This active Peru tour includes whitewater rafting the Urubamba River, mountain biking Chinchero, and hiking off the beaten path Inca trails near Machu Picchu. This shortened version of our 12 day Sacred Valley and Lake Titicaca Multisport Adventure is a great choice for active travelers who are short on time but still want to maximize their activities and exploration. Go behind the scenes of some of Peru's most famous Incan sites in a way that few other travelers have.
Highlights
Visit Cusco's largest open market and the adjacent witches' market
Experience Rafting on the Upper Urubamba River
See beautiful Piuray Lake and the local farms while biking
Explore Peru's most famous Incan sites through Hiking
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 around. 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 journey to the village of Chinchero. Chinchero is a town made up by several communities and 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 Andean People. Afterwards, 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 spend the night. In the evening feel free to talk a walk around the community and maybe meet some of the locals.
A spectacular high-altitude trek featuring Andean landscapes and lakes, along with archaeological sites.
Early this morning, depart from your camping site. The hike begins at Piuray Lake near the Chincero community. Hike to the Cuper Alto community, where you will have stunning views of Mt. Verónica and the full Vilcabamba Mountain Range. You will gain and lose elevation on this hike through the altiplano, while gazing on snowcapped mountains. Eventually, you will arrive at the Incan sites of Huchuyqosqo. This site was a palace in Inca times and is well-preserved with structure made of stone and adobe. These ruins were built on the mountain top, surrounded by clear blue skies above and bounded by streams on both sides. Relax in the shade of the Queñua trees (Andean Oak) while lunch is served. After lunch and a bit of a rest, you will continue across the open terrain and begin the switchback trail down the mountain, eventually arriving at Lamay, where your driver will be waiting to take you back to your hotel for the evening.
This trip is approximately 7-8 hours of hiking. The difficulty level is strenuous, and good physical condition is required. Eventually, you make your way to the living Inca city of Ollantaytambo and overnight.
This morning board an early train bound for Aguas Calientes at the base of Machu Picchu. Disembark after about an hour at Trail Marker 104, where you will hike for approximately 3 hours to Wiñayhuayna. This is a challenging hike that winds diagonally up the side of the canyon, climbing about 2,300 feet to an elevation of 8,366 feet. Stop for a picnic lunch and a short visit to the Wiñayhuayna ruins.
After exploring the site, you will join the famous Inca Trail, hiking for about 2 hours to the famous Sun Gate (Inti punku), where you are treated to stunning views of Machu Picchu and the surrounding mountains. Continue down toward the ruins for a guided tour of this historic site.
Join the buses down the mountain to the village of Aguas Calientes. Spend your evening trying one of the many excellent local restaurants or relaxing with a soak in the hot springs. Overnight in Aguas Calientes at the base of Machu Picchu.
Wake early to watch the sunrise over Machu Picchu. Today your guide will begin to unravel the mysteries of this sacred site, explains 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.
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
Our guide and driver were very good with their knowledge and were very helpful with our questions. It was a very pleasant visit that would have been impossible to do on our own. Hotels and restaurants were fantastic. The special places we got to go to, like the kitchens, were great. Enjoyed the entire trip!
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