Activity Level 2
Hikes on our Level 2 adventures are considered easy to moderate in difficulty.
Read more about the Active Range
Price (Includes taxes and fees)
from NZD 7999/per adult
Activity Level 1
Suitable for most fitness levels, our Level 1 adventures are the perfect introduction to adventure travel.
You'll typically experience two half day activities per day, done at an easygoing pace.
Activity Level 2
Hikes on our Level 2 adventures are considered easy to moderate in difficulty.
Those who enjoy half-day hikes with enough elevation gain to elevate their heart rate will enjoy these adventures.
Activity Level 3
Those who take on our Level 3 tours are looking for more challenging hikes that will raise their heart rate.
While not our most strenuous trips, you'll definitely feel accomplished after a day on the trails. A solid base of fitness is advised.
Activity Level 4
Be prepared for some serious physical activity on our Level 4 trips. The fitter you are, the more you'll enjoy it, as most hikes will be challenging.
Hikes may include rock scrambling, river crossings, and off trail adventures.
Activity Level 5
On our Level 5 trips get ready to conquer back-to-back days of long hikes or summitting peaks at altitude.
We require a high level of fitness as adventurers will be met with plenty of challenges and sometimes extreme conditions.
There's no doubt you'll be mind blown by the contrasting landscapes, from Sacred Valley to the ancient ruins of Machu Picchu on our Classic Machu Picchu Adventure. Starting in Cusco, you'll cycle into the Sacred Valley of the Incas, hike the Huchuy Qosqo Trail, experience Machu Picchu and explore Pisac market.
Our Trip Itinerary contains all the exciting details you can expect to do on our trips. Get a clear picture of the adventures on this trip.
DOWNLOAD ITINERARY PDFDay 1
Our trip starts in Cusco, the heart of the Inca empire. After lunch, we’ll set off for a walk around this amazing ancient city and up to Sacsayhuamán fortress overlooking the main Plaza and Cusco Valley. The fortress is a magnificent archaeological site representing a set of jaguar’s teeth with massive, perfectly fitted stones weighing up to 130 tonnes each and was the place where the Incas made their final stand against the Spanish conquistadores. No one really knows what the Incas used Sacsayhuamán for – some say it was a sanctuary and temple of the sun, others say it was a granary, and yet another theory is that it was the place where the old Inca king would play football using the heads of his enemies! No matter who is right, you’ll have a lot of fun hearing all the stories this amazing area inspires.
Later, we’ll take a walk through the colorful Cusco street markets. If you prefer, you can take some time to soak in the vibrant atmosphere of Cusco’s lively town square and meet up again later for an evening meal.
Accommodation: Ramada Wyndham Costa del Sol, Cusco
Meals: Lunch, Dinner
Hiking: 1.2 miles (2 kilometers), 1-2 hours
Elevation Gain/Loss: 656 feet (200 meters) ascent, 656 feet (200 meters) descent
Day 2
We’ll head into the fertile Sacred Valley of the Incas this morning, stopping just above Cusco, where we’ll jump on our bikes and ride down through breathtaking scenery, dotted with local villages and surrounded by the massive green slopes of the Andes. We’ll finish our ride in the small town of Pisac, where we’ll have a chance to check out the colorful mercado artesanal.
From here, we’ll begin a spectacular hike up to the Pisac ruins. It’s a heart-pumping walk up through ancient agricultural terraces – you’ll never forget the views of Pisac and the Urubamba Valley! After exploring the ancient complex, we’ll descend the original Inca stairways and head further into the Sacred Valley.
Our home for the night is the small village of Yucay, in the heart of the Peruvian Andes.
Accommodation: Sonesta Posada del Inka, Yucay
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Biking: 12 miles (20 kilometers), 2-4 hours (flexible)
Hiking: 4.3 miles (7 kilometers), 2-4 hours
Elevation Gain/Loss: 1,476 feet (450 meters) ascent, 1,476 feet (450 meters) descent
Day 3
We’ll set off early this morning and head to the remote market village of Chinchero. Said to be the birthplace of the rainbow, you’ll feel like you’ve stepped back in time 500 years while we explore the cobbled alleyways and beautiful town square – still the main trading centre of the Incas from over half a century ago. From Chinchero, we’ll drive past the Piuray Lagoon and on to the Andean village of Tauca, where we’ll begin our hike to Huchuy Qosqo. The dramatic mountain views of the Urubamba range and deep valleys below are off the charts! As we make our way over the Pucajasa Mountain Pass, we’ll pass through high mountain meadows, lagoons and indigenous communities that have little contact with the outside world.
Shortly before lunch we’ll arrive at the spectacular ruins of Huchuy Qosqo (Little Cusco), thought to be the remnants of an Inca hideaway village.
After lunch, we’ll hike down to Lamay village and drive a short distance to Ollantaytambo, where we’ll take an unforgettable train ride down to the sub-tropical village of Aguas Calientes.
You’ll have a chance to wander around this colorful little town before dinner and relax after a full day of hiking!
Accommodation: Hatun Inti Boutique, Aguas Calientes
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Hiking: 8.4 miles (13.5 kilometers), 5-7 hours
Elevation Gain/Loss: 1,900 feet (579 meters) ascent, 5,000 feet (1,524 meters) descent
Day 4
After an early breakfast, we’ll head up to the ancient city of Machu Picchu, where we’ll meet our local guide who will show us around this fascinating ancient city. Afterward, you’ll have all morning to explore the many passageways and stone structures of this mysterious place on your own. We’ll also have the chance to hike to the Sun Gate for a unique perspective on these remote Inca ruins, set high on top of a mountain surrounded by lush peaks.
After plenty of time to explore Machu Picchu, we’ll take a scenic train ride back to Ollantaytambo, known to the locals simply as ‘Ollanta’.
Accommodation: El Arbergue Hotel or similar, Ollantaytambo
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Hiking: 1-3 hours,
Elevation Gain/Loss: 656 feet (200 meters) ascent, 656 feet (200 meters) descent
Day 5
Ollanta is dominated by two large ruins and is the best surviving example of Inca city planning, with narrow cobblestone streets that have been inhabited since the 13th Century! The Ollantaytambo ruins offer a fascinating insight into Inca archaeology, so we’ll spend the morning with a local guide discovering the site, placing our travels into context. Later, we’ll take an incredible hike into the majestic Valle Sagrado de Los Incas.
After a visit to the town of Maras, we’ll hike down to the salt pans of Las Salineras with the Rio Urubamba and the Sacred Valley below us. These unique salt terraces have been used since Inca times and provide a great opportunity to hone your camera skills.
A hot spring at the top of the valley discharges a small stream of heavily salt-laden water that the Incas diverted into shallow pools to produce salt, and this is still done today.
Accommodation: Ramada Wyndham Costa del Sol, Cusco
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Hiking: 2.5 miles (4 kilometers), 1-3 hours
Elevation Gain/Loss: 656 feet (200 meters) ascent, 656 feet (200 meters) descent
Day 6
Cusco is the archaeological capital of the Americas and it’s a fabulous place to wander around and get a taste for an ancient city arriving in the 21st century! Walk along Cusco’s central streets, lined with massive Inca-built stone walls that form the foundation of the city and blend into the colonial and modern architecture that has been added over the years. You can take some time this morning to explore Cusco’s most popular temples, museums, churches and fortresses. There’s no shortage of great food and entertainment in Cusco, with restaurants to suit any taste, cafés for coffee in the Plaza de Armas and great bars with local music.
Your trip finishes here and you're free to depart any time today.
Accommodation: Not applicable
Meals: Breakfast
This trip is operated by our sister brand Active Adventures
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