From: £2,515
From: $3,348
Upon arrival at Cusco airport, your guide will greet you and accompany you on a 90-minute transfer to your hotel in the Sacred Valley.
Along the way, there will be plenty of scenic viewpoints, perfect for photo stops. You’ll also have the chance to visit Awana Kancha camelid farm and feed some llamas and alpacas, as well as learn a bit about traditional weaving.
We will then continue to Pisac where we’ll explore the popular craft market. There is an option to visit the impressive Inca ruins as well.
But do please take it easy on your first days at altitude!
We’ll stop for a packed lunch en route.
Your guide will accompany you to your Sacred Valley hotel and help you check in.
Today we visit our watersports center on Lake Huaypo, surrounded by cornfields and offering sweeping views of the snow-capped Vilcanota mountains. This peaceful spot is ideal for adapting to the altitude and enjoying some water-based fun.
Choose between stand-up paddle boarding or sit-on-top kayaking. With full gear provided, your guide will teach you the basics before you glide across the lake, taking in stunning views of the Andes and, hopefully, glimpsing some of the local birdlife, including rare Andean flamingos.
On the far side of the lake, we’ll stop for snacks before returning to base for a warm shower and lunch.
Lunch is a delicious buffet prepared with locally sourced ingredients and freshly prepared natural drinks.
After lunch, relax in a hammock before we say goodbye to Lake Huaypo and drive to the remarkable Moray ruins. These circular ruins, once Incan agricultural labs, are less visited.
Afterward, we travel to Maras to explore the ancient Salineras salt pans, in use since Inca times.
After a full day of culture and adventure, we return to the hotel.
We start our bike ride just outside the town of Urubamba on a little-used dirt road. You’ll be given full instruction in the skill of E-biking before we set off along the Sacred Valley.
(Ask about mountain bike option)
We pass small rural communities, whizz past fields of potatoes and corn and enjoy the views as we effortlessly glide along.
We cross the Urubamba river via an old railway bridge and then take what used to be an Inca trail. We soon see our first traces of Inca ruins.
We pass Pachar and we continue on to the Inca town of Ollantaytambo and to our lunch at El Albergue farm.
Lunch is set at 12:00 noon, but this is flexible.
Today’s lunch is a traditional Pachamanca. Stones are heated
with a wood fire and once it is very hot, meat and vegetables and herbs are added and the whole mound is covered by wet sheets and finally a mound of earth.
While the meal is cooking, you will be shown around this organic farm, and enjoy a fascinating visit to the Cañazo distillery where the sugar cane liquor is processed alongside the coffee roasting facility.
After about forty-five minutes the meal is ready and we have the pleasure of digging our delicious potatoes, yams, corn, fava beans, lamb, pork, alpaca, and chicken straight from the earth.
Food is served family- style accompanied by chicha, fresh salads and a variety of sauces, including our tasty uchucutas.
This afternoon, we visit the Inca town of Ollantaytambo with an optional visit of its impressive Inca ruins . Ollantaytambo was the site of a huge battle between the Spanish and the Incas and the village remains almost intact from Inca times.
We then drop you off at your hotel for the night.
Today’s highlight is a hike on the one-day Inca Trail to Machu Picchu.
After an early train ride, we begin the hike through tropical cloud forest, stopping for lunch at the beautiful Inca terraces of Wiñay Wayna.
From there, a gentle two-hour walk and a final ascent bring us through the Sun Gate, where Machu Picchu unfolds before you.
We carry on past this wonder of the world to catch the bus down to the lively town of Machu Picchu Pueblo (also known as Aguas Calientes).
Whilst walking all you need is your daypack as your overnight luggage will be transferred to your hotel in Machu Picchu town to await your arrival.
You have the evening to relax in the hot springs as you dream about tomorrow’s full exploration of the ruins!
Total hiking distance: 11 km
A short bus ride from town brings you to the legendary site of Machu Picchu, where your guide will explain the intricacies of Inca engineering, including altars, temples, and structures used for celestial rituals.
Your entrance to Machu Picchu includes a permit to climb Wayna Picchu. This two hour round trip is up steep, exposed steps and not for the faint-hearted. However the rewards for your efforts is a wonderful “condor’s eye” view of the ruins. Well worth it if you can.
We’ll have lunch in a local restaurant.
