Whitewater raft the Urubamba River, mountain bike Chinchero, hike out-of-the-way Inca trails near Machu Picchu, and kayak Lake Titicaca on this 12-day trip. Named after the famous Manco rulers of the Inca empire, this multisport adventure offers the chance to visit the famous sites of Peru while satisfying your craving for Peru exploration on one of our most active trips in Peru. Not your ordinary Machu Picchu tour.
Highlights
Raft the Urubamba River from snowcapped mountains to the Amazon jungle
Bike from Allpachaca past lakes, farms, and villages
Trek the QueƱua Sundur Valley & visit several archaeological sites
Kayak over the crystal waters of the sacred lake, Lake Titicaca
Activities that provide a reasonable level of physical challenge and elevate the heart rate. Focused on more active pursuits including multisport tours. Travelers may be active 5-7 hours total each day. Recommended for travelers with active lifestyles.
An early morning flight brings you to the Inca capital of Cusco. After settling into your hotel, you can tour Cusco's largest open market and the adjacent witches' market, where natural medicines and charms for curing heartache and other afflictions are sold. Travelers will also have the opportunity to visit the Center for Traditional Textiles in Cusco, a local organization committed to preserving the region's weaving traditions. Watch weavers demonstrate their craft and learn about the history and processes of Peru's most well-known art form. The evening is yours to take in some of Cusco's varied and exciting nightlife.
Drive past terraced fields of corn, potatoes, and quinoa as you travel to the Vilcanota section of the Upper Urubamba River. After your safety briefing, you’ll put in on the Urubamba River, which winds from the snowcapped Andes to the Amazon jungle. The Vilcanota section offers challenging class III-IV rapids between the months of January and April and exciting class IV-V from April to November. For those looking for less extreme Peru adventures, other stretches of the river offer class II-III rapids year-round. After your raft trip, enjoy a picnic lunch along the riverbank. This afternoon, return to Cusco, where you can explore the monasteries, cathedrals, and Incan ruins of Cusco on your own or with your guide.
Today, rise early for your trip to the village of Chinchero. Chinchero is a town made up of several communities whose main income comes from textiles and tourism here we can partake in a weaving demonstration, learn about indigenous medicinal plants, and see the ancestral way of life of the Andean People. Afterward, ascend to Allpachaca, at 12,000 feet elevation, to begin your biking tour. You will ride for 3-4 hours, past beautiful Piuray Lake and the local farms and villages until you reach the community of Tauca (12,660 feet). After lunch, get settled into your community campsite where you will be spending the night. In the evening feel free to talk a walk around the community and maybe meet some of the locals.
After breakfast, begin your horse-assisted trek to the Queñua Sundur Valley. Along the way, visit several archeological sites rarely visited by outsiders including Kinsa Salayo and Huchuy Qosqo. Enjoy sensational views of the Sacred Valley and the Urubamba Mountains with their impressive glaciers. Tonight camp near Huchuy Qosqo, known as "Little Cusco". Your guides will set up camp and make dinner you relax and enjoy the ruins of Huchuy Qosqo. Today's hike totals 8 miles in length.
Day 6: Huchuy Qosqo - Train to Machu Picchu Pueblo
Rising early, explore the ruins of Huchuy Qosqo with your guides. This "Little Cusco" is inaccessible by public road, making it one of the least visited major ruins in the area. After exploring the ruins, you hike to Lamay (approximately 3 miles), descending into the Sacred Valley. On the trail to Lamay you will see towering Andean peaks and smaller ruins in the distance. The driver will be waiting for travelers at the end of the trail for a last lunch before taking you to the train station in Ollantaytambo.
The train follows the Urubamba River as it tumbles its way towards the Amazon and the sacred city of Machu Picchu. You arrive at Machu Picchu Pueblo (formerly called Aguas Calientes) to relax, enjoy dinner (the trout fillets are delicious), and prepare for your Machu Picchu tour tomorrow.
Wake early to watch the sunrise over Machu Picchu. Today your guide will begin to unravel the mysteries of this sacred site, and explain the care that went into its construction. Though no one knows the full significance of the ruins at Machu Picchu, recent archaeological excavations have uncovered a series of caves that may have been the site for religious ceremonies portraying the Incas’ creation story. These caves suggest that Machu Picchu may have been a “Huaca”, or sacred spot, worshiped as a point where man emerged from the ground. This evening, you’ll return to Cusco by train.
