Explora in the Sacred Valley of the Incas was designed as a headquarter from which to explore a remote and great destination: Cusco, Machu Picchu and the Sacred Valley of the Incas.
Explora Valle Sagrado is within walking distance of the traditional village of Urquillos, a tiny settlement in which countless traditions are kept alive year-round by a lively and proud local community. It took several years to finalize our exploration routes in the Sacred Valley in order to provide travelers with the less traveled, but most rewarding experiences. The lodge will take guests away from the crowded settings of traditional tourism in the region without missing any of the destination’s most rewarding landscapes and cultural experiences.
Our explorations take travelers through Cusco's colonial history and the Incas' architectural magnificence in Machu Picchu, isolated villages, and archaeological sites such as Ollantaytambo, Moray, Chinchero and Pisac, to Andean pampas and mountains or Apus, considered by locals as guardians of people and nature.
Our explorations in the Sacred Valley have been designed so as to provide travelers with an in depth experience of the Inca civilization’s cradle, allowing them to fully immerse and go deeper into the territory’s countless natural and cultural features.
For this purpose, we have outlined four different exploration zones – each with its own set of unique geographic, cultural and biosphere characteristics.
EXPLORE BY AREA
In order to fully experience the valley’s rich natural and cultural heritage, while witnessing its contrasting landscapes. We recommend you start by exploring the Quechua zone, where our lodge is located, continuing with explorations in the Suni and Puna zones, and finally the Janca zone, which may require acclimatization and specific physical preparation .
QUECHUA
Following the winding course of the Urubamba River, this area showcases Inca architecture at its best, enclosing some of Peru’s most important archaeological landmarks, from Pisac to Macchu Picchu.
The Quechua zone is the starting point for all our explorations in the Sacred Valley. Following the winding course of the Urubamba River, this area showcases Inca architecture at its best, enclosing some of Peru’s most important archaeological landmarks, from Pisac to Macchu Picchu.
As we ascend progressively through cornfields, orchards and small villages bustling with life, we reach some of the most enigmatic and remote archaeological sites of the valley, as is Pumamarca, a hillside fortress that once guarded the entrance to the valley’s fertile lands.
SUNI
This zone showcases the valley’s verticality – a pivotal component around which the Incas developed their particular cosmovision.
With the valley at its feet, Suni is a transition zone between the Quechua and Puna zones. Within, some of the area’s most memorable panoramic views can be found from winding paths perched high on deep gorges plunging into the green
abyss below.
This zone showcases the valley’s verticality – a pivotal component around which the Incas developed their particular cosmovision.
Technological development and communal work structures can be evidenced in the extremely well-preserved ruins of the Moray experimental crop center and the Salineras de Maras, as well as the precision and craftsmanship of Tipon’s fluvial canals, which remain active to this day.
PUNA
This highly dynamic zone is a feast to the eyes that varies significantly depending on the seasons and harvesting times.
Abruptly rising from the ground beneath your feet, mountains define almost every aspect of the Sacred Valley’s identity. As they grow in height the sheer power of altitude, combined with the cold from the perpetual glaciers perched high on their rugged shoulders, are proof of how living conditions become harsher the further from the ground you dare to go.
Explorations in the area of the Puna take travelers through narrow shepherd mountain trails and chromatic progressions of green, brown and white. This highly dynamic zone is a feast to the eyes that varies significantly depending on the seasons and harvesting times.
JANCA
Towering titans that reach into the clouds above, defying altitude and gravity in order to provide a vital experience of heaven on Earth for all who venture their slopes.
Towering titans reach into the clouds above, defying altitude and gravity in order to provide a vital experience of heaven on Earth for all who venture their slopes.
Janca is the highest part of the Peruvian Andes. Its inaccessibility simultaneously defines its essence and beauty. Due to the zone’s extreme altitude, life acquires a calmer pace; human settlements are scarce and dedicated mainly to high mountain mining.
Reaching the Janca zone requires special acclimatization due to the area’s extremely low temperatures and lack of oxygen. Likewise, this zone is mostly steep terrain, which requires technical knowledge and experience.
EXPLORE BY ACTIVITY
HIKE
We hike throughout our locations. Walking at your own, committed pace, immerses you in the natural and cultural landscapes we explore, varying in intensity –beginner or advanced– and duration – half day to full day.
OVERLAND
These are van-led explorations interrupted by short-duration hikes along the way. The combination allows travelers to access areas of particular beauty and ecological significance.
BIKE
Biking allows us to explore and discover greater distances, feeling how the elements change throughout the day, varying in intensity –beginner or advanced– and duration – half day to a full day.
SELF GUIDED
The company and knowledge of one of our guides are available for you to discover unique locations in the areas surrounding our lodge – either on foot or by bicycle. For further information approach our exploration team.
COMBINATION
Within a same day we can combine different types of exploration – starting with a hike followed by a bike ride, a horseback ride or vice versa.
HIGH MOUNTAIN ASCENT
We strive to introduce our travelers to truly remote locations – and mountains are one of them. Each one has its own different demands and rewards, yet they all guarantee a revitalizing experience for mind and body alike.
Within a same day we can combine different types of exploration – starting with a hike followed by a bike ride, a horseback ride or vice versa.
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 | 175 reviews
TrustScore 4.8 of 5
Based on 175 reviews on
1 day ago
The response from Adventure Life to my first inquiry was prompt and promising. I worked with Jamie Broeckel, Trip Planner, via text, email, and phone calls- always extremely responsive and thorough with information and explaining the process to arrange a private tour for me to Malaysia Borneo. Within about week, the booking was complete and I made decisions because of Jamie's great customer service , friendly manner, and overall competence on behalf of the company's travel expertise. Now I have an itinerary, additional Trip Planner Assistants, several links for vital information for traveling to Maylasia, etc. Still many details for Sept. trip, but now the heavy lifting is done and I can enjoy the rest of the anticipation and research!! Thanks Jamie- you are amazing!!!!
Susan Campo
3 days ago
The trip was not only memorable for the amount of animals we saw but also for the people and accommodations at the two camps where we stayed. Our first guide, BK, was a wealth of information about the animals, landscape and down to the plants and what they were used for. Everyday out was a learning experience with him. All the people at the camps were gracious and the food was excellent.
Our second camp in the Okavanga was just as good as the first as far as the staff, accommodations, food and animals. After our experience at the first camp we amazed that the high quality remained the same. Our guide, G, made sure we were able to enjoy every experience including a rush through the bush to witness a cheetah and an ensuing hunt that he heard over his radio.
In both camps there were enough guides out that if they saw something the other guides were informed which helped in seeing as much as possible. It was also nice that the concessions were large enough that we did not have vehicles following each other throughout the day.
Normally there is always something in a trip of this length that we think could be improved upon but this is the rare case where we cannot think of anything. From the time we left the States to when we returned it was one of the most hassle free vacations we took.
Perhaps emphasizing the use of the laundry facilities at the camps would be useful because of the luggage restrictions would be the only thing I can think of as an improvement to future clients.
Kenneth Dropek
4 days ago
Mary was so pleasant and professional. She made sure all of our questions were answered.
