7-Day Machu Picchu Adventure

This ride is perfect for anyone who enjoys getting out on a bike and wants to experience the beauty and tranquility of the Sacred Valley of the Incas but in a fun, healthy, and carbon-friendly way, far from the busloads of tourists usually associated with this tour.

Its versatility means it can be easily adapted to suit every level and age.

Using our imported from Germany, state of the art, full-suspension electric-assist mountain bikes, means you can cycle the full length of the Sacred Valley with relative ease.

These amazing bikes allow for up to 5 hours of electric motor-assisted riding. You still have to peddle but it is liking having your best friend running alongside to give you a push, whenever you need it. They are the “future of biking” according to some.

You begin with an optional visit to Pisac village. At this small town based in the Sacred Valley of the Incas, we can stop for a stroll around the lovely plaza and artisan market stalls.

Just across the Urubamba river from Pisac lies the village of Taray. Here we unload the bikes, you kit up, and following full instruction in the use of your electric-assist mountain bike, begin your Sacred Valley cycle.

This lovely dirt track undulates between local villages and haciendas, where we can see traditional farming methods still in use against the beautiful backdrop of glaciated mountains and Inca ruins. Passing by Qoya, Calca, Huaran, and Huayllabamba you stop for a picnic lunch en-route.

With the help of the electric motors, climbs cease to exist as you whizz along on this virtual traffic-free road with stunning views of the Sacred Valley and the Urubamba River.

A short road transfer around Urubamba and you are back on a by-road, crossing the Urubamba river beside the train tracks and so to Pacchar and then beside towering, perfectly preserved Inca terrace, we arrive at Ollantaytambo.
The support vehicle is on hand throughout the day, allowing you to carry any extra gear or weary riders.
This full day of E-biking along the length of the Sacred Valley of the Incas will be one of the highlights of your trip to Peru.

Night At Villa Urubamba Hotel (Master Room)

Included: breakfast, lunch, snacks, water, bike, helmet, gloves, hotel

Today, you head to our watersports centre on the shores of Lake Huaypo for some active options. Set amongst fields of corn with fantastic views across to the snow-capped Vilcanota mountains, this is a relaxing rural setting and the perfect place to acclimatise and enjoy some fun on the water.

Choose between exploring the lake on our Stand Up Paddleboards or Sit On Top Kayaks. Once fully kitted up in wetsuits, booties and life jackets, your expert guide will give you a full instruction on these easy to use crafts before you head out through the reeds and onto the lake itself.

To paddle across lake Huaypo is a magical experience as you glide along enjoying spectacular views of the Andes mountains and the local farms and hopefully glimpse some of the birdlife that uses Huaypo as a migration base including Chilean flamingos. On the far side of the lake, we enjoy some snacks before heading back to our base in time for hot showers and lunch.

Pachamanca :
Lunch is 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.

After thirty-five minutes the meal is ready and we have the pleasure of digging up our delicious potatoes, yams, corn, fava beans, and meat straight from the earth.

There’s time to relax in our hammocks and enjoy the stunning views before we say farewell to Huaypo and take a dirt road to the incredible ruins of Moray. These rarely visited circular ruins are thought to have been agricultural experimental stations in the times of the Incas.

After visiting the ruins, we head back across the plains through the interesting town of Maras to visit the amazing Salineras, a series of salt pans that have been worked since Inca times.

We explore this amazing site before finally returning to our hotel after a full day of fun, culture, fine dining, and history.

Night At Villa Urubamba Hotel (Master Room)

Included: breakfast, lunch, snacks, water, paddle-board 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 the ancient Inca trail, we ascend through the 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, bus and train tickets, entrance to Machu Picchu,  transfer, 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.

Cusco Art Workshop in La Mestiza (Private)

Take a short Cusco art workshop and work with a local artist to decorate your very own Pucara Bull.

You will learn and apply the gilding techniques so important to traditional Cusco art. You will learn about the history of the bulls and their role in local customs. And about the Cusco school of art and its fusion of Andean culture with European.

Your workshop takes place in La Mestiza cafe on the Avenida El Sol. And will be led by a member of the Totemiq Art Collective. This cafe was decorated by Totemiq and demonstrates how they are helping preserve the traditions of Cusco´s artists by fusing with modern-day design.

This is a great way to create your own very special souvenir and pass a fun, relaxing, and educational two hours.

Duration: 2 hours.

Included: 01 Local beverage (Pisco sour, coffee, tea, natural fruit juice, or smoothie). All art materials.

You take home: 1 Ceramic Pucara Bull

Night at the Hotel Casa San Blas Boutique (Suite)

Included: breakfast,  art workshop, hotel

This is a unique chance to paddle a 1-day section of the mighty Rio Apurimac, through a 3000m deep canyon on the true source of the Rio Amazon. This is a full day of total adventure and you will be rewarded with spectacular views, amazing whitewater, pristine beaches, and great memories.

We pick you up early from Cusco for the spectacular drive to the Apurimac canyon, hopefully glimpsing on route the snow-capped Vilcanota mountain range and Salcantay Massif before descending an incredible road into the canyon and so to our starting point on the banks of the Apurimac. Here we inflate our specialised rafts, and, following a full safety talk and instruction in the art of white water rafting, we head off into the canyon in search of adventure.

We travel through the most spectacular canyon with world-class rapids, interspersed with gentle floats, elusive wildlife, and amazing scenery. We stop to explore side canyons, have lunch on a deserted beach before enjoying more fun rapids to our take out at Puente Huallpacachaca where we celebrate our day with cold drinks, before jumping in the vehicles for the journey back to your hotel, having had a genuine “mini-expedition” on the Rio Apurimac.

Night at the Hotel Casa San Blas Boutique (Suite)

Included: breakfast, lunch, snacks, all rafting equipment, all transport, rafting guides, and safety kayaker

Today you are free to wander around Cusco, explore the cobbled side streets of the San Blas artist district or stare in awe at the Inca treasures in the many museums.

This afternoon we will take you to the airport for your onward journey, perhaps to Lake Titicaca, the Amazon jungle, or even just home.

Included: breakfast, transfer to the airport

Read our Trip Advisor reviews to see what other families have said about travelling with us.

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:

• 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!

• 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!

• Trek ‘Intro’… This trek is about what you’ll see along the way. The ‘nature’ of trekking does of course include the risk of trips and slips, etc. Our experienced guides will keep a close eye on you and endeavour to keep you on the right track. 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! There is no real need to have any experience of trekking for this trip.