8-Day Active Machu Picchu Adventure

We start this ride just outside the town of Urubamba on a rarely used dirt road.
Following a full instruction in the art of E biking (Full suspension Electric Assisted Mountain bikes), we set off along the Sacred Valley, passing small hamlets, through fields of potatoes and giant corn and enjoying the views as we effortless whizz along.

We cross the Urubamba river on an old railway bridge and then take what used to be an Inca trail but is now a virtually unused dirt road. Soon we see our first vestiges of Inca ruins, vast terraces beside which we cycle. Passing Pachar, we continue on to the Inca town of Ollantaytambo and so to our lunch at el Albergue farm.

A Pachamanca is a traditional way of preparing food in the Andes. In the absence of a stove, an oven is built out of stones, the stones are heated with a wood fire and once brought to a very high temperature. The meat and vegetables are then carefully covered with the rocks. Herbs are then 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, working to sustainable methods to provide food for the Cafe Mayu restaurant. After 45 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.

You can enjoy your meal under a thatch roof in the middle of the farm with views of the Inca temple of Ollantaytambo, mount Pinkulluna and the Veronica glacier. Food is served family-style accompanied by chicha, fresh salads and a variety of sauces, including our tasty uchucutas. Beer and wine are available upon request, and we offer our signature Matacuy as a complimentary digestif after the meal. This is made in the on-site distillery, where you can also taste Caña Alta, a sugar cane spirit being distilled here in an attempt to revive lost traditions.

This afternoon, we visit the Inca town of Ollantaytambo with an optional visit of its impressive Inca ruins ( you must have a tourist ticket for this). 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 return to your hotel for the night (or your onward journey to Machu Picchu)

Night at Pakaritampu Hotel (Superior Room)

Included: breakfast, lunch, snacks, water, all Ebiking equipment, hotel

We start early in the morning and transfer to the train station for the beautiful journey towards Machu Picchu. At km104 we alight, pass through the control and start our walk past the interesting ruins at Chachabamba. Following ancient Inca trail, we ascend through tropical cloud forest and climb high above the roaring Urubamba River. Whilst walking all you need to carry is a daypack.

An initially challenging ascent is replaced by satisfaction as we reach Wiñay Wayna, a beautiful Inca ruin full of swallows and orchids. We enjoy a picnic lunch and, time-permitting, visit these impressive ruins before joining what is generally considered to be the most spectacular part of the Inca Trail. The contour path through the fascinating cloud forest leads to Inti Puncu, ‘the gateway of the Sun’ and our first glimpse of Machu Picchu.

We savour the moment, take photos and then once in the ruins themselves, your guide will give you an extensive walking tour of Machu Picchu and explain the fascinating history of the Incas. If time permits you may wish to explore further to the Inca Bridge, whilst some may prefer to just relax and take in the stunning location. We catch an afternoon bus to Machu Picchu town and transfer to the train station, where you can catch a late train back to Ollantaytambo and onwards to your hotel.

Night at the Hotel Casa San Blas Boutique (Suite)

Included: breakfast, lunch, snacks, water, all transport, hotel

Free Morning in Cusco: Enjoy a free morning in Cusco for some rest and recuperation. Whether your interest is exploring Inca ruins, visiting Colonial churches, bargain hunting in artisan markets, visiting the chocolate museum, or just relaxing over a coffee on a terrace overlooking the Plaza de Armas, Cusco has something for everyone.

Market tour and group cooking class

This cooking class starts with a thirty-minute tour of the traditional open-air San Pedro market to source our produce and learn about Peruvian products. Afterward, we will head to the 11th floor Rooftop Kitchen facility, with breathtaking views of the city, to start the cooking lesson.

The class consists of the preparation of a Pisco Sour, an appetizer, a main course and a glass of wine. We also offer vegetarian options (please specify when you reserve). The lesson lasts approximately two hours and is the perfect way to spend the morning or afternoon becoming a Peruvian chef.

Transport included: You will be picked up from your hotel at either 11 am or 4 pm and dropped back at about 1.45 pm or 6.45 pm

Night at the Hotel Casa San Blas Boutique (Suite)

Included: breakfast, meal as part of cooking class, hotel

Leaving Cusco early, we follow the Rio Vilcanota to the small village of Chuquicahuana before heading into the hills to the first and largest of the “4 Lagunas”, Lake Pomacanchis.

Here we load up our overnight gear and after lunch and full instructions in the art of Kayaking or Stand up paddleboarding, we set off across the crystalline waters of the lake in search of adventure.

