You will be met at Cusco’s airport and accompanied to your hotel, after which you will have a free morning to get used to the altitude (3300 meters / 10,900 feet) and to wander the streets of the historic center of this city. In the afternoon, we will explore Sacsayhuaman Archaeological Park, with its megalithic ruins that once formed part of an Inca “House of the Sun”. These hills above the city of Cusco are home to the remains of Inca temples, palaces and astronomical observatories. Many of the stones that form the walls of Sacsayhuaman weigh up to 200 tons, and they were set in place with incredible precision.

Overnight stay in Cusco

In the early morning, we will leave Cusco for the drive to the Urubamba River, in the Sacred Valley of the Incas, where we will raft Class III and IV rapids. Following safety instructions from our professional rafting guide, we will begin our 2 ½ hour trip down the river. After lunch, you will be driven back to your hotel in Cusco.

Overnight stay in Cusco

We will begin our third day with a morning bus ride to the village of Moray, on the plains above the Sacred Valley of the Incas, where we will continue our adventure on horseback, riding Peru's famous Paso horses, with their uniquely smooth gait. Our ride will take us to the Inca agricultural laboratory of Moray and the pre-Inca salt pans of Maras. After a nourishing picnic lunch at a picturesque location, we will continue by bus, following the course of the Urubamba River to the village of Ollantaytambo, which retains the street plan established five centuries ago by the Incas and is dominated by a great temple they built to honor their pantheon of gods. Here you will be able to learn more about life in the Andes.

Overnight stay in a comfortable local hotel

After an early breakfast, we will start today’s adventure with a bus ride of about one hour to the high pass known as Abra Malaga. This is where our bike ride begins, as we follow the road through different ecosystems, passing through endemic Polylepis forests and descending into the cloud forest. Our support vehicle will follow us closely. After a good lunch in the open air, we will continue our biking adventure as far as the village of Santa Maria, where our comfortable campsite awaits.

Dinner and overnight stay at Santa Maria campsite

A short early morning bus ride will take us to the village of Santa Rosa, where our hike will begin, taking us through farmland where local communities produce coca leaves, coffee and several varieties of tropical fruits. We will walk along sections of well-preserved Inca highway, with superb views of the Urubamba canyon. After arriving in the late afternoon at our comfortable campsite in Cocalmayo, we will have plenty of time to relax in the natural hot springs before a delicious evening meal.

Overnight stay at Santa Teresa campsite

A unique experience awaits us today. We will travel as local people do, on a truck transporting tropical fruits (bananas, passion fruit, etc.) and coffee beans through the valley. About one hour after leaving Cocalmayo, we will arrive at the village of Lucmabamba. From here, we will hike over a restored section of Inca highway up to El Mirador, the highest point on our route. From here there are panoramic views of the surrounding snow-capped peaks, including Mount Salkantay, and a view towards Machu Picchu rarely seen by travelers. After lunch we will continue our hike, descending towards the Machu Picchu hydroelectric plant, from where it is a 30-minute train ride to the village of Aguas Calientes, below the ruins of Machu Picchu.

Overnight stay in a comfortable hotel in Aguas Calientes

After an early breakfast, we will take one of the early buses up to the ruins of Machu Picchu, to enjoy first light in that magical setting. You will be accompanied throughout the tour of the site by an expert guide. Other options at Machu Picchu include the hike to the Inca drawbridge, or climbing Wayna Picchu. We will return to the town of Aguas Calientes in the afternoon to board the train to Cusco.

Transfer to the hotel for overnight stay in Cusco

Transfer to Cusco airport for domestic and/or international flight connections.

2024 cost per person in US dollars

Double accommodation