In the afternoon, we board the train for a lovely ride along the Sacred Valley of the Incas. Here our waiting bus takes us back to our hotel.
Today begins with a short drive to Sacsayhuaman, an ancient fortress overlooking Cusco with walls built of massive stones, some weighing over 140 tons. After admiring the views, you can explore the labyrinthine pathways before a scenic walk back to Cusco for lunch.
A downhill brings us to San Cristobal church built on top of Inca Manco Capac’s Palace, and a fantastic spot to get an overview of Cusco. We continue down the streets of San Blas and into the Plaza de Armas and the magnificent Cathedral. Afterward, a short walk past Inca walls brings us to the Qoricancha – the Sun temple and the very centre of the Inca Empire.
Depending on your energy levels and the time we have left, we can visit the local market, shop for souvenirs or wander through San Blas – the artisan part of Cusco city.
You’ll have some time to explore on your own before the guide accompanies you to the hotel.
After lunch, you’ll join a shared Cusco Art Workshop & Coffee Experience, where you’ll have the chance to work with a local artist to decorate your very own Pucara Bull.
This is a great way to create your own very special souvenir and pass a fun, relaxing and educational two hours.
(Ask us about that alternative of a 2-hour chocolate-making workshop where you’ll learn about the history of chocolate and make your own bar of Peruvian chocolate – a perfect gift, if you can resist eating it yourself!)
This is a day of total adventure and a unique opportunity to paddle the mighty Rio Apurimac, through a 3000m deep canyon on the true source of the Rio Amazon.
You will have spectacular views, amazing whitewater and beautiful beaches.
We pick you up early for the stunning drive to the Apurimac canyon, glimpsing Andean peaks before descending into the canyon and on to our starting point on the banks of the Apurimac.
Your guide will ensure you’re prepared for a safe and fun experience.
We travel through a spectacular canyon with world class rapids,
gentle floats, elusive wildlife and amazing scenery.
We stop to explore side canyons, have lunch on a deserted beach before enjoying more rapids to our take out. Here we celebrate our day with cold drinks, before getting back into the vehicles for the drive back to your hotel.
Today is free for you to explore Cusco at your leisure, from the artist-filled San Blas district to the many museums displaying Incan treasures.
Later, your transfer to the airport awaits, whether your next stop is Lake Titicaca, the Amazon, or your journey home. You may also choose to extend your stay in Cusco.
We use clean, centrally-located 3* hotels for this trip.
Upgrades to 4 and 5* hotels where available at extra cost.
Paddlesport: For anyone who doesn’t mind getting wet!
Experienced and qualified guides are on hand to keep you (mostly) the right way up. We are more interested in your ‘water confidence’ than your ability to swim. The only parameter is that you are mobile enough to help us get you back in the boat.
Mountain Bike/E-bike: The only pre-requirement is that you can ride a bike.
These trips are as much about experiencing biking as an activity as they are about the time spent not on the bike – the scenery, the culture, the environment.
Experienced guides help you, but there may be times where you (but maybe not others) are asked to walk a section of trail. Guide’s decisions are final.
Trek: The ‘nature’ of trekking does of course include the risk of trips and slips, etc. It’s a 4-5 hour trek up some (sometimes) steep Inca steps at the start of the 2-day Inc Trail. There is no real need to have any experience of trekking for this trip.
Do take extra care on steep descents and on the occasions where there may be an ‘edge’ – don’t be shy to ask for support from your guide – it’s what they are there for.
We include a Pachamanca pitroast in this tour, a very traditional Peruvian meal where meat and vegetables are cooked on hot stones in a hole in the ground.
Breakfast is at your hotel and will usually feature hot drinks, juice, toast, jam, ham, cheese, fruits and cereals.
Lunch will be either sandwiches or meat or cheese, with snacks etc. We do our best to provide a wide selection of fruits, salads and homemade tasty treats while out and about.
Evenings are free time, so you can choose from international or Peruvian cuisine in a local restaurant – our guides will be sure to have some suggestions.
All the guides on this tour come to us as recommendations.
Training is a vital investment in our guides to ensure the security and safety of all our trips.
All the guides are all qualified in first aid, taught by instructors brought over from the UK.
River guides: All our white water rafting and kayaking guides hold the internationally recognised “Swiftwater Rescue Technician Advanced” qualification.