We set up camp on the far side of the lake, collect firewood, and enjoy watching the sunset over the lake. Dinner, maybe a Pisco Sour or cold drink follows, before relaxing around the campfire and stargazing under the pitch-black Andean Sky before turning in for a great night’s sleep.

Night camping

Included: breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks, water, all watersport, and camping equipment (except sleeping bags)

Waking to the sounds of coots and moorhens on the lake, you enjoy a leisurely breakfast on the lakeshore, before heading out onto the lake once again, to cross back to your waiting vehicle

Leaving the beautiful Lake Pomacanchis we take a dirt road to the small village of Pitumarca and climb further to the road head at just over 4000m.

Here you meet your muleteers and load up your trekking gear to start the hike to Waqrapukara, following an ancient Inca trail and passing small lakes with big views back to the Ausanagate mountains and even the mountains above the Sacred Valley.

A mainly flat trail brings you to your camp for the night, high above the Apurimac Canyon, next to Waqrapukara itself. The name means “Horned Fortress”, though it is thought to have been a ceremonial center.

Whilst camp is being set up, you can explore this impressive site. While part of the site is Inca, its origins go back to the Chanca culture, famous for its bloodiness in battle. Captured enemies were sometimes hung up and skinned alive, and their skulls made into drinking vessels.

After a hearty dinner, you camp under the stars. There is virtually no light pollution here, making it ideal for seeing the Andean Milky Way.

Drive time 3 hrs

Hiking distance 11km

Hiking time 4 hrs

Night camping

Included: breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks, water, all watersport, and camping equipment (except sleeping bags)

This morning you hike, a mainly flat and downhill trail, to the small village of Campi. Your path passes beneath huge rock walls and has a canyonlands feel to it and there are big views out across the mountains.

You arrive at a beautiful lake above Campi to meet your vehicle in time for lunch. Then you can relax for the drive back to Cusco.

Drive time 3 hrs

Hiking distance 7km

Hiking time 3 hrs

Night at the Hotel Casa San Blas Boutique (Suite)

Included: breakfast, lunch, snacks, water, transport, hotel

Back once more in the old Inca capital, you have time to enjoy all that this city has to offer. Museums, chocolate making classes, souvenir hunting or even just sitting in one of the many cafes and watching the world go by. The new late flights out of Cusco allow you to really maximize your time and get the most out of this holiday of a lifetime.

For those with more time, we can offer you extensions to the Amazon rainforest, Lake Titicaca, Colca Canyon and Arequipa or even to little-visited northern Peru.

Included: breakfast, transfer

In order to fully enjoy your trip it is very important that you choose the right trip for you and fully understand what it involves.

There are risks inherent in travelling in Peru, as indeed there are in most of the activities that we provide. Many of the activities we offer also involve a significant level of effort on your part.  After all, it is called Adventure Travel for a reason.

It is really important that you read both the trip notes above and the Risk and Safety Section on our website, to enable you to choose the best trip for you. Once you have read them both, please make sure you ask if there is anything you do not understand. We classify this trip as:

• Mountain Bike ‘Intro’- These trips are as much about experiencing Mountain Biking as they are about the time spent not on the bike – the scenery, the culture, the environment! The only pre-requirement is that you can ride a bike! Clearly it would be good if you’ve ridden in the last 20 years! Our experienced guides will help you with gaining experience and confidence on your bike – there may be times where you (but maybe not others!) are asked to walk a section of trail… Please follow the advice of the guide, they really do know what they are doing!

• Paddlesport ‘Intro’– Anyone who doesn’t mind getting wet can do any of our paddlesports. Rafting and Duckying can get quite adventurous, but our experienced and qualified guides will be 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 – even then if you do suffer with your mobility, let us know what support you might need and maybe the water is calling you!

• Trek ‘Advanced’… This trek is mostly aimed at experienced trekkers – But if you are ‘fit’ (What does that mean? In this case – that you do regular exercise – walk/cycle/jog/squash/ etc) and have an ‘adventurous’ disposition, then you might consider this too! As an experienced trekker you will know that this type of trip will involve some sweating and breathing hard! It will involve steep up and down. There may be sections of rough trail that falling off is not an option! The days are likely to be long, remote and even arduous at times. Make sure you are comfortable with this description (and the remainder of the trip notes), if at all unsure, then drop us an email asking for more clarification. We want you to book the perfect trip for you!