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Cusco Optional Activities

Cusco is a traveler's, Mecca, bustling with lively markets and surrounded by ancient ruins. Visitors can easily fill a week exploring the cultural and historic landmarks that Cusco has to offer. However, for travelers seeking a break from ancient sites and dusty museums, Cusco also offers a generous menu of adventure activities. Whitewater rafting, horseback riding, mountain biking, and more can all be arranged in the Cusco area.

Most of these activities do not need to be booked in advance. In fact, since unpredictable weather can influence the best places to raft or bike, it is often best to wait and make your specific plans directly with your guide when you arrive. Here are a few ideas to get you started…

WHITEWATER RAFTING:

1. Urubamba River ....Ollantaytambo/Wayracpunku- Class 2,3 (1 day)
   Depart your hotel ~8:00am & transfer to the starting point near Ollantaytambo for a safety briefing. Begin rafting ~ 10.00am and pass by the train station of Ollantaytambo where you will encounter the first rapid (class 2,3). Continue to the main rapid area called El Desfiladero (Class 3), a technical area surrounded by large rocks. Paddle ~2.5 hrs to Wayracpunku for lunch and an afternoon return to Cusco.
2. Vilcanota River ... Huambutio/San Salvador - Class 2 (1 day)
   Depart your hotel ~8.00am & transfer to Huambutio for a safety briefing.
   Begin rafting ~ 9.30am passing the Huambutio rapids (class 2). Paddle ~ 1.5 hrs on to the second rapid area at San Salvador (class 2). This trip is a bit less adventurous with a focus on smaller rapids and beautiful scenery.

** Two or three day rafting alternatives also available.

BICYCLE TOURS IN THE SACRED VALLEY

1. Lamay (1 day)
   Transfer to Lamay for a safety briefing. Bike ~ 2 hours on a dirt road to Calca (alternatively Pisac or Ollantaytambo). Return to Cusco or stay in the valley.
2. Soncco Pass to Pisac (1 day)
   Transfer to Soncco Pass for a safety briefing. Start biking down hill on a dirt road to Pisac (vehicle support provided). Later visit the archeological site of Pisac... Return to Cusco or stay in the valley.
3. Chequereq to Moras and Maras (1 day)
   Transfer to Chequereq for a safety briefing and start biking toward Moray on relatively flat terrain. Visit the archaeological site and continue on to the Maras salt pans. Continue downhill to the Sacred Valley for the return to Cusco or optional stay in the valley. 6 hours.
4. Zurite to Pachar (1 day)
   Transfer to Zurite. Visit the INAE institute and the Inca terraces there. After a safety briefing, ride toward Huarocondo along a dirt road and continue through the Pomatales canyon all the way to the station of Pachar near to Ollantaytambo. 5 hours biking on a dirt road with vehicle support. Return to Cusco or stay in the valley.

** Can combine the above routes for a two or three day alternative.

HORSEBACK RIDING

1. Inca Ruins Around Cusco (half day)
   Transfer to Sacsayhuaman. After visiting the site, ride to Qenqo. Visit this site and then ride to Laqo (the temple of the moon), where there are natural caves that have carvings for ancient ceremonies. After this we'll ride all the way to Tambomachay and Pucapucara. We visit these sites, then return to Sacsayhuaman where will meet our car and transfer back to the hotel. (3.5 hours).
2. Chacan ride (half day)
   Transfer to Sacsayhuaman where we meet our horses and start riding towards Chacan (1 hour ride). Visit the great Temple of the Rainbows. This large natural cave has a curtain of running water that reflects dozens of prisms on the walls as the sun shines through. Return to Sacsayhuaman for an optional visit before going back to the hotel.
3. Sacred Valley: Maras and Moray (one day)
   Transfer to Urubamba where we meet our horses and start riding through the valley to the Maras salt pans. After visiting these, continue along the flat terrain to Maras town and the Moray archeological site (7 hours round trip). A box lunch is included on the way. Return to Cusco in the late afternoon.
4. Sacred Valley: Zurite and Surrounding Sites (one day)
   Transfer from Cusco to Izcuchaca where we begin our ride along the flat terrain of the pampas de Anta (2 hours). Continue on to Zurite town to visit this new archaeological site (3 hours). Travel from here via car to visit the site of Killarumiyoc and return to Cusco.

**Hikes and/or horseback rides to Pachatusan , Salkantay , Ausangate , Choqeqiraw , Lares, and Willoq can be arranged for travelers with several days