Inca Trail Guides: All have the necessary Tourism University degree required to be registered Inca Trail guides. This course includes Peruvian history, languages, International tourist circuits, geography, geology, company organisation and administration.
They have up to date outdoor first aid certificates and a working knowledge of hypothermia and altitude sickness. They are aware of emergency & evacuation procedures at any point.
Mountain Bike/E-bike Guides: They have a background of biking and can fix most roadside problems. All bike guides and mechanics are expert riders. Many have won, or ranked highly in both local and international downhill races.
A vibrant journey through Peru’s diverse landscapes and cultures, from the majestic Andes to the wildlife-rich Amazon.
An action-packed journey through Peru and Bolivia, blending Amazon wildlife, rich culture, and breathtaking landscapes.
Eight action-filled travel days see your family thoroughly explore the Cusco region of southern Peru. Expert guides accompany you throughout.
E-bike in the Sacred Valley, feed llamas and alpacas, and help cook a traditional Pachamanca – food cooked underground! Paddle board on a high Andean Lake, explore the Inca heartland of the Sacred valley, trek to Machu Picchu on a one-day hike.
Travel to Peru with your family for a fabulous active holiday and we will ensure you collect family memories that’ll last a lifetime.
From: $3372 per person
Duration
13 days
Being at altitude, especially in the tropics, is usually a pleasure as it isn’t so hot, there are few insects and the air is clear.
However, when gaining altitude, air pressure drops and the amount of oxygen reaching the lungs is reduced. Although we build plenty of acclimatisation time into our itineraries, certain ill-effects are possible. Nevertheless, all of these can be minimised or prevented if care is taken.
On reaching heights above 2,500m (approx. 8,200 ft), especially when ascent has been straight from sea level, heart pounding, mild headache and shortness of breath are normal, especially on exertion.
Acute mountain sickness (AMS) is a syndrome known locally as soroche, whose symptoms can include of bad headache, dizziness and nausea).
To avoid AMS, you should:
Peru is made up of 3 distinct geographical areas: the coast, the mountains and the jungle.
The costa or coastal region is a narrow ribbon of desert 2,250 km long, crossed by fertile river valleys flowing from the Andes. It takes up 11% of the country and holds more than 40% of the population.
The cold Humboldt current gives rise to a blanket of mist – the garua – which hangs above coastal cities like the capital Lima from May to November.
Heading east, you’re soon climbing above the garua and into the Andes. The sierra, or mountainous region, covers some 25% of Peru’s territory and contains 50% of the population. The sierra inhabitants are mainly Indigenous or Mestizo, and many still speak Quechua or Aymara.
The sierra contains dozens of 6,000-metre snow peaks and volcanoes, including Huascaran (6,768m) the highest mountain in the tropics. The deep valley basins contain most of the towns and arable land; the terracing and canal systems of the Incas and pre-Incas are often still used today.
The eastern Andes are heavily forested up to 3,350m and sweep down into the Amazon Basin.
Peru’s selva or jungle makes up almost two thirds of the country’s area, but holds only about 6% of the population: the only towns with significant populations are Iquitos and Pucallpa.
Peru is the perfect holiday destination for adventure travellers that want an amazing variety of activity, geography and cultural travel experiences.
The breadth of travel experiences in Peru is breathtaking – from trekking in the Andes to Machu Picchu to the tropical jungle of the Amazon, and plenty in between.
The people of Peru make it a special destination too, with its colourful and traditional street life and friendly locals.
Book with Andean Trails and get 15% off Páramo’s fantastic ethical and high performance outdoor gear.
Peru has a wide variety of climates, due largely to the huge altitudinal range it covers.
During the day hopefully, it will be generally sunny enough for shorts and T-shirts, though having a fleece and rain gear handy is advisable. It will get cold especially in the evenings, so bring a warm fleece jacket, a good waterproof and some warm clothes including thermal underwear, gloves, scarf and woolly hat as well as one set of smarter clothes for Cusco.
Machu Picchu does have some sand-flies and clients are advised to wear long trousers and long-sleeved shirts to avoid bites.
We provide wetsuit boot, wetsuits and splash-jackets. You just need:
A vibrant journey through Peru’s diverse landscapes and cultures, from the majestic Andes to the wildlife-rich Amazon.
An action-packed journey through Peru and Bolivia, blending Amazon wildlife, rich culture, and breathtaking landscapes.
