is a good idea bring your own bike, personally recommend at least a Hard tail (front suspencion mountain bike) with off road tires and good brakes. include knee and elbow guards to your protection gear.

If your plan is ride by yourself, make sure that you have basic maps and route descriptions, gps tracks or accompanied by local riders.

Ethical considerations.
Leave no trace and respect the environment.

Don't ride on Inca Trails many tours offered ride over the ancient net of trails belong to Inka culture and are part of this rich country.

When you meet with locals in the trails, slow down and give them preference to pass dont forget to greet (buenos dias or allillanchu)

Don't spook animals (horses, cows, sheep, etc.) along the trails or single tracks, those are commonly used by local Shepherds and farmers.

Tours in the City.
There are several tour agencies  and rental equipment shops around the main square in cusco city, wich rent out bikes and offers mountain bike tours, however not all are very good, the equipment that they use is baddly maintained, unexperienced guides and bad transpostation  services.
take care and ask your operator about it, a good mountain bike tour in Cusco is expensive.

Hire a Bike...

if your plan is hire a bike or take a tour, as basic rule you are likely to get what you pay for. Although an average mountain bike is available from 15 to 20 $ per day (front suspencion and hard tail, v brakes or mechanical disk brake system). It should come complete with helmet, gloves, pump, basic tool kit and punture repair kit.

A quality full suspencion bike cost in the region 35 or 40 $ per day (all mountain or Downhill bike), it should come with full face helmet, knee and elvow guards, integral gloves, pump, tool kit and punture repair kit.

Recomneded mtb Trips

If you look for a fast ride, Yuncaypata is the best option.

Excelent day trips include Moray and the salt mines, Chincheros,  Calca, Pisaq.

Technical rides for serious cyclists are Malaga Pass, Urquillos, San Jeronimo, Ocopata.