This morning, a luxury-class bus takes you from Cusco to the shores of Lake Titicaca. Along the way, enjoy optional visits to the "Sistine Chapel" of Peru and a pre-Incan site, as well as a huge lunch featuring traditional Peruvian cuisine.
Arrive at mystical Lake Titicaca in the early afternoon. Legend has it that the first Inca rose out of its azure waters. Transfer to your hotel and explore on your own this afternoon.
At 8:00 AM, begin your day as the sun rises. You leave the comfort of your cozy hotel and set off for an adventure. Just fifteen minutes later, arrive at the Puno port, where the day's exploration starts.
At 8:30 AM, start sailing on tranquil waters towards the floating wonderland of Uros. At 8:45 AM, reach the ethereal Uros, where you will immerse yourself in the culture of the people for the next two hours.
At 11:00 AM, your journey continues towards the picturesque village of Llachon. reach your destination at 1:00 PM, where a well-deserved lunch eagerly awaits you. For those in search of extra adventure, a hike to Cerro Carus promises breathtaking vistas of the vast lake and the majestic Bolivian mountains.
As the evening arrives, a delightful dinner awaits you, followed by a restful night's sleep, recharging your spirit for the days ahead.
Day 10: Kayaking on Lake Titicaca | Sail to Amantani Island
After having breakfast, set out on a kayaking adventure under the expert guidance of the instructor. The journey to Taquile will take two to three hours, giving you the opportunity to paddle through the crystal-clear waters and immerse yourself in the serene beauty of your surroundings. This adventure comes complete with a seasoned guide, high-quality equipment, snacks, and a support boat.
Have lunch at 12:30 PM, then venture out to explore Taquile and take some much-needed relaxation. At 2:00 PM, your voyage will continue, taking you to the island of Amantani. Your lodging will offer a unique cultural experience with a local family. The evening will be filled with tunes of music and dance, and you will spend the night beneath the starry sky.
After breakfast and bidding farewell to your host family, return to Puno by motor boat with stop at the floating islands of the Uros People. Peru's floating islands are built using the buoyant totora reeds that grow along Lake Titicaca, and these reeds are interwoven to make homes, boats, and crafts. A ride in a traditional reed boat can be arranged with a local fisherman. Return to Puno, afternoon is free to explore on your own.
Apologies for the inconvenience. Prices for not yet published. Below per person rate based on previous season. Contact us to confirm upcoming season pricing.
Prices for are estimated based on inflation. Contact us to confirm pricing and availability for your desired departure date.
Initial deposit is 30%, and most travelers will call our office and pay the deposit with a credit card.
Final payment is due 70 days (10 weeks) prior to departure by bank transfer, check or credit card. All final payments by credit card may be subject to a surcharge and maximum of $20,000 charge
The trip was terrific with great planning on your part. Most of the adventures were not mainstream and somewhat off the beaten path which made it especially enjoyable!! We felt taken care of and you all were readily available to respond to questions and issues. I would highly recommend your company and friends have already expressed interest based on our pictures and excitement.
Gale Cantor
TrustScore 4.8 | 129 reviews
TrustScore 4.8 of 5
Based on 129 reviews on
26 minutes ago
The info on the website was laid out very well. I did some comparisons with other tours and found Adventure Life met a lot of what I wanted in an Antarctica trip at the cheapest price. Requested a quote on Claudia contacted me right away. She answered a lot of questions the I had via email even though she offered to discuss via phone call. Iām more of an email person so appreciated how she accommodated that and answered all my questions. And when I was ready to book, she quickly got the ball rolling with getting our spots reserved on the trip my friend and I wanted. Thanks again, Claudia!
Hazel Araza
10 hours ago
(1) great information on the website and throughout all the "materials." (2) Jane Packer is great: knowledgeable, responsive, takes a personal interest and tone, seems to care about the customer as a person not a sale.
Larry Bethune
18 hours ago
great people doing a wonderful job to make our voyages happen.
trudy
1 day ago
For our first trip to Costa Rica, Adventure Life designed a tour that meets the interests, ecological and adventure, of our party; but also takes into account our physical limitations sine we are all septuagenarian. We are looking forward to the trip.
John Zent
2 days ago
Adventure Life is my favorite travel company due to their genuine care for their customers. They make every effort to ensure a wonderful travel experience for you. Their personal touch really gives the customer a lot of confidence with their travel plans and the trip leaders are always outstanding. They are truly consistent and accountable with the great service they provide. I can't thank Adventure Life enough for the incredible trips I have enjoyed thanks to them and their attention to